Hector R Bongos - Pics Inside

[caballoballo]

Mi gente,
Yes,sometimes the weight is an issue on the selection of instruments but IMHO if the instrument is made of wood,that mean the wood structure is very dense and the sound is going to be very precise. The Moperc I have,the wood of the macho is 3/4 thick and the Hembra is thinner around 5/8 I guess it has a purpose to be different,the weight is 11.5 pounds which some people who has used find too heavy but the sound is just wonderful.Talking about the HR Bongó,you have a collector item which I will not change. The other day I tried to convince a friend to exchange and old Bongó (30 years old)made By Timbas Ismael for the Pearl Elite,his answer was,ask me if I want to exchange my A$$ because he will not changed for nothing.

[caballoballo]

Raymond,

Timbas del Valle in Carolina can do that hardware job. He use Stainless steel for that. I have seen some of his work on a set of Panderos and looks very good to me.

[Zeno]

Hi Ivan,

Thanks for pointing out this thread.

My two cents for another approach:

Since this is a rare piece, you may want to consider treating it in the "antique's roadshow" approach, which would be to not necessarily hide its age and previous life completely. If the wood staves do no need repair or re-gluing, you might want to try a minimal approach to restoration, letting the piece show its age and previous history to some extent etc.

1. using a correct die or thread chaser tool, clean up the threads on the lugs. (In a worse case scenario you sometimes have to replace a lug with one that is as close as possible to original...I hardly ever have to do this).
2. clean up the metal parts and polish with some ordinary metal polish, not to worry that they will not be "perfect".
3. clean up wood with rubbing compound, and then apply paste wax and then buff up.
4. put on good new heads.
5. customize lug orientation to fit comfortably between your legs.

Zeno

[Ivan]

I'm okay with avoiding the "antique roadshow" approach... I will definately be restoring these bongos to appear as new keeping the same style and hardware if it can be saved.

My main concerns is is the metal straps... :;): You can't see it too well in the images I attached, but the metal straps are a bit warped and I would like to replace them with new ones...

If I could I would like to remove the straps first, sand the wood down etc, and put the straps back on. The trouble with that is the rivits holding the strap together. I have no clue how to remove those rivets or if that is even possible. Do you have any suggestions regarding the possiblity of removing the metal straps, the rivets, or special tools used to "unlock" or remove the strap without cutting? ???

[Zeno]

I'm okay with avoiding the "antique roadshow" approach... I will definately be restoring these bongos to appear as new keeping the same style and hardware if it can be saved.

My main concerns is is the metal straps... :;): You can't see it too well in the images I attached, but the metal straps are a bit warped and I would like to replace them with new ones...

If I could I would like to remove the straps first, sand the wood down etc, and put the straps back on. The trouble with that is the rivits holding the strap together. I have no clue how to remove those rivets or if that is even possible. Do you have any suggestions regarding the possiblity of removing the metal straps, the rivets, or special tools used to "unlock" or remove the strap without cutting? ???

It could be that the hoops were riveted in place, in which case there may not be a reversible method for removing them. If you say you want to replace them with new, then you may not mind destroying them in order to get them off. Might be a bit tricky recreating their original process to put on new ones. I cannot tell that much from the photos. How do you think they were installed in the first place? I cannot quite see, but do the lugs attach somehow to these extra hoops? How many rivets did they use? If these are basically decorative bands that have an overlap, then maybe they will be easy to replicate. If those are simply pop rivets, that will also be easy to replicate. Do these rivets go through the shell? The hardware generally looks about as sturdy as Matador hardware which I have never had a problem with. The base is that same cast aluminum correct? Are the dimensions about the same as the old Matadors?

To undo rivets I usually drill through them after center tapping to keep the bit in place. I use a bit which is a smaller than the original hole that the rivet fit into. After drilling through, take a needlenose and remove the rest. If those are pop rivets, this will be easy. Pop rivets allow you to put in a rivet when you only have access to one side. You can get the inexpensive tool at the hardware store and all kinds and sizes of pop-rivets.
If you can remove the original hoops, you might be able to straighten them, replate them, and reuse them. Last time I checked, chrome plating was not cheap, even for small items it adds up. How special are these bongo musically speaking? They look to be more in the class of Matadors than JCRs. What kind of wood is that?

On these drums, what do those rivets actually do? How are those hoops made. Are they one solid piece or is there an overlap where it was riveted together. I cannot tell from the pics. Also, what is the function of those hoops? are they merely decorative or to they help hold the shell together or do something else? Normally a barrel hoop has two rivets at the end were the band comes together at an overlap.
Zeno



Edited By Zeno on 1140740279

[Ivan]

Zeno wrote: How do you think they were installed in the first place? I cannot quite see, but do the lugs attach somehow to these extra hoops?

Me: Extra Hoops? No, the lugs are normal there on there own and can be removed.

Zeno Wrote: The base is that same cast aluminum correct? Are the dimensions about the same as the old Matadors?

Me: Yes, the design of the hardward seems to model the LPs; the dimensions are slightly different; I am assuming because of thechange in climate from Columbia to good ol' rainy city Seattle.

Zeno: To undo rivets I usually drill through them after center tapping to keep the bit in place. I use a bit which is a smaller than the original hole that the rivet fit into. After drilling through, take a needlenose and remove the rest. If those are pop rivets, this will be easy. Pop rivets allow you to put in a rivet when you only have access to one side. You can get the inexpensive tool at the hardware store and all kinds and sizes of pop-rivets.

Me: Hmmm ??? When I got home I took the bongos apart to understand what you are saying... BTW I never thanks for replying... The rivets appear to be "nailed" in to the shell of the bongos, but not all the way thru the shell... Just enough to hold the bandsin place... When you drill thru the rivet to remove as you described above is this destroying the rivet and you are replacing it with a new one? Forgive me if my questions sound stupid, but like I said I ain't a metal guy... :p If your method for reomoving the rivet voids it for "reuse" that's cool, but can I get the rivet I need at a general Hardware store or would I have to travel a broad as you've done...

Zeno: On these drums, what do those rivets actually do?
Me:In my opinion, nothing... The metal bands are for looks.

Zeno: Normally a barrel hoop has two rivets at the end were the band comes together at an overlap
Me: yup, that's exactly the case with these drums...

Zeno: Also, what is the function of those hoops? If you are referring to the hoops that appear to be built in to the shell I tried to take a better picture of it; I think when the drums were originally made (whenever that was) the metal hoops were inbedded in the shells held the wood together... They may not be nececssary now; I'll have to research and get more opinionson that...

I have attached more pics to try and describe what I am talking about here...

Thanks again for your time Zeno... Perhaps, we can exchange numbers thru PM so I can talk off line... ???

[Ivan]

The hoops that appear to be built in to the shell: When looking at this pic look towards the right (opposite my thumb); this actually the top of the drum.



Edited By Ivan on 1140741795

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... 3_2_06.JPG

[Ivan]

This hoop runs thru the shell; it appears to hook in to the inside of the shell... See the little spots in the pic...

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... 5_2_06.JPG

[Ivan]

And now to clarify our discussion regarding the rivets and metal bands I think are for looks primarily... Whenever I get too close my camera goes blurry.... Here's and example of what you said... the bands do overlap and where the rivet connect to two pieces together it is nailed in to the shell, BUT not thru the shell... Does that make sense?

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... 3_2_06.JPG

[Ivan]

Thanks for your time bro!

[Diceman]

Ivan,
Mi bro'
I have been following this thread with interest, as I own a set of HRs. Looking at mine, the hoops seem to serve no purpose other than cosmetic, as they are loose and do not support the wood, and the rivets look like 'pop' rivets and are inserted from the outside. You may have to drill a blind hole in the shell to allow the rivet to be inserted before you expand the back of it with the tool.
The rivets are aluminium so drilling them out wont be a problem.

I hope this helps

Sabor
Diceman

[caballoballo]

Hermanos,

I have a friend who is going to Colombia next March and he is encharge of buying one of those HR Bongos for me. Since he is from Colombia and after we spoke to Hector via phone,he is going to work the details of the final price and some specs that I want on the Bongó. We spoke with Hector about not to install the cast steel/aluminum bottom hoops,we prefer the Cuban style hardaware & I want stainless steel so let's see the outcome of the transaction. Weight is not a problem,the Moperc I have weights 12 pounds and the Pearl Elite still weights over 12 pound after the modification I made. Sound is the most important characteristic of any percussion instrument.



Edited By caballoballo on 1140790897

[Doctorumba]

I have 2 vintage pairs of "El Piernas" HR bongos made in Colombia.Nothing sounds better.I'm saling or trading one pair.They are in great condition and have new heads.Mule on hembra,calf on macho.For pictures email me privately. 305 665-9108. Dario

"Bongocero suena los cueros" !

[Doctorumba]

Here is a picture of my vintage "El Piernas" Hector Rocha Colombian bongo'.Is from the early 80's.I have 2 pairs.If interested email me privately. Dario (305) 665-9108.

"Sonerito,suena tu bongo' "

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... C_009F.JPG

[Diceman]

They look great!!

But tell me, when did he start making them with the welded metal lug hoop at the bottom?

Diceman