December 26, 2010

Isla Bata Drums

Isla bata drums are now available in mahogany and ziricote. Mahogany was the wood of choice for the original Afro-Cuban instruments and Isla is proud to offer bata drums made from this wood for a truly authentic sound available nowhere else.
Isla bata are made from carved staves which are glued together to form a single drum. Isla bata are not two drums fastened together. The shape of an Isla bata is taken directly from the Pablo Roche lineage of bata drums, whose dimensions and specifications were painstakingly recorded in Cuba for the purpose of reproduction. Isla's mission is to offer the most authentic aberikula bata drums for a truly authentic sound.
Isla is also offering ziricote bata,  made from the prized tone wood ziricote which is not only beautiful in appearance but also sound. These bata have the same true and authentic Cuban sound that Isla Percussions drums are known for and Isla is proud to offer them as one of the two new woods available at our new location in Belize. Handmade by Musicians and for Musicians.
Not only is Isla the sole bata maker to offer mahogany and ziricote bata, Isla is also the only drum maker to offer skins tanned in house intended solely for bata drums. Skins are the important second half of any drum. Isla is a company of musicians and applies passion for music and musical experience towards the choice and development of skins. This is the embodiment of the meaning behind Isla's motto; "by Musicians and for Musicians."
Ziricote wood is an option for bata when ziricote wood supplies are available. All hardware is stainless steel. See our price list for more information.

December 5, 2010

Isla Percussions

Exciting new work from Isla percussions. Check out our ziricote congas and ziricote bongos.

New Ziricote Congas

The latest from Isla Percussions, ziricote congas with our own tanned in house skins. These ziricote congas are made from the prized tone wood ziricote which is not only beautiful in appearance but also sound. These congas have the same true and authentic Cuban sound that Isla Percussions drums are known for and Isla is proud to offer them as one of the two new woods available at our new location in Belize. Handmade by Musicians and for Musicians.
Not only is Isla the sole drum maker to offer the rare and beautiful tone wood ziricote, Isla is also the only drum maker to offer skins tanned in house intended solely for our drums. The skins are purpose picked and tanned to offer the best and finest drum skin available.

 Ziricote wood is an option for congas when ziricote wood supplies are available. All hardware is stainless steel. See our price list for more information.

New Ziricote Bongos

The latest from Isla Percussions, ziricote bongos with our own tanned in house skins. These ziricote bongos feature a 5 lugged macho and are made from the prized tone wood ziricote which is not only beautiful in appearance but also sound. The bongos have the same true and authentic Cuban sound that Isla's bata and congas are known for and Isla is proud to offer them as part of our expanded drum line up. Made by Musicians and for Musicians.
See our price list for more information.

July 8, 2010

Hardware


Isla Percussions hardware is all handmade using stainless steel and aluminum for strength and corrosion resistance.

July 6, 2010

Skins

   Isla Percussions is now selecting and tanning skins for all our drums. Hides are carefully and purposefully selected for our instruments and then processed to achieve the best musical results. What this means is we have eliminated hides made for a different purpose. Every decision is made with the purpose of providing the best sounding drum skins. Skins will be tanned for the best results and the correct thickness will be chosen for the size or type of drum; bongos, quinto, conga, tumba, bata. Every Isla Percussions drum will have purpose tanned and chosen skins for the best musical sound. Made by musicians for musicians.

May 14, 2010

Current Progress


The latest from Isla Percussisons. Mahogany congas and Mahogany and Ziricote bongos with hardware and skins ready to ship. Click on the images for the close up.

April 11, 2010

Works in Progress

     
        A few recent  shots of Ziricote congas, and some claves being made in the new Isla Percussions factory. Isla Percussions is in the process of tanning our own hides for drum skins, eliminating the middle man and bringing the highest standards to the tanning process for our instruments. Skinned drums with the latest hardware soon to come. Stay tuned for updates. These are very exciting times for Isla Percussions as we develop the latest in Afro-Cuban percussion instruments from select tropical  hardwoods for discerning and discriminating percussionists worldwide.

March 7, 2010

Claves


Isla Percussions is offering Cuban style claves made from select tropical hardwood. These are the claves with the larger hollow hembra and the smaller solid macho. This style of clave gives the most authentic sound for rumba y guaguanco.

Isla Percussions claves are $35.00 a set.

March 2, 2010

Made by Musicians for Musicians

We take pride in making affordable authentic Afro-Cuban instruments including bata, congas and bongos. Our drums are known for the best sound available in today’s market, and we are the only manufacturer offering Honduran Mahogany, for the most authentic sound. Mahogany was the choice of wood for the original vintage congas in Cuba and provides the rich, authentic sound heard on vintage records and original recordings from Cuba. No other wood provides the character of Mahogany. At Isla Percussions this sound is everything

Each stave of our drums is completely carved from solid wood, making our drums unique and durable. Our hardware is constructed of stainless steel and air-craft aluminum.

