I thought I would share that thanks to my good friend JC Johnny Conga, I now have a brand spankin' new beautiful set of Bata Drums - produced by the Pearl Percussion Company.
Currently I working on mounting better skins on all three drums as we all know factory made drums don't come with very good skins all the time... :;): Thanks to my buddy Isaac, I will get the best dang skins out there :p
You can start by going to BATADrums.com.......then we'll whip ur butt into shape at rehearsals.....I can't wait myself.....c u there... ..........kila kila kila kila ...unpac unpac ....unpacumpacum..............."JC" Johnny Conga.... :;):
You recommend the Pearl Bata's? Let me know, I want to get some to "complete my collection of drums". (I'll talk to Glen C to see what he could get me).
Hi Raymond.....Well for one we had to change all the heads on them. They were too thin and especially the Iya. Itotele was ok, but Ivan will be changing the heads on it also. They sounded really good, feel good, look good, made well. What was missing was on the crowns was a place to clip a belt on to,usually welded on to the crown. Other than that we're happy with them and have started to incorporate them into my NEW "folkloric" perc. ensamble "ORIGENS". With Ivan Galvez, Tor Dietrichson, Tahoma, and Steve,I forget his last name, and I. Here is a photo of the original group in Los Angeles back in the 80's. I'm the one playing the 2 black LPs in the top photo. Each photo is a different "routine rhythm"......."JC" Jhnny Conga.....
I heard them played by the most recognized (and there are few anyway) batalero in Italy and they sound REALLY good. In my opinion, much more authentic than LP's, Pearl's, Toca's... BTW, how do you manage with the fardela? Do you make your own? How?
I have to admit that's a different look allright. Now where in South America are there BATA drums??? It states at that site they come from South America?????.....Once again they come from Nigeria where there are actually 4 sizes that are used along with Igbin drums. Only 3 are used in Cuba, today, which is standard......"JC" Johnny Conga....
Vaya Tamboricua...As far as I know there is NO Bata drums that come with the Fardela already on it, outside of Cuba. Neither do the Pearls....ya know I didn't measure the enu on the Iya but I'll say it's at least a 12 1/4 head. I'll measure it on sunday when we get together with my new perc ensemble "Origins"......"JC" Johnny Conga.... :;):
I believe when the Pearl's batá were introduced couple of years back they came with a fadela on the Iyá. I guess they desisted of the idea, since it's easier to mass produce without it.
I'd love to know how to make a fardela, or some substitute that isn't too complex. I have an Iya that needs it I think, but traditional Fardela seems ridiculously complex. Maybe someone can suggest something else? If you have a suggestion, then could you please post it here http://www.congaplace.com/cgi-bin....&t=1215 where I've already asked the question? Thanks Assaf