SKIN ON SKIN CHERRY 20 YEARS ANNIVERSARY

[Omelenko1]

This 3 piece cherry set (11, 12, 13 all drums have 6 lugs)) was made by Jay in 1991, after 20 yrs. the cherry wood has gotten much darker since day 1, I love the patina on these drums and the sound is awesome as well. Jay , a very respected artisan all over the world. His drums have sold in Japan, Autralia, Israel and Africa.
Moforibale al tambo'.

Dario

[KING CONGA]

Awesome set. Dario are you the original owner of these wonders?
Here are mine, still in prestine condition. I wonder how the wood will change after 20 years on my Oaks.
Both, my Quinto and conga are 5 lug, my tumba is 6.
Why do you suppose he change this pattern on the Quinto and Conga?

Click on image for better resolution.

[Omelenko1]

I ran into Tata Guines in 1989 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, he was playing at Hotel Jaragua. All his congas had either 6 or 7 lugs, his macho had 7 lugs. Jay charged me an additional $35 for the extra ear, lug and side plate, he didn't like my request, but I was following Tata's advice on better and more precise tuning. Jay stated that he would not accomodate my 6 lug request for quintos and segunda anymore. That's why this set is so unique, no 11 or 12 that he makes has 6 lugs, they have 5.

Dario

[Mike]

6 or 7 lugs are cool because the drums really keep the desired tone perfectly.

My 11" Delaporte has got 7 lugs, and the little 10" screamer boasts six - I could not be happier with that ratio.

Of course you CAN get along very well with less lugs too. But especially with thicker skins you are on the safe side
as far as tunabiliy and endurance is concerned.

[bongosnotbombs]

Dario that set of your cherry SOS inspired me to get mine. Just 2 but that's enough for me. I've hauled these drums all over the city for gigs! They sound so good and look great on stage!
I put handles one mine and have not regretted it for a second. It makes moving them around a stage and into bags so much easier. I called Jay up and he told me where to mount them and which screws to use. I only have the 2 but I am thinking of ordering another one, maybe, like I need another drum, but I am playing more 3 drum stuff lately.

[Omelenko1]

They look awesome and will get darker as time goes by. Is you macho a 5 lug? Jay didn't like the idea of making my 11" and 12" 6 lugs, that was an additional cost but still it bothered him. The tuning on these drums is very precise. After 20 years not a single split or crack, that's crafsmanship at its best, Catch him while you can, as he's been making drums close to 40 years. Junior, Jay and Matt, what a trifecta!

Dario

[bongosnotbombs]

Yeah the macho is 5 lugs, so I always have to be careful when tuning that guy up and down. The drums I have by Ralph and Tom Flores both have 6 lugs on the middle drum, but my vintage Gon Bops had 5.

[KKonga]

I own the small requinto in the photo of Jay above. Small world. I love the drum, its my couch drum. Just the right height for lounging.
KK

[KING CONGA]

I own the small requinto in the photo of Jay above. Small world. I love the drum, its my couch drum. Just the right height for lounging.
KK

Would you mind posting a piture of it? it would be nice to see how the wood tone has changed throughout the years.
Are you the original owner? Did you custom order that size? What year did you purchase it? Just out of curiosity, how much was it back then?
Thanks.

[bongosnotbombs]

I own the small requinto in the photo of Jay above. Small world. I love the drum, its my couch drum. Just the right height for lounging.
KK

Would you mind posting a piture of it? it would be nice to see how the wood tone has changed throughout the years.
Are you the original owner? Did you custom order that size? What year did you purchase it? Just out of curiosity, how much was it back then?
Thanks.

That drum used to belong to Mark Sanders, who has written quite a lot about it on his blog, Fidel's Eyeglasses. It was for sale a while back on Ebay, I'm kicking myself for not bidding, I seem to remember it sold for a little under $400.

That is Marks' picture as well.

[KKonga]

SOS

I'm not sure if this worked.
Heres a pic of my SOS
KK

[Omelenko1]

NICE!

[Mr. Conga]

IS IT A 9"? RE QUINTO

[KKonga]

8 3/4" re-quinto. Great sound!
KK