Ritmo Percussion ~ Matthew Smith

[ABAKUA]

You guys are a lot more patient and understanding than I am. I appreciate good work but also within a reasonable time frame and some communication. He has been sitting on a set of bongos of mine for a year. Won't answer his phone or respond to emails. I'm ready to ask for them back. The deposit too!

Your problems of delays with a percussion instrument are nothing in comparison next to the personal problems (as I've already mentioned) he is having to deal with at the moment.

Guys, Matthew is having some very serious personal issues. No need for alarm. The brother just needs to sort some things out.

You asking for them back will do nothing but add a minor amount of relief to his existing back log of customers awaiting product.
So please do ask for them back, it means I will get my stuff sooner.

He is ok, but experiencing some serious personal issues. Give the brother some respect and allow him to work through what he is going through.

[yambu321]

PSYCH1,

HANG IN THERE BRO.
IF YOU HAVE WAITED THIS LONG, SEE IT THROUGH.
I KNOW IT'S BEEN TOO LONG OF A WAIT. BUT, YOU ARE ALMOST THERE NOW.

THOUGH MATT MAY HAVE SOME ISSUES. YOU'LL GET YOUR DRUMS.


HE'S A GOOD MAN.
CHARLIE.

[mantanajp]

PSYCH1,

I have been waiting for two years or more. But, I believe matthew.

[SplatnikG]

mantanajp,

I may have won the waiting contest. I have been waiting 2 years 7 months for my drums! They have just been finished and I'm very glad I waited. Just sent Matthew the payoff check a little over a week ago and am hoping to have them soon. He sent me this photo.

I wish Matthew the best.

[mantanajp]

SplatnikG

You are a winner！ haha 　your drums very beautiful!!
I wait patiently for my drums.

[ABAKUA]

Guys, just passing on some info... Ive been in touch with Matt this morning, he passes on apologies for the sudden loss on contact. As I've explained in earlier posts, he had to take care of some personal issues and during this difficult time for him, had some emergencies which unfortunately caused him to take immediate action. As a result he lost contact with all customers and he feels terrible about it. Thats not how Matt operates, you could not deal with a nicer, humbler more genuine guy. The brother aint in it for the money, he is a keeper of the true tradition, authenticity to the finest detail, no cutting corners, he puts his heart and soul into every piece he fabricates.

Guys, any concerns, pls PM me. All is well.

[mantanajp]

recently,anybody contact with Matthew?

[docarroyo]

I know Matthew and he has stated to me that he does not like thick skins on his drums. The skins on those drums appear thick and high and my assumption is that they are freshly mounted so are still swollen from the soak. The will shrink when dry allowing the room to come down as far as needed around the drum. They sould be at a comfortable height to play in no time, a little oil or manteca will do the trick for break in. Matthew is one of the WORLDS best artisans in making Tambores and bongo, and is very particular about what product leaves his shop, thats one of the reasons for long waits even when he is in full production mode he lets the drum aclimate and rechecks for playability, tone and any other potential problems its called Quality Control in big business. Thats one of the major differences between a artisan made drum and mass produced drums the investment of love in the drum being produced and making sure thats its a Quality Tambor. For Matthew its not a job but a labor of love and anyone that knows him will back me up on this. Congratulations on your aquisition Matthews productions are hierloom instruments.

[s'chopp]

Can anybody help me out with finding some recordings of ritmo drums?

thank you

[ABAKUA]

recently,anybody contact with Matthew?

Spoke with him over the weekend.
Things are looking a little better for him. Hasnt been easy but he is pulling through.

My requinto was put on hold just before I left for Cuba, we had a discussion about final appearance and it should be completed in a few weeks.

[pcastag]

I talked to him in jan. he's had my cuban sonocs since nov. 2009, said it would be a quick fix, pretty easy really, no major cracks, told me he'd get my drums done before winter ended, I guess it's spring now. Hope all is well with him but I'd love to hve my drums, been playing lots of guiros on my gon bops, be nice to do some on the real deal.
PC

[Ernesto Pediangco]

Great looking shells & heads.

[ABAKUA]

Spoke to Matt late last night / early his morning, he is ready to mount the head on my custom requinto. I just need to make a decision now regarding the crown option.

I can either go with Matts design ears ie the V off the crown, or Cuban old school style ears similar to KING KONGA's Requena which Matt restored.

Waiting on some pics so I can make my mind up, then once the skin is mounted & Matt is happy with it, he will be able to get it to me.
Excited again!

[Psych1]

I recently cancelled all my work with him. I have asked him to send my drums, and my deposit, back.

To each his own. Not worth it to me.

[pcastag]

Was he doing a repair for you?
PC