Gon Bops California Series lower prices? - fewer finishes

[pcastag]

Yeah I picked up a tumba with a plastic head too. Looks like they're all coming with plastic heads now. Forks has a set of thre on e-bay for 1600, not a bad deal considerng what they list at and that would probably only gt you two jcrs sos or ritmo drums. Where are you getting your flesh hop, i need to get one for my tumba.
PC

BTW they are great sounding oak drums. I picked them up and sold my SOS's because I wanted something with a bit more bite. they deinitely have it!

[umannyt]

...I wanted something with a bit more bite. they deinitely have it!

And how!!! This was exactly my 1st impression when I first hit the heads of my 3 Gon Bops CAs (now 4) while they were still on display at the local dealer I bought them from. Not to mention their immaculate construction and minimalistic looks. Now, they're the only ones I use for amplified gigs.

But, for quieter/acoustic playing, I revert to my 3 Islas which give me fatter, dryer sounds.

[bongosnotbombs]

. Where are you getting your flesh hop, i need to get one for my tumba.
PC

I'm getting the rings from Latin Rhythm Traders, they have tons of sizes in stock at 1/4" increments.
I got 10 3/4" for the 9 3/4" requinto, mainly you want to match the inside dimensions of the hoop and
the crown. $8.00 is a good price for the hoop.

I had also called Akbar, the drum maker, you have to order through a store and then he can make one,
seemed like it would take time and a price markup, so I decided to go with rhythm traders instead.

[pcastag]

Yeah, when I bought the tumba they quoted over 100 for a skin head HA!. Fortunately the first two I bought had skin heads, even though they're not the best, they do have a good tone. I'm going to check the traders site for ahoop.

PC

[gruvdrumr]

So.....the set of 3 on Ebay from Bentleys is a good price at $1599?

[KING CONGA]

So.....the set of 3 on Ebay from Bentleys is a good price at $1599?

Believe it or not it is if your in the market for a set of California series G.B. The retail cost of these drums is close to a grand each, way over priced in my opinion I'd take some Matt Smith's over these any day and would not mind the wait.

[pcastag]

True, matthew smith drums are very nice (never played them though) but please remember that there is a highly skilled craftsman behind Gon Bops as well, and for average of 533 per drum and instant delivery I would say it's a great deal. I paid about 1400 for my set of 3, only because a buddy of mine was working at GC and got me a great deal.I sold my SOS's specifically for the purpose of buying abrighter sounding set, the cherrywood just was getting lost onstage. I love my california series, they definitely have a great sound, and are NOT by any means a standard "asian" oak mass produced drum.
PC

[bongosnotbombs]

My drum was $540 asking price, less with 10% discount, and I got it after 4 weeks late.
It's a very high quality drum. Matt Smith's are truly great drums, but he offers nothing at that
price or time frame.

[vinnieludovico]

Guys,
I have a set of GB Californias(2 tumbas,conga and quinto ) and am the very proud owner of only one Matthew .I get to compare them frequently on gigs as well as at home and at local studios.Nothing (to my ears ),and I mean NOTHING comes close to that 11.5 Matthew quarter sawn oak as a tres dos OR a quinto (non- rumba applications).I play with a local salsa group and use my Matt with the bands LP s(w remo fibre skins) and the Matthew kills !Volume,tone etc...The GB's are great drums and I am glad I waited for the price to come down.Got them on line appr.500-700 each.

[bongosnotbombs]

Guys,
I have a set of GB Californias(2 tumbas,conga and quinto ) and am the very proud owner of only one Matthew .I get to compare them frequently on gigs as well as at home and at local studios.Nothing (to my ears ),and I mean NOTHING comes close to that 11.5 Matthew quarter sawn oak as a tres dos OR a quinto (non- rumba applications).I play with a local salsa group and use my Matt with the bands LP s(w remo fibre skins) and the Matthew kills !Volume,tone etc...The GB's are great drums and I am glad I waited for the price to come down.Got them on line appr.500-700 each.

Sounds like you have a great drum there, but you can wait 2 years for one of those drums. I know people that have waited longer. I don't have the patience for an indefinite wait for a drum anymore.

I know this little 9 3/4" Gon Bops is going to tear it up.

But seriously at $1,000 each the I think the GB's are overpriced. However there are deals all over the place on these drums, usually around $600. Like I said I got mine for less than $540 and I have it after 4 weeks.

[bongosnotbombs]

So.....the set of 3 on Ebay from Bentleys is a good price at $1599?

That's a very good deal if they are selling the GB California series. That's $533 a drum with no waiting
period. A good deal for sure.

[umannyt]

So.....the set of 3 on Ebay from Bentleys is a good price at $1599?

I highly recommend dealing with Bentley's Drum Shop in Fresno, CA. I bought my Gon Bops CA bongos from them in 2007. Dana Bentley, the owner and himself a musician (drummer), gave me the best deal I could find anywhere plus free shipping. So, if you're set on getting Gon Bops CA congas, look for Dana. He may not remember me anymore, but that doesn't matter. He's a cool guy to deal with. And, if you're buying outside of California, you'll save on the sales tax.

[Tonio]

Man , you guys are tempting me!!
I always wanted a set of the GB Alex Acuna models.

BNB, are you familiar with California percussion LLC, south side on Starlite ST? They have a few sets , 9.25% tax is killer, but free bag/shipping. Could you scope me out a conga?

T

[umannyt]

Man , you guys are tempting me!!
I always wanted a set of the GB Alex Acuna models.

T

Tonio,

GB Alex Acunas are also nice! They're made of North American Ash--solid staves and not plywood staves. unlike LP Galaxy Giovanni Series and Meinl Mongo Santamaria Series and Woodcraft Series. The GB Alex Acunas were my 2nd choice to the GB CAs if the GB CAs were out of my price league. When I bought my GB CAs, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the GB Alex Acunas, IMO, looked much better in person than in pictures.

To save on CA sales tax, I recommend buying from Cascio Interstate Music (http://www.interstatemusic.com/webapp/w ... reId=10051). I've had nothing but pleasant experiences with them. And their prices are very competitive. I'm sure that they'll price match the best price that you can find elsewhere.

If you decide to deal with CIM, I highly recommend talking to a live sales agent. I was pleasantly surprised to find out a while back that, more often than not, they'll discount their online prices (which I find to be competitive already) even further. I've had good luck with a guy named Jeremy (if he's still there).

Good luck,

[bongosnotbombs]

BNB, are you familiar with California percussion LLC, south side on Starlite ST? They have a few sets , 9.25% tax is killer, but free bag/shipping. Could you scope me out a conga?
T

I'm familiar with that business. They used to run ads in Craigslist and I remember talking to a guy there on the phone a while back.
The Alex Acuna are very nice drums, they've had them at Haight Ashbury Music off and on, California and Tumbao pro series too.
I've seen the Alex Acunas go for some pretty low prices too.

But hey, I know your gonna want the 55th anniversary series I just saw!
United States shaped lug plates!!!!!

http://www.californiapercussion.com/gon ... ition.aspx