Best replacement skin for "macho"

[yambu321]

yes, oslongo.

that's only because the horse hide and mule hide is usually cut thin for use on the macho drum of a pair of bongos, in order to provide great attacks, where as the x-ray sheet film that i'm talking about would be considered a medium thickness. and yes it is not very easy to trim. It takes patience, super sharp blades, and warm water soaking until softened. I also agree with you on watching out for the edges they'll give a person a burning feeling type of cut, like a paper cut.

Take Care, Bro

Respectfully,

Charlie "El Coqui" Verdejo

[caballoballo]

Hummm,X-ray films,I use them during the 70s,is the same plastic sound as a fyberskin. I got a box at the Lab to be dispose, they are about 18" x 17" in size.We have to dispose them after the shelf life has expire . Never been expose or processed so the color is green instead of black,you get the black after the film has been thru the chemistry which develope and remove the silver. If any body wants to pay for shipping and handling let me know.

[bongosnotbombs]

I never soak the x-ray film I use for bongos, don't see the need, I don't even see how the water would affect it as its plastic and would'nt absorb water. Thats one of the main reasons to use it, humidity won't change its nature..

I've mounted x-ray several times without soaking and I have sent it to many people in another group who also never soak it, I personally would not recommend it.

I also use the green unexposed sheets, mine are smalller at 12" x 14", still plenty big for macho..

Yambu maybe you are using a different kind of x-ray??

[Garvin]

Yes, please explain... I'm looking forward to my x-ray film expirament, but didn't consider the idea of soaking it at all. Maybe warm water would make plastic a little more workable but I don't know. Would it damage it in any way?

PS:

Just to keep the thread on topic, I've gone from a fiberskyn to a nu-skin and have been very happy with the attack from the nu-skin. I use a set of Pearl Bobby Allende Fiberglass bongos and have been eyeing some of the Gon-Bop californias partly because of the weight issue. It seems ridiculous to me that my bongos weigh almost as much as one of my congas. I'm only looking at the x-ray film as an option because I've been hearing about it literally for years and have never had the chance to actually try it.



Edited By Garvin on 1186424531

[bongosnotbombs]

Garvin,
The x-ray I will be sending you does not need soaking at all, should be mounted dry as a bone. I have personally mounted the film 3 times.
It helps to have some masking tape for when you fold it around the fleshoop, some pliers with good grip. Undo any overlapds. Then position the hoop a little above where you need it then tighten/ tune it to close to what you like. Then trim...very very carefully, the film cuts different than skin as well
You see the thing is the xray will not shrink like a skin will.
As long as you don't expect it to behave exactly like skin does you will do fine.

[blango]

horse

[yambu321]

YES,
HORSE HYDE IS AWESOME, AND IS EXACTLY WHAT I AM CURRENTLY USING ON MY BONGO'S MACHO.
IT IS DELICATE THOUGH AND VERY THIN. SO CARE OF TUNING, DETUNING, AND PRESERVATION PRACTICES ARE VERY IMPORTANT.

I HAVE JUST PURCHASED A BEAUTIFUL MULE SKIN FROM ISAAC, OF JCR / FUNKY TRADITIONS, AS A BACK UP, FOR WHEN THE HORSE GOES.

THE MULE I'M SURE IS MORE DURABLE. BUT WE'LL SEE IF IT CAN POP AS GOOD AS THE HORSE, OR BETTER, ONCE I MOUNT IT AND BREAK IT IN!

I THINK IT'LL BE PRETTY NASTY!
STAY TUNED,

CHARLIE "EL COQUI" VERDEJO



Edited By yambu321 on 1186514530

[caballoballo]

Like Omelenko said once ( I bet my left nut) it will sound formidable,let the old Mule rumble.

[Isaac]

Horse Skin is generally going to be a bit thinner than mule
and although they're related, the mule will last longer.
A mule is a cross breed between a horse & a donkey.
It better to go a bit thicker so the macho can then handle
maximum tension without fear of ripping.
I love the Gon Bop Bongos, but don't agree with their
taste in head thickness - too thin & bright for my taste...
but then again, Its up to one's personal taste.

Like the old Charanga tune says:

SABOR, SABOR, SABOR. ...y nada mas.

