‘Manito’ has been busy fabricating crowns to pair with solid shell bongo shells. He uses 304 stainless steel to create bespoke hardware for all sorts of drums. 304 is very strong, lustrous and will never rust.

Looking for a great deal on conga skins? We can help. I colored and mounted Scratch and Dent Middle Eastern Steer Skins on these LP fiberglass congas for a friend/customer in Atlanta. They have minor blemishes like scratches or slightly rough surface, but are perfectly functional. They sound warm and classic with crisp slaps, round open tones, rich bass and controlled overtones. Thicknesses are consistent.

Truly Hand Crafted is a series and inside look at how we make our solid shell drums, custom hardware and PreMounted™ heads. In this episode, the focus is on how ‘Manito’ makes a solid shell conga. The video will premiere on YouTube October 13, 2023 at 4:00 PM EST.

We just finished this solid shell black walnut conga for a friend to the north. It’s made from locally and sustainably sourced black walnut wood from Athens, GA. Our 304 stainless steel hardware is very strong, lustrous and guaranteed for the life of the drum.

Hardware: 6-lug half round Moderna crown, heavy duty 3/8″ tuning lugs, heavy duty sideplates

Skin: 2mm amber steer

Playing Surface: 13″ diameter

Height: 30″

Weight: 28.4 lbs

We recently completed this solid shell spalted maple oconcolo. The maple wood was sourced sustainably here in Athens, GA.

Hardware: 304 stainless steel

Chacha: 5″, 1mm chocolate steer

Enu: 7.5″, 1.3mm chocolate steer

Length: 20″

Weight: 10.8 lbs

“Manito” finshed the sideplate installation on this spalted maple oconcolo. I’m mounting steer skins this week.

We recently completed work on these six Junior Tirado congas- 11″, 11.5″, 12.25″, 12.5″, 12.75″, 13″. The owner requested all new steer skins, Moderna crowns, flesh hoops, lugs and shell protectors. ‘Manito’ also fabricated custom stands for four of them. I always enjoy having sought after drums in the shop. It affords the opportunity to study the construction and the builder’s attention to or lack of attention to detail.

Does anyone know the inside diameter of the newer modern Gon Bops Contour Top Ring for 9.75″ super quinto? info@manitopercussion.com

I mounted a calf skin on this djembe for a local customer this week. Instead of trimming the excess skin, I decided to twist it. The twist came out much cleaner and more secure than trimming would have for this type of hardware. Anybody else have success with this method?

Does anybody own a full set of newer, modern, Gon Bops Mariano Congas- 10.75″ Quinto, 11.5″ Conga, 12.25″ Tumba, 13.25″ Super Tumba? info@manitopercussion.com