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I just picked these for. Late 60’ - early 70’s LP Palissades Bongos with Cuban style bottom rims. But it looks like someone drilled a hole on the wood bridge. Probably to put it on a stand. Any ideas on how to repair it? Or should I just put a nut and wing nut on it?

All input is welcomed, Juaort.

You can do what you want : leave it as is, put a bolt and a wingnut or a simple nut, a wood dowel of a similar colour...

My Valje LP, bought 30 years ago, came with such a bolt and a nut at the time. I took them off once, to use the bongó on a stand, and left the bolt and nut in the bag for all that time. The hole doesn't bother me.

I’m leaning towards a Bolt and wing nut. I do have an authentic LP Wing Nut from a parts Gen2 Bongo. I’ll try that.

It should fit. If not, try another size...

Bongoceros, I decided to put an LP Bolt and Wing Nut to cover the drill hole someone put in the Bridge. I also upgraded the lug nuts to LP Super Nuts, I also added two backing plates to the inside of the shells. I added two new skins from Manito Percussion. These look Stellar and should last another 50yrs!

Take a look, Juaort

Nice.

Thank you sir!

Nice bongos. Did you put those skins on from flat? Nice skins and nice job! Do you plan to play them, collect them or sell them?

Hey Jorge, thanks for the feedback. Yea, I got the skins from Manito and I put them on myself. That’s part of the fun. Currently I’m more of a collector. I play now as a way to reduce stress and have some fun at the same time. I’m a Salsero at heart, so I love playing.

The Bongos are in amazing shape, so when the opportunity came up I snagged them. It’s been chilly here in NYC, so I’m waiting for some sun so the skins can dry up properly before I tune them.

Best, Juaort.

Yeah, not many people know to put the macho skin on with the rim so high up like that. That is the best way so once you play them and get the macho broken in, it pulls down to 1/4" or 1/2" below the bearing edge and stays there, which is perfect long term. If you put the skin on with the rim already 1/2" or more below the bearing edge, it can pull down too low as it breaks in and becomes hard to tune and breaks more easily, plus wears out your lugs faster.
The one thing is, now you have to PLAY YOUR BONGOS to break in the skins!
Sun is nice, but mild heat near a radiator works well too. Warm not hot. Patience is important like you said. The one thing you don't want to do is tune up the macho while the skin is still damp in the high stress area between the rim and the shell. That area is the last to dry, and is hard to tell if it is completely dry in there. If you tune it up before it dries you can weaken or partially tear the skin in that area and it won't last. Sometimes if I am in a hurry I even take the skin off to check and make sure the skin is bone dry in that area, then put it back on immediately and leave it a few more days or tune it up.
Since you are in NYC, you have access to some GREAT bongoceros to learn from, so you are all set.

Thanks Jorge, I’m itching to play these, but I want to make sure their 100% dry. I’ll wait a couple of days just to be on the safe side. You’re 100% on the money on how to mount the skins. I’ve always done it this way and it works out great for the reasons you stated before. Sound to me is extremely Important, but the look has to be right as well.

Saludos, that is the same way I have always mount skins on my bongos Macho. That way they last longer.

Front shot

That’s one nice looking Bongo you got there Sir!

Yea, it makes me sad to see Bongo heads stretched to the max. Sometimes an inch or more, You can never come back from that, the skin is never the same. The way I was thought when I started was to un-tone your Bongos or Congas when your done with them.

Thanks Juaort. It was made by Jorge Miranda from Ponce P.R of the same wood piece as you can see by the wood pattern. Also it is solid mahogany no staves. I use it most for recording. Yes I also don't like to see an stretched skins on bongos az that make them look cheap. I tune and de tune even if it is synthetic. This other mahogany bongó is also make by the same artisan. He does not makes the hardware.