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B-cero
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« on: February 09, 2005, 01:51 PM » |
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Check out the new "original". http://www.gonbops.com watcha think? |
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Chu Toi
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« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2005, 03:38 PM » |
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Super, awesome, fantastic!
This is sooooooo cool! I have a collection of Gon Bop cowbells from years ago that people are always drooling over. How great to have these guys back in the game.
Thanks for the heads up B-cero!
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Vintage Ludwig
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« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2005, 04:16 PM » |
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Thats great-havnt heard that name since the 70s and early 80s!
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563
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« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2005, 04:50 PM » |
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Some of the nicest congas I've ever played were Gon Bops, so it's certainly reassuring to see their name again.
But ... in looking at the drums, I'm not seeing the same drums I remember. These new ones look like all the others out there. I'd definitely want to hear 'em before I passed any real judgement.
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Making bad art. Saying stupid things. Implimenting my master plan to be forgotten when I'm gone and forgettable while I'm here. The Luna MothmeTableland |
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marker
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« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2005, 05:31 PM » |
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Looks like DW bought the name. That could be a good thing. DW makes quality drums.
I saw an original Gon Bops conga recently, and those ones on the website look different, for sure.
So, they could be very different.
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bongo
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« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2005, 05:57 PM » |
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The DW website also features the new Gon Bop line.
The California series is being made by Akbar of Sol Percussion in SF (funny cause he cut his teeth at Valje, not Gon Bop)... they should be really great drums and unlike the original Gon Bops, are made of quarter sawn oak (like Valje). The curve of the shell looks a little different to me, maybe the diameter at the base is a bit bigger than the originals. They have good cow skin heads, like the ones on Sol congas.
The hardware is kind of a cross between old Gon Bop and Sol Percussion. I think it looks great, but different from original Gon Bop.
The Tumbao Series is made of 'Siam Oak', manufactured who knows where (I heard Mexico) and has water buffalo heads. Must be the budget line Gon Bop, think I'll pass.
Lets hope DW gives the Gon Bop line the attention it deserves, unlike LP which bought the rights to Valje, then let the line fall by the wayside.
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563
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« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2005, 12:15 AM » |
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The California series is being made by Akbar of Sol Percussion in SF (funny cause he cut his teeth at Valje, not Gon Bop)... they should be really great drums and unlike the original Gon Bops, are made of quarter sawn oak (like Valje). The curve of the shell looks a little different to me, maybe the diameter at the base is a bit bigger than the originals. They have good cow skin heads, like the ones on Sol congas. That (the bolded bit) is what I was going to say, which has got to make a pretty big difference in the sound. But at the same time, Sol is no slouch  so they shouldn't be bad at all. Definitely a curiosity piquer. |
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Making bad art. Saying stupid things. Implimenting my master plan to be forgotten when I'm gone and forgettable while I'm here. The Luna MothmeTableland |
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OldGuyAl
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« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2005, 07:54 AM » |
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I don't have any "hands-on" experience with Gon Bops but the photos I've seen of the originals are different than these. Still, everybody changes appearances over time...especially me!
Anyway, I thought it was kinda curious that the California line has a Super Tumba but no requinto. There is a Super Quinto (as they call it) in the Tumbao series but no Super Tumba.
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563
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« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2005, 10:26 AM » |
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I don't have any "hands-on" experience with Gon Bops but the photos I've seen of the originals are different than these. Still, everybody changes appearances over time...especially me!
If it were just superficial appearance changes I probably wouldn't have said anything. But different belly sizes makes a sonic difference and different hoop styles make a playing difference. But don't get me wrong, I'm not totally dismissing these things. Just saying the name doesn't always mean the same thing over time. |
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Making bad art. Saying stupid things. Implimenting my master plan to be forgotten when I'm gone and forgettable while I'm here. The Luna MothmeTableland |
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OldGuyAl
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« Reply #9 on: February 10, 2005, 12:02 PM » |
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word
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B-cero
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« Reply #10 on: February 10, 2005, 12:27 PM » |
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I think the Ca. series rim is good, the 1/2 round, (Sol style) maintain the old look, using less metal while being more comfortable. I always preferred the old G.B.s mahogany to their oaks, Sol and Timba both offer U.S. red oak shells, It would be cool if G.B. could find some type of wood that was softer (like mahogany) that would replicate the warmer tone and lighter weight of the old drums.
