ISLA PERCUSSION - Discussion, Quality, Experience, etc

[vasikgreif]

Does anybody have current contact info for Mario?

congas4life@yahoo.com or mariopunchard@yahoo.com ... He promised to send me something, after waiting few months, he wrote me he's ready to ship the package, but that was two months ago - since that time I got no reply to my emails. So good luck, I really hope he'll get his bussinnes up and running well again, but for now I don't trust him anymore - and I'm really sorry to have to say that....

[BMac]

You may can reach him by bidding on the batas he appears to be selling on ebay right now.
Just go to ebay, enter "conga" in the search line, and scroll down a bit.
You can't miss them.
Based on the username of the seller, it's probably him.
Just saying.
Cheers,
BMac

[pcastag]

Better off buying from him on ebay, a least that way you'll get paypal protection if you don't get your stuff.
PC

[s'chopp]

must be cheap labour down belize way...

[vasikgreif]

He promised to send me something, after waiting few months, he wrote me he's ready to ship the package, but that was two months ago - since that time I got no reply to my emails. So good luck, I really hope he'll get his bussinnes up and running well again, but for now I don't trust him anymore - and I'm really sorry to have to say that....

Just want to post that I got the package today. I really don't know why Mario didn't reply to my emails etc., but in the end I recieved what he promised - that means for me he isn't bad guy, he just sucks in customer relations...

[s'chopp]

I am curious about the odd shape, like Valje were. They're straight, then a severe curve and then straight again- as if the staves were carved then grooves cut into what would later be the interior side of the stave. So the bend is achieved from a straight stave.
Anybody know?

[pcastag]

Yes, they are cut from a single piece of wood, not steam bent.
PC

[s'chopp]

Thanks PC but that isn't exactly what I asked. I'm not sure but it looks as if he cuts the stave straight then makes the bend by scoring heavily on the interior side of the stave and then forcing the bend. This is why the rest of the stave is straight, there is no real curve, just a bend. This way you don't have to buy machines that will cut curved staves.

[bongosnotbombs]

Thanks PC but that isn't exactly what I asked. I'm not sure but it looks as if he cuts the stave straight then makes the bend by scoring heavily on the interior side of the stave and then forcing the bend. This is why the rest of the stave is straight, there is no real curve, just a bend. This way you don't have to buy machines that will cut curved staves.

There is no scoring or bending to Isla drums. The staves are cut the shape they are before being glued. Isla may have a similar profile shape to Valjes, but they are constructed in very different ways.

[pcastag]

Thanks PC but that isn't exactly what I asked. I'm not sure but it looks as if he cuts the stave straight then makes the bend by scoring heavily on the interior side of the stave and then forcing the bend. This is why the rest of the stave is straight, there is no real curve, just a bend. This way you don't have to buy machines that will cut curved staves.

What he said. they are cut in that shape like mopercs and sonocs.

PC

[s'chopp]

Thank you, this is good to know, I may have to eat my words about their crown design...

[s'chopp]

Has anybody heard from Mario via email recently?

[Jerry Bembe]

Mario e-mailed me a few days ago. He sent me a shipment that he needs to track down. He is better to reach by phone lately, about a year ago he was better with e-mail. He has interesting work.

I have a friend that has a conga/tumba set of his Mahogony line that looks and sounds excellent.

Most people are happy with the results but you will have to wait.

Mario did tell me he had some drums made that were ready for shipment that were not yet sold a few weeks ago.

I hope this helps S'chopp.

[vasikgreif]

Has anybody heard from Mario via email recently?

Yup, I got a reply two days ago... I would like to get a requinto from him, and he told me there is no more deposit, you pay when he got the drum ready to ship - seems like good progress to me...

[Jerry Bembe]

I am waiting on the shipment of this 9" Ziricote Requinto. I hope to see it soon.

9" Isla Ziricote

9" Isla Ziricote view #2

I dig the look and I bet Ziricote is great for high end because of the higher density of the wood. I will see if my theory is correct. I like Mahogany for it's warm bassy feel and Oak for Quintos.

Does anyone else have a Ziricote Isla that they can comment about? I would like to hear about it (ut I really would like to see it first hand).

Enjoy your drums. I am embarassed about the primative hardware.

Peace