Let's see your oldest conga.

[bongosnotbombs]

This is my oldest conga, a beast of a tumba by none other than a true Californian original Tom Flores of Valje. I was told by Ralph that this drum was made sometime during the sixties which means it is between 40-50 years old. It's had a long life, but has held up amazingly well. No rust and just one crack that has been repaired. The lugs needed to be replaced due to abuse. It's still perfectly round and sounds awesome. Right now it serves duty as my main rumba ax at public rumbas and belongs to the set of drums that gets hauled all over town on my bike, bus or in cars to be played outside at the beach, park and in the streets of San Francisco.

[Bongobilly]

Early 80's Junior's Late 70's Gon bop's

[KING CONGA]

Ok you asked for it.
My recently restored 1950's Candido Requena beautifully restored to maintain it’s classic patina appearance. This Baby sings, although in all honestly I have only played it about 5 times since restored.
I enjoy just looking at this Afro Cuban historical relic.
Esta tambien todavia tiene mucha ALMA Arre!.

Enjoy.

[Anonimo]

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

[Mike]

Alright, here is my eldest couple,
a Gon Bops mahogany set I restored last year.
They cannont boast much more than 30 years,
35 maybe, but I love the look and the sound
of them nevertheless.

[bongosnotbombs]

Ok you asked for it.
My recently restored 1950's Candido Requena beautifully restored to maintain it’s classic patina appearance. This Baby sings, although in all honestly I have only played it about 5 times since restored.
I enjoy just looking at this Afro Cuban historical relic.

What a great drum. If it was mine I probably wouldn't play anything else.

[pcastag]

According to the original seller (felcher) these babies are from the 50's, not so sure, 60's - 70's maybe, but matts working ont hem right now, can't wait till they're done. According to him they're cuban cedro.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/15371714@N ... 756450352/


PC

[Psych1]

İ have a beautıful big. fat. tall mahogany tack-head tumba from the early 40s. I play ıt a lot as a sıngle. İt has a wonderful deep tone unlike any of my others. İ considered hardware but decıded to leave ıt be. She tunes up nıcely ın the sun or wıth a heat lıte.

Travelıng rıght now - will post pictures in a few days

[JohnnyConga]

This is a 9inch Junior requinto that is at least 50 years old now. I bought it for 50 bucks back in 1972 at a pawn shop on Willis ave in the Bronx...Omelenko(Dario) has been after me for years to get this drum...who knows maybe one day ... this requinto was refurbished by Martin Galagarza....Oye Omelenko...how much would u spend on buying this requinto?...just curios..u can pm me privately tu socio JC...

[Bongobilly]

Johnny & King Conga You guy's just gun us down with those fabulous conga's! Ok here are the twin's. Gon Bop's requnito 70's? Gon Bop's late 70 0r early 80's( I forgot) brought new. Junior's Conga & Tumba early 80's but i think the tumba might be 70's.Man Johnny my Junior's could sure use a little brother

[ABAKUA]

Love them Juniors Bongobilly. Great stuff.

[vinnieL]

JC love the requinto simply beautiful

[docarroyo]

Three decades of Junior Tirado drums Dark one 70's vintage, light one (darken with age) 80's, Cafe con leche 90's, 11 1/4, 11 1/2, 12 1/2. Slight changes of evolution include different banding materials, better chrome on latter, along with metal work. The 11 1/4 has a narrower opening on bottom than 11 1/4 which I belive lends its self to higher tonality. I also have this old late 50's early 60' Cuban very sweet Quinto

[Bongobilly]

Beautiful drums docarroyo. I was lucky to buy my Juniors back then. I always took care of my congas, thank god i kept them.I haven't taken my Juniors out for a gig since i refinish them. There are very few conga players that know what theses drums are about.I should say the ones i know here never heard of them. I just keep it a secret from them

[Omelenko1]

1969 Junior Tirados refurbished by Matthew Smith, 1999 Junior Tirado, Skin on Skin oak set 2003, Skin on Skin cherry 1992. This is what I currently have and will keep.

Dario