I ordered me some Islas!!!

[Tonio]

Marcelo,

Call Mario for Isla. 01-310-916-3425 Mario is a rumbero and makes the Isla tumbadoras.

I PM'd you.

T

[umannyt]

ok whos got the hook ups for these Islas, I want a set now! Either in the dark brown or same colour as Onile's! oh yeah Some JCRs wouldnt be too bad either, nor some Matthew Smiths or Junior Tirado..... Dreams are free.

A set of Islas, even in cherry wood (for an additional of "only" $100 each), should cost you the least among the handcrafted brands that you just mentioned. Plus, you should be getting a reasonable waiting time, if not the shortest.

If you opt for canoe wood (yellow poplar), note that you'll be getting a noticeably softer (and lighter) wood than the North American oak wood and other wood that Matthew Smith, JCR and Junior Tirado use. But, in my personal experience with my own set of 3 Isla canoes, you'll also be getting a fatter, warmer sound with the least amount (or no) ring but with less projection. I can speak thus, having compared my Islas with my new Gon Bops California series which come solely in North American red oak.

[ABAKUA]

man, my phone bill gonna go through the roof between calls to MAtthew Smith and Isla hahahah.. got an email address handy?

[umannyt]

Try this for Isla/Mario: mpunchard@islapercussions.com

Good luck,

[smacklemore]

Congadelica,
Did you get your Islas yet? I'm guessing you would have posted pics if that were the case. I'm still waiting, but last I heard they should be done next week.

[Congadelica]

Mine are to be finished soon ,I spoke to Mario 2 days ago.
. Its seems a long wait but well worth it Im sure . there is another thread that peebee started Apparently Isla are very busy Im expecting to take delivery within the next 4 to 5 weeks .

[KING CONGA]

Blessings onile. I just noticed that the hardware on your Islas is different than the one that typically comes with the drumms, did you change it afterwards or does Mario have a hardware option? if you did change it, can you please tell me why. The reson Im inquireing is because there is a good chance of me ordering a set. Thanks.

[bongosnotbombs]

I think Isla's crown is their defining feature. I know they offer a choice
in sideplates, but not in crown. They also used to have handles on their drums,
which were pretty cool.

Then there was that weird post from the design company that developed new side plates
for Mario.

[onile]

Blessings onile. I just noticed that the hardware on your Islas is different than the one that typically comes with the drumms, did you change it afterwards or does Mario have a hardware option? if you did change it, can you please tell me why. The reson Im inquireing is because there is a good chance of me ordering a set. Thanks.

Alafia Abure King Conga!
I apologize for the late response to your question.
Thank you for the blessings as well!

In anycase however, the reason for me changing out the crowns was due to the mics I traditionally use with my drums (Sennheiser e604s). The mics clip on to the crowns, but I was having difficulty with them staying put on the Isla crowns (there wasn't enough thickness to grasp on to). I used LP Traditional crowns, which I took to a welder along with the Isla crowns in order for him to get the dimensions correct. He had to add some material to the LP crowns due to them being 12 1/2" and the Islas being 13", but all in all they came out beautifully. After he finished with the welding, I then took them to a chroming shop out here to have them chromed.

So, now I have crowns modified on them and neither the sound nor the integrety of my Islas have been affected by the change. Everyone who plays my Islas totally loves the sound and the beauty of the drums.

Suave!

Onile!

[umannyt]

I think Isla's crown is their defining feature. I know they offer a choice
in sideplates, but not in crown. They also used to have handles on their drums,
which were pretty cool.

Then there was that weird post from the design company that developed new side plates
for Mario.

I agree that Isla's crown is their "defining feature". The lugs remind me of the old Gon Bops teardrop lugs which, in turn, appear to be the forerunner of comfort rims.

Re: "new side plates", I posted a comment about this on: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=3866&p=39917&hilit=isla#p39917 as follows:

"Got a call from Mario Punchard of Isla Percussion last night. I was finally able to ask him the question I've long wanted to ask him about this Isla drum with the intriguing elongated mounting plate design reminiscent of the Moperc Salsa model.

"It turns out this so-called "new look of Isla Percussion" is just a one-off design made and specified by a customer of his who runs a design/architectural firm.

"So, this should kill any further speculation that Mario will produce and sell copies of this drum in the future."

[umannyt]

...In anycase however, the reason for me changing out the crowns was due to the mics I traditionally use with my drums (Sennheiser e604s). The mics clip on to the crowns, but I was having difficulty with them staying put on the Isla crowns (there wasn't enough thickness to grasp on to)...

I use the drum-mounting system (A56D) that comes with the Shure DMK57-52 Drum Kit and have no problems mounting my SM57 mics on the original crowns of my Islas (nor the crowns of my Gon Bops CA congas).

Just sharing,

[Light Seeker]

I use the drum-mounting system (A56D) that comes with the Shure DMK57-52 Drum Kit and have no problems mounting my SM57 mics on the original crowns of my Islas (nor the crowns of my Gon Bops CA congas).

Just sharing,

Thanks! The problem of mic clips has been a concern of mine since I ordered my Islas. Glad to know there are other options.

[umannyt]

Thanks! The problem of mic clips has been a concern of mine since I ordered my Islas. Glad to know there are other options.

You're welcome. Obviously, micing your drum(s), regardless of the design of the crowns, won't be a problem if you use mic stand(s).

[KING CONGA]

I don’t believe that you could go wrong with the LP Claw. They are very sturdy and really hold no matter how hard you play. I use CARVIN D42 Mics with them. See attached link and Check out my drums with the attached noted hardware.

http://milagro9.com/juansgear.htm

[umannyt]

I don’t believe that you could go wrong with the LP Claw. They are very sturdy and really hold no matter how hard you play.

I, too, have the LP Claw (for use of my 8-inch splash cymbal of my timbales). (There is a model for mic mounting.)

But, I read somewhere here in CongaBoard that the Gibraltar Jaw is even more versatile, heavy-duty, stable and yet cheaper than the LP Claw. I have since switched to the Gibraltar Jaws and bought 2 of them (for my splash and my more recent 18-inch crash cymbal). I couldn't agree more and am very happy with them.