Multi purpose set up - Fill in musician

[DjembeDjedi]

I would like to get some advice on making a set up for playing mostly top 40 music, old and new, mixed in with other music. I am into the band/bar scene as a fill in musician. I play Mandolin, Banjo, Acoustic and Electric guitars for bands when they call me to add spice to the performance. I want to add a percussion set up for songs like Jimmy Buffett all the way to Gloria Estefan. I am researching Congas right now and would like to get some advice on anything that might help me at a gig. I am not interested in showing off, I just want to get'r done. Tambourines, Shakers, Blocks, Bells, Drums, what do you think I should have?

[CongaTick]

DjembeDjedi,

We do a lot of bar/club scene gigs. For your purposes would suggest a single fiberglass conga. Fiberglass will produce a sound that will help cut through the noise levels found in those venues. Shakers would be good, though I've found the best ones to be homemade rather than store bought. A PLASTIC container you can hold in one hand with beans or peas in it will give you more volume and snap than any of the store bought eggs/etc. Have also found that a guiro (gourd with scraper) is an excellent percussion addition. Unusual, cool, and will get the attention, while adding a great sound to your sets. Check site threads for conga brands, etc. Good luck.

[slapadrum]

A Djembe would mix well with some of the modern music dave mathews band and the like I would recomend a remo 12" if you go that route.And as far as a guiro I have a lp plastic one it sounds good and is durable.If you like maracas I would reccomend lp matador the plastic shell type they have good volume and are rugged.For gigging I tend to stick with as tough a setup as I can get.I play with a modern praise and worship band and some of the people that help us load are nice but not carefull.I hope I have been helpfull.

[DjembeDjedi]

I am presently thinking about using one conga, two bongos, a shekere, claves, a couple of different cowbells, some chimes, maracas, ocean drum, wind whistle, maybe some timbales, triangle, guiro, tambourines, wood blocks, a mandolin, two acoustic guitars, one electric guitar and a banjo. That should cover most stuff. Did I leave anything out?

[CongaTick]

Nope. That should pretty much cover it, though Slapadrum's suggestion regarding the djembe is an excellent one. Just added a Remo 16" to my conga setup and it is a house full of percussion.

[DjembeDjedi]

Would you rather have a Djembe or a Conga? I was also thinking about using one great conga or two good congas, I am wondering which way to go. Money is not really an object but if I could get two good congas for the price of one giovanni would that be better? Should I get a set of timbales also? Basically I would rather buy the right thing now instead of getting something now and moving up later.

[slapadrum]

Thats a tough question but a good one but one only you can answer.It really depends on the music styles you are playing.Offhand I would say congas BUT if money is not that big of an option and if you are playing standing up anyway check out the remo ngoma.

http://www.music123.com/Remo-Pe....7.music

This does not require a stand and has a similar timbre to a djembe.I have a 12 and a 16 remo djembe I use these about 50% of the time.
However most of the djembe stands on the market stink I have made my own basket stands wich work well this is why I mentioned the ngoma.
If you do have to make a choice go congas.

happy drumming
chris