I HAVE A 1964 LP VINTAGE BONGO. I HAD THIS MONGO FROM OMELENKO.ONLY 10 OF THEN MADE. BELONGED TO JUAN MENDEZ FROM JOHNNY PACHECO CONJUNTO.REMEMBER THIS IS NOT A BONGO TO PLAY. IT IS A MUSEUM PIECE. WILL SELL IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT JULITO TX twinsbongo@yahoo.com
Julito, Aside from being a museum piece, is the best sounding LP bongo I've ever played. The first 10 made by M. Cohen in a basement in Maywood,NJ.,before founding the company in Palisades Park in 1964. It belonged to Juan Mendez,bongocero for Johnny Pacheco y su Tumbao. I got it in 1979 from Juan, when we played for Coj. Cristal here in Miami. Is very light weight and the macho is 71/4",instead of 7" and that's what makes it good. After these first 10, upon consulting with Jose Mangual (father)"Buyu", the machos were made 7". I only sold it to please my wife because she nags about how many bongos I have. Mongo played this bongo' on several occasions here in Miami, I have pictures. Suena tu bongo" ! Dario
Here is a picture of Johnny Pacheco y su Nuevo Tumbao from the 60's. Juan Mendez, the original owner of the bongo' and Pacheco's bongocero at the time, is the fourth from the left on the back row. Juan Mendez was also the bongocero for Roberto Torres and recorded the tune"Caballo Viejo". Mendez died about 10 yrs. ago. Rompe tambo'! Dario