I bought a pair of bongos by impulse while browsing guitar center ($90 discounted to $40). I have never played them. I don't play the drums either. Or percussion. Yeah...
I think I got the tuning right on the hembra, but the macho keeps sounding very flat, as if I'm permanently muting it with the other hand, or if I'm drumming on Tupperware. There's no resonance like in the big one.
I'm afraid to keep on tightening it and ruin the hide. The lug nuts have gotten pretty stiff to turn, harder than the hembra's. Is that normal?
Edit: forgot to mention the pitch is rather dark. I wanted a higher pitch. I understand shell material and construction and head material will limit what tone I can achieve, but it doesn't sound right to me. I was looking to emulate the bright sounds at the intro to Your Latest Trick by Dire Straits (the live version has it).