ISLA PERCUSSION - Discussion, Quality, Experience, etc

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I think I heard from someone that Isla bands are mostly just decorative, the way old Gon Bops were with their aluminum bands. Can anyone confirm this? I know the Isla staves are cut to shape rather than steam-bent, so the normal purpose/functionality of bands isn't what it might be with a steam-bent oak conga with high-tension steel bands that genuinely help to hold the thing together over time (SoS, JCR, etc.). I'm assuming there's no real structural need to have high-tension bands on conga with cut-to-shape staves.

And how about the wood? I know that some woods are just not possible to steam-bend, such as mahogany. I believe it's possible to steam-bend cherry - can someone confirm? How about canoewood? Anyone know anything about it?

Hola Taikonoatama,

Yes, based on my own conversations with Mario of Isla, the bands are mainly decorative.

Being aware of this, I initially wanted not having any of the bands installed 'cause I wanted my drums to have a minimalist look. Initially also, I ordered the Moderno model with the sleeker hardware for the tuning rods.

But, after seeing pictures of the Matanzas model, including Onile's and Raymond's and my phone conversation with Charlie Verdejo of San Diego, I've finally decided on the Matanzas model.

Re: Canoe wood, Mario mentioned that it has very similar sonic properties as (North American) Red Oak but is lighter in weight. (Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.) In fact, if I remember correctly, he even mentioned that Canoe weighs even lighter than the more expensive Cherry, which has weight as its selling point versus Red Oak.

Mario has really done his homework researching on the various sonic and weight properties of the wood that he works with.

Musically yours,

Manny T
Percussionist, Guitarist & Vocal Soloist (Independent)

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Alafia Abure Mjtuazon!
I hope that you are well my friend!

I must say that I don't think you'll be dissappointed, they sound incredibly good!
Next time you speak with Mario, tell him Tony says "Adelante Boricua!"

I also ordered some additional skins from him to mount on a couple of my other drums, just to try them out! I must say that I have used my Islas on almost all of my recent gigs since I recieved them.

Please post some pics of yours when you receive them Manny!

Suave!

Onile!

Hola Onile,

Thank you for your well wishes! I know that I won't be disappointed with the Isla congas. I've heard more than enough positive testimonials from skilled and experienced users, like yourself, to doubt it.

For sure, I'll relay to Mario your "Adelante Boricua!"

I'm also looking forward to using my Islas on all my gigs. And, for sure, I'll post some pictures when I receive them.

All the best,

Manny T

[Thomas]

I know that some woods are just not possible to steam-bend, such as mahogany

Hi! I really don't know exactly, but as I can remember, Cali Rivera (JCR) told me that he's making his congas out of oak and mahogany (but I'm really not sure as my brain's like swiss cheese). And I think that he steam-bents the staves (as you think too, taikonoatama), therefore the bands.
All the best,
Tom!

[congalero]

.Established in 2003 by Mario Antonio Punchard (a native Angelino of Puerto Rican ancestry) in Los Angeles, California, Isla Percussions is a hand drum manufacturing company with a mission to provide customers with the most up to date and innovative hand drums at the lowest price possible. Specializing in authentic congas and djembes, all drums are handcrafted of hardwood with a beautiful gloss finish that naturally highlights the grains of the wood. All the hardware is stainless steel and strongly designed with the working percussionist in mind. As for the construction of the drums, each shell is built from individually carved staves of lightweight hardwood from the northeastern regions of the United States. The heads are made with premium American cowhide skins. While interviewing Punchard about his company (Isla Percussions) and the making of hand drums, he indicated that hand drum making was a tradition on his mother's side of the family in Puerto Rico (the Reyes family), going back several generations. He also indicated that his mother is an excellent conga player, like himself and most of his family members. With an engineering background, combined with his love and passion for the rhythms of the Caribbean islands, Punchard, disappointed with the mass production approach and construction of the majority of the conga drums available in today's market, decided to design and build an authentic Cuban-style drum, like his family members had done for many years. After a year of research and development he finally built his first conga and was very happy and proud of his work.

Today, Isla Percussions features five different conga drums: 1. Requinto with a 9-inch head, 2. Quinto with a 10-inch head, 3. Conga with an 11-inch head, 4. Tumbadora with a 13-inch head, and 5. Super tumbadora with a 15-inch head. The company also makes custom sized African djembe drums, like the conga, available in different types of woods from cherry to mahogany and poplar, as well as different stains and color variations. Playing the 11-inch head conga drum, I found it produced a tubular drum sound, which is more in sync with the Cuban traditional sounds of authentic African-derived drums. The drum construction and appearance is solid with a raw, yet appealing natural look. As for the head, it's as fast as you want it to be, as well as comfortable on the hands. The overtones are amazing, even with the drum flat on the floor surface. 0verall, the most appealing fact about Isla Percussions congas is the incredible low price of such amazingly sounding, all-wood, stainless steel hardware, hand-made drums. Perhaps the key factor here is that these are drums made by a drummer for drummers, or like Punchard likes to phrase it, "These are drums made by rumberos for rumberos." Rumberos are loyal followers of the Afro-Cuban and Afro-Caribbean rhythms, singers, dancers and percussionists who play rumbas on the congas or cajones (wood boxes), the ultimate expression of hand drumming. Mario Punchard teaches Afro-Cuban and Afro-Caribbean drumming and rhythms every Saturday and Sunday at 1000 Santa Fe Street in Los Angeles

