Bongos:hand made fom the dominican republic

[Mike]

TheBreeze,

This 21" skin looks like "the perfect" mule skin as such!

And congrats to the shells, they look gorgeous too.

Let´s see what you make out of those - but no doubt the result

will be fine, because you seem to be very skilled craftsman

My compliments

Mike

[Thebreeze]

Hi Mike. The 21" mule skin is quite thick, and the playing surface is very smooth. Since I don't have a drum in mind for it at this time It will be a little while before I use it. I just thought it would be nice to get it anyway so that I have it here at home. You never know, El Greco might sell out of his skins and then I would have to wait some time? Not sure, but I think he has a good source.
Thanks for the kind words, and since you said that I feel commited now to make these Bongos into something special. I already have an idea in mind and it looks quite good in my mind's eye so I will do it like that.

Thanks again Mike.

Will.

[Mr. Conga]

All of the skins from "El Greco", look great steardy, and clean. They must have fed those mule's really good.
They look top of the line.
And those Dominican shells look beautifull, you can see the natural spots, of the wood coming out.
Dominican mahogany is among the best woods in my opinion.

I can see that project, will turn out great.
You really have gifted hands, all of your project have turned out nice so far.

[Thebreeze]

Thanks Mr.Conga. I am looking at some options for the hardware at this time. One is that I might have the bottom hardware made locally by a fabricator, and the other is I am going to look at the hardware from a vintage Gon Bops Bongos tomorrow. That would make a nice combination, Anyway, as soon as I have more to add I will for sure.
Thanks again.

Will.

[Thebreeze]

The hardware for my Dominican Mahogany solid shells was made for me by Mr.Matthew Smith. I should receive them this week since he mailed them out to me Saturday a week ago. In order for him to make the best fit for my shells I had to mail the shells to him which is what I would have preferred anyway. I opted to have my hardware made without Chrome. Matthew calls it " Brushed finish with lacquer" . I will post pics for all to see soon.
Thanks.
Will.

[Thebreeze]

I forgot to take pictures of the bottoms but they look just as good as all the other hardware. I will post pics of the bongos when they are finished.

Will.

[El Greco]

Wicked Hardware from M.Smith "The Breeze"...Everyone waiting to see your well thinking work..

We hope to see them soon.

All The Best!

El Greco

[Thebreeze]

Yes El Greco, Wicked is a good description of the hardware. I wish I had remembered to add the bottom hardware to the pictures but they will be in the next set. I still have to finish sanding and putting finish on the shells, then it will be time for Matthew's hardware, and of course, Your muleskins which I am very excited about because they are so nice and dark that they are going to contrast just right with these bongos. Soon...............

Will.

[Thebreeze]

Here are some pictures of the shells with matthew's bottom hardware on them. Next step...apply the clear gloss finish to the shells.

[El Greco]

Mr Will I think U spend lot of hours and Nights to think...and think...and think...about those beauties.
I'm a Drum-Maker since 1987 and I can recognise when someone is "there" of what he doing..
Mr Will, one more time you are the Main Man.Ur knowledge combined with Ur Patience showed from the beggining what we wait to see in the end..


El Greco

[Thebreeze]

El Greco...You have put me in a corner. I must now do the best I possibly can to live up to your kind words. But you know, that's ok, I will do my best anyway and I feel pretty good about this one.
Thanks for the kind words.

Will.

[Thebreeze]

Well it's taking a while, but here are the bongo shells after having clear gloss polycrylic applied to them. They are ready for El Greco's Mule Skins, but it will probably be another week at least since I have lot's of priorities to deal with.
Thanks.

Will.

[No.2-1820]

Beautiful, nice job. I look forward to seeing them with the skins, the lovely reddish hues of the mules should top the natural colors in the wood perfectly.

Barrie

[Thebreeze]

I think so too Barrie. I have been so busy lately that it's hard to work on the bongos and you know how it is..you have to be in that perfect frame of mind otherwise you won't do as good a job and putting the skins on is going to be so important that I will wait for the right time, but somewhere in the next week or two.
It all comes down to vanities for me. I no longer have any real desire to continue with these projects. I am hoping that this one will be my last or at least one of my last ones.






For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

[Mr. Conga]

Very beautifull outcome, of your good la bor.
Is nice that we can see the actual natural shade of the shells.
Did they use a stain for that orangy mahogany shade in Dominican Republic?
Is nice that we see the natural spots on the wood it looks nice and natural.
I hope you dont retire on us TheBreeze.

And very wise words you noted at the bottom of your post.



"They shall be abundantly satisfied with the abundance of your house. You will make them drink of the river of life."