Info on Gon bops

[Bacalao]

Hello everyone,

Can anyone fill me in on Gon bops, Mariano series congas? I need to make a decision on whether to buy or not, but I'd like to be informed. Thank you.

[congalero]

they were the entry level drums gon bops made. a no frills/painted hardware drum. if they are inexpensive and in very good shape - buy them. the voodoo and international hardware drums are more valuable if in vg condition. try to stay in the $200+ - range. if they are cracked or have parts missing, i'd pass. there has been one on new york craigslist for a while at $400. it looked to very clean - not sure if someone picked it up, but he was having trouble at that price.

[Bacalao]

Thanks Congalero, the one on craigslist is the conga I'm talking about. I happened to shoot the guy an e-mail with a request for more pics, and it looked to be in good condition. I just didn't have enough background on Gon Bops. Well now thanks to you I have some background to set up a deal. Thank you again.

[Bacalao]

Congalero, one more question. Do you happen to know what kind of wood Gon Bops used?

[congalero]

they used a light mahogony; maybe phillipine or ???. they also made oak drums, some very heavy such as the ones with the tear drop rim. gon bops experimented with many different shapes and designes. i have a 50's drum that is 32" tall, small pinched bottom and an alma. some of their drums had an alma, but many did not. colors range from light stain to dark in mahogany and and in oak, natural to stains like black and blue. they even made a set that has the tuning rods upside down so you turn the nut from the top; mark II i think according to a friend who is about to sell some. sizes went from 9.5" heads to 14"+. one could spend hours figuring out what they did. i even have a conga with a very fat belly that is scored like a valje in the middle, inside. i have some oak ones i am going to let go soon. i have too many oak drums already. they are heavy and a couple need refinishing; also have had some work here and there, but solid tubs - no splits. if you want a project that will yield great drums - 10.5 12 10.75 9.5 and a 14.5
these are the ones that had a 'gel coat' - a little like a heavy urathane. if i were to keep them, i would sand them all down and refinish with a nice natural stain and several coats of finish.



Edited By congalero on 1174965108

[Bacalao]

Interesting, if the price is right and the drum is in decent condition I may pick it up and have me a project on my hands. Thank you for the info.

[congalero]

anything i sell or trade, prefer trades, is full disclosure with pics - inside and out.

[bongo]

anything i sell or trade, prefer trades, is full disclosure with pics - inside and out.

I am looking for an oak 10 3/4, voodoo hardware, no bands, or if they have bands I could refinish without.

Do any of the ones you want to sell fit this?

[congalero]

sorry, all are tear drop with the gel coat sanded down - except the 14 which is not sanded. heavy light oak.

[Bongorific]

I Play Mariano's. Mahogany...they are fine drums. kinda "Blue Collar no crome but very nice tone...I have 10", 11" 13" They are better than Vodoo in my opinion...Just don't have crome to flake off.

[Bacalao]

Hello Bongorific,

First of all thank you for the contribution. Second, I consider myself a blue collar type of person and really like the spartan appearance of the Mariano series. I just needed to know that they wouldn't fall apart when playing and how the sound was.

Take it easy.

[Bongorific]

There were two marianos on E-bay the Tumba went for $740 and the conga a little over $350....the are becoming more desirable....like I said the sound just like top of the line just no crome. I prefere mahogany it light and way richer in sound. Mine had original skins and I replaced all my heads and it's all I want out of a conga. wish I had a way to post pics I'd love to show them off ...I have a clasic set of requinto and reconga with them (the mini set with a stand). Of coure I'd love to have a set of juniors but their few and far between and price is going through the roof. I don't have it so bad though...............My patato's and classic Lp's(fiberglass) only go to Rock gigs. everything else the Bops rule.

[Victorius]

For not posting another thread...

I am looking an info about gon bops from late 80s california series made of walnut. I need to know how tall was that series?