Building conga advice needed

... all the messages not related to the above forums have to be posted here: Thanks!

Postby jura » Wed Jun 01, 2005 9:01 am

Heya, heya,

I am going to build my own conga drums (from scratch) and I didnt find any usefull web page related to this. Measures and so on. So I hope that here will be any good soul which can help me. Please a link to conga building page will be very usefull. Thanks in advance.

Jura
jura
 
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Location: Czech Republic

Postby Isaac » Sat Jun 04, 2005 5:18 am

Hi Jura, welcome to the group. My mother was born in your
country.
Have you tried meeting any Coopers
or barrell makers in your area. This would be a good place to start to learn how to bend the wood and put the barrel
together. What kind of wood are you thinking of using.
You should consider the sound qualities of the wood and
is it prone to cracking if bent too much.
Stage two involves using a lathe to shape the barrell.
Also consider the design and contour. You may want to make
some drafts or autocad drawings. The subtleties of the
shape, the fatness and position of the belly, the finish
of the top edge are all things to experiment with.
I've only done some conga repairs but have watched others
make them at JCR (I'm their Rep) and am awed by their
craftsmanship. I also went several times many years ago to watch another master - Jay Bereck of Skin on Skin. Check out the website of Sol Percussion, and Moperc to see some innovative conga designs, and also Volcano Percussion.
The steel hardware and welding is the next level for
the rims, etc. Finally some good cow or steer or mule skin. It's quite an ambitious project and I wish you the best of
luck. Let us know how your project develops.
send me an email and I may find some pictures for you.

funkytradition@yahoo.com

Isaac Gutwilik
Percussionist / Rep. JCR Percussion Co.
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