Hi Jeff,
 
You are right, there would be a difference.  Akbar, by the way, now is ( I think
still is) making Gon Bops congas and percussion.  Gon Bops was bought up by Drum
Workshop, and thanks to Akbar, revived.  Their website used to (maybe still
does) exactly illustrate the straight staves being bent inside progressive steel
hoops.
 
I will ask him about the difference next time I see him, probably at the
Musikmesse.
 
Cheers,
Bill




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