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Is Meinl's Free Ride system just a gimmick or does it make a difference?

They claim that it make a better sounding Bongó but playing in the middle of a 11 piece Salsa band like I do is no way you will notice any if there is any difference. That free ride just makes the Bongó wider. If you look for past post on the free ride you may find one where the free ride broke off leaving the player without any way to play. The wooden block have been there since the start providing good support without failure.

Saludos Antsjack,

caballoballo wrote: The wooden block have been there since the start providing good support without failure.

I wholeheartedly agree with this statement from Caballo for I have a Valje set on order with Resoultion Drums which incorporates 2 separate chromed tubes to connect the shells. Ralph Flores stated that this is a retro-classical look developed by his late dad, Tom, but that particular look isn't for me for I had opted to have a solid centerblock not only for stability but for giving the bongos an overall sturdy appearance.I have played a set of bongos with Ralph Flores' hardware and at times when I picked them up to place between my legs to play I could feel a bit of a slight sway between the shells. Just to eliminate any loose connections I always ensure that the connecting hardware is tightened up real good but I still feel some slight unsturdiness on this type of connection.I never liked the way the free ride system on the Meinls looked. It seems they would bend and crack apart over a period of time if not careful while playing. Just my 2 cents. Peace-Jorge.

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"It's always something - if its not one thing its something else!!" (Rosanna RannaDanna)

When bongos crack, they usually crack first near the center block because the holes weaken the shell and the block, or pipes, or smaller blocks vibrate. True, if the block is kept tight thereis less chance of that happening. But, it is also true that many bongo blocks are not kept tight enough. Another way bongos often crack is when someone (not me) puts a wrench on the block nuts and makes it too tight. Or if a bongo is dropped - it will often crack by the block because that is where the shell is weakest. Tubes and double blocks are much less stable than a solid block and increase the chance the bongo will crack there.

The "Free Ride" system is indeed a "gimmick" with no advantage to the sound, as claimed, but there are no holes in the shell or a block to cause crack problems. But, the heads are indeed further apart and the crown and bottom ring cannot be adjusted for comfort.

Where is our design Maven when we need him?