Bongos buying guide

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laurence

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Hi,

I'm looking to buy some bongos and I'd like some guidance. I would be a complete beginner but I am happy to pay for an intermediate-quality set as this is a long-term commitment and I want them to sound good!

I've found a few sites, like the one below, which give some good info but I thought I might find a more concise and considered opinion on here.

I've read, for example, that you should make sure the metal parts are steel as they can be aluminium sometimes which is not great. I've also seen bongos advertised with chrome parts; I assume this is just as bad!

I'm living in the UK - if you could advise on the price range I should expect to pay that would be much appreciated. Is there a price below which I am not going to find a good set of bongos?

Thanks in advance.

http://djembedrumming.wordpress.com/2012/03/29/bongo-drums-history-and-buying-guide/
 
Not an expert but I played cheap bongos for decades. A few years ago decided to get a good one and picked up a Crown Percussion pair for a bit over A$200 at Billy Hyde (RIP).

Good bongos tend to be quite heavy and the CP pair is no exception, although it was lighter than some other brands.
 
I have a great set of Matt Smith bongos. Matt made these for me using tiger maple wood with inlayed mother of pearl. They are definitely and heirloom instrument. The important thing to know about bongos is that they are low tech; that is, they potentially can last for your lifetime and appreciate in value if you get a set made by a master drum maker. Therefore, I would recommend getting a top quality bongo from a drum maker rather than from a company that mass produces bongos.

Here are my Matt Smith Bongos:
http://www.mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6084&p=62193&hilit=matt+smith#p62193

http://www.mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6085&p=62194&hilit=matt+smith#p62194

http://www.mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6086&p=62195&hilit=matt+smith#p62195


You can find lots of information about bongos at the Conga Place:
http://www.mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=c1c4c9257e15b2877e42c4d2b1bf9528


GJS
 
I play Matadors, LP's mid-range brand, and I like them. All steel construction and built like a tank. One of the heads ripped so I reheaded them with Remo Fiberskyns for bongos. You can spend more or less but I think Matadors are the best price-quality balance.
 
Four year old thread. I hope he made up his mind by now.
 
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