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Hola Congalero,

Good write up on Mario Punchard and Isla Percussions! I now know more about Mario and Isla that I've ever known before. Thank you very much for the education.

You may have just been rounding out the sizes of the Isla congas. However, their website lists the following sizes: 9" (Requinto), 10-1/4" (Quinto), 11-3/4" (Conga), 13" (Tumba) and 15" (Supertumba).

Initially, Mario listed size of the Conga as being 12". I called him about this and about how it appeared that this was only 1" narrower than his Tumba at 13". I also pointed out to him how I found his conga sizings quite different from, say, Gon Bops and Timba Percussion.

He acknowledged the "error" on the Conga and subsequently changed it to 11-3/4". He also said that he would change the size information on the Tumba. However, this hasn't happened or may not happen if he indeed makes it at 13".

You're so right about the incredible prices of the Islas, considering the quality of congas one is getting. This was one of the main deciding factors for me in ordering them.

I've looked into other handmade brands and couldn't believe how significantly discounted the Islas are in comparison. In fact, even the prices of some high-end models of certain mass-produced (in Thailand) brands weren't that much more cheap. On the contrary, some of these models were even more expensive than the handcrafted Islas themselves.

Another is the fact that the Isla staves are carved rather than steam-bent. To me, this made a lot of sense and significantly helps assuage owner fears that Isla congas may prematurely crack.

Come to think of it, how many other boutique conga makers use carved staves? I don't know. But, I'm almost sure that one can count them with the fingers of one's hand.

Others significant factors for me are the wood (sonic properties and weight-friendliness), traditional Cuban sound and look, available stain colors, stainless steel (versus chromed steel) and aircraft-aluminum hardware. Mario even told me that he uses titanium screws to attach the solid aircraft-aluminum block to the stainless steel tuning plates, at least with the "Moderna" model.

Heck, even the prices of Islas' cherry-wood models are significantly lower than, say, the cherry Timbas!

BTW, I noticed that you're located in San Francisco. I'm located not too far from you: in Union City (near Fremont and Hayward).

All the best,

Manny T
Percussionist, Guitarist, Vocal Soloist & Sound Engineer (Independent)

[congalero]

thanks for the compliment manny, but i must admit that i did not write the info. i pulled it from a source and posted it as a share. i will write something in the future after meeting up with mario again. i chatted with him a few hours ago and he is quite busy with everyones orders. he really is working hard to accomodate everyones needs.

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Congalero, you're quite welcome! That you didn't author the write-up is no big deal. I still learned something new about Isla and Mario that I wouldn't have known about otherwise.

BTW, Mario mentioned to me that he is of Cuban (rather than of Puerto Rican) ancestry. Not that this is really a big deal and I hope that I'm not putting Mario on the spot here. But, I thought I'd mention it.

If true, then it just makes the Cuban "pedigree" of the Islas even more complete.

Someone please correct me what I heard from Mario is wrong.

Thanks,

Manny T

[deerskins]

Has anyone had the chance to play the canoe and cherry drums? I am interested to hear first hand opinions on their differences in sound!

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Has anyone had the chance to play the canoe and cherry drums? I am interested to hear first hand opinions on their differences in sound!

Deerskins,

If I remember correctly, Bro Onile's Islas are made of cherry wood. Mine will be canoe wood.

I haven't had the chance to play with either one, but I asked Mario the same question and here's his input: Cherry wood has a brighter sound recommended for jazz or lighter unplugged, acoustic playing. Canoe wood produces a louder, warm sound (much like red oak wood, but not as heavy) reminiscent of the authentic Matanzas Cuban sound.

Since I'll also be using my Islas for loud rock/blues and rhythm & blues gigs, I opted for canoe wood.

Surprisingly, Mario said that although red oak wood (used by many other boutique drum makers) is noticeable heavier than the more expensive cherry wood, canoe wood is almost as weight-friendly as cherry wood. Besides, canoe wood is cheaper than cherry wood--by $100 each for Islas. All of these factors helped make me decide in favor of canoe wood.

Admittedly, cherry wood appears to have a finer, more uniform grain and, to me, looks more attractive than canoe wood. (See photos of Onile's drums at the "Isla Percussions" and "Volcano Percussion" topics.) However, the most important elements for me are the sound and roadworthiness. Looks, to me, are merely secondary.

