Should I buy a new set of bongos? Which one?
22 posts
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by Raymond » Sat Mar 19, 2005 12:19 pm
Cali tends to give it a try at anything...but don't know about batas. With bongos you have to check what type of model he is making. I've heard about 5 tuning lugs bongos from the old time that he used to make. Smaller bongos and bigger bongos...He tends to experiment and work different things. Nevertheless, the bongos he makes a great quality, the hardware is pretty good that is very important since I've heard another "custom worker" El Piernas some of his bongos the hardware suffers. Need to check with thim on that...
Regarding learning batas....supposedly you have to be initiated to learn some of the beats or "cantos" of the drums...Some of the people that know about it tend to give you that response when you ask them about learning to play batas. There are bata teachers out there who know and will not require to get "involved" or treat you like a "martial artist who is teaching the sacred "death touch." You have to check that out.....
Saludos!
Regarding learning batas....supposedly you have to be initiated to learn some of the beats or "cantos" of the drums...Some of the people that know about it tend to give you that response when you ask them about learning to play batas. There are bata teachers out there who know and will not require to get "involved" or treat you like a "martial artist who is teaching the sacred "death touch." You have to check that out.....
Saludos!
- Raymond
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- Location: Puerto Rico
by bingobongo » Mon May 09, 2005 12:50 pm
I recently upgraded from Matador copies to lp generation II bongos and the difference was amazing.
Having said that, the lp 'hand picked' skin on the hembra has a little to much resonance for my likeing. Is there any way to achieve a lower dry pitch without changing the skin or is it my tuning thats the problem.
Ive heard some people put tape on the underside of the skin to dull the sound.
Thew
Having said that, the lp 'hand picked' skin on the hembra has a little to much resonance for my likeing. Is there any way to achieve a lower dry pitch without changing the skin or is it my tuning thats the problem.
Ive heard some people put tape on the underside of the skin to dull the sound.
Thew
- bingobongo
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by Firebrand » Mon May 09, 2005 1:39 pm
My first thoughts on my new LP Gen II,
I just "test ran it" at one of my father's gig, and I could hear a definite "louder" sound. However, the actual tone was much like the Matador's (I'm guessing they are similar, being that Matador are really Gen I). I have handpicked heads on both, and although the macho head could be tuned high, it wasn't as crispy as I like it. I'm definiltey going to get a NuSkyn for it. I'll leave real skin for the hembra.
My final thoughts: if you have a Matador and Bongo is NOT your main instrument, retrofit them with a NuSkyn on macho, and real skin (maybe mule?) on hembra, and you will be all set. They are good bongos.
If Bongo is your PRIMARY instrument, I'd probably say don't waste money on the Matador and pay a little extra for the LP Gen II or Giovanni models (or other pro brands). You'll appreciate the bigger tone you get them, although the difference is not as perceptible as comparing Matadors with Aspire models. Aspire models are so dry and so weak in tone, that I wouldn't even recommend them for students.
Since Bongo is one of my primary instruments, I went with LP Gen II, and I'm happy with it...now to get a Nuskyn....
I just "test ran it" at one of my father's gig, and I could hear a definite "louder" sound. However, the actual tone was much like the Matador's (I'm guessing they are similar, being that Matador are really Gen I). I have handpicked heads on both, and although the macho head could be tuned high, it wasn't as crispy as I like it. I'm definiltey going to get a NuSkyn for it. I'll leave real skin for the hembra.
My final thoughts: if you have a Matador and Bongo is NOT your main instrument, retrofit them with a NuSkyn on macho, and real skin (maybe mule?) on hembra, and you will be all set. They are good bongos.
If Bongo is your PRIMARY instrument, I'd probably say don't waste money on the Matador and pay a little extra for the LP Gen II or Giovanni models (or other pro brands). You'll appreciate the bigger tone you get them, although the difference is not as perceptible as comparing Matadors with Aspire models. Aspire models are so dry and so weak in tone, that I wouldn't even recommend them for students.
Since Bongo is one of my primary instruments, I went with LP Gen II, and I'm happy with it...now to get a Nuskyn....
- Firebrand
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by Raymond » Mon May 09, 2005 8:49 pm
Firebrand,
If you have a thicker head, your macho will not sound as crispy as you like. (You'll get a high tuning but the pitch will not be as good as with a thin head). Also, if you just installed your new heads you might need to allow some break in for them to "reach their sound."
Yep, if you want crispy in the mach, go NuSkyn..
Saludos!
If you have a thicker head, your macho will not sound as crispy as you like. (You'll get a high tuning but the pitch will not be as good as with a thin head). Also, if you just installed your new heads you might need to allow some break in for them to "reach their sound."
Yep, if you want crispy in the mach, go NuSkyn..
Saludos!
- Raymond
- Posts: 747
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 1:16 am
- Location: Puerto Rico
by Raymond » Tue May 10, 2005 10:15 am
Franc,
I have never listened to a Gen III with NuSkyns. However, I've listened to a Gen II with Nuskyns.
Macho crispy and hembra is not as bassy but is acceptable. (Depends how you is your tuning and "hand pressure" in the hit). Personally, thinner heads, in the hembra have never been my favorite. Like my tuning bassy in the hembra and is better achieved in with a thicker head. One thing, and I was just discussing this with some friends, the NuSkyns do not project as well as the Fyberskins, for obvious reasons, and Remo tells you, Fyberskins have more overtones than NuSkyns. (The difference is not noticeable by the untrained ear).
Going back to Gen III, as we have discussed here, Gen III have a 9 inch hembra, just like my favorite Pearl Elites do, hence, the hembra will be more bassy...That's all.
Seen some people doing a mix of NuSkyn in macho and Fyberskin in hembra to achieve a crispy macho and a bassy hembra. .Cosmetically, by some they do not look good, a white head and a beige head but that is the case with some natural heads anyway. Personally, I do not like the super crispy sound anymore, at least for know, and I achieve a comfortable "crispyness" in my tuning of the macho with Fyberskins. (If you want to check my tuning, if you are in Puerto Rico, be checking in Channel 6 in the program called "Asi Canta Puerto Rico", a program we just recorded yesterday with Charlie Aponte and Jerry Rivas of El Gran Combo and Sammy Marrero of Raphy Leavitt's La Selecta that is going to be called "Los Soneros Sing PR Typic Music". I am with Prodigio Claudio's Cuatro Son group that plays in the program with them...The producers told me they do not know when they program is going to be aired but I know is normally aired on Tuesday at 8:00PM and repeated on Saturdays in the late afternoon! Check it out! I am in bongos....Pearl Elite, Richie Flores Signature, with Fiberskyns)
Saludos!
Edited By Raymond on 1115720503
I have never listened to a Gen III with NuSkyns. However, I've listened to a Gen II with Nuskyns.
Macho crispy and hembra is not as bassy but is acceptable. (Depends how you is your tuning and "hand pressure" in the hit). Personally, thinner heads, in the hembra have never been my favorite. Like my tuning bassy in the hembra and is better achieved in with a thicker head. One thing, and I was just discussing this with some friends, the NuSkyns do not project as well as the Fyberskins, for obvious reasons, and Remo tells you, Fyberskins have more overtones than NuSkyns. (The difference is not noticeable by the untrained ear).
Going back to Gen III, as we have discussed here, Gen III have a 9 inch hembra, just like my favorite Pearl Elites do, hence, the hembra will be more bassy...That's all.
Seen some people doing a mix of NuSkyn in macho and Fyberskin in hembra to achieve a crispy macho and a bassy hembra. .Cosmetically, by some they do not look good, a white head and a beige head but that is the case with some natural heads anyway. Personally, I do not like the super crispy sound anymore, at least for know, and I achieve a comfortable "crispyness" in my tuning of the macho with Fyberskins. (If you want to check my tuning, if you are in Puerto Rico, be checking in Channel 6 in the program called "Asi Canta Puerto Rico", a program we just recorded yesterday with Charlie Aponte and Jerry Rivas of El Gran Combo and Sammy Marrero of Raphy Leavitt's La Selecta that is going to be called "Los Soneros Sing PR Typic Music". I am with Prodigio Claudio's Cuatro Son group that plays in the program with them...The producers told me they do not know when they program is going to be aired but I know is normally aired on Tuesday at 8:00PM and repeated on Saturdays in the late afternoon! Check it out! I am in bongos....Pearl Elite, Richie Flores Signature, with Fiberskyns)
Saludos!
Edited By Raymond on 1115720503
- Raymond
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- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 1:16 am
- Location: Puerto Rico
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