Help to Idendify.......Cuban?

[harpon]

Thinking of buying my first set of bongo......found these on cl...seller has them advertized as cuban......any ideas?

Joe

[bongosnotbombs]

They look like they might be Cuban, they are definitely worth the asking price.

[roberthelpus]

The bearing edge on the hembra looks way out of round. Looks like you have yourself a project. Enjoy.

On the subject of out of round...



...this guy seem to be dealing with it.

[harpon]

out of round dosen't bother me at all...........had a feeling you'd see these bnb....isn't craigslist a beautiful thing?

thanks guys

[bongosnotbombs]

Well you know, those drums are in the neighborhood. Talk the guy down a bit and you're good to go. Those look like they've probably been in the closet or garage for a loooong time.

[harpon]

so true bnb.....ya know,I enlarged the pic quite abit to take a look at the bottom hardware....its kindda funky,like just a small loop where the lug connects. Hey bnb.wish I had a pic of the Gon Bops tumba large I picked up for $60 on cl about a month ago. Its oak with the band,was advertized as a bongo was in the City.

Joe

[bongosnotbombs]

That's one reason I think they are Cuban. The Cuban drums I have seen usually have nice woodwork but funky metal. I've seen Cuban drums using diamond steel for the crown and bottom rings. Funky!

[chiringo]

DEfinatly cuban. early sonoridad cubana (SONOC). The hardware is heavy and ugly but the shells are a diferent story .Very nice Congrats. Dario and I have a friend here in Miami, Ronnie Loretto with the same bongos.

[harpon]

Thanks for your input chiringo...much appreciated!! Was wondering if there was a standard as far as the size of the heads?

Joe

[niallgregory]

The bearing edge on the hembra looks way out of round. Looks like you have yourself a project. Enjoy.

On the subject of out of round...



...this guy seem to be dealing with it.

This guy ! u do realise who that is dont ya ?

[bongosnotbombs]

Thanks for your input chiringo...much appreciated!! Was wondering if there was a standard as far as the size of the heads?

Joe

Bongo sizes vary quite a bit, hembra somewhere between 8"-9", macho between 6"-7" roughly. You're probably going to have to install your own skins. It is pretty unlikely any manufactured heads are going to fit.

[harpon]

thanks bnb

[roberthelpus]

The bearing edge on the hembra looks way out of round. Looks like you have yourself a project. Enjoy.

On the subject of out of round...



...this guy seem to be dealing with it.

This guy ! u do realise who that is dont ya ?

Of course, I found that picture years ago and this is third computer that the file has sit on. Just like this one. They've been Gimped to smaller sizes and used as avatars.

I've brought the Chano pic out before as an example of how our modern perception of gear might be different than the past. That drum just might be on some recording that we have drooled over for years as far as tone is concerned.

Some years ago when cajons where starting to gain a lot of notice, the intertubes were buzzing with folks wanting to make their own. The typical post went "I have some (insert super rare exotic and fantastic) wood and I'm looking for plans to make a cajon with my fully Norm Abrams' equipped wood shop. A friend of mine has a set made by Fatty, who made boxes for Los Muñeqitos and Grupo AfrocCuba. They were obviously made from recycled wood and other expediencies and sound wonderful. Sitting around one day we daydreamed that the wood was mahogany and or teak and salvaged from an old boat. My friend had a Boy Scout kitchen box that he was no longer using since he not a Scoutmaster any more and despite my skepticism it made a pretty nice sounding cajon that he didn't have to worry about taking out of the studio. Cut a circle in it and it was good to go.

[Omelenko1]

Early Sonoridad Cubana (SONOC) Awesome sound, not the best hardware by far. Depending on the price, I'll buy them.

Dario

[harpon]

Thank you,everybody for your help and input...