Our Buying Guide for Picking a Bongo
All those who are into music will probably want a drum set. No doubt that drum sets are an excellent option for bands, but they are heavy and unwieldy to carry. If you also feel that these drums are unsuitable for portability, you can choose bongo drums instead. Bongos are not like regular drums but are equally fun to play. As these bongos come in small sizes, people prefer them due to ease of portability. You can enjoy a range of musical tones with bongos, but surely the tone will not be the same as the original drums.
Once you start looking for a set of bongo drums, you'll come across various features and models. Thus, finding the perfect one can be overwhelming, and this is where we jump to your rescue.
What Should I Look For in a Bongo Drum?
Size
The main purpose of buying a bongo drum is that it is easier to manage and carry than a drum set. Thus, when buying a bongo drum, pay close attention to the size and weight. Although bongos are always smaller in size than drums, some can weigh a lot more than your expectation. The average size of the best bongo should range somewhere between five and eight inches. Furthermore, if you are planning to buy a bongo for a kid, it is best to find the one that weighs less than two pounds. Adult-sized bongos can range from eight to thirteen pounds.
Material
After checking the size, you should inspect the material closely. The bongo shells are typically made from wood, but you may also come across varieties made from siam oak. Rarely, some manufacturers use resin or metal to make the drum shells too. The most crucial thing to see is making the bongo head from natural materials to ensure durability.
Features
Checking what features the bongo comes with ensures that you get what you paid for. The best bongos will come with a tuning wrench so you can adjust the tightness of the head according to the required beat. It is smart to look for bongos accompanied by additional accessories like a carrying case that makes it easy to transport the instrument. Furthermore, a carry case is also suitable for storage as it protects the drum shell from any damage. For those people who are looking forward to playing the bongo drums at a large gathering, they can also look for shoulder straps and waist straps.
Deciding Based on Your Skill Level
Experts recommend that you should always get a musical instrument according to your skillset. You can sometimes get a gear slightly above your skills, so you have considerable room for growth. However, it is not advisable to get a bongo set for experts while you have just begun your journey in music.
Like how you don't buy adult-sized clothes for a toddler, you should not purchase musical instruments that are way above your skills. It will just make it difficult for you to manage and handle the set.
If you are a beginner and have recently established a path on your journey in music, you will want to pursue a bongo drum as it is easy to play and smaller in size, making it easy to manage. Furthermore, it would help if you bought the bongo drum at a lower price. As you slowly enhance your skills, you can look for more expensive bongos, and the features that come with them will increase simultaneously.
On the other hand, if you are an expert, you can look for some of the most expensive bongos with the best quality. You can dig into advanced features as you already have command over the required skills. Professional bongos are made with the most resilient material that is guaranteed to last for decades.
What Should I Look For in a Beginner Bongo?
Condition of the drumhead
Drumheads are replaceable, but if your bongo costs merely seventy dollars, then it will be insignificant to replace the drum heads as they will cost more than the whole bongo. Thus, when buying a bongo for a beginner level, make sure that the drumhead is in perfect condition and does not have any defects in the skin. The weak skin of a drumhead is a major problem of bongos. It is also important to note that aberrations and grooves in animal skin are common, so they are not an issue, but weak skin can tear the drumhead in no time.
Quality of the drumhead
While you cannot expect the most excellent quality in a bongo drum with the lowest price, still you can expect it to be reliable for a certain period. Thick drumheads result in a dull and flat sound that is not usually appealing to the ears. Hence, it is best to look for drumheads with thinner skin. Secondly, you need to make sure that the consistency of the drumhead is even all over the place and does not have any bumps.
Quality of hardware
The tuning lungs are an essential part of the bongo; it is not wrong to say that they are the instrument's heart. If these tuning lungs bow down or bend over, then your bongos will ultimately become useless. Closely examine the rim and make sure that it is even, and then look at the bottom of the ring to figure out its strength.
Shell construction
If you are planning to buy wood bongos, then it is best to look inside the drum. Bongos are generally made with the help of regular slats that are glued together. You need to closely check that there is no unevenness or gap in the slats as it can put you in a lot of trouble.
Some Buyers Also Ask
Q. Is it possible to tune a bongo drum?
A. Yes, if you buy a bongo with a tuning wrench, you can comfortably tune it. It is important to see that the head of the bongo stretches before you play.
Q. What is the best way to store a bongo?
A. Storing a bongo is a crucial process because there are many delicate parts, such as the head. Secondly, you should store the bongo drum away from direct sunlight and apply the drum oil regularly.
Q. Is the bongo drum replacement for regular drums?
A. No, it is not a replacement but can be used as a substitute due to size convenience.