bringing GB Marianos back to life...

[DanBops]

Hello, forum!

I'm mainly a drumset player, love banging on congas as well though...

I have a couple of "old" Gon Bops Mariano congas that need new skins. They still have the original ones that were far from beeing good, IMO.

I would be happy to avoid the "mounting a new skin on the drum", if possible, so here mi pregunta: Is it still possible to find pre-mounted heads
from the old GB company? Or would heads from Timba perc for example fit thos old Gon Bops tubs??

I just want to know if I can avoid that mounting hassle... not that it looks that difficult, but I would be happy to go an easier route...

Thanks alot in advance!

Dan.

[seisporocho1]

That's a hard one cause the skin has to be perfectly molded to the specific drum. I don't own GBs but maybe the company makes quality pre-mounted skins for their customers for a higher price...I don't know.
Where do you live? If someone in this forum lives in your area, they might be able to mount them for you.
You're in the definitely in the right place so you might find someone!

good luck.

[bongosnotbombs]

99.9% sure you will not be able to find "pre-mounted" head for those old Gon Bops.
I've never heard of GB making them, and almost every maker of drums nowadays
uses different sizes than older Gon Bops.

The old Gon Bops company has been out of business for a long time. The new Gon Bops by DW
are totally different drums, made differently and by different people. I don't think Timba
makes pre-mounted heads either.

I seriously think you will not be able to avoid mounting new skins on those drums.
However, mounting new skins yourself, or having someone else do it, usually gets the best sound, in
my opinion. It's not hard to do either.

[vinnieL]

As has been posted already mounting your own skins is the way to go it's not likely at all that you will find pre mounted heads that will work. There are several threads here that you can search for that show you how to mount heads and youtube also has a few videos showing how to mount heads. It is not easy but very rewarding.

[vinnieL]

As has been posted already mounting your own skins is the way to go it's not likely at all that you will find pre mounted heads that will work. There are several threads here that you can search for that show you how to mount heads and youtube also has a few videos showing how to mount heads. It is not easy but very rewarding.

[CongaTick]

Hey Dan.

I'm with you on the mounting reluctance. Having done it a couple of times I've never found it especially easy, more like wrestling a wet baby alligator. For some it's easier than for others. I guess I don't posses the manual skills some of the deft pro tub restorers, fixers (and skin mounters) that you'll find on this forum. HOWEVER, it ain't too bad! And you SHOULD give it a whack. Follow the wise advice on this fourm (and referral links if necessary) and go for it. You will NOT screw it up. Just remember that when cutting away the excess wet skin after you've mounted it through the hoops and lugs to cut AWAY from the edge of the drum, not toward the just-mounted head, otherwise a slip of the knife (despite backing guard protection) could slice into your just-mounted skin.
If this scares you, have somebody with mounting experience come over and do it for you. Nothing wrong with that, bro.

[deadhead]

Just to add to what the other guys said, I had 2 gon bops congas in 10.75, both were in round and exactly the same diameter and the heads were NOT interchangable. Mounting is the only way to get a perfect seal on a particular drum. Don't look at it as a chore, cuz its not, its extremely easy to mount skins and there are tons of guys on here that would be more than happy to walk you through it step by step.

[DanBops]

Wow! Thanks alot for your many answers!

I already watched a few videos on youtube, I will try my best to mount some new skins... the drums realy need them.

I see it as "wrestling with a wet baby aligator" as well!, But hey, I never tried! Anyway I will do my best to mount those things...

Gentlemen, I just have another question:

Does the wet head not damage the drum? I mean, the head is... wet ... and the drum is made of... wood I guess it takes
some time for the head to dry out. I can imagine that's not a problem for a fiberglass conga. Should I protect the bearing edge of the drum
when mounting the head, maybe with plastic, or not?

Again, thanks for your answers and sound advice, guys!

regards,

Dan.

[Mike]

Gentlemen, I just have another question:

Does the wet head not damage the drum? I mean, the head is... wet ... and the drum is made of... wood I guess it takes
some time for the head to dry out. I can imagine that's not a problem for a fiberglass conga. Should I protect the bearing edge of the drum
when mounting the head, maybe with plastic, or not?

No problem, the wood at the bearing edge is dense enough to withstand the temporary humidity when the skin dries.
But to prevent any possible harm you can apply beeswax or any other natural greasing substance to the bearing edge.
This frequently used "trick" will also facilitate later tuning as the skin can slip effortlessly across the wood.

All the best
-Mike

[bongosnotbombs]

Does the wet head not damage the drum? I mean, the head is... wet ... and the drum is made of... wood I guess it takes
some time for the head to dry out. I can imagine that's not a problem for a fiberglass conga. Should I protect the bearing edge of the drum
when mounting the head, maybe with plastic, or not? .

That's one of the funniest questions about congas I have heard in a long time.
Drums have used skin and wood for hundreds of years. It's the very origin of the instrument.
Wood and skin.

[Mike]

Plus: wood is one of the most amazing natural materials in the world...

The wood of a tree does not really suffer from water input - it breathes!

[vinnieL]

Yep no problems at all do not put anything on that bearing edge when you mount the skin as it could adversly affect the fit of the skin on the bearing edge.

[Mike]

Hey VinnieL,
you have been quite busy posting this morning!

Basically, I agree with you. There is just this question: In what way should applying beeswax be detrimental or at least "adversly affect the fit of the skin on the bearing edge", as you say? I just meant a tiny bit of beeswax (some use even candle wax), so from my experience a soaked skin does not slip away from the bearing edge when you mount it.

[OLSONGO]

Look up some of my post for mounting a skin, there is also a post with step by step photos by bro Onile where he uses my technique of the string, that way the skin never gets away from you, do always remember CUT AWAY from the head the excess.
Paz
Olsongo