Dry martini? No, dry bongó!

[Psych1]

Good job Mike! I think all bongos need that backing plate. That is usually where they first crack - even if you don't "drop them to the floor" - something I have never done, at least intentionally, anyway. I once tried to order those plates from LP but they don't sell them. It seems the only way to get them is to make your own.

[Mike]

Thanks for the quick reply.
Would you say the other side of the bolt needs such a backing plate too (I mean where
the head of the bolt is)?
My El Piernas do have plates on both insides of the shells, but they are heavy monster too

[Psych1]

I think those plates on both sides just makes sense. I can't see anything problem with having them. My El Piernas didn't have them but I made some for them, my old LPs, and some others. Junior and Matt Smith put them on. Jay Berack doesn't - I believe. I've now got them on all my bongos except one set of Meinl Woodcraft free-rides - the only thing I really like about that design is no hole in the shells - that floating center thing seems silly to me otherwise.

[Anonimo]

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[Psych1]

I agree that all the new HR-Piernas bongos now come with that plate. My old set didn't have them and no sign that they were ever there. He must have started to put them on later. I also agree that the Meinl free-ride thing does hold the shells together without wobble and I like that there are no holes in the shell. But, I don't hear any advantage over a wood block and, there is no way to adjust the rims to make them more comfortable to hold.
Both great bongos - I'm not complaining.

Nothing like what you have but I already have more bongos than I can play or need to have. But, if another small one like Mike just got comes my way - I'm all over it!

[Anonimo]

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[Mike]

Oye Psych1 & leedy2 ,
this Raúl has really got deep shells,
considering the small head sizes.
I Think that is what gives it that Cuban sound.
Apart from wood and skin of course).

I will certainly make another backing plate to prevent cracking.
This instrument will see my grandchildren hopefully

[Anonimo]

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[skinslapper]

I ve gotten myself the same bongo . (almost ,
Its being kept for me i ve made a down payment )And collect it in november after my holiday !
It looks exactly the same as this one . The shopkeeper says its 5/6 years old .
It dous not have the raul mark . But other than that its exactly the same as this one .
Same wood same dimensions same hardware.The same stamp on the heads.
Anyone can sheare a light on this one ?

( First time in life i wished my f#cking holiday is over fast )

As far a backing plates .I think backing plates ar a must !!!!
I ve made them myself for all of my bongo s out of 1.5mm thick steel .( a bit oversized )
I ve hammered the steel on a kettle shaped wooden mold .
Its a slight curve but worth the work . The conform exactly.
Drilled holes, then hardened them myself .
Maybe a bit overdone but , nothing but the best for my love !!!!

[Anonimo]

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[skinslapper]

Leedy thanx . i hoped so , I cant wait to lay my fingers on this one .....

[skinslapper]

Bad luck one

I had the money, payed the shop !
The send me the bongo . It was the Bauer bongo with the soft curve rim.
I Cried ..... then phoned the shop . The told me to send back the bongo and the returned my money.
Somebody put the wrong picture on there site.
What a bummer that was !

[Ernesto Pediangco]

These original bongo heads are stretched white and I would guess they are not very bright sounding. I vever cared for the over sized bongo hooks w/ large tuning nut or aluminium base rings. I like the HR bongo even though its heavy. As long as you have good heads and no faliure in the drum construction or parts, these are as good as any other bongo. A great bongo can sound as cheap & crapy as any other...if the heads are crapy. Its funny to me that bongoseros who play only plastic heads or with cheap Asian heads on expensive model bongos. You may as well use a cheap bongo w/ cheap heads and save great bongos for great heads.

[Ernesto Pediangco]

I like the sizes of these shells for small combo gigs. The crown rims are copied from Pan Con Queso of Venezuela, I like this wood too, my Peruvian Cajons smell of Cedar & keeps bugs out of the room I store them in ( natural repellent ). These heads I never cared for ( I'd re mount new ones of better grade ). The shells are so close that the skin wires may bibd against each other , I 'd add some gasket material between the shells & separator bock which widens the shells enough to allow free travel of the heads. The Aluminum base rings are prone to cracking so I would replace them w/ steel ones. These base s do not look as heavy or strong as Lp's & Matadors either. BUT....GREAT drums !