Meinl FWB190-SNT The Marathon Designer Series Super Natural Bongo

Meinl FWB 190 SNT — Wood Bongos for the Ambitious Beginner

The Meinl FWB 190 SNT is a two-drum wood bongo set from Meinl's Marathon series, sized at 6.75" (171 mm) macho and 8" (203 mm) hembra. Built for ambitious beginners and players who want an affordable second set, it pairs rubber wood shells with hand-selected buffalo heads and the brand's patented Free Ride Suspension System. The Super Natural finish keeps the look understated on stage, while the included L-shaped tuning key and Tune Up Oil mean the drums arrive ready to play straight from the box.

What Sets the Marathon Series Apart

At the heart of this set is the Free Ride Suspension System: by isolating the two shells from the connecting block, each drum resonates more freely and produces a clearer, more open tone than traditional block-mounted designs. Hand-selected buffalo heads add the natural skin feel that synthetic heads cannot match, while 8 mm strong tuning lugs and rounded SSR-Rims keep tuning stable and the rim comfortable during long sessions.

Technical Specifications — Built for Tone and Stability

Shell material, head selection, and hardware geometry together define how a bongo set sounds and feels. The Marathon series pairs these elements to deliver a focused, warm voice with reliable tuning.

• Shell Material: Rubber Wood (Hevea brasiliensis Muell.-Arg.) — dense and acoustically stable, giving each drum a warm, rounded fundamental.
• Heads: Hand Selected Buffalo — natural skin chosen for even tension across the playing surface.
• Tuning Lugs: 8 mm strong — heavy-duty lugs that hold pitch through aggressive playing.
• Rims: rounded SSR-Rims — smooth profile that protects the hands during extended sessions.
• Hardware: Black powder coated — durable finish that resists wear from transport and stage use.

Who the FWB 190 SNT Is Built For

Ambitious beginners stepping into Latin hand percussion will find this set a natural fit, especially those who want a real wood shell rather than a plastic starter kit. Intermediate players looking for an affordable second pair for the rehearsal room or as a reliable backup on smaller gigs will also appreciate the durable hardware and forgiving tuning range. Music teachers and drum circle facilitators benefit from the included accessory pouch for transport and the stable tuning that holds up under student use.