ISLA PERCUSSION - Discussion, Quality, Experience, etc

[bigsxc]

Yes, I agree with you on the straight forward conversation! I've called 3 days ago still waiting on email or phone response. My order was supposedly shipped 3 weeks ago? I ordered 1 conga in NOVEMBER of course we all no it's approaching the end of MAY! I mean REALLY?

[Congadelica]

I feel for you guys having to wait and being let down like this . I can only hope you will be as happy with you Drums as much as I am .Im sure you will when you get them.

M

[TONE74]

I believe he should read this threads and chime in on the situation. If not its gonna hurt his business big time.

I had a good experience with Mario, always answered when I called or e-mailed. Had 3 drums made and received in about 3 1/2 months and eventually got a set of bata from him also that went well. I am happy with all my drums and don't regret it.

To the guys that placed the orders. I know if I was in your shoes I would be stressing too. At the end of the day when you pay for something you want the product as agreed without drama. Hope it all gets settled....

[pcastag]

I just want to hear about how the new woods sound! Looks like now we know why businesses in the third world do not prosper, too much dragging of the feet and red tape, but then again living in that beauty and climate who needs to get anything done, just kick back, smoke a blunt and relax and jam!

[bigsxc]

LOL...on the Blunt!!! Thanks Guys ! I hope I get my drum and if they are as good as you say they are then I know I'll be very happy! I will definitely post a positive response about the drums if they are ALL THAT!

[bongosnotbombs]

The bird has landed.
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=5546

[sonorlite]

Finally got my requinto on Wednesday. It was shipped via postal service. Based on how fast it got from Florida customs to me it was sent by air. It has $200 Belize in postage which works out to around $100 US which is very expensive for a small drum. I don't know if Mario will ship everything this way because of the cost.

Quality wise it looks very similar to the ones Mario made before leaving the US. The big difference is the skin. The skins on my USA made drums (conga/tumba) both measured around 3mm thick. The requinto skin is around 5mm which seems awfully thick for a requinto.

[Congadelica]

Well this is my line up . Thanks to a member on this Forum I now own a nice Bata set . looking forward to getting a few people round soon to play . I hope you are happy with your new Requinto it looks great and when that Cuero in broken in it will be a screamer and the thick skin is cool for requinto particular in the Rumba setting .

[bongosnotbombs]

Well this is my line up . Thanks to a member on this Forum I now own a nice Bata set . looking forward to getting a few people round soon to play . I hope you are happy with your new Requinto it looks great and when that Cuero in broken in it will be a screamer and the thick skin is cool for requinto particular in the Rumba setting .

Seems like quite a few of those instruments look very familiar to me...

[windhorse]

Seems like quite a few of those instruments look very familiar to me...

Yeah, that's just what I was thinking..

[KING CONGA]

Those Isla Batas look as if they have had some good old Norther California sun. They sure look familiar

[bigsxc]

WELL I"M HAPPY for YA! I still have had no response from Mario for over a WEEK NOW! I've left several messages and sent emails too this week and nothing! I'll give it one more week before the FIRE starts! Where do you live at? When did you order your requinto?

Finally got my requinto on Wednesday. It was shipped via postal service. Based on how fast it got from Florida customs to me it was sent by air. It has $200 Belize in postage which works out to around $100 US which is very expensive for a small drum. I don't know if Mario will ship everything this way because of the cost.

Quality wise it looks very similar to the ones Mario made before leaving the US. The big difference is the skin. The skins on my USA made drums (conga/tumba) both measured around 3mm thick. The requinto skin is around 5mm which seems awfully thick for a requinto.

[bigsxc]

Still waiting on a DRUM or a Response from Mario Punchard! No emails, or call backs for a week now! One more week and ?

[windhorse]

Mine took 6 months longer than he first told me. The Iya was broken, but he sent another. I went through a panic period as well. Hope it works out for you!

[bigsxc]

The CONGA has ARRIVED!!!!! Thank GOD!!!I ordered it November and it shipped 3 weeks ago. It left Miami June 3rd 2010 and arrived here TODAY! So I guess the BIG WAIT is getting the Drum from Belize to Florida and then out of Customs! Once it left Miami it took two days! There was $210 worth of Postage on it when it arrived via USPS.So if you're in the process of waiting Customs is going to KILL you and the fact of however long it takes Mario to finish the job.
I Love the Drum the bass shakes the glasses together on the shelves. It's gorgeous and I'm very pleased! The skin is really thick though on the Conga it will take some time to break in My only complaint would be keeping in touch with the client. I'm all about customer service and being able to reach whomever at a company when there is a concern or problem. That also could be because I've been spoiled by the US. My advice is if you're really willing to be PATIENT then this is the drum for YOU! If not I recommend hitting the local instrument dealer or the internet and purchasing from a well known distributor. Email & Phone communication needs a lot of work. I'm well pleased and now the new decision to be made is do I get another one from MARIO? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. Be Blessed all and have a great Weekend!

God is Love,
BIGSXC