The Tendency

[caballoballo]

Saludos, lately this is what Bongoceros are using on their Bongós down here, Remo skindeep on the macho and natural skin on the hembra. Skindeep is sweet,gentle on the hand and powerful high pitch tone . Also sounds a lot better than fyberskin or nuskin plus it last longer. The only bad thing is the availability on web which is little so the best thing is to order them thru one of the online retailers using Remo part number.

[salcero1]

I couldn't agree more. I use the crimplock version which has the Remo logo blackened out not like the tucked you use with white printing. It gives the bongo a more stream-lined look. It's all good though because the macho projects an equally nice crisp tone but I may purchase a set of tucked because I believe in some years the glued metal rim may fail in additon that wouldn't be an issue with the tucked. I have to try a natural Hembra skin to get a deeper tone but I'm ok with the sound out of the Remo Hembra Skin deep model. Nice drums Brother! Take care.......

Jorge.

[JOHNNY6]

Hi CB,I have used Nuskin on macho only, for years....and I have been pretty happy,but you say you prefer the sound of these better than Nuskin...what is the main improvement u see between "skindeep" and "Nuskin"?Thanks.J6.

[caballoballo]

salcero, yes, the crimlock metal piece will fail with time. it happens to me. I, if there is availability or thru a local store will be ordering the serpent pattern and the molten sea model. Those are for the yellow Moperc and the Timbas del valle.

Johnny. Skin deep is ticker and more gentle to the hand than nuskin which I have use before. You need to play it so you can feel what I am talking about.

[JOHNNY6]

Thanks CB for sharing info on it,can't wait to try it...will keep u posted.J6

[salcero1]

Caballo,
I saw those new pattens and they're nice looking. I spoke to a sales rep at Guitar Center and asked him if he could find out if they sell that pattern in the tucked style like the conga heads they have diplayed on the Remo website. He should have some information on that this Monday. I may opt for a set of those seeming that I already own the black Remo bongo heads but in the Crimplock style. If I could get the tucked heads in that Serpentine Day and Molten Sea pattern I would be straight for a long while to come because of the beauty and strength of synthetic heads. Thanks for the information. Peace y Pa'lante Hermanito.


Jorge.

[caballoballo]

Salcero, if you get them to order those 2 styles let me know so I could buy also.

[salcero1]

CB,
I spoke to a woman rep at Remo today and she said that they manufacture, have part numbers & make those pattens in the tucked style in sizes 7.15, 8.5 and 9.0 inches. She wasn't sure if they are made in the 6.75" or 8" size but mentioned they can be obtained through any website that carries Remo Products. Personally,I deal with Guitar Center. I would like to obtain a set of each pattern in the sizes available and to see if the smaller heads 6.75 and 8" would be available in the same tucked style as well. I would like to outfit my smaller headed bongos with those cool patterns to have them on hand when the natural heads are no longer useful. I guess they would sell @ $30 to $37 depending on which distributor you go with and the head sizes you'll need. This is all I have for now but I'll give you a shout whenever I decide to obtain them. Peace my brother.

Jorge.

PS: That Molten Sea Graphic seems like you're looking down at the earth from a high altitude aircraft or the Space Shuttle. Cool Pattern....Cya!

[caballoballo]

Ok Jorge but is the online store Guitar center willing to orden them? Let me know when you get news from tnem

[salcero1]

Caballo,
I ordered my first set of black calfskin heads from a Guitar Center in Tuscon Arizona via the internet. I'm sure you can get a hold of the nearest Guitar Center retailer and would have no problem ordering the sets you've mentioned. They take credit and debit cards and would ship to your address usually through UPS. Give them a shot. I'm personally dealing with a Guitar Center here in the Atlantic Mall in Brooklyn. I don't have the part numbers of these new heads on hand but if you speak with a rep they should be able to accomodate you with your order. Best of luck in your shopping. Let me know if you need any other information I could provide you with if I can. Cuidate hermano.

Jorge.

[caballoballo]

Salsacero1, check percussion source, they will order them for you for $30 a piece plus shipping. All together for me is $70 including shipping. The only problem is the waiting time of around 8 weeks but depending on Remo could be faster. Yesterday I installed for a friend one set of those skins on a Red Matador custom, 1 with P.R flag on the Macho & a Black type on the Hembra.

Talking about those Matadors custom, they are very well constructed and have a very dry old school sound (with the correct skins) . I bought a Blue one which is on the pictures to play on those types of clubs where you do not want to take your vintage or top of the line Bongos for ovious reasons.

[salcero1]

Caballo,
Thank you for the information. Percussion source is a website I buy often from, their prices are excellent. Knowing what the price of the newest style Remo heads makes the choice more attractive than Guitar Center's current pricing. I totally agree that the way the tucked style heads are fabricated. They produce a very dry sound, are very durable and quite an exceptional replacement for the natural rawhide heads. In addition it's good to have some peace of mind of not stretching the head out of tune and the longevity aspect of the synthetic head. The only problem I foresee with synthetic heads are the layers of laminates which are prone to wearing out and may show signs of flaking in some areas due to constant playing around the bearing edges where the fingertips strike the heads rather frequently. I like your color scheme choice of the PR flag graphic on the Macho with the black calfskin graphic on the Hembra, nice contrast. Did you happen to glance at the new color of bongos Adolpho Rocha's company is currently selling? I posted a picture below and may inquire about the possibility of a purchase from him for this set next year. Gracias para la ayuda y Que Dios te Bendigas siempre.......

Jorge.

[caballoballo]

Salcero1,you welcome, that is a very beautiful Bongó from HR. I contacted Naty Rocha yesterday inquiring about the posibility of making a special Bongó since I sold my last 2 .Let see how much they want. Also in the type of job I have there is always the posibility of going to Colombia on short notice where would be cheaper to buy including shipping at no cost.

About Remo, yes that peeling use to happen on the fyberskin type on both Congas & Bongos. I have not seen that happening on the skindeep thus far. What I recommend is to detune after playing releasing the tension to keep that from happening.

[salcero1]

Caballo,
Yes I'm always aware of de-tuning even with synthetic heads although some members say it isn't necessary but I'm a creature of habit and will continue this regimen in my playing. I think I will get the El Piernas drums perhaps next week. I just spoke with Oscar a family member and he said that there are six of those type Sunset fade bongos available presently. He stated that the family here in Union City-New Jersey get a shipment of about 20 bongos every month or so and because they're handmade in Colombia they don't crank them out as if in a factory setting like LP overseas. I like the concept of handmade instruments and the prices they have are sort of a good deal because they sell you the bongos with a bell, beater and the case to transport @ $250. If I opt for the two other maracas I like it would be a little more in cost. Perhaps I will contact Percussion source in September to outffit some of my inventory with the Serpentine Day and Molten Sea type heads, tucked of course. I'll post pictures whenever this deal is complete. Thanks for your views on Remo skyndeeps. Post some pictures when you obtain your custom set from Naty. Cuidate Siempre.. hablamos...

Jorge.

[caballoballo]

Jorge, please send the contact info of Oscar so I be able to get in touch with him. One thing about HR Bongos is the weight. One that I had in the pass was a heavy 13.5 pounds and believe me, after 3 set of 45 minutes you just did not want that heavy boy between your legs,