Most importantly, Isla Percussions drums are designed by ear, made by hand and made by musicians for musicians!

March 1, 2010

Ziricote Bongos


     Isla Percussions is developing bongos out of the incredible Ziricote wood (Cordia dodecandra). Ziricote is a prized wood for instruments and it is particularly suited for bongos due to the hardness of the wood. One of the most beautiful of tone woods, Ziricote is also very rare and expensive, even in it's native country; Belize. The beauty and sound of this wood makes for some very special instruments, which for the disriminating musician will be worth the extra expense. This wood is available for all Isla Percussions instruments whenever it is available.


February 20, 2010

Bongos: Sizes, Prices and Shipping.


Isla Percussions' bongos are made by musicians for musicians.
To Isla Percussions the sound means everything!

Isla Percussions bongos will feature a 7" macho and a 9" hembra

All hardware is stainless steel.

$650 Caribbean Rosewood staved bongos.

$450 Honduran Mahogany staved bongos

$700 Ziricote staved bongos

Ziricote wood will be an option for bongas when Ziricote wood supplies are available.


Contact Isla Percussion to order bongos

Bata: Sizes, Prices and Shipping.


Isla Percussions' stave constructed bata drums are based on the original Pablo Roche style bata from Cuba.

Isla Percussions bata drums are designed by ear and made by hand, by musicians and for musicians.

Okonkolo - 5˝ Cha / 7˝ Enu = $380 Honduran Mahogany,
$500 Caribbean Rosewood, $700 Ziricote

Itotele - 5 3/4˝ Cha / 8˝ Enu = $480 Honduran Mahogany,
$590 Caribbean Rosewood, $790 Ziricote

Iya - 6 1/2˝ Cha / 13˝ Enu = $580 Honduran Mahogany,
$700 Caribbean Rosewood, $900 Ziricote

Discounted shipping varies by location.
All hardware is stainless steel.
All bata drums are available in Honduran Mahogany.
Ziricote wood is an option for bata drums when Ziricote wood supplies are available.

Contact Isla Percussion to order bata

Congas: Sizes, Prices and Shipping.


Isla Percussions' congas are made by musicians for musicians.
To Isla Percussions the sound means everything!

Isla Percussions congas come in the following sizes:

Requinto – 9” diameter, 30” tall = $450 for Honduran Mahogany, $550 for Caribbean Rosewood, $750 for Ziricote.

Quinto – 10 1/2" diameter, 30” tall = $550 for Honduran Mahogany, $650 for Caribbean Rosewood, $850 Ziricote.

Conga – 11 3/4” diameter, 30” tall = $650 for Honduran Mahogany, $750 for Caribbean Rosewood, $950 Ziricote.

Tumba – 13” diameter, 30” tall = $750 for Honduran Mahogany, $850 for Caribbean Rosewood, $1050 Ziricote.

Super Tumba – 15” diameter, 30” tall = $950 for Honduran Mahogany, $1,200 for Ziricote

Discounted shipping varies by location.
All hardware is stainless steel.
All congas available in Honduran Mahogany.
Ziricote wood is an option for congas when ziricote wood supplies are available.

Contact Isla Percussion to order congas 

Ziricote


    In addition to Honduran Mahogany, Isla Percussions will be making instruments from the highly figured and beautiful Ziricote wood (Cordia dodecandra). Beautiful in appearance and sound, Ziricote has been used in custom guitars and other fine instruments for years. Isla Percussions is now pleased to offer their percussion instruments and drums in this fine tone wood.

    Ziricote is rare and very difficult to obtain, even in Belize. We offer this wood for all our instruments  when it is available. Please contact Isla Percussions to inquire about Ziricote and its current availabilty and supply.



 


Contact and Orders

Isla Percussions can be contacted at the following U.S. telephone number and email address for all information, questions and orders regarding Isla Percussions instruments.
(772)-418-8131

mariopunchard@yahoo.com

Instruments made by Isla Percussions.


  Isla Percussions is passionate about making authentic Afro Cuban instruments. All our instruments are designed by ear and made by hand. Providing a rich traditional and authentic sound, Isla Percussions will be making conga drums, bata drums and now bongos in the Central American country of Belize with the select hardwoods Honduran Mahogany and Ziricote.

Honduran Mahogany

     Isla Percussions is the sole percussion company offering hand made drums made with Honduran Mahogany (swietenia humilis). This highly sought after and rare wood was the traditional wood of choice for congas in Cuba. Selected from several species of wood during the early development of the instrument, Isla Percussions is proud to present the return of the Afro Cuban instruments made from mahogany, providing the truest, most authentic sound and an unsurpassed appearance.

Isla Percussions New Location - Belize


     Isla Percussions has now moved its production facilities to the Central American thcountry of Belize, formerly known as Brisish Honduras. Isla Percussions intense passion for sound necessitated a move to Belize in order to have access to the finest woods.