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OK, I've been playing drums for many years but the hand percussion instruments are new to me. Have a bongo that needs a new head but I don't know what size it is.

Do I measure the diameter based upon the external width of the shell (bearing edge included), do I measure the hoop arounnd which the head is crimped, or do I measure the counter hoop on the hardware of the bongo?

FWIW, they're a friend's bongos and they're kinda a no-name brand. There are 4 lugs and they resemble those of a drumset, not the finer lug style/design on medium and high-end bongos. They require a drum key to tune.


Thank you!!

Hey Slingit,

You measure the diameter of the flat skin of the head, however if you are serious I would save your money and invest in a set with a spanner tensioning system, the drum key type don't give you enough tension. hove a look at photos in other threads. But nice of your friend to give you his drums.

Dice

Hi Dice!

Thanks for that input! There are so many off-sizes for heads (7", 7 1/4", 8", 8 1/4", 8 5/8", etc.) and so many potential ways to measure that I didn't know what the "standard method" was. Actually, my buddy is new to drums entirely but wants to start playing so he asked if I could fix them. I'm with you on the spanner tensioning system (didn't know that's what it's called but I know what you mean) vs. the lugs on these. I'm gonna hunt and peck for a deal on a replacement head once I get the size, then let him know the cost and let him decide if he wants to repair or upgrade. Given then head prices I've seen, both natural and synthetics are probably more than the bongos are worth.

That's about right, used bongo prices are pretty good too, you can probably pick a nice set up for 60-75 bucks.