woods less likely to warp-crack?

[onile]

Alafia Abures Mi!
I hope that you are all well and abundantly blessed!

I for one own 4 Islas and between them and my 4 Matthew Smiths, these two sets are my main ones that I play out with. I personally had a problem with the crown when I first got them, some of you other owners had stated something similar to my concern and it was: I noticed that when I began tuning the drums, the crown began to "bow" or "dip" in places where the tension rod was tightened. This was not something that I had ever seen in hardware before, or since. Now, let me make this point that I know for a fact that Mario and his peeps at Isla Percussions are great craftsmen and have demonstrated that they DO listen to the concerns of their customers and are constantly working towards improving their product, you have to respect that and I do!

I personally did not report this to him because what I wanted to do was to customize my drums for ME! I had some traditional rims modified for all of my Islas and I mounted mule skins on them. I payed for them, they were now MINE and I chose to do this. Had I mentioned the concern that I had with the crowns to Mario, I'm pretty sure that he would have offered to correct or replace the item for me to keep me (a paying customer) satisfied. Mario and his boys continue to do a great job with improving their product, as I'm sure Abure Abakua has conveyed to us all, as well as other owners of Isla Percussion instruments.

I have had my Islas now for a couple of years and there has been only one incident of cracking with one of my Islas. I remembered this incident only after I posted this. I explain this crack in a subsequent post below. Also, there has been (which pisses me off to no end), a "shrinkage" factor (he! he! he!) with the wood (congas), and therefore some of the bands are bowing out just a bit. This however is not unusual because of the climate where I live (AZ), hey but it's a "dry heat!" whatever that means! The same is happening with my Matthew Smiths to a degree, but it's cosmetic and does not affect the beautiful sound produced by either drum.

Everyone is totally impressed with the sound and beauty of my Islas and more so of my Matthew Smiths, keep in mind though that of these two "artisans," Matthew has been producing his product longer. With the time factor involved here, Matthew has been able to "tweek" his product based on research and customer input, Mario is the younger (production wise) of the two and is working in the right direction doing the same with his drums. I have mad love and respect for both of these two artisans and will continue to buy from them if the money holds out of course!

Many blessings my brothers and sisters!

Onile!

BTW! If you notice the Supertumba to the far Right of this pic, you'll notice that the bottom is fatter than the other 2 Supertumbas of this set. This has obviously been as a result of improving the sound quality of their drums, this particular drum has one of the "deepest" sounding bass tones of the set. Great Job Mario!

[Mr. Conga]

Abakua wrote:
"Im not bad mouthing Isla, Im a big fan of their sound and appearance. Let that be clear first."

No one said you did , but sudjested there has been problems on hardware by seeing crack, on a picture you saw. From a members who sent you the picture.
Not by personal experience.

[Mr. Conga]

'Online' wrote:

''I personally had a problem with the crown when I first got them, some of you other owners had stated something similar to my concern and it was: I noticed that when I began tuning the drums, the crown began to "bow" or "dip" in places where the tension rod was tightened'.

'I personally did not report this to him because what I wanted to do was to customize my drums for ME! I had some traditional rims modified for all of my Islas and I mounted mule skins on them. I payed for them, they were now MINE and I chose to do this'.

Hope you are doing great also online...


I recall seeing your Islas on your Myspace about a year ago online, i recognize they were Islas, and noticed what it look like Lp style of crowns custom fitted on Islas.

I approached you when i had a Myspace, and asked you about it, because i really like the way they look.

You told me it was simply the way you wanted them to look, it was your taste, and you decided to customize them...
That is what i remember you let me know, not about the crack.

I would like to see a picture even if just is on private.


'I personally did not report this to him because what I wanted to do was to customize my drums for ME! I had some traditional rims modified for all of my Islas and I mounted mule skins on them. I payed for them, they were now MINE and I chose to do this'.


I is obviously you decide to tamper with the crowns, and if some one does tampered with them it is foreseeable to end up with a crack.

Just my 2 cents.


What i am wondering ...my question is.

Are you the guy that had a crack on the crown?

or it bent as you described when you were tuning it?

....if so happen as you said, did it happened on all or just one crown?

[onile]

No! No crack in the crown where my drums were concerned!
I do recall now, that I did have a crack in one of my Isla drums and contacted Mario about it. He told me how to repair it, and I had a woodworker who I know do the work and it came out beautiful. The crack, as I remember it, was from a tack which was used when the drum was manufactured, to put the clear rubber bottoms on the drum. It looked like it may have been more like a carpet tack (thicker than a small nail), it actually caused the split and I didn't notice it until the split/crack began to run upwards (about 2 ft.). The problem has been solved and the drums continue to sound and look incredibly nice!

Suave!

Onile!