ISLA PERCUSSION - Discussion, Quality, Experience, etc

[pcastag]

Awesome. Is this one of the first mahogany islas to reach a congaboard member?. you'll have to give us some pics and a review! I'm no stranger to waiting, it took matt Smith over a year to fix one of my mexican drums, and he's had my caoba sonocs since november. Worth the wait in the end.
PC

[bigsxc]

unfortunately its not! However, here are some photos...

[Mike]

Whoa - are those some cracks in the last pic?

[bongosnotbombs]

Whoa - are those some cracks in the last pic?

Those are glue lines.

[windhorse]

His Drums are rough hewn. No question.
They are not for those who demand perfect lines in appearance.
Also, they're quiet and mellow compared to mass produced drums.. These can be draw-backs for some, so it's good to know in case anyone is considering Isla's.

[bigsxc]

Windhorse is correct! They are so deep and melodic! I played mic'd yesterday and the bass puuuuuuuuuured through the Subs.. There is absolutely no ringing what so ever! I have $450 Tumba LP Classic Two! The Bass on Isla's conga blows it away ! I used the LP as the conga yesterday and the Isla Conga as the Tumba! The LP has that ring that I'm sure all of you are aware of; or any mass produced drum. My only regret now is I wished I had ordered a Isla before I had bought the LP! Didn't know about Isla @ that time:) Yes, it looks better in the Garden than it does in the house! LOL...... I'm very happy on my upgrade and the sound is like no other drum I have personally hit beside maybe a Moperc but I like this Isla more probably because its mine! LOL

God is Love

[bigsxc]

Yeah, I know its not perfect. You guys may have a higher standard because of your years of playing or being professionals I have no idea which it is. I wanted a drum that looked and sounded the way this one does. The mother land look and something not a lot of people had. I've been playing 3 years now and for me it is blessing that I could even afford to have something this expensive and hand made for me. The Blessing is not the drum, but the fact that I can play it, I have use of both hands to do so(unlike my daughter) and that my two year old son is just as passionate about them as I am. That this drum can one day be passed on to him if his heart continues to be in music like mine! Yes, the hassle was tough and the customer service experience was rocky at times. Yet, as a man of my WORD I said I would express my true opinion of them when I recieved it. " This drum is beautiful, it sounds great, I'm extremely happy ,fortunate to have it, and it is one of the Best purchases of an instrument that I have made for ME!"

Check out little man banging those drums!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRjEiv3-tWk



God is Love

[congamyk]

Cool pic
Thompson Chain!... are you a seminarian or in ministry?

Both bible & drum are GOOD for the soul.

[Congadelica]

I am so glad you like your purchase . they look great in the sunlight , and the Cueros look nice .

[bigsxc]

Thanks Guys! Congmyk no seminary just God Thirsty! LOL I'm a Preacher's Son and the Apple has not fallen far from the tree at all! He recommended the Thompson's to me because of the Hunger. I play on the praise team ,in a worship band, and Sunday school teach when asked to.

Bible and Drum You can't go wrong with that!!!!

God is Love

[CaymanCongas]

Hi All,

Didn't see these posted in this thread but if you haven't seen these vids, enjoy the Isla sound and some very tasty Rumba

23 minute video w like 5 different pieces: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVQB1FFrigY

16 minute long with the craftsman(I think) ripping up quinto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQWHf0UI ... re=related

The attack of these congas is fairly similar to some Los Munequitos recordings I have and the tone is so true that these videos have me seriously looking to buy a set of Islas.
LOVE that woodsy tone and tight slap! The stainless hardware and beautiful craftsmanship don't hurt either!

Some Los Munequitos, just for comparison and for listening pleasure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMG7zU2p ... re=related

This Isla thread has been very helpful and educational, indeed.

Anyone have experience with PM Percussion or Motherland Congas?
Anyone ever compare Volcanos side-by-side with Islas? I've played Volcanos but never played Islas.

One World _ One Music
Peace...

[bigsxc]

Did you get your crums yet?

