Gon Bops Mariano Series Bongos

[maelopr]

Hi from PR, just wanted to know if anybody has any feedback regarding these bongos, I've been looking for a light set for gigging and was curious if these would be up to the job. Also, would appreciate any additional photos than available on web, such as underside, etc.

Thanks a million!

Saludos,

[PowerSemantic]

Hi Maleopr,

I got a set of the current Gon Bops Mariano bongos last fall. Amazon was blowing them out at $75 shipped for black Friday. Very interesting drum -- nothing else is made in Durian wood, as far as I can tell. Here's what I think:

Yes -- these are lightweight for gigging around town. Very easy to put in a soft case and take on the trolley here in Philadelphia. They were also LOUD. I had an old set of the pre-Giovanni Galaxy wood bongos at the time too, and the Mariano was almost as loud. It also stood out for very good bass response on the hembra.

The stain on the wood was much darker than you see in the stock photos, and had a matte finish that made the wood feel closer and more natural than glossy polyurethane. The hardware had what I think was dry graphite lube on it, so it was not oily. That was a nice touch. Also, the rubber lug tips would screw right onto the ends of the lugs.

The main problem I had with my set was the tuning, which in this case I think had more to do with the skins than the hardware. The pitch would not be consistant across the tuning lugs, especially on the macho. They were advertised as having genuine cow skins, but the particular heads on my drum would have needed a lot of breaking in. Just really stiff and thicker in some places than others. It was near impossible to crank the macho to a proper pitch. The overall sound with the stock skins was good but not great.

These are definitely a better made drum than Matador, for the same price. I would have kept mine and experimented with some better heads, but I have an old mahogany CP bongo with JCR skins that is just as light, has a shorter center block, and sounds and plays better. I have since sold the Mariano (and the Galaxy). I will try to find the old pics and post in the coming week.

Hope this helps!

[maelopr]

Thanks for your reply, PowerSemantic!! W/good skins they'll probably do the job I'm seeking... Do you recall if they were smooth and rounded on the inside? Also curious if the hardware would hold a good cranking...I'll wait for pics befor making my final decision..

Thanks again!
-Maelo

[PowerSemantic]

Shells were smooth inside, see photos. Hardware was solid -- its the skins that the cranking didn't seem to affect.

[maelopr]

Thanks!! One thing I can observe is that the hembra rim seems to be a bit big (or better put, the skin hoop seems to be too small almost to tthe point of slipping under the rim)- other than that, nice!!

Thanks again,
Maelo