Mule Skins fitting ??????

[Congadelica]

Hi guys .

I have done a search but cant find what I saw some months ago . I seem to remember pics posted on fitting Mule the ones were the skins were tied up before cutting . If anyone can point me in the right direction Id be pleased , Im fitting my first ever skin so all advice would be cool . I have ordered only one For my 11 3/4 Conga , If all goes well I be ordering 2 more for tumba and quinto .
The drums I have are meinl Marrathon classics . any of you guys fitted Mule to this Conga? if so how pleased will i be I hear only good things about the Mule so Im kinda exited The old water buffalo head is now off and flesh hoop ready for some kick ass mule "no pun intended "

Gracias mi amigo`s
Marco

[bongosnotbombs]

I don't think you need to tie up the heads before changing, and I can't see how mule would be any different than steer, except maybe how long you soak it?

One excellent piece of advice though, before you change the skin go to a hardware store and get a hook like your tuning lugs, except much longer, bring your lugs to the store when you go and try to get the closest matching ones, but longer okay?

One of the hardest parts of changing a skin is gettin the head low enough to hook your lugs back onto it! It can be seriously hard and frustrating, I got one of those hooks and it was so much easier.

Theres a lot of info on how to change them on the web, but they never mention longer hooks, also get a good set of pliers and a really really really sharp utility knife.

[OLSONGO]

Have you checked into my technique?

Raved by many members of the forum, and saves a whole lot of time in struggling with a wet piece of skin.

Paz Olsongo

[Congadelica]

Olsongo .

I did a search but cant find your info on fitting mule.

Could you link me to this info please .

Marco

[Whopbamboom]

bongosnotbombs,

one long hook or two or three?

[bongosnotbombs]

bongosnotbombs,

one long hook or two or three?

one is okay, two is better, I don't think you need 3. It works so well, just make sure to get a hook that matches your lugs as close as possible, if the metal is too big of a gauge or the hook to different of a shape you might have problems.

Take your lug to the store with you when you buy a hook.

[onile]

Alafia Abures!

In regards to the thread you're referring to when you mention "tying" the skin before mounting, that is Abure Olsongo's technique which, as he mentioned, several of us have used with great success. I for one have and continue to use it:

First of all, you lay the soaked skin flat on a table, or clean floor!

Next, you place the "flesh hoop" on the center of the skin.

Next, you take some thread (or thin string that will hold), and slide it under the skin and begin folding the skin over the "flesh hoop" until you've managed to go all around the skin and hoop. Olsongo described this part as starting like the hands of a clock (12 and 6 o'clock, then 9 and 3 o'clock, and so on till you've secured it with the string/thread).

Next, you place the "crown" over the skin and place it on the drum.

I normally do this by myself, and therefore have to rely on my ownself to do the more difficult part of putting the tension rods on. What I do is stand up for this part, I place my weight on one part of the crown, while pushing down with a tension rod at the ready. I place the rod in place and secure the nut onto it (careful not to tighten it too much at this point).

Repeat this part until all of the tension rods are in place; next adjust the crown (making sure it's at the level of distance from the playing surface that suits your preference (I normally have mine around a quarter inch for tumbas/supertumbas, and one half inch for conga or quinto.

the last part involves the cutting, here is where my own technique of using a spatchula comes in handy to avoid nicking the head with the blade:

see pic below....



Edited By onile on 1188772768

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... hnique.jpg

[onile]

here's the other technique....

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... e_Skin.jpg

[onile]

and the final product....

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... _Fixed.jpg

[Tonio]

Nice Onile/Olsongo !! I never used string before, great idea.
The bolt idea is good one too. Here's a few j-bolt sizes that seem to be around. I'd go for the 18-7". Maybe need to watch the "C" dimension - so it doesn't sratch the shell.
http://www.boltdepot.com/fastene....ns.aspx

The method I've used after the years (which I don't know how many I've done - easily over a dozen), the old skool way, just use finesse. The hardest part of course it getting the resulting height of the rim of course, but seem to be getting the skin tucked under and back out of the rim and getting the first 2 lugs started.

I'll try the string and long bolt method on m next endevour.

T

[OLSONGO]

Fellow congueros, you may have seen this item at your local hardware store, its called the turnbuckle hook w/ hook or hook with eye; these babys come in real handy when your tension rod does not reach.

Paz Olsongo



Edited By OLSONGO on 1188788590

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... ckle_2.gif

[CongaTick]

Turnbuckle is a great idea if you can find them narrow enough to avoid scratching shell.

[Congadelica]

Thanks Guys,

I think I have all the tools needed and the know how .
Ill post end result .
Thanks Again .

Marco

[Congadelica]

Well It came and I fitted the mule to my Conga on Saturday , I left it untill last night before i cranked it up a little . It is dry and warm in tone Im sure when its broken in Ill be even more pleased fitting was easy for a first timer , maybe I could have trimed it a lttle neater but Im well pelased .

Just got 2 more to order now Im happy with the product .

marco

[Diceman]

Happy mule slapping brother!!!