My match was made today... in love with Delaporte...

[Thomas Altmann]

I have made such markings whenever I had to remove the ready mounted, dry and hard skins together with the crown, in order to make sure I put them back in exactly the same position as they were. I wanted to avoid the whole soaking-and-drying procedure, but at the same time I did not want the risk of breaking the skin. Because drum edges, crowns and skin hoops are never mathematically circular.

Thomas

P.S.: I have an old folder of Delaporte with 2 photo pages and 1 page of text. Nothing extensive, but if you're eager to see it, I can send you scans.

[Mike]

P.S.: I have an old folder of Delaporte with 2 photo pages and 1 page of text. Nothing extensive, but if you're eager to see it, I can send you scans.

That would be very kind, I am really interested in all info stuff!
I have sent you a PM.
Thanks!

[roberthelpus]

P.S.: I have an old folder of Delaporte with 2 photo pages and 1 page of text. Nothing extensive, but if you're eager to see it, I can send you scans.

Put the scans up here too.

[Thomas Altmann]

Put the scans up here too.

Is there a way to load up pictures to a group-owned database? How do you guys load up photos to a post? Until today, I put all pictures on my own webspace to have an URL to link the photo with the forum post. There must be a way to save that space. But the "Img" function requires an URL.

Thomas

[bongosnotbombs]

There is a tab at the bottom of the posting page that says "upload attachments" that is how you upload images.

[Thomas Altmann]

Thank you Geordie for helping el bobo del foro. Here it is:

front page

inside left

inside right

back

[Tonio]

I have made such markings whenever I had to remove the ready mounted, dry and hard skins together with the crown, in order to make sure I put them back in exactly the same position as they were. I wanted to avoid the whole soaking-and-drying procedure, but at the same time I did not want the risk of breaking the skin. Because drum edges, crowns and skin hoops are never mathematically circular.

Thomas

P.S.: I have an old folder of Delaporte with 2 photo pages and 1 page of text. Nothing extensive, but if you're eager to see it, I can send you scans.

I've made marks like that too- but with tape to be able to swap out skins when needed and avoid excessive soaking.

Nice score Mike !!


T

[Mike]

I've made marks like that too- but with tape to be able to swap out skins when needed and avoid excessive soaking.
Nice score Mike !!
T

Thanks, Tonio, I have also done the tape marking on shell and rim as well as waterproof felt-tip on skins
if some skin change or swapping was due.

I have an old folder of Delaporte with 2 photo pages and 1 page of text.

Thanks for posting the brochure also, Thomas.
Taking a look at page #3 of that folder I have the feeling that my Delaportes are a slightly different model,
something like a mix of the Habana and Oriente series, without the black sideplates (which I do not really like),
but nice chrome instead. At least the Résonance series does not feature the fat-bellied supertumba in that brochure.

Anyway, if the folder is from 1990, then Michel Delaporte might have changed the different series slightly by the mid-90s,
as my set is from 1993, 1994 and the supertumba from early 1997.

[Mike]

A little update:

1.Concerning the 11" head size

11" is generally considered a quinto.
In my opinion, that set consists of a requinto, quinto, tumba & super tumba

I stand corrected, Abakua, you were right, formally speaking, the 11" conga is really a quinto,
as there are notes on the bottom of the shells which classify the Delaportes according to their name/size.

2.
After contacting Michael Dussiaux, the successor of Michel Delaporte and the
present manufacturer, who was very kind and helpful, I found out that my set
consists of 4 ash congas, but they are from different series:

The supertumba is a "Havana", whereas the Superquinto an "Oriente" model.
The other two bear different markings I could not figure out so far.

I could not care less for the different series, they harmonize perfectly in look
and sound. Especially the combination of tumba and supertumba tuned and played
as conga and tumba works quinte well for me!

Last but not least: Did I mention that I also dig the 11/16" nuts?
Like those good old Raúls, very sturdy hardware.

[joaozinho]

Hello Mike,

Thanks so much for the samples,this congas sound really good,the truly sound,I'm very happy for you.I tryed to found some informations about delaporte head-quarters,but nothing,now I now that i live so near,less than 2 hours(by car) I'm going to make a visit to see what I find.

[congalou]

Hey Mike, you don't understood !!

I said How are you, neigbourg ? France / Germany !!

Those drums sounds fantastic !!!

[Ernesto Pediangco]

Are those cast metal lug plates ?? That'd be a deal breaker for me but they look nice, LOOK just Like Congas !

[Mike]

Hey Mike, you don't understood !!

I said How are you, neigbourg ? France / Germany !!

Those drums sounds fantastic !!!

Ooops, I see But otherwise I am fine, thank you - how could I be

not

with these congas

@ E. Pediangco: I do not know about the sideplates, if they are cast metal or not, they look very sturdy to me.

[Mike]

I contacted the present Delaporte conga maker again, and he found out that my tumba is made of épicéa, which is
the French word for spruce. Spruce of all woods! That is why that drum definitely needs an alma.
Spruce is said to be very resonant (which the tumba is) and it is not without a reason why it is
the preferred wood for string instruments´resonating chambers. But congas.. Well, it has lasted
since 1993 without much abuse, so I guess the tumba is well-constructed enough.

Just wanted to share that mind-boggling info.

[Mike]

Just a little update:
Here are some pics I took while disassembling the head
because the tuning lugs of the requinto needed being lubricated.
(the drum is 17 years old after all....)
The smell of the ash wood is still very nice, and so is the construction...

The bearing edge is just to my liking, not too sharp, but not
too round/flat either.

With the thick skin on it, the requinto has an incredible sound
without hurting the hands in any way.

Just wanted to share this one with you.