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I have taken a set of road Generation II bongos apart to clean them and noticed that the shells are a bit gouged where the central block edge touches, possibly causing a weakness. I do tend to drop them a little when going for the campana.

I want to put some softer material between shell and block when reassembling them, but before I do it, does anyone have any views on the best material and how it might effect the bongo or the sound?

Dice

Dice, an old mousepad (a foamy one), cut to shape, does the trick quite nicely.

I've used the gasket method using a neoprene mouse pad cut to the side of the center block facing the shell on that refurbished JCR set of mine. It shimmed the shells a little more apart and is an excellent idea for a gasket. Another forum user Ernesto also suggested using a strip of leather to do the same. Either method will take care of the problem stated.

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Agree 100% with Leedy, The only reason to put any gasket is to separate the heads more. If you use anything softer than wood you may get a crack in the stave that is already weakened by the holes. That is where, and why, most bongos crack. Just keep them tight

Leedy, you are probably right, I bought them second hand from a guy who was also selling a bongo stand so he may have played them loose on the stand. Still not sure what to do with two opposing solutions coming out. To gasket or not to gasket......

Dice

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Thanks Leedy,

I like the spring washer idea and will definitely do do dat.

Dice

Dice, there are audioable advantages to placing rubber gasket material between the spacer block and the shells. If properly installed and kept under tension, you will reduce the amount of "cross talk", giving you a slightly cleaner sound along with absorbing some shock from releasing the drums. Cross talk is the residual resonant frequencys migrating from one shell across the spacer block to the other shell. Again, the improvement will be suttel but noticeable. Why not try it. Good luck, Yakobian.

Good point Yakobian,
I have had my bongos stolen but will definitely put rubber gaskets in the new ones when I get them.
Dice