Cuban Tumbadoras

[afrocubarico]

Hello everyone,
I would like to know what are the differences between a drum made in the USA, Thailand, etc., and that of one made in Cuba? In other words, how could you tell if the drum was made in Cuba?

Gracias,

afrocubarico

[ralph]

Tumbadoras made in Cuba in the 50's and earlier were of better quality than now, this is the consensus...i don't necessarily think that drums in the US of good quality were being made until the 70's, (i.e. Junior Tirado)...those that sell Cuban drums usuaully sell older SONOCS>..which are said to not be of the best quality but the sound is good, all in all Cuba's infrastructure will not allow for better quality parts, metal...even skins...but some still opt for Cuban congas and bata, because they are coming from Cuba and they are alot cheaper if you can get a set of bata at 400 dollars a pop bring it home change the hardware, and skins, and do some work on the wood, you'll have yourself authentic Cuban bata...another eay way to see this is that if you look of picture of alot of your favorite cuban bands, rumba groups, all their instruments are old, paint chipping, have lug problems, but they play the #### out of those drums....
nowadays, the best drum you can buy for your money, honestly are drums made in PA by Matthew Smith, "Ritmo Drums", I say this because one, the wood is of good quality the skin is decent, and the hardware is a mutha...and he's reliable...Junior sadly is no longer on the scene, and Jay Bereck is not doing so good nowadays, that and his waiting list is at least a year long....a drum made in thailand (i.e, lp)...i have some lp's and the biggest difference besides the inferior skin, is the wood, somehow mass produced wood just doesn't sound as good as natural mahagony, cedar or etc...couple that with a cheap skin and you get a cheap sound, now granted the drums are not all bad, they are affordable and for the giggin musician they do the job...but anything thats mass produced is going to have a different feel to it...some prefer lp's other don't, just one man's humble opinion...oh and don't get me started on fiberglass...

[Isaac]

Ironically, most of the Cuban drummers I've met either have or want mass produced LPs.
I guess the "grass is greener on the other side" .

Isaac

[Doctorumba]

I agree about Matthew Smith congas being the best congas made today.I have both Junior Titado and Skin on Skin.In my opinion,Junior was the main "Papi".His drums are Stradivarius.I also had SONOCS and 50's Vergaras.Sonocs sound great but they tend to split.Vergaras were in a class by them selves,but are/were of very thing construction.Matthew is the man of the hour,also Cali from JCR. Saludos, Dario

[Doctorumba]

Matthew Smith congas and bongos

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... Bongo_.jpg

[onile]

¡Chacho! Se ven cabrone’ esas tumbadoras.

Are they still being produced?

They have a similar look to JCRs don't they?

Suave!
Onile!

[ralph]

They are still being made, Matthew Smith is easy to work with...now this is a question...as far as making congas...who was first Matthew or JCR...i know cali has been making bells, timbales and bongos for quite some time...was Cali making congas way back when?

[JohnnyConga]

Who is Matthew Smith? where is he from ? How long has he been making drums? and where is he out of ?....Never heard of HIS drums....."JC" Johnny Conga.... ???

[ralph]

Matthew Smith is a drum maker from PA...Philadelphia originally i don't know, all i know is that his style of drum is very close to that of Junior's, but I wouldn't say better than Junior's...Matthew is currently probably the best drum artisan in the states. some people in NY know about him, and most will know his drums, because Jerry Gonzalez plays his drums...Jerry used to play Junior drums but know he has a set of drums made by Matthew...i

[onile]

All I found on him was an old(I assume it's old), flyer which was prepared by a company for him. In the brochure it showed a picture of Jerry G. playing five of the drums, beautiful drums none the less.

Is there another website where they can be seen?

Suave!
Onile!

[onile]

here it is.....

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... mospd2.jpg

[onile]

the front side....

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... mospd1.jpg

[Doctorumba]

Matthew Smith's durms are a thing of beauty,made to last a lifetime and incredible sound.He can make you a set of congas in 3 months and his prices are great.See more samples of his work.

[Doctorumba]

Matthew Smith tumba and quinto

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... tthews.jpg

[Doctorumba]

Matthew Smith walnut bongo

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... tthew_.jpg