Meinl FWB190-LB The Marathon Designer Series Leopard Burl Bongo

Meinl FWB 190 LB Wood Bongo — Free Ride Suspension for Open, Resonant Tones

The Meinl FWB 190 LB is a wood bongo set from the Marathon Designer Series, pairing a 6.75" (171 mm) macho and an 8" (203 mm) hembra in a high-gloss Leopard Burl finish. The Free Ride Suspension System is the headline feature: instead of being tied together by a wooden center block, the two shells are joined at the lower rim, so each drum vibrates with greater freedom and projects a more open, resonant sound. This model suits beginners stepping into hand percussion as well as experienced players seeking a reliable secondary set.

What Sets the FWB 190 LB Apart

Two design choices make this bongo stand out. The Free Ride Suspension System is a patented Meinl approach that decouples the two shells for a fuller tone, and the hand-selected buffalo heads give every stroke a warm, organic attack. The 2.5 mm rounded SSR rims are comfortable on the hands during long sessions.

Construction, Hardware & Tuning

Shells are built from Siam Oak (Hevea brasiliensis), the same rubber wood widely used in quality hand percussion, chosen for density, tonal warmth and stability. Black powder-coated hardware and 8 mm strong tuning lugs keep the heads seated firmly, while the included L-shaped tuning key and tune-up oil let you make precise adjustments between sets.

• Material: Siam Oak (Hevea brasiliensis) — dense rubber wood for tonal warmth and stability
• Macho Diameter: 6.75" (171 mm)
• Hembra Diameter: 8" (203 mm) — the lower-pitched supporting drum
• Heads: Hand-selected buffalo — natural skin with warm, organic attack
• Connection: MEINL Free Ride Suspension System — shells joined at the lower rim, not a wooden block
• Tuning Lugs: 8 mm strong
• Rims: 2.5 mm rounded SSR — comfortable hand contact during long sessions
• Hardware: Black powder coated
• Includes: Accessory pouch, L-shaped tuning key, tune-up oil

Who Should Play the FWB 190 LB

The FWB 190 LB is the right choice for beginner and intermediate percussionists who want a real wood bongo with a traditional feel and a modern mounting system. It suits students working through their first exercises, singer-songwriters needing a compact rhythm instrument for live sets, and Latin or world-music players wanting a stylish, dependable bongo. Pair it with a Meinl bongo stand for seated players.