The MB202H NT bongo set from Thomann's in-house brand Millenium offers authentic Latin American musical flair at a fair price. Crafted from solid birch wood, these bongos are an ideal option for beginners learning the basic playing techniques, while the shell hardware ensures smooth tuning of the natural heads, even under high tension. With the handy tuning key included here, achieving the bright, high-pitched tones typical of salsa music is easy.
The Millenium bongos, featuring a visually appealing amber finish, are crafted from high-quality birch staves in the classic barrel construction, with shells that taper slightly towards the base. The two shells are connected by a simple wooden bridge, as is traditional, while the mostly black-lacquer finish hardware – lugs and hoops – pairs with chrome-plated tension screws to create a clean, understated aesthetic. Rubber caps on the screw nuts are a practical touch, preventing scratches when the bongos are placed on delicate surfaces.
Given its extremely affordable price, the Millenium MB202H NT bongo set is primarily designed for beginners and students, making this set ideal for both private use and music education in schools. The sound quality is sufficient for learning the basics and building confidence, with open and muffled beats – whether played with the index finger or the whole hand – clearly distinguishable, which helps simplify the learning of playing techniques. For those seeking to enhance the instrument later on, the bongos can easily be upgraded by fitting higher-quality heads.
Millenium is one of Thomann's in-house brands and has been an integral part of the store's range since 1995. More than 800 products – from drums and percussion through to accessories such as microphone stands, racks, and recording workstations – bear the Millenium label. These products are made by renowned companies who also manufacture products for other well-known brands. Since they are imported directly from the factory without any further distributors or sales companies, they can be sold at particularly attractive prices. Incidentally, one in every four Thomann customers has already purchased at least one Millenium product.
To achieve the correct playing position, right-handed players hold the bongos between their legs, with the smaller drum, the "macho", on the left and the larger "hembra" on the right; the drumheads are angled slightly away from the body. The "macho" should sit slightly higher to allow comfortable access to both drums while leaning forward. Left-handed players simply reverse this setup. Unlike congas, bongos are typically played with the index fingers, although the "hembra" is often struck with the whole hand as well. A good starting point for beginners is the standard bongo rhythm known as the "Martillo".