congaplace.com

Here are a few of Conrad Kubiak's creations.

Very nice post with some great photos. Those are my figured ash drums near the bottom
Here is long time Euro percussionist Margo with a set of Spirit In The Wood congas.
Also, this is a link for the video about Conrad (the owner/builder) going to Belize and bringing back a 200 year old river log to make drums out of:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_xPXdjP-1U
The music is hokey but great vid!

Those 3 batas in the standing position look very intriguing to me as do the Bongos in the first picture. Wonder how they sound?

Thanks Mr.Rumba, your set looks perfect and I noticed this video where you used better mics-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koF4PP8- ... ure=relmfu

they sound balanced, lovely full open tones with crispy slaps. Impressive drums, I wonder if it's the solid shell drum construction or the wood choice or a combination that makes them slightly higher in pitch.?

More photos on the way.

I have been doing a lot of casual testing with a variety of other drums including vintage Sol, Matthew Smith, all kinds of LP's from all different era's and even Fat Congas as well. They are all on my youtube channel in comparison videos. I can post the links here if people want to see them. Conrad (the builder) say's (something to the effect of) that when you use staves in construction the individual staves each have a different tonal resonance and character, and when you add on uneven surfaces to the equation as well as glue lines, the sound frequencies are bouncing all around the place. When it is one solid piece of wood the tonal resonance is more balanced. I am not a scientist or math guy and I do not know for sure if all that is true or not (it can be argued either way I am sure!) but the bottom line at the end of the day is that they sure sound great to me. I love the combination of fat tone, crispy slap and bass notes even in the requinto! I also own Matthew Smith, LP's, Skin On Skin, Fat, Gon Bops and play with my friend with the full set of Sols.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuovWghlwZo