1970's GON BOPS Set

[Omelenko1]

I have a set of 1970's Gon Bops. Very sweet sounding congas. I use these in a Latin Rock (Santana style) Oldies group that I play with every so often. These are very collectible congas, very rare Gon Bops on account they are bigger sizes. Not the common 9.5 and 10.5 small sizes you see on Ebay or Craigslist. These are 11.5" macho and a 12.25" hembra. The macho is the International model with the Cuban hardware and outer bands, is Oak with the wooden inlaid in the middle.
I had it painted Candy Apple Red to match the 12.25" hembra which is a factory Candy Apple Red Phillipine Mahogany tumba with a fiberglass coating on the outside. In a 1973 Gon Bops catalog, this was their most expensive conga. It came with no outer bands what soever and has the Cuban crown and sideplates.

I have always used them as a pair, I thought of having Cali (JCR) put outer bands on the hembra, but then that will alter its originality. They were painted in a body shop to match the original color of the hembra. The macho has a new mule head form "El Piernas" (Hector Rocha) from Colombia.

I will be selling them for $850, having second thoughts because you can't find these bigger sizes any more. They have never had any cracks, sound very sweet and melodic. I had an alma installed on the macho awhile back. If you're a Gon Bops lover, this is your set. These are heavy congas. I'll take private emails.

Dario