These are "before" pictures of BFG Voss Bongos. (Voss, c.1949-85, W Germany). Most information online about this company comes from guitar forums. It's not clear whether they were makers or distributors. Evidently Tromsa made drums for Voss, at a time when Tromsa was located In Hamburg, W Germany. Despite their ragged look, these bongos are well made w/ 3 ply shells & 3 ply rings. The wrap is Black w/ tiny sparkles of Gold. The interior is painted Silver. They came w/ 2 broken calf heads. Sizes: 6 1/4"X 8" heads, both are 6 1/4" deep. Does anyone recognize this brand, lugs, round headed slot tension rods, or wrap as originating w/ Tromsa ?
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BFG Voss Bongos, made in West Germany
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Posted on 12 years ago
#1
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I've just come across a reference that mentions Tromsa as making drums for Voss, at a time when Tromsa was located in Hamburg, W Germany.
Posted on 12 years ago
#2
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The only other Voss drums I have seen had a small 4cmx1 1/2cm aluminum +black badge made by Tromsa and tacked on with 2 tacks, similar to a bunch of other badges made by Tromsa, including the Roxy ones familiar to North Americans. This looks like a sticker applied by VOSS after shipment. The style and finish of the drums points to the late 50's.
Tromsa never produced drums in Hamburg----they were always in Russelsheim. The Hamburg connection shows up on drums badged Roxy,where the owner of the Roxy trademark warehoused and distributed his various musical instruments from. Later Roxy badges say, Hamburg-Wandsbeck; which is a suburb of Hamburg.
The type of wrap on these was fairly common on German drums in the 50's. I have seen it on Tromsa, Sonor and Trixon. Trixon had two versions of it TX11 and Tx12 black with small silver spots and black with big silver spots. I don't know what Tromsa called it and they probably ordered it with gold spots instead.
Posted on 12 years ago
#3
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The Tromsa catalog 1957/58 had several bongo sets. The hoops, lugs & general shape seem to be exactly like those w/ the Voss decal. I've also seen these lugs on Roxy drums. (Thanks for your general information. These German brands are almost complete unknowns in The US).
Posted on 12 years ago
#4
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quote
... These German brands are almost complete unknowns in The US ...
unquote
Not only over the pond. I am from Germany - and have never heard of 'Voss' drums before, although I play drums (... well - I try to ...) since more than 35 years now.
When I hear 'Hamburg' it relates me to Trixon, always (but not all from Hamburg were Trixon's as I know/ assume ...)
Ralf
Vintage STAR (= Pre-Tama) website: www.star-drums.de
Posted on 12 years ago
#5
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