Mule Skins

[CongaTick]

Echo TheBreeze. Take it outside. Snideness and sarcasm are a bad fuel, and it sounds as if you are daring/challenging/throwing-down-the-gauntlet to elicit a response from Isaac. Frankly, his willingness to do business with you again is far more slack than I would have cut you.

[OLSONGO]

May we see the skins in question ?

Paz
Olsongo

[BMac]

This matter is under private consideration.

[Mike]

BMac, I still don´t quite seem get your point. Although I understand that you were not satisfied with the deal with Isaac,
I find it quite unnecessary to start a war over it.
Honestly, what do you think it will change?
I enclose a picture of my Mule quinto skin by JCR. Yes, it has some gouges or rather minor scratches, but as long as the sound
and also the durability is OK (and more than that: it is fantastic)- why complain?

The only thing I can see as a solution is to handpick the skins you like directly at a supplier´s store.
Other than that, you will get nothing that meets your expectation. Nor will you get much consolation, let alone understanding
on this forum, I guess.

[BMac]

This matter is under private consideration.

[Mike]

Bmac,
Your opinion is totally granted, and everybody is free to voice his or her opinion on this forum.
Yes, like you and everybody I also have strong feelings about some issues, especially on discussion about the quality
of products, which is always a very personal matter of course.

What were you hoping to change in stating "the Aspire series by LP is not the best to choose?" Were you hoping to educate buyers in the market?

Let´s put it like that: There is nothing wrong with sharing experiences, isn´t it? You were of course not wrong in doing so either. It´s just that people seem to have gotten a bit disgruntled by the tone of your posts. As long as posts remain fair and constructive nobody will complain.

I am sorry to read that the gouges in the mule skin affect your feeling when playing, but I simply haven´t made that experience.
BTW the picture was taken when the skin was freshly mounted - the unevenness has settled considerably after six months and I´d like
to point out again that my quinto with this skin feels and sounds really gorgeous.

I understand I do not have your consolation or your understanding.

You get me slightly wrong there, for I do see your point. And I am sorry if I was too blunt maybe. As you can see, I have made somehow a similar experience like you when purchasing a slightly scratched, gouged mule skin, but have completely put with it, even more, I don´t mind at all, for reasons I and also others have previously explained. I was only trying to hint at the irritation you seem to have caused among the congaplace community. And Isaac is surely a part of this community - as well as you are.

The only thing all our discussions should not lead to IMHO is something like a personal vendetta of one kind or another.
No hard feelings, this is just my personal opinion.

Regards,
Mike

[Thebreeze]

There could be one thing that might be a concern to people that get skins from people unseen and I hope this is not the case here, but some years ago, I started buying skins from a person in Southern California ( no name mentioned ). I noticed that they were always blemished one way or another. I was a little naive then and just thought that was how they all came. But the funny thing is that whenever he listed congas for sale on ebay I noticed that those skins were flawless. I concluded that he was keeping the very best skins for himself. I have had my own source of skins for a few years now and don't need to look any further for any. I can choose my own half of a cow from many. So to Bmac....unfortunately that will always be something to think about until you find that one source that really meets your satisfaction. One more note...for the money it costs to buy mule skin, you could probably go to a place like stern tanning and get a prime top of the line skin with the thickness you want and not spend as much. I think that Stern still sells skins, but it's been awhile since I bought two beautiful skins from them so I can't be sure about that.
I think that too many people have gotten hung up on Mule skins when there are so many good quality cow hides out there.

[Mike]

I think that too many people have gotten hung up on Mule skins when there are so many good quality cow hides out there.

Maybe, but then again I would say: The SOUND of mule is simply DIFFERENT to cow skin.
I also have some quality cow on my conga, and it is great, but due to different texture etc. the sound differs to some extent.

[Thebreeze]

OK, Mike. I respect your opinion. And I agree that Mule is different. Good point.

[Isaac]

New Stock in for Congas ( June )

ISAAC ~ tradicionpercussion@gmail.com
(609) 384-1636

[Chupacabra]

Isaac,

I am currently making a set of bongos and the shells are coming along to the point where I am pretty sure what the final diameter will be. If you have any mule skins available I would like to buy some. Pre-cut with hair removed, if possible.

Depending on the price, I might be interested in one for a hand carved 10 3/4" quinto as well.

I don't mind paying good money for good quality.