by Isaac Gutwilik
Tradicion Percussion / Percussionist / Instrument Design /
Authorized Rep. JCR Percussion

Once in a while a rare percussion treasure can be found on ebay. A lot of sellers use the word "vintage" to attract sales to their item. This does not necessarily mean that much.  If it's Vintage it should have an old label shown, or some of the identifiable unique hardware designs. Some of the older pieces may have cracks and are in bad need of new heads. Consider the real costs of these repairs. Be sure to ask a few questions.  If you get no answer, stay away.  If you're handy with some carpentry skills, that's a big plus. A good repair project can be very rewarding and even therapeutic for some individuals with the proper tools and workspace. Be wary of sellers with no feedback or too many negative feedbacks.  Sometimes good older percussion items end up being sold by people who know nothing about what they're selling. (They often incorrectly refer to them as Congos or large "African" Bongos)  They may be sitting on a treasure. 

Here are some questions to ask: for bongos, does the hardware still fit? Wood will always shrink over time, rendering the hardware or bands too loose. Replacement lugs are easy to obtain to replace rusted or abused old ones. Head diameters are often incorrectly measured, for example, and the age & type of wood may be unknown.   Be sure to ask about cracks. If the crack is on a seam line, it can be repaired with the proper glues and clamps.  A crack that runs at an angle however may be more of a problem, but any problem can be addressed if you're able to do it or pay someone else with experience.  For steel bands, welding may be required. There may also be a need for an internal steel alma ring to reinforce and put a drum back in "round" if it's been warped. Cracks in other areas can be dealt with but the sound of the drum may never be the same.  In any case, always ask the questions beforehand. It usually takes a minimum of 7 years of solid welding experience for a welder to artistically
repair bongos or congas. It's more challenging than the wood repairs. Many older fiberglass congas may also be
considered vintage. Fiberglass repair kits are cheap, come with easy instructions and available at Lowes or Home Depot, etc.

For vintage bells, similar questions should be asked - any cracks, rust, does the mounting bracket still work?  For timbales - are they still in round? are the lugs lubricated or stripped? Are there undamaged skins?  Very important - is there a stand?  A new stand can cost 1/2 the price of an entirely new set ! Why people buy or sell timbales without stands I'll never understand. Each set has it's own specific mounting system, so you'll be searching for a particular stand which may be next to impossible to find. Older Timbales also had no mounting brackets for bells, so you'll need to get
an attachable mounting rod.

If a piece has no cracks, investing in a new set of skins like calf, steer or the best - top of the line imported mule skins will elevate any drum' sound. Some humid climates or working situations may call for a synthetic head...which isn't a vintage sound but very practical on the road.  Many pros have more than one set just for different performance styles or performance spaces, or recording.  The skin is a major part of your instrument's sound and old skins usually will sound lifeless.  Rest assured, the mules are not killed for skinning, but culled from the old retired work animals which are abundantly used in traditional mountain farming regions. They are available on a very limited basis only twice a year. . . . Thicker skins also enhance fiberglass congas, eliminating some of the ringing tones. The newer stock asian water buffalo skins on todays mass produced congas & bongos may be OK for beginners, but are not the way to go for a true vintage sound. The sounds they produce are not the authentic ones, and will not do justice to a wood handcrafted instrument.   For an authentic sound experience, new players should listen to some old school players like Mongo Santamaria or Tito Puente to hear what I'm talking about! Vintage isn't just a matter of looks or style - it's also a quality of sound that's hard to find new in a stores or online today.  He is required listening for the beignner player. I wish you luck if your an aspiring player or an experienced player & collector. 

A well made percussion instrument from an old artisan - priceless. ( They deserve their own Mastercard commercial !-)

~ ISAAC GUTWILIK ~ (ebay id: tradicion-percussion) is a Percussionist in the New York area, runs TRADICION PERCUSSION SALES/ Auth. Rep. for JCR Percussion   (formerly called funky tradition )
for the past 5 years.   email: jcrpercussion@gmail.com  or tradicionpercussion@gmail.com   regarding any purchase inquiries or advice.