congaplace.com

Does any one have any experience with GON BOP TUMBAO PRO SERIES Bongos? I have an opportunity to buy some at a good price.

Any other recommendations? I had a pair of Meinl 400's that were faulty.

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

Many thanks for your advice. I guess then that the problem I had with the Meinl was just an anomaly

Gonbops hardware is too weak,their tunning lug do not hold under tension. Meinl wood is on the thin sidem

Given that the hardware is weak and Meinl's wood is on the thin side, is LP the way to go, or do they also have problems? What about Remo?

Given that the hardware is weak and Meinl's wood is on the thin side, is LP the way to go, or do they also have problems? What about Remo? I would love to go and try a lot of drums out, but where I am living there is only one music shop with a bad selection of instruments.

Antsjack. From Lp I would recommend the Dandy Rodriguez Model,the Valje and last the Matador Custom if your wallet is thin. At least those three are made of different wood instead the common rubber wood (aka siam oak ). Those three are not too expensive, the Giovany model is the worse with an iron pot style bearing edge.

Search thru the forum and you will find better brands that are made by artisans to yours specs ect, ect.

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

NO, No, No Leady, I was using either regular fyberskin on the macho or 1/16" cow skin. Yambu had the same problem with his California series ending replacing the lugs. Most manufacturers use 5/16" thick lugs, Colombians use 3/8", Gonbops use 1/4". That is too thin. Plus they do not answer when you e-mail them regarding a faulty hardware. No way I could recommend their products knowing their flaws.

Hey antsjack...i would save the money and get a good bongo..with classic hardware if your serious about developing the craft.

Some people say classic hardware for new players is not good for the hands blah..blah blah, because of hitting the edge sometimes,and injuries of some...i think if you have right technic you'll develop good playing, and grow into them.

I would buy a J.C.R, that comes with good skins and they start about $350 a bongo.
Old Meinl use to be really good...dont buy todays asian stuff..or you might regret it..

or to have a good working bongo on a budget, i would buy a matador on sale, and put a mule head on the macho, and a thick cow on the hembra, and it sounds like a top notch bongo.

Can you get JCR Bongos here in Europe?