Besides, compared to cherry wood, canoe wood is really not that bad looking at all. On the contrary, to me, they're still beautiful.

[folkloricoSD]

Hello Brothers!!!

I just found this, and I knew I had to share it with all of you
If you go to youtube.com and search for "ISLA PERCUSSION" You will find two great videos demonstrating the beautiful sounds of these drums. One is a 15 minute long rhumba, and the other is a 7 minute long bembe. I'm sorry if this has been posted before, but these videos are great. You tube is not the greatest for sound, but you can still hear how nice these drums are. Not to mention some great close ups of the drums. I'm going to buy a quinto, conga, and tumba from Isla and I can't wait!!! I'm just getting the last of the money saved up :;):

Enjoy the videos my brothers!!!

[blango]

I played the red tubs posted in the start of this thred (cherry?). They are owned by a good friend and mentor - a fat ass player named 'Pili'

Pili has the best chops - he can make anything sound great.

I played these last weekend, and they are really nice. I have a set of Matt Smiths, which i think are a cut above, but not for long the way Mario is refigning things.

Now that they have the new hardware, you will have to work hard to find better tubs.

Mario is really on to something here. I can hardly wait to get a set myself.

No, i dont work for them, nor do i care who sells more tubs, but I can tell you, to my ear, they are clean and bright.

Will they hold up over time? Who knows till then.

Tony

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'Manos y 'Manas,

At last, here's a picture of my finished Islas! They're physically not with me yet. Darn!

Mario took these pictures and emailed them to me per my request. He apologized that they're a little blurry.

Anyway, my "babies", or I should say "ladies", will finally go out tomorrow. I can't wait for them to finally arrive to me so that I can touch and caress their skins (pun intended). :laugh:

I absolutely love the color, even if the photo probably doesn't exactly do it justice!

I gave Mario an idea of the specific shade of red I want--not too bright (Ferrari red) and not too dark (maroon) either. Mario then helped me come up with that final shade of red.

It didn't take long for me to be completely sold on the Islas mainly because of the following sensible reasons: [1] the use of carved (rather than bent) and solid (rather than ply-wood) staves; [2] the use of more expensive and non-rusting stainless steel (rim and tuning rods)--rather than merely chrome- or gold-plated steel--and corrosive-resistant aircraft-aluminum hardware (shell bands); [3] the wood (canoe or cherry) both being weight-friendly; [4] their very reasonable pricing for being handcrafted congas compared to the top-of-the-line models of mass-produced and, more so, even other handcrafted brands ; [5] the reasonable waiting/delivery time of just over 1 month or less; [6] the reputation of the Islas for replicating the authentic Cuban folkloric sound; [7] the builder (Mario) having the formal education (architect or engineer?) to design and build quality congas; and [8] Mario being a very experienced, skilled and passionate conga player himself.

I believe that Islas are very unique among boutique congas in their having carved, rather than bent staves. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to conclude that (theoretically) the staves' tendency to return to their original straight shape is practically absent. Consequently, Islas are also (theoretically) much less prone to cracking which other handcrafted congas may be at risk of.

Re: the Islas hardware, one can easily tell even from looking at pictures alone that they're indeed handmade. They're not "perfect" the way the stamped or molded hardware of mass-produced congas are or even of other handcrafted congas.

But, as I often tell myself and other Isla conga enthusiasts, they're "perfect in their being imperfect"--if I may be allowed to use an oxymoron.

Morever, with Mario being a very passionate conga player, I strongly believe that the congas he makes are more than "just" gorgeous furniture.

Much more important than aesthetics, I'm sure that I'll absolutely love the sound of my Islas based alone on the reports of everyone here in our CongaBoard forum who's ever owned or actually heard them.

Nevertheless, I'll try to come up with my own report when I actually do get to play with them.

Now, all I have to do is to make sure that I continue practicing and learning hard in order to make my playing worthy of my Islas.

Vaya con Dios!



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Below is another picture of my Islas.

This picture seems to look exactly the same as the previous one. But it really isn't. Notice that my Islas appear slightly more tilted to your left. Also, you're getting more view of another Isla with a different color (in Early American Walnut color like Onile's) behind mine.



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[Chapo]

Very nice Manny! I have a set coming in several weeks. I would love to hear from the people that have owned theirs for a while. How are they holding up? Any problems with the products or the service?

Luis

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[quote="Chapo"][/quote]
Hi Luis,

Thanks a lot for your kind words!

Unfortunately, as I mentioned earlier, I don't have them physically with me yet. They're "just" photos taken by Mario of my ordered Islas. So, I'm unable to make any comments re: problems with the congas themselves or the delivery.

I'll let you know either way (positive or negative) when I do get them, although I don't foresee anything other than positive.

In the meantime, I'm going to finally get some sleep.

Best of luck,