I ordered me some Islas!!!

[vinnieL]

It would be simple enough to de-horn the ears so they are not as sharp and not leave the corners so square but round them off slightly to eliminate the sharp edges. Not sure why they are being left like that but i'm sure they will be refined.

[KING CONGA]

After a very frustratingly long week and a half, my babies arrived on Thursday. .

Light Seeker how are those Islas doing? are you going to bless us with some picture, c'mon now dont be selfish
How is the issue with the crown going? what did you end up doing? we neeeeeeeed an update

[Light Seeker]

Light Seeker how are those Islas doing? are you going to bless us with some picture, c'mon now dont be selfish
How is the issue with the crown going? what did you end up doing? we neeeeeeeed an update

Hahaha, well I didn't take any photos of them, but they look pretty much exactly like the photos taken by Mario which I posted earlier... picture them now with crowns about 1/2" farther down. I didn't do anything about the crowns at all, in fact, and as the skins are stretching (they make a lot of noise at night, sometimes I'll be sitting in my room and hear them go POP!) and the crowns are coming down some, it's getting easier and easier to play them. I have no doubts that in 6 months time, they will be perfect in terms of comfort and sound. The sound is already improving, though. The skins are already feeling a bit more elastic, and my slaps, which initially sounded kinda dead and flat, are starting to sound a lot sharper, crisper.

[bongosnotbombs]

I just called Mario a few minutes ago about my requinto, seems like I will have it next week

Anyways, Mario asked me to put the word out about a set of drums he has on EBAY.

These are the only Oak Isla Percussion Congas he has ever made, or will make as he says..

so take a look...



http://cgi.ebay.com/ONLY-OAK-SET-OF-ISL ... 240%3A1318

[bongosnotbombs]

Finally got mine! It was waiting in a box fpr me when I got to work!

The cherry requinto, I love the color of the wood. The stainless steel rim is very cool.
....and of course the handle!

A couple of years ago Isla was selling through the bongomania.com store and back then their drums had handles.
Anyways I got this drum without the bands and with a handle so it matches my Resolutions.

I can't get over how little this drum is. I'm taking it to the park during lunch! IDGAF!
This skin is something special, when I opened the box it looked like it was still wet, but it was
the oil coming out of the skin itself. I've never seen that before.

So now the pictures!

[Mike]

Wow, that slim lady surely rocks the park!

Congrats, brother BnB, great, great drum! I am happy for you

Enjoy!

[bongosnotbombs]

a few more.

[taikonoatama]

I played at set of 3 Islas (first time) at a folkloric session at a dance studio last night and I have to say I was blown away. Huge sound, just thunderous bottom end on that tumba (at least a 13.5"), effortless, deep slaps and pure opens tones on the segundo. My only issue was the skin on the requinto - bomber thick and cranked way up it was like hitting granite - sounded great, though.

Never liked the wavy bent rims I've seen on some (and maybe that's something they're corrected more recently), but I have to say, they sound at least as good if not better than anything I've ever owned/played in my life (SoS, Juniors, old Vajes, JCRs, etc.). If I weren't getting my Matt Smiths later this month (fingers crossed) I would be sorely tempted to get a set. Just awesome-sounding drums.

James

[bongosnotbombs]

I'm telling you guys, it's torture sitting here at work with this drum next to me all shiny and new.

[Congadelica]

here in my studio just about to tune me babies up and play . Geordie thats one mean looking requinto , sure to tear it up at the next rumba . soon be home time bro

marco

[Mike]

I'm telling you guys, it's torture sitting here at work with this drum next to me all shiny and new.

Is that pure adrenaline I can sense running through your veins?

Must be real hard I believe!

[umannyt]

Finally got mine! It was waiting in a box fpr me when I got to work!

The cherry requinto, I love the color of the wood. The stainless steel rim is very cool.
....and of course the handle!

bongosnotbombs,

Congratulations!

Luv the grain and color of that cherry wood. Also, luv (again) the new rim design. For me the new wider rim goes much better with a bandless Isla than the older narrower rim. It offers a much more conspicuous contrast/accent to the minimalist look of the bandless shell.

The more Islas I see with the new wider rim with riveted ears, the more I appreciate it and am tempted to upgrade my original, thinner rims. If and when I decide to bite the bullet, I'm sure that I'll have to send them back to Mario for him to do it.

Btw, when I enlarged one of your pictures, I noticed that there were still valleys on the skin, just like mine when my Islas first arrived. Evidently, you haven't done any tightening (tuning up) of the skin yet.

Best,

[bongosnotbombs]

Well, you know I cranked it up and played it in the park during lunch!
Sweet musical tone, really nice. Sometimes quintos can be kind of ping pingy,
this one has a nice depth and woody sound to it. I'm loving it.

The new style crown is great, I had no problem with my hands hitting the new lug hangers at all,
even on this tiny little 9" drum.

[bongosnotbombs]

A couple of pics with my Resolution quinto for comparison.
Such a tiny drum!

[umannyt]

A couple of pics with my Resolution quinto for comparison.
Such a tiny drum!

Yup, almost like a very tall bongo hembra!