Eco=Tone Bongos

[congabluedog]

A picture is worth a thousand words. I can't believe I have these! I will take better pics in the day light. Jacqui

[bongosnotbombs]

very nice, had not seen any like that before. How do they sound?

[Psych1]

Wow!!!! Where? How? Tell us more!

[roberthelpus]

Wow, what strangeness. It looks like you can twist them around and separate them. Which brings up the question; Which is the Bong and which one is the Go

[Anonimo]

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

[Omelenko1]

I saw Candito's in NYC when I visted my daughter about 4 years ago. This is the second one I've seen. I know they are very heavy.

Dario

[congabluedog]

Hey ...I found these on Craigslist....I was the first to respond to the ad. I was just hoping that they were the real deal because no pics were provided. An older gentleman was given them as a present 40 or so years ago. He was the sole owner. I really really got lucky on this one....seeing it very soon after it was posted. I know they are rare and I have def. never seen one ever. I was so excited when he pulled them out of his car and I saw the hardware. I will take more pics tomorrow. The skins are completely gone, dried, etc. Would love to have some advice as to what type of skin would be best for these. I know these helicopter type lugs don't have the greatest range for tuning...What would you experts suggest? They are heavy but not heavier than other bongos I have held. Anyway, I think they are in incredible condition. I am so happy about them I don't know how I will sleep. Anyway...I know Dario has seen one...have you seen any Leedy? Were they common in the NYC stores back in the day?

[Anonimo]

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[docarroyo]

I saw those on CR and thought about it but I have to thin my heard out a bit. I had a set just like that I still have the conga with the same finish in Puerto Rico. I sold them in 78 I never got used to the wieght or discomfort but they sounded great as I remember they are very loud with a dynamic projection. Also one of the turnbuckles was wearing thin since I tuned them with a screw driver and the sharp edge on the tuning hole torn a pair of slacks while at a show, very embarising. But none the less a great set of bongo which are now very scarce enjoy them Jaqui. And be carful when you change the skins after struggling to get the skin on when trimmimg with a razor I cut too deep and ruined the head on the Hembra, LOL its funny the things you remember that you almost forgot.

[congabluedog]

So does anyone else have an Eco tone bongo? Have other forum members ever seen them or owned them? I would love to see more pics of them. The only one I am aware of other than my pics is the one posted by Dario. And Docarroyo if you ever want to sell that matching eco conga I would love to have a chance at it for a trade or sale. JAcqui

[PRDRconguero]

Very nice drums. I saw them too but you beat me to it!

[congabluedog]

Really busy...Here are some better pics:

[Ernesto Pediangco]

Ecotones were fiberglass / kind of thin by todays standards and used parts that were seen in some avionics & marine applications w/ turn buckle tension rods. Simple tuning w/ a rod through the turn buckle but was awkward . Fiberglass shells can delaminate from heavy tensions & is why Lp had to thicken & re inforce the top portion of their glass shells. These bongos used thin heads as was common in the day with many models. Ecotone congas were COOL & King Kongas were also a great glass comga drum drum, but were built w/ left & right side shells fused into one shell, where Lp's and other Asian models like Zim Gar, Tocas etc used a top & bottom molded shell fused into one drum shell. Kings had a simular yet far stronger straight rod tuning system that tuned from the bottom like all other conventional types. I never saw King Kpmgas in a Bongo though !