Matt Smith Refurb * MERGED * DA WOOD - HOUSTEN HAS LANDED! *

[pcastag]

Talked to Matt the other day, should be wrapping up my drums this weekend, old set of sonocs, probably 60's-70's anyways here's what he's doing

sanding refinishing and gluing
Almas
stainless steel bands
new tuning lugs
backing plates for lug mounts
sent him a couple of bill confer heads to put on.

Drums are cuban cedro, which is a bit more solid and heavier than the cedar we're used to seeing, can't wait to hear how those vintage babies sound!

BEFORE drums were actually in great shape considering their age, don't know why Cubans love that nasty red paint, it's all over the place even on my SONOC bata you see in the background. I know it's slim pickins over there but the natural wood is so nice!


IMG_0986 by pcastag, on Flickr

AFTER raw shells , cant wait to get my hands on the finished product, should be here next wek, but I think in matt's time a week can be closer to 2-3, well worth it though, i'll be able to keep these babies and play them for a long time! I'll probably have the chrome redone here in Houston


pcastag 001 by pcastag, on Flickr

MATT Rocks!

[vinnieL]

Very pretty should look incredible when they are all done.

[ABAKUA]

Glad to hear they are finally near completion.
I bet you cant wait to make them sing with your son.
Pa' lante.

Ache.

They will look amazing once finished.

[pcastag]

Yeah can't wait to get them going, apparentamente estas tumbas fueran tocados en bastante bembes alla in Habana.

[pcastag]

Woo Hoo, 1.5 anos. Worth the wait, if I had the skills I'd do them myself, but better in the hands of the master.

Before

IMG_0986 by pcastag, on Flickr

After


5-2-11 021 by pcastag, on Flickr


5-2-11 022 by pcastag, on Flickr


5-2-11 023 by pcastag, on Flickr


New bands, glue, almas and tension rods, refinished in the natural wood. .

[Gallichio]

Nice!

[Mr. Conga]

OOOOOOOOOOHHH!!!! BEAUTIFULL WOOD GRAIN....I WOULDLOVE IT IF YOU CN POST A SOUND VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE...TAKE MORE DETAIL PICS,,,CAN I SEE SOME OF THE INSIDE...THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A WOOD STAIN TO BRING OUT THE WOOD GRAIN..DO U KNOW?
CONGRATS..HOW LONG WAS THE WAIT

[Mr. Conga]

POST MORE BEFORE AND AFTER PICS...DID IT HAVE SPLITS, CRACK BEFORE, ...HOW MANY?

[Omelenko1]

It was worth the wait, they look amazing and I know they will sound great. Very nice unique pair. Enjoy.

Dario

[Mr. Conga]

Aaaaaamazing!!! in deed....may be chroming the crown and harware, and they will look Ritmo centric, amaizing wood grain that sonocs can have underneath all that paint

[pcastag]

OOOOOOOOOOHHH!!!! BEAUTIFULL WOOD GRAIN....I WOULDLOVE IT IF YOU CN POST A SOUND VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE...TAKE MORE DETAIL PICS,,,CAN I SEE SOME OF THE INSIDE...THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A WOOD STAIN TO BRING OUT THE WOOD GRAIN..DO U KNOW?
CONGRATS..HOW LONG WAS THE WAIT

No stain, that's just the aged cuban cedro.

[pcastag]

Aaaaaamazing!!! in deed....may be chroming the crown and harware, and they will look Ritmo centric, amaizing wood grain that sonocs can have underneath all that paint

No doubt, I've got a set of bata with the same nasty red paint, gotta get to scraping on them!

[ABAKUA]

Gotta be happy with that! Very nice refurb. Matt certainly done a nice job with those SONOC's.
Im guessing you didnt want to wait any longer having him chrome the crown etc? Or you going for a rustic look?
Looking great though, certainly brought back to life!
See if you can upload some videos, would love to hear them. Ive played some old sonocs here, but they wouldnt compare to a refurb'd Matt project, especially with those new skins, are they from Bill?

[pcastag]

Yes, those are Bill Confer Skins I sent them with the drums, I've ordered a couple of sides from him and can usually get about six skins off of it for about 120 bucks, really high quality stuff, always clean and smooth. You know I didn't think to ask about chroming, I can have theat done here in Houston although the rustic look actually looks pretty cool to me, with all the lowriders around here there's plenty of chrome shops! I'm hoping these babies wil have the classic cuban sound ala munequitos or yoruba andabo.
PC

[KING CONGA]

Those look amazing!!!! Man that wood looks awesome. No doubt well worth the wait. Leave it to Matt. to do his magic
It's always nice to see these old classics restored. To think that they will continue amongst us is truly rewarding.
pcast thanks for sharing your experience with us, and believe me, all of us Conga Junkies share your joy for these drums.
La Bendicion Bro.
K.C.