ECO -TONE, First Fibeglass Bongos, Circa 1959/1960.

[Omelenko1]

Probably the most rare bongo to find in year 2011. The good thing is that the hardware and tuning lugs are like in new condition. This big boy is circa 1959/1960, making it 52 yrs. of age. I took it all apart cleaned the shells, hardware (chrome is in great condition, they don't chrome like this anymore), cleaned with fine steelwool and lubricated all 10 turnbuckle lugs. Mounted new quality calf heads, not too thick. This classic boy sounds awesome, remember is a 10 lug bongo'. Had only seen one before this one, is Candito's (Candido Camero). It's somewhat heavy but at the same time very comfortable between the knees. I can't believe it sounds so good. Sonido criminal.
Being that is so rare and impossible to find, this big boy must only be played in certain ocassions. Never imagine it would sound soooo gooooood!
Had to let go of some priceless pieces to get this guy, but it was between friends.

Saludos, Dario

[blavonski]

Turnbuckle lugs!

Now that's putting ones' thinkinking cap on.

Because of my interest in engineering and bridge design, I've been asking myself, since I started playing the Bongó; why don't the bongo makers, for a number of practical, structural reasons, put turnbuckle lugs on these things?
Now I know some have in the past! And it looks as elegant and supremely comfortable and functional as I would imagine. Not to mention them beating Meinl to the so called "Comfort Rim" design... or what?
Granted, it presumably takes twice as long to tune it, but who's in a hurry when gettin' it right?

...would like to here how they sound.

Good Vibrations,
Blavonski

[Anonimo]

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[Omelenko1]

They weigh less than the 35Th Anniversary LP, they are extremely comfortable between the knees, on acoount they are very conical in shape. I'm not kidding, they sound INCREDIBLE, as good as the best Ismael or Pan Con Queso, better than any other fiberglass bongo'. The sound has a lot to do with the fact that is also a 10 lug bongo'.

Dario

[Psych1]

Great bongo! I'd love to play it.

Lately I've been playing my small lightweight bongos because I prefer playing while holding them with my legs - but I really prefer the big sound that only comes from the big boys. But for any extended play I now need to use a stand for a heavy bongo. I've tried every stand out there - looks like the Pearl stand would work well with this Eco-Tone.

[Anonimo]

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[Omelenko1]

They do weigh, but when you put them between your knees they feel very confortable. With just 2 turns on each of the 10 turnbuckles you get an amaizing sound. They sound as good as the best Ismael. I spent a couple of days back in 1977 with Candito (Candido Camero), as he was here in Miami Beach with a musical review show. At that time all he played was Eco Tone congas and bongos. It was the first time I had seen Eco Tone bongos, I remember asking Candy how he liked them and he said they were the best sounding bongos. Never again did I come across Eco Tone bongos. I have had around 10 Eco Tone congas. This is the 2nd pair of E. T. bongos I have seen, I never thought they would sound this good, this turnbuckle system of tuning is very precise.
Cuco, you said Frank Mesa, the founder of Eco Tone, might still be living in Hialeah, Fl, if you know his phone number or address I would love to meet the man. His instruments were way ahead of their time, the mass production of fiberglass LP congas got him to stop making drums.

Dario

[Anonimo]

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[congabluedog]

Dario...I am really glad you liked the eco-tone. I would really love to hear how it sounds. Can you post a sound sample/video? Anyway, you did a nice job on them. I hope you really enjoy them. Jacqui

[Omelenko1]

I'm not up on technology enough to do that. Don't have sophisticated camera or nothing of the sort. They sound WICKED, just 2 turns on the turnbuckle, that's all it takes. I'll ask my friend Brian to do that. Its somewhat difficult to mount heads on these.

Dario

[Psych1]

Aha - the jig is up! Trading "between friends" becomes clear. Jacqui - come on, tell us what you got in return. Curious collector/player people want to know. Could it be -----??

And, I still think the Pearl sit-down stand will work. Those rubber things that hold the lugs can go inside or outside the shell with a strap holding the bongo down from the connecting rod.

[Anonimo]

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[congabluedog]

Hey Psych 1....I never trade and tell! I will try to get a couple of pics in by this weekend of the trade....that is if they don't get censored! Anyway....Dario if you ever make it up to NY again bring those bongos...I really would love to hear their sound.

[Omelenko1]

Will do. Jaquie, you can show off you thropies as well, they are as unique, one of a kind drums. I'm trying to locate Frank Mesa, the founder of Eco Tone. According to Cuco, he might still be alive and living in Hialeah, Fl., that's were the best Cuban coffee is made. Mesa was ahead of his time, I read where it took him over a month to make an Eco Tone conga, he was a one man operation like Junior, he loved his craft and would take his instruments over to Manny's on 48th St. He became disolutioned when LP started mass producing congas, something that took him over a month to create and finally gave everything up around 1968/69. His drums were adored by Candito, Patato ( he really loved E.T.), R. Barretto, Frankie Malabe, Tommy Lopez, Sabu, Willie Bobo, Willie Pastrana........ Craftsmanship ready to stand the test of time, these bongos are around 52 yrs. old and the chrome and hardware is intant, the shells have a few bumps , but no cracks. Would love to find the old guy and buy him dinner.

[Anonimo]

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