(mathew smith - ritmo percussion) - ritmo percussion

[tuffees~pop]

hello to all , i was interested in ordering a set of ritmo drums , i would love hear other members advice about what wood to pick & how about prices ???? wait time ??
etc. & also photos would be cool to see, thanks fellas.

[bongosnotbombs]

Just use the search engine chief, you'll find all you want to know.

http://www.congaplace.com/cgi-bin....00;f=14

[Whopbamboom]

I've heard of Ritmo's in Walnut, Mahogany, and Bubinga. Who knows what else. I gurantee the exotic woods like Mahogany and Bubinga will be EXPENSIVE. but the Walnut's are beautiful in pictures and apparently reasonably priced (for what they are)-- maybe $850 per drum or so. Best to contact Matthew direct if you're ready for them.



Edited By Whopbamboom on 1197514617

[ralph]

Matthew takes a while to get a drum finished, but I can guarantee that you will not be dissapointed...his drums have a big sound, they are now $750 a pop, and he makes them in oak, african mahogany and other woods...i just put in a deposit for an oak conga, and i already can't wait to get it...he is the last of the mohicans...along w/ Jay Bereck of course....

[buckoh]

I just had a very pleasant meeting with Matthew. I stopped by his house way out in the country in eastern Pennslyvania. I was dropping off a Ritmo 11.5 inch drum that I had purchased on eBay that had some splits. He was to spread the splits, reglue them and shrink the bands that were too loose. Of course, we talked conga talk for a while and I asked him if he had any used drums for sale. Lo and behold, he had a 13.5 inch tumba that he thought might be for sale. While there, I got to check out some of his mahogany drums and fell in love with an 11 inch one. I left and continued on my trip to the northeast and returned a week later to pick up my repaired drum. He did an excellent job at a very reasonable price. He then let me know that the 13.5 inch tumba was mine at a very reasonable price. I left in a very happy state. I will be ordering an 11 inch, probably mahogany, drum soon.
He did tell me, just for the record, that he never worked for Jay at Skin on Skin. He also played a real sweet Guaguanco for me. He's a real nice person and dedicated to his craft. He was very helpful to me and I will promote him any way I can. Shall I post my pics of the new drums?

[bongosnotbombs]

You have to ask? Post those pics! :p

[ralph]

c'mon buckoh....do us all a favor, and put up some pics....I talked to Matthew the other day myself...his drums are the real deal.

[buckoh]

Now I have the right thread!

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[buckoh]

One more!

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[Omelenko]

What beauties ! Aside from looks, Matthew's congas are the sweetest sounding. I just recently got a pair of vintage 1996 stained oak from him (11.75" & 13"). Man, do they sound good. People say is not the arrow but the indian, but his arrows are out of this world when it comes to sound projection, the slaps (tapao) on the macho sound very crisp and the tumba has a deep bottom sound. I'll post some photos of them tomorrow.

I'm glad you got them. Saludos.

Dario

[ralph]

very nice drums buckoh....i am getting one in oak as well, and i can't wait...they look very tasty....