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windhorse
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« Reply #11 on: February 10, 2005, 07:02 PM » |
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That (the bolded bit) is what I was going to say, which has got to make a pretty big difference in the sound. But at the same time, Sol is no slouch so they shouldn't be bad at all. Definitely a curiosity piquer. I visited Akbar at Sol last summer and he was busy with this new line.. Looked like Gon Bops had taken over his entire studio! He was VERY careful with getting the measurements perfect! You can rest assured the sizes are exactly what Gon Bops were approaching, and I say approaching because Akbar is the wizard of exactness. You can bet that once he's decided on a correct proportion, then everything that comes out will meet and exceed anyone else's standards! He had designed the hardware to match the original Gon Bop as well, and was frowning when he showed it to me, as he had to go "cheap" by sending the manufacturing out to Taiwan. He much prefers his own bullet proof hardware. Let's face it, the guy is a slave to perfection.  If you look through the whole line, you'll see a few of Akbar's trademark inventions still seep through,, like his pressure fitted base rings.. He makes their bongos, and the cajons sure look like his as well.. Yep, if he's making them, they're good, and I'd venture to guess much stronger and longer lasting than the original Gon Bops. |
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Hollow a log into a drum. It's the space inside that makes the sound.  |
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Fed
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« Reply #12 on: February 11, 2005, 09:09 AM » |
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From what I gathered the closest to old Gon Bops are Timba congas... I am not an expert on this by any means, just from what I read on the web
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windhorse
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« Reply #13 on: February 11, 2005, 04:57 PM » |
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From what I gathered the closest to old Gon Bops are Timba congas...
They used to be.. Not now. |
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Hollow a log into a drum. It's the space inside that makes the sound. |
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bongo
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« Reply #14 on: February 12, 2005, 01:12 AM » |
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I'm a little puzzled at some of the differences, not sure why the change. For instance, vintage Gon Bops had different diameters from what is being offered, the old Super Quintos are 9 3/4" and the Super Tumbas are 14 1/4".
Also the vintage Gon Bop did not use quarter sawn oak, but were cut to show what I think they call 'flat grain', which is very pretty and more swirly patterned than the straight grain on the quarter sawn wood. They say the straight grain is stronger, but I really like the apperance of the old the vintage red oak drums. And I'm not sure, but the oak gon bop seemed redder in color than the oak I've seen on Sols.
Also I liked the old Gon Bop hardware and wonder why they didn't match it exactly. The rim on the vintage drum is a flat bar, on the new ones it is rounded, like those on Sols. True this change is for comfort and I like it on my Sol drums, but it detracts from the Gon Bop look. It is interesting too that the hardware is made overseas. The Gon Bop was made right here in the good old USA, which is probably why they've had trouble with the chrome pitting and pealing.
So anyway, Akbar is a man with ideas and not one to bow to tradition if he thinks he has a better way. His Sol drums are some of the best built and best sounding drums I've ever seen and heard (and I'm a Gon Bop man). I would imagine his Gon Bops will be some of the best Gon Bops ever made.
Just the same I'll be curious to compare the new bearing edge against my 28 year old Gon Bops...
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windhorse
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« Reply #15 on: February 12, 2005, 08:52 AM » |
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Hollow a log into a drum. It's the space inside that makes the sound. |
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B-cero
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« Reply #16 on: February 12, 2005, 01:48 PM » |
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I was wondering about the new bearing edge, the old gon bop edge is flat, Sol is a sharp cutaway, my bet is Sol style. Some old gon bop oaks had 1/4 sawn stave, some staight grain. Valje is all straight grain. The color of the wood darkens with age and U.V. exposure. The shape of the Sol made G.Bs look pretty original while the Thai made look like Meinl (high belly). I like the old riveted side plates, the new ones look like the natural progression of the style.
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OldGuyAl
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« Reply #17 on: February 13, 2005, 08:38 PM » |
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and there is a vintage Gon Bops quinto on eBay (Vintage Gon Bops Conga QUINTO Drum with Stand Item number: 3782070221) right now that looks yummy - sadly I got no money for it, right now. Is this stand "original" - from the correct year as the drum? It doesn't look like a great stand but, if it's a "correct" stand.... I bid over $200 and still didn't meet the reserve. I mean, I know it's worth a lot more than that but that's the top end of my budget right now...or is it?  (If I win this, I better see if anybody is selling a dog house on eBay that will hold a guy my size.) How much do you guys think it will finally go for? |
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Fed
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« Reply #18 on: February 14, 2005, 07:17 AM » |
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How much do you guys think it will finally go for?
I don't kow exact number but I am pretty sure it's not worth getting your wife angry... |
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B-cero
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« Reply #19 on: February 14, 2005, 11:54 AM » |
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Old bops are going for about $300 these days, more for the rare tumbas and super tumbas. The downside of the vintage drums is that the glue is brittle so the seems separate and need to be fixed also they often go out of round. But what tone! A "correct stand"? The gonbops basket style stand were pretty light weight, and didn't seem to evolve much, to my knowledge the vintage of the stand would be irrelevent...
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