Mathew Smith Bongó

[Omelenko1]

This are the bongos Vergara that were used to record Ti Mon Bo. Mongo got them in 1954 in La Habana.

[Ebongo]

An expensive instrument does not make the musician great, but, if a person can notice a difference in the sound and in the handling and if the price is within their comfort zone then to each her/his own. Also, I agree with the post about ways for better prices for boutique drums. ---- 1/4 of the price of a Ritmo drum might be the price of a high quality drum handmade in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Columbia.
As to my first point, check out these examples of great drumming on more affordable drums:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTb1qmP69rE

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w7q5D_mSkWc