Mike wrote:bongosnotbombs wrote:The picture Mike posted is of the LP produced Valjes and do not have the same value as Tom Flores' quarter sawn oak Valjes, like mine
You are so right, but the seller at craigslist wrote somethiing about "blonde wood",
which is why I thought it was Siam oak.
Or is it something like this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/USA-VALJE-RESOLUTIO ... 56409bd3da
That one on Ebay looks like a Resolution, or a drum made by Ralph. The lug plates are different than the vintage Valjes, and it has the silver colored stickers Ralph likes to use, but mine don't have a made in usa sticker like that. That drums is missing some of the original lugs. It looks a bit beat up too. I use mine all the time and I've had them over two years and I don't have those kind of scratches or any replacement lugs. I think that one is older than mine, because iot has a bleached head, and Ralph can't get those anymore, so mine didn't get them. Also mine were the first with bands and I think the Valjes are suppposed to get bands too. So depending on what size it is, the ebay drum could be a Valje or Resolution made by Ralph. Probably a Resolution. The Resolutions are an inch shorter than Valjes. Ralph was going to make the new Valjes exactly the same as the vintage ones. A Ralph made drum would be worth the $500. Very well made, newer, and just as rare actually. This is the first conga I've seen besides mine. I've seen a few of the bongos, but not the congas around.
The craigslist ad mentions a Valje signature head as well, I missed that before. That tells me the drum is probably an LP. I've never seen a Valje with anything stamped on the head. But most Valjes either have very used or replacement heads as they are at least 20 years old. I guess they might have put a new LP head on an old Valje though?
Mike wrote:Anyway, I always turn green with envy when I see you Valje tumba
I also dig the matching wood color of your floor boards
I have to take new photos now, those ones are in my last place with oak floors. I'm in a new apartment in SF, my floors and cabinets are now cherry.