We recently refinished this set of Gon Bops congas and upgraded the skins to Middle Eastern Steer. This was a fun and rewarding project! Thanks for the opportunity Kevin!

Thank you for sharing your support, insights and knowledge Maestro Edgardo Cambon. Your contribution to our percussion community has always been positive- a ray of light.

It’s true, a high quality skin improves the sound and feel of a drum. We put a lot of time and energy into providing the highest quality skins available. It really comes down to relationships with our suppliers and desire to help others with upgrades in a transparent, honest and sustainable way. It’s also a great deal of fun!

The darker 80s Gon Bops shell in the back is one of three ‘Manito’ is refinishing for a friend.

The solid shell sycamore quinto is ready for hardware and a skin.

The thicknesses are 1.5mm on the 9.75″ requinto, 1.7mm on the 11″ quinto, 1.9mm on the 11.75″ conga and 2.1mm on the 12.5″ tumba. The sound is considered warm and classic with crisp slaps, round open tones, rich bass and controlled overtones.

Truly Hand Crafted is a new series and inside look at how we make our solid shell drums, custom hardware and drum heads. In this episode the focus is on turning stainless steel and Middle Eastern Steer (our shop favorite) into a PreMounted™ Conga Head.

Happy Holidays! Truly Hand Crafted is a new series and inside look at how we make our solid shell drums, custom hardware and drum heads. In this episode the focus is on wood turning. Watch ‘Manito’ turn one of our rough bongos shells into a finished shell ready for clear coat.

Truly Hand Crafted is a new series and inside look at how we make our solid shell drums, custom hardware and drum heads. Watch ‘Manito’ rough out one of our solid bongos shells on the lathe.

Truly Hand Crafted is a new series and inside look at how we make our solid shell drums, custom hardware and drum heads. In this video ‘Manito’ fabricates our Moderna Crown.