SoS and Matthew Smith side by side

[taikonoatama]

Geordie (BnB) brought his awesome new SoS cherry congas over the other day. Man, they are gorgeous, and unbelievably light. Here's a pic of three segundos together (left - cherry SoS | middle - mahogany Matthew Smith | right - oak SoS). The sound of all three is amazingly similar - really tough to tell them apart on a blind sound test - they're all great.

Big pic:
http://www.rockpapercat.com/media/drums ... ith-x3.jpg

[bongosnotbombs]

Yeah this was a lot of fun putting all these drums together.
What a great reference photo.

[mydogsowner]

Great eye candy too!

Nice job guys!

[ABAKUA]

Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.
SOS are a true treasure, but nothing compares to an original mahogany Ritmo. All three are fantastic and I would be honoured and proud to call any of them my own. The Matt Smith is my favourite though, Matts work is second to none.
All 3, are awesome drums, true authentic Cuban style in the original Vergara line.
I love your congas.

[Tonio]

Sorry to bring up an old thread. Could you blame me??

BNB, James, could let me know how the crown/skin system compares to how close they are to the shell?

They look closley similar from the photos.

I am familiar with SOS, which I have owned a set in oak. If you notice the 1st top most ring , it is very close to the top and can interfere with the crown system.

appreciate your thoughts.

T

[taikonoatama]

BNB, James, could let me know how the crown/skin system compares to how close they are to the shell?

The distance between the crowns and shells are almost identical for the oak SoS and the Matts - both very close to the shell, though there's enough room for a thick skin.

I am familiar with SOS, which I have owned a set in oak. If you notice the 1st top most ring , it is very close to the top and can interfere with the crown system.

appreciate your thoughts.

T

I'm afraid I'm not following you here. Are you talking about the top band (of the 5 bands)? It doesn't interfere with the tuning at all - not sure how it conceivably would, as it's tight against the shell, and there's plenty of room between it and the crown and lugs, and you'd have to stretch the skin several inches down the drum to even to get to the level of the top band. I don't see a problem.

oak SoS 11" quinto

oak SoS 11" quinto

James

[Tonio]

James,
thanks for the info. Yes I meant the top "band". From the close up pictures (thanks) it does have better clearance.
SOS must have changed that , before - (at least the set I had) the top band was really high up and close the the bearing edge. I didn't have to tighten more than what is shown on your picture, and it the crown system would cover the band. Where the band was connected it would rub up against the crown/skin.

BTW, SOS has more traditional size tambores, yet Matt seems to have alot more sizes? what does he offer, and does he carve the staves?

Thanks again.

T

[taikonoatama]

BTW, SOS has more traditional size tambores, yet Matt seems to have alot more sizes? what does he offer, and does he carve the staves?

Matt can makes whatever size you want - 1/4" increments, I'd think, but you name it.

I think the cut-to-shape vs. steam-bending is determined to a large extent by the wood type. Some woods won't flex enough and split/break when bent (like mahogany), which has to be cut to shape, and others, like oak, can be bent (typically with steam, though there may be other ways). There are pros and cons for each method, and I can't speak to what Matt does beyond the mahogany.

In spite of some drum-makers making a big deal about the fact that their staves are cut to shape, steam-bending straight staves is not necessarily a bad way to go if the person doing it really knows what they're doing. I've got a set of 30-year-old steam-bent oak Valjes without a crack, and heads perfectly round.

[Tonio]

Matt can makes whatever size you want - 1/4" increments, I'd think, but you name it.

There are pros and cons for each method, and I can't speak to what Matt does beyond the mahogany.

. I've got a set of 30-year-old steam-bent oak Valjes without a crack, and heads perfectly round.

1/4" increments???? holly cow, he must have the math down pat !!

I am aware of the steam bent deal with oak. I believe SOS steam bends them. Agreed that it doesn't matter as long as they know how to do it right.

So how are you liking the Ritmos Mahoganys, I'm sure they're broken in by now?

T