PRODUCTS
This is a preview of two of our products. Please contact us for more information on availability of these and future products.
Natural
Ebony
USA Pro Bongos
Made in the USA
Tradition
The Sol USA Pro Bongo has a pedigree like no other set of bongos. Its roots reach back to one of the first percussion brands made in the USA, and all of the design aspects that contributed to the legendary musicality have been incorporated into our new handmade bongos along with everything else we’ve learned along the way. If you are familiar with the previous generation of Sol bongos, you will recognize several features: a 7" Macho drum and an 8.5" Hembra - both 6” tall; our signature bearing edge bevel; half-inch, half-round top rings for playing comfort; compact hardware; and solid-stave hardwood construction.
Wood
Red oak is standard on these bongos, but we don't buy into the idea that you can have any kind of wood you want as long as it is Red Oak. Quite to the contrary, we at Sol feel that it is time for percussionists to have options. Because we make these drums in the USA and can run smaller batches, we can take advantage of the availability of a variety of great hardwoods. Some may be only available for a limited time so if you are interested, check back regularly or sign up for our product news emails.
Something Completely New
The Sol USA Pro Bongo set has a completely re-designed center block system that sets it apart. Most bongo sets use a 2-bolt, through-and-through center block system that, as it loosens over time, can allow the set to twist. Also, the two-bolt system puts a lot of stress on the drum shells making them susceptible to cracking. Sol's new system sets the center block into the body of the drum and then uses a single, short bolt and set-nut combination on each side to lock it into place. This virtually assures that the set won't twist on you during a performance and greatly reduces the torque required to lock the drums into place. It also assures that the playing surfaces of the two drums are even, level and placed very close together. The net result is better durability, playability, speed and comfort.
Heads
Sol's USA Pro Bongos come standard with Remo tucked synthetic heads - valued by pros for their stability and consistent sound when playing live, no matter the location or climate. For a small additional charge, we will hand fit your bongos with traditional rawhide heads. When doing this we use a cowhide head on the Hembra and a horsehide head on the Macho. Valued for their melodic tone and subtle nuance of sound, rawhide heads are more susceptible to the environment. As such, this option is best suited for more critical situations such as the studio or live recording.
USA Pro Cajon
Made in the USA
Design
Designed by Akbar Moghaddam and built by Sol Percussion in Southern California, the Sol USA Pro Cajon is the culmination of months of prototyping, testing, and refining. Our first proprietary handmade cajon design packs several innovations into one box. Every detail, from the wood selection to how we attach the feet to the number and placement of the face screws has been meticulously thought out and vetted. At its core, it is a Flamenco-style cajon made from high-grade, Baltic Birch plywood. This particular material was chosen because, unlike most plywoods, it uses hardwood (birch) for both the finish plies and the core, which produces a more rigid body. The net result is a cajon that projects rather than absorbs the sound.
Sound
For most cajons, there is very little you can do to modify the sound - you get what you get. That all changes with the Sol USA Pro Cajon thanks to our internal baffle system. There are 2 sets of parallel vertical grooves on the inside of the cajon: one set towards the playable side and one towards the resonant side. These grooves hold our internal, adjustable sound baffles (one baffle included with each cajon). The baffle is concave and can be moved from top to bottom. The cajon responds to even subtle changes in the position of the baffle which allows fine tuning of the sound - perfect for critical situations like the recording studio.
Snare
Another important innovation is our snare design. The wires on the USA Pro Cajon are unique, 8 level, coiled, horizontal snare strands plus a single strand placed in each of the top corners at a 45 degree angle to hold the snare harness in place and to enhance the overall sound. The snare wires are stretched behind the front panel and are replaceable. The net result is a snare sound that is responsive, easy to control, and free of unwanted overtones.
Features
Other design features include: Scalloped front panel improves playability and comfort Anti-slip; adjustable swivel feet allow the player to tip the cajon back more securely; swivel feet are secured with an internal nut that prevents them from loosening over time; front plate screws are positioned for optimal sound adjustment.