Here’s another pro tip. When mounting skins on bongos, I always remove the center block. This makes it very easy to mount the skins and trim the excess evenly. I also use 6.25″ mounting lugs, and replace them with the original lugs later.

For those of you that mount your own flat skins on your drums, here’s a pro tip for trimming the excess. I use a utility knife with a ground and deburred hook blade. Deburring is the process of removing the small imperfections known as burrs from machined metal products. This prevents me from accidentally cutting the playing surface. I’ve used this very tool to mount tens of thousands of skins- one of my best friends here in the shop.

We recently had the opportunity to work on these vintage LP, Palisades Park, NJ bongos. Manito fabricated new 3/16″ round SS304 flesh hoops, and I mounted 1mm steer on the macho and 1.6mm steer on the hembra. This mahogany set was obviously well cared for.

One of the first steps in making a solid hembra shell is roughing on the lathe. He’ll core, seal and kiln dry the rough shell for months before putting it back on the lathe for finishing. To do this correctly requires a great deal of patience, skill and talent.

I really enjoy working on different drums and the opportunity to understand the build quality. Manito recently refinished these Timba bongos. I mounted new steer, reassembled and reinstalled the badges on the set. Now they are off to California. If you need help with a project, get in touch.

We just received a shipment of your next favorite shirt!

It’s an original design by Zach Landrum. Check out Zach’s work and his Olde Soul Print Shop. https://oldesoul.co/

Manito is installing sideplates on a solid shell spalted poplar quinto, conga, tumba and super tumba set today. I’ll be mounting skins next week. Let us know if you need sideplates for your project.

Made of high strength 3/8″ 304 stainless steel, our heavy duty tuning lugs are built to last a lifetime. Includes high strength Zinc/Yellow Chromate coated 9/16″ nut, washer and rubber screw cover. Threads are rolled for maximum life. High polished finish or matte finish available. Custom shaping available from 4″ to 7″ lengths. Guaranteed for the life of your drum.

Looking for a great deal on flat skins? Scratch and Dent Middle Eastern Steer Skins- 5 Pack includes 20″ diameter skins ranging from 1.6mm to 2mm in thickness. 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.

This PreMounted™ Black Gold™ Brazilian Buffalo Skin For LP 12.5″ Tumba With Extended Collar (Z) Crown is 2mm thick. The sound is classic with warm tones, rich bass and controlled overtones. It has medium action and a slightly dimpled supple playing surface.