Meinl FB 400 or Gon Bops Acuña Series?

[caballoballo]

Saludos Ernesto, The Alex Acuña ash wood is about 3/4" thick I doubt cracking will happen in a short time but murphys law always apply. That wood does not look like the quality of the Ash that my Moperc is made.

Craig, I think the problem with the lugs other than they are kind of thin 1/4" while other manufacturers use 5/16" Asian and independan makers type or 3/8" Colombian type, is the shape the lugs have which IMHO pulls in an angle instead of a more straight approach use by other manufacturers thus putting too much tension on the tip. Another example of that shape is on the Volcano Percussion Bongos,that design does not look too practical.

[Ernesto Pediangco]

The Meinls are solid drums but you can't pivot that freeride hardware to make them comfortable on your legs, I have a great sounding set at the moment, quality skins etc but for that reason alone I never play them. Wouldn't be an issue if used on a stand of course but I never play like that.

Barrie

I have a friend who own a set of the woodcraft but made in Germany. I suggested him to eliminate the free ride and have an Artisan to make a wood block shaped to fit between the shells. Meinl claim free resonance by adding the free ride. IMHO while playing in a conjunto, band, group, ect,ect you will not notice any difference in sound.

Meinl shells are like Gon Bops, they have very thin walls that a wood block mounting bolt holes would cause the shells to crack. Thats why they use the free ride system !