I appreciate your perspective bigsx, I was bought into the retoric for a while also. You need to love the drum, there isn't really an option is there.

I have 5 of those drums in cherry ($100 more per tub), the investment wasn't insignificant. They all have glue lines, the quinto is really bad to the point where I can easily see how the belly is mishapen because the drum wasn't compressed properly when it was glued. Some of the lines approach a 1/4 inch. Mario has agreed to replace them, and I've been waiting, and waiting. It's now over 1.5 years since it all began (started in October 2008 with a 90 day promise). I would have gone with Ritmo, SOS or even my local buddy who makes drums had I known what I was in for.

I appreciate how difficult the move was but I think something else is going on. I read people for a living and I'm not liking this at all.

[yambu321]

THE ONE THING THAT ANYONE IN BUSINESS SHOULD AND MUST DO, IS TO BE TRUE TO THEIR WORD WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS. EMPTY PROMISES, AND DELAY TACTICS WITH THE HOPE THAT A CUSTOMER WOULD JUST GO AWAY WITH TIME, IS A DEFINATE RECEIPE FOR A COMPANY'S DEMISE. ISLA PERCUSSIONS DRUMS HAVE A TRUE BEAUTIFUL SOUND. BUT A COMPANY CAN ONLY BE AS GOOD AS IT'S PRACITCES DICTATE.

FOR ANY MANUFACTURING COMPANY TO SURVIVE, IT HAS TO PRODUCE PRUDUCTS OF ACCEPTABLE QUALITY, AND IT HAS TO PROVIDE TRUE CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR IT'S CUSTOMERS.

I HOPE THAT MARIO WILL DO THE RIGHT THING FOR YOU CADENZA.

"SAD, AND NOT A GOOD THING."
WISH YOU THE BEST,
CHARLIE.

[bigsxc]

Wow!!!!!! Cadenza, I'm so sorry... Man, I feel your pain.. Well I've noticed little things on my drum since I've got it.. Nothing I can't live with. Just little things that I know a Big Manufacturer wouldn't miss. In other words attention to detail.. The one thing that has happened is I have almost an eighth of an inch hole in my conga skin; soon to get bigger with time. When I recieved it I noticed it was scuffed or scarred in that area. No big deal I thought because the skin was so thick.Yet, today I noticed it more and if I look hard enough I can see right through the hole! Needless to say I will be driving down to Atlanta,Ga to get some new skins at the end of the month. I would not dare send it back to Mario or ask for another skin being that it took too long to get my drum and after seeing your post I may never get my skin. I will eat it and put the skin on it that I want. Also, I was thinking about getting another drum from him ,but the process and the uncertainty of how business is done with him I don't want to risk it. So I feel I'm going to play it safe and get the Lp Classic Conga to match the Lp Classic Tumba that I have. I know it's not hands on like Isla,Mopercs and the others but my experience has just been to HAIRY as yours! Unless I find a pre-exisiting Isla on a site such as this or Ebay. It's sad because I'm all about helping the True Craftsman. Maybe 5 years ago Isla was all that and business was great but some things I just dont like. Ecspecially, when your dropping 500-800 dollars on a drum. It should come In a Crate,Bubble Wrapped,with Peanuts and in Front of your house on a FedEx or UPS Truck! LOL.However,its all good and I love that I have a drum hand made for me.I wish you the BEST in getting your CORRECT PRODUCT that you DESERVE!IT AMAZES me as TIGHT as THE WORLD is on MONEY RIGHT NOW; YOU WOULD THINK BUSINESSES would be on TOP of their GAME..I have a small auto detailing business; you better believe every vehicle I touch looks as Vibrant and Spotless as my Cadillac in the garage! If they didn't they could easily give their $25/w tip for a wash or $139. for a full detail to the local express car washes here! Be Blessed Man and keep me Posted! PS. I just realized I typed Crums.... LOL Sorry...

[vasikgreif]

Cannot believe this... I wanted to get a set of Isla conga, but now I'm glad I didn't make the deal yet. I already do have Isla bata, and there were some communication problems/delay, but I would never imagine Mario would not send them...