Meinl Artist Series William "Kachiro" Thompson Signature Bongos (Blue)

Meinl's Artist Series bongos bear William "Kachiro" Thompson's signature ,  the Puerto Rican conga and bongo virtuoso whose studio and touring credits span decades of Latin and contemporary music. These drums are built for the demands of a working musician: a 7" and 8" pair in New Zealand pine with a resonance-shaping area engineered to produce the tonal depth and projection Thompson needs across recording sessions and live stages. Construction centres on New Zealand pine shells paired with REMO Black Calfskin Skyndeep heads, a synthetic that handles humidity and temperature swings without the maintenance of traditional skin. The 8 mm tuning lugs are substantially thicker than entry-level drums, allowing fine tension control across the range. Chrome-plated hardware resists corrosion, and the 3 mm rounded SSR rim protects the shell edge while contributing to tonal clarity. The Blue Wave finish is both durable and visually distinct ,  these sit apart on a stage or in a studio corner. Features  7" and 8" paired drums in New Zealand pine wood REMO Black Calfskin Skyndeep synthetic heads 8 mm thick tuning lugs for precision tension adjustment 3 mm rounded SSR rim protects shell and enhances tone Chrome-plated hardware resists tarnish and corrosion Resonance Shaping Area optimises projection and sustain Blue Wave finish resists scratches and UV fading William "Kachiro" Thompson Artist Series signature spec