Old Strange Conga

[Sakuntu]

Check this out.... Is this Cuban?

http://cgi.ebay.com/CONGO-BONGO-AFRICAN ... 7C294%3A50

[Victorius]

head is octagonal??

[seisporocho1]

Can't believe they consider that "fair" condition...more like "f*^# up" condition!!!

Anyway, it looks like it might be a Mexican drum....Dario would know about this.

6x8

[docarroyo]

Hey guys I brought it on a hunch. Looks like similar in shape to an old Cuban drum I owned and sold in P.R. . If you look at the cut of the drum ie dia. of head and bottom, the placement of the belly it may be Cuban. Mexican drums do not have this shape or belly placement. I'm hoping its a diamond in the rough when I recieve it and inspect it I will let you guys know.

[burke]

Good luck,

I've bought two "Old strange congas" on ebay - one pleasant surprise and one "Oh well ... only paid a few bucks and the artwork is cool".

Obviously the hardware and skin will go straight in the bin but you may just have a fine shell there.

Look forward to hearing how it turns out.

[docarroyo]

The hardware is Classic look at the turnbuckles a little more silver paint and it will be great LOL. Yes thats the first thing to go then the paint. I hope its nice lumber under it if not as you stated it wasn't very expensive. But if we don't take chances and gamble once in a while wheres the fun in living.

[docarroyo]

Ok guys and gals just got the POS drum and here are my findings. Its a solid shell hand carved from a solid trunk of a tree, I have not yet determined the type of wood but it may be mahogany hard to tell. It actually was playable and sounded fair. The mis-shape of the head was due to a loose skin the bearing edge is too thick and will require tunning. Some of the interior wall is a bit rough hewn so I will sand it a bit. I need your opinions should I strip the old paint or leave it as is maybe touch it up a bit? As far as Origins go I'm baffaled any ideas? It will get new hardware have not decided from who yet.

[docarroyo]

Heres another flic, The head is 10 inches, the belly is positioned at the same point as my Junior Tirado drum about the same point as my M. Smith. So what do you guys Think Diamond in the rough or POS? I just stuck a light down the barrel and found out that it was made in Barranquila Colombia in 1966 and the grain at the bottom which is sanded smoother appears to be some type of Mahogany.

[docarroyo]

I striped the drum of its old paint it was bad and chiped. Im going to stain it red mahogany since I can't seem to get all the red stain that the red paint caused in the wood. I patched the old holes and I hope the stain will cover them some what. I have to wait on good weather to work out side stain should go on sat. will post another after.

[burke]

That is way cool!

I mean just think of the time and human effort alone that must go into hacking out the inside of a tree!

I think you done good.

[docarroyo]

I know I couldn't do it talk about labor intensive, you can see the chisels were small by the marks on the inside and to shape it as well he did I would like to meet him and shacke his hand. Thank you

[buckoh]

You can get rid of some of the red by using a product from Hood Finishing products in New Brunswick, N.J. Its called Hoodbleach 192 Stain-Away. It is for removing traces of analine stain from deep in the woodgrain. Call Eric at 800 229 0934 and tell him what you're doing. If its not right, he'll tell you what to use. Judging from the grain pattern on that tub, you might want to use an analine stain. It will really emphasize the grain. I'd seal it with 5 or 6 coats of amber shellac and either leave it or finalize it with a couple of coats of waterbase clear. Shellac turns white when exposed to H2O but its easy to fix. Just sand lightly & recoat. Good luck, Buck

[docarroyo]

Stain turned out Good, I like it the color and grain of the wood looks like Brazilian rosewood I have a crown coming for it and Im looking into options for side plates.

[Sakuntu]

Doc, Where do you get your side plates? I'm looking for some too but they are hard to find and pretty expensive if you can find them....

[docarroyo]

My friend Tato went to see Cali today about his drum and was going to check on cost. I dont have them yet so Im looking my self I will let you when I find out.