Hey Psych1,
I too check in from time to time to see what's new here. I like to think of the Forums current state as more like a Truck Stop somewhere between Bisbee and Tucson, Ariszona at three in the morning, but not quite Tumbstone
Mikey,
your Bongos do have an interesting amalgam of charachteristics that raises a number of questions.
It's hard to tell what type of wood it is and if it is stained or a natural hard, exotic wood.?
Also the Hardware resembles older south American, even Asian types of design and, it's difficult to be sure, but it looks to have been Galvanized steel instead of Chrome-plated.?
I am also inclined to think that they are not Cuban in origin, but possibly early Mexican, Columbian,Guatamalen; maybe from one of the French Antilles Islands or even French or German or Italian in origin.? Given that the Crowns and bottum Rims are of proper thickness and that they are obviously well constructed, I would remove them, go over them with a medium strength steel wire brush in a drill or a hand Grinder, then Nr.00 Steelwool to remove the rust. Then, find out what type of wood it is,(that knowledge can narrow down the options for Country of origin), and like Psych1 suggest, shoot some glue into the sepparated staves bind it tightly together however you can. Wipe the Macho skin down with a damp towel remove dust and dirt and remount a new Hembra, and play it and see what happens.
Because of the Crown design, you can always have those Ear/Lug thingies modifeid so that you can use other tuning lugs. But, you gotta find someone who knows what they're doing to do that well, somebody like me.
At any rate, what ever road you decide to take, State or Highway, I don't think you need to bury those Bongos.
They can be brought back to life. I think I hear a bell ringing... Good Luck!