Sirs,
3 year evaluation of my "new" purchase of Q/C/T/bongo of the short - lived
DW era Tumbao "Custom" Pro series (just prior to the Sabian purchase of the
Gon Bops rights). Congas 10.75"/11.5"/12.25 " , rubberwood with the marketing
name of "siam" Oak). These conga came with the upper grade California series
hardware and "custom" Metallic Tobacco Burst paint. I switched out synthetics
for GB logo hides....fully intending to go with "burro" at some point but these
skins have aged so nicely and are very very easy on the skin-on-skin response
that I think I will stick with these....
Very melodic, easily tuned (G-C-E interval to the pitch pipe), quality slap, and record very
musically. Not "great" quality projection or "loudness" but I mic always (save my hands) .
A very "musical" presence but not lacking in "percussive" voice (if that makes sense).
A pleasure to play. Have held up nicely with minimal maintenance. I do add a few
drops of olive oil about once a quarter, and try to remember to de-tune after the
session with my jazz quartet. I did lightly sand down the original bearing edges and
applied wax prior to mounting the GB skins... I think it made an ease-of-tuning difference.
would I do it again..yes, but would add the "super" tumbao at purchase .... probably
no longer available. I do wish the Gibralter stands had a better "leg lock" (tendancy to tilt),
and am very pleased with my Gator rolling bags.
So, not high -end but good quality , and more important , an instrument , not a gimic.
easy on the eyes, ears, and hands.
The audio recording on the Gon Bops (Sabian) webpage of the Tumbao Custom series
sonically matches my conga, I am pleased, enjoyable to sit -in on....
http://www.gonbops.com/congas/tumbao-pro-seriesCharles