BAUER PERCUSSION

[congamyk]

here are some rough pics of a set of bauer classics that are in the mail to me. i will post better pics when they arrive; the owner was not a great photo journalist. traditional hardware, the two smaller drums have the rubber gasket and copper plate inside - tumba does not - said to be cedro ??? - look a bit more hand crafted ??? - same heavy hardware with traditional crown. when they arrive i will report more on specs and sound.

Wow the traditional series look amazing.
Congalero how well do these drums play? You like them?
What did they cost you??

[korman]

I bought two drums like those last spring to start learning conga drumming. I still like them, but next drums probably won't be Bauer.

First of all, you just can't buy them in Europe anymore. There was influx of them about two years ago, but now most stores no longer have them. The owner of the store I bought mine from (kalango.de, a very good supplier of Brazilian drums) wrote to me that Bauer is having some problems, and the last order just didn't arrive from Brazil.

Second thing is, one of the drums cracked below one of the lugplates. The crack is very small - less than 1mm wide and 4-5 cm long, and I repaired it, but still it's a crack. I think 11" and especially 11 3/4" drums should have six lugs not five. Also, I have the impression that cracking became more frequent issue for Bauer drums since they switched to brazilian cedar wood (at the beginning of 2007 I think).

Third thing is, there is some ringing that's inherent in the shell. It's probably not heard when playing loud, but is annoying when practicing quietly on my own.

On the other hand, you will get envious looks for these drums, because they're just beautiful, the shape, the wood, the finish ... much better that anything else in their price range, and they come with good thick cowskins. The ringing I mentioned is much less than that of some Thailand made drums with water buffalo heads, and maybe I was just unlucky with the shells (cause I bought them over the internet and had no chance to test before buying). I actually might buy a Bauer quinto to complete the set, if I can test it before buying, but it looks like the supply has dried up.

[doctor bloor]

I bought two drums like those last spring to start learning conga drumming. I still like them, but next drums probably won't be Bauer.


Second thing is, one of the drums cracked below one of the lugplates. The crack is very small - less than 1mm wide and 4-5 cm long, and I repaired it, but still it's a crack. I think 11" and especially 11 3/4" drums should have six lugs not five. Also, I have the impression that cracking became more frequent issue for Bauer drums since they switched to brazilian cedar wood (at the beginning of 2007 I think).

Interesting. I picked up a requinto off of eBay a few months back, and had the same problem with cracks below the lugplates. The one I bought was (at least) second hand and clearly hadn't been played for a while, so I figured it was a one-off and returned it. Looks like the Brazilian cedar may not be a match for their hardware, which is plainly excellent.

No complaints about the sound, though--if the build reliability was better, I'd be looking to pick up a full set. Pity.

[korman]

Looks like the Brazilian cedar may not be a match for their hardware, which is plainly excellent.
No complaints about the sound, though--if the build reliability was better, I'd be looking to pick up a full set. Pity.

Yeah, I too wish they found a better alternative material! And yes the hardware is really good, but I think they should put six lugs on all the drums except quinto. Also, it even may be not the wood per se, but the manufacturing methods and what happens during shipping.
Brazil, like Thailand, is a humid tropical country, after all. Although Bauer is located in San Paulo, which should be the least tropical part of Brazil ...

Regarding the sound I must add that it's not for anyone. Nowadays much crisper sound seems to be in fashion, whereas these Bauers are strongest in their round tones and basses. Their quinto has crackling slaps, probably, but not the conga I have.