ISAAC
Percussionist / Sales JCR Percussion Co.

[yambu321]

HAHAHA,
THAT WAS GOOD ISAAC!

[yambu321]

MANNY,

GET THE MULE FROM ISAAC!
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SKIN!

RESPECTFULLY,

CHARLIE "EL COQUI" VERDEJO



Edited By yambu321 on 1186514724

[109-1176549166]

YES,
HORSE HYDE IS AWESOME, AND IS EXACTLY WHAT I AM CURRENTLY USING ON MY BONGO'S MACHO.
IT IS DELICATE THOUGH AND VERY THIN. SO CARE OF TUNING, DETUNING, AND PRESERVATION PRACTICES ARE VERY IMPORTANT.

CHARLIE "EL COQUI" VERDEJO

Charlie bro,

Yup, horse hyde is very thin alright! It's so thin that I remember it being translucent in some areas. Therefore, detuning is even more critical. Unfortunately, I found out about this the hard way when I accidentally left my bongos tightly tuned overnight.

[109-1176549166]

MANNY,

GET THE MULE FROM ISAAC!
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SKIN!

RESPECTFULLY,

CHARLIE "EL COQUI" VERDEJO

Charlie,

I'm sold on the mule skin. As a matter of fact, I've emailed Isaac twice already during the past 1 or 2 weeks and asked him to give me a price quote. I'm thinking of ordering 2 or 3 skins in order to have 1 or 2 spare skins. But, I still have to hear back from him.

Perhaps, he's misplaced my emails. I'll email him again. Or, maybe you can order again from Isaac and I can just buy it from you!

Horsing (pun intended) aside, thanks, pare, for reminding me.


Isaac,

I hope you can read this? I'm bongo-less right now.



Edited By mjtuazon on 1186518797

[yambu321]

MANNY, I'VE JUST TREATED MY BONGO SKINS, LIKE I DO TO MY CONGA SKINS, WITH LEMON OIL, ON BOTH SIDES. MY HORSE HIDE WAS LOOKING A LITTLE VULNERABLE, AND AFTER READING YOUR POST CONCERNING YOUR BONGO SKIN SITUATION , I DECIDED TO ORDER A MULE SKIN, AS A BACK UP, FROM ISAAC. AND I'M GLAD I DID; IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO ORDER A MULE SKIN FOR YOUR MACHO, ALL YOU'LL NEED IS ONE. THAT SKIN SHOULD'NT BE GOING ANYWHERE , ANY TIME SOON!

IT'S A STRONG HYDE, BESIDES I'M SURE, YOU HAVE LEARNED YOUR LESSON :laugh:

ANYWAY, I DECIDED TO TREAT MY HORSE HIDE TO MY LEMON OIL MAGIC, AND TREATED THE CALF SKIN ON THE HEBRA AS WELL AND WOW, THE SKINS TOOK ON SOME NICE LOOKING TONES AND IMMEDIATELY LOOKED BETTER AND STRONGER. I TOOK MY BONGO'S WITH ME, TO WORK, AND PRACTICED DURING LUNCH. IT WAS AMAZINGLY A WHOLE NEW THANG! MY BONGOS ARE NOW TOTALLY DIALED IN!!! I GUESS IT'LL BE A WHILE BEFORE I WILL NEED TO MOUNT THE MULE!
LEMON OIL!!!!, AND OF COURSE A NICE DRY WIPING BEFORE USE!

APPLIED TO THE SHELLS, SKINS, AND HARDWARE AT 2:00AM AND PLAYED AT 10:30 AM :;): INCREDIBLE!

RESPECTFULLY,
CHARLIE "EL COQUI" VERDEJO



Edited By yambu321 on 1187655186

[109-1176549166]

IF YOU ARE GOING TO ORDER A MULE SKIN FOR YOUR MACHO, ALL YOU'LL NEED IS ONE. THAT SKIN SHOULD'NT BE GOING ANYWHERE , ANY TIME SOON!...

RESPECTFULLY,
CHARLIE "EL COQUI" VERDEJO

Charlie,

I'm ordering it as we speak. Isaac has just sent me his invoice.

Thanks for all your input and concern, bro! I really appreciate them!