Dario Rosendo
Las Congas del Chino.
Tony Stern from "Tony's Conga Adventures loves this set. These congas were made in a limited amount in the late 1970's, they were named "Afro Sound". The person responsible for these congas is Luis "El Chino"Gutierrez, originally from Cuba, but has been a Miami resident for the last 50 yrs, El Chino is now 88 yrs. old. El Chino first started making fiberglass congas in the early 70's, a cheaper version of the Palisades Park LP. Chino called those "Latin Sound". In the late 70's, after demands for wood congas, Chino started making the "Afro Sound" ( the ones in the photo). The shells were manufactured in Mexico and the hardware was made here in Miami by a Cuban guy that made ornamental gates and fences. Maybe 100 pairs or less of these "Afro Sound" were created by El Chino. They sold brand new for $139 quinto and $159 tumba. I had a pair yrs. ago but sold them after I got my Junior Tirados. What is unusual about the "Afro Sound" is that the hembra (12") has 7 lugs instead of the usual 5 or 6 in other congas. The 7th lug on the "Afro Sound" is a take off on the SONOCS used by Tata Guines, which were 7 lugs.
Chino is still alive, he lives in a modest home off of SW 27th Ave in Miami. I still buy conga and bongo skins from him occasionally.
Dario
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