Ebay Gon Bops Mariano's

[kongo]

I saw a set of 4 Gon Bops "Mariano" drums on sale on Ebay the other day. They sold for over $2,100.00 !

I know collectors with money to burn can snap up enitre factory inventories in a heart beat and I am also aware of the whole mystique surrounding Gon Bops (real or imagined), but really...were these drums ever that great, even when brand spanking new?

I know a lot of the "veteranos" on this site can chime in on this one.

[Berimbau]

Dear Kongo,
I've been playing congas for over 37 years, and I believe that Gon Bops reputation is quite imaginary. Remember that Gon Bops were often poorly made, came with poor quality skins, easily cracked, went out of round, and were too heavy to leg lift, etc. Almost ANY LP product was superior, including their fiberglass models, which I don't really care for that much. For that matter, even the new Gon Bops are probably better. You got to ask yourself this question, if these drums are really so great and so precious, why are musicians selling them? I know of two big time dealers of old Gon Bops on E-Bay. Both ARE drummers and both will no doubt sell you ANY one of their old Gon Bops for the right price!!!
Now an old Vargaro, a Skin on Skin or a Tirado tub might be worth some kinda loot. There are also a number of new companies such as Timba, Volcano, etc. that are also making high quality instruments although I think even their prices are a bit over-inflated. Still NO old congas have become as ridiculously over-priced as what some old Gibson and Fender guitars are selling for. Now one should be careful and never confuse real quality with market value. How do you think Bush got to be president and Britney number one on the charts? Unfortunately, people ARE that stupid!!


Saludos,



Berimbau

[pcastag]

I actually really like the OAK gon bops, they sound awesome and don't have the same problems that the mahogany drums have . Having said that, there is a unique sound to the gon bops. I feel it is not really due to their use in salsa music, but more to the sound created by the incorporation of congas into 70's funk music, that real dry funky sound like on all those Marvin Gaye records and Isaac hayes stuff.
PC

[kongo]

The old Gon Bops company had a large cutomer base and I'm sure the new Gon Bops will also develop a strong following. I've read on this board several pro's and con's on Gon Bops of different eras and differant models, all very informative.

Still, it's intresting to compare the differant trajectories that all of these percussion firms have had over the years. The idea that "back in the day" ALL conga drums were better built is a fallacy. While, I know that scarcity drives up the value of most things; paying 2,100 bones for those tubs makes me wonder if I hang on to my LP fiberglass, Minel's and Timba's for 40 years, one of my grand kids can trade them in for a down payment on a house!

Currently my favorite congas (in no particular order) are Moperc, Timba, LP and Minel. I play a brand depending on my mood and what type of music I'm palying (son, rumba, bembe, etc.). I love them all.

Hopefully, some day someone will write a book on the conga drum and fill in some of the historical gaps.

Thanks for the feedback, compadres.

Suerte!

kongo

[OLSONGO]

Bau, I know exactly what you mean, ; I bought a set of three Gon bops in the early 80's, it was such a good deal and couldn't pass it up.
But the way they made those congas is nothing to write home about. The cons 1) lousy glue, slats came apart 2) weak thin finish, scratched very easy.
3) the quintos, if you tuned high the head developed an egg shape. 4) lousy chrome finish 5) only 5 tunning rods.
The pros 1) nice woods, I always liked mahogony, gives a nice sound and is light. 2) unique shape, 3) nice sound for rumbas 4) exellent raw hide on the heads, I still have one, on the quinto;the envy of many. 5) I can get rid of them for big $$$ now.