Compact Conga (or what?)

[dvon]

Hi guys,

Well, as I wrote before, I've just arrived at New York. Right now I'm trying to see if I get used to NY prices, and to see if I can afford a good set of congas. Any suggestions of where can I look for good (affordable congas) are welcomed.

But that isn't really my question. I had a set of Aspires back in Colombia, which I (happily) sold before coming (I´ll be at least 5 years here), and I'd love to get a good set of congas here. Before I can save (or decide to stop eating for some weeks), I'm considering buying one Compact Conga so that I can keep on playing in the meanwhile.

Does it sound like a good deal? I've seen that LPs Compact Conga is (not surprisingly) cheaper than any buyable (that's a translation for fairly decent) conga I can afford, but I'm not sure if it's a good deal: the other alternative is save some more money, and start buy buing a single tumbadora, maybe a used one. (By the way, anyone knows for good places to start looking for used or new congas in New York? I guess that there should be a lot, but I still haven´t found any instrument stores).

Thanks for your advice!

[drumtramp65]

Try Ebay for a great deal on used or new congas. http://www.ebay.com

[mco]

Dvon,
I would rather have an LP compact conga than no conga at all, if nothing else just to keep my chops up. I take mine with me on vacations and trips for just that purpose.

As far as music stores in New York go, you'll find the same big chain stores with the same inventory that you find elsewhere in the country (i.e Sam Ash, Guitar Center). Manny's, once a NY institution, is now owned by Sam Ash and more less carries the same stuff as the other stores. Drummer's World on 46th Street is, IMHO, the most interesting music store in NY, with a wider selection of congas than the other stores. In my experience, their prices aren't competative, unfortunately. I haven't been to Casa Latina uptown. If you can make it over to NJ, my favorite store for all things percussion is O'Dibella's Music on 456 South Washington Avenue in Bergenfield. They have a decent selection of LP, Toca, Pearl, Meinl percussion. They may have some used congas in-store. In addition, they have a wide array of ancillary percussion. Among the items I've purchase from O'Dibella's: handmade all-rawhide maracas made in Colombia, Cabello hand-made caxixi and agogos (they have a great selection), Vaughncraft woodblocks, surdo mallets, bombo sticks,and UFIP bells.
O'Dibella's is a bit of a drive from my house, so I've purchased most of my drums from Ritchie's Music in Rockaway, NJ. Their prices are very competative, and they can usually match or beat prices from Guitar Center, Sam Ash, or the internet. Ritchie's carry LP, Toca, Meinl, and Pearl. Their inventory isn't that big, but they are very good about ordering items in. LP items usually get there in a week.
Good luck.

[mco]

Dvon,
Let me add that Steve Weiss Music (http://www.steveweissmusic.com) often has some great bargains on hand drums in the "bargain basement" section of their website. For instance, they are offering a set of Pearl Primero Congas with a stand for only $279.99!! Granted, they are 10 and 11 inches, but I would check out their site from time to time to look for other sales.
http://www.steveweissmusic.com/catalog....add36a.

Their service is impeccable. I have received smaller percussion items the very next day after ordering using standard shipping.

[dvon]

MCO and DRUMTRAMP65,

Thanks for the advice. I will read carefully your suggestions mco. Thanks for taking the time to write that stuff.

Good luck!

[EDSEG6ES]

TRY CRAIGSLIST OR GUITAR CENTER OR EBAY BUT A COMPACT CONGA IS PROBABLY THE CHEAPEST WAY TO GO IT SOUNDS COOL TOO.

[fred el-pulpo]

maybe in the pawn shops...it's generally cheap,i saw many congas in these places in new york a few years ago.

[Firebrand]

i'd absolutely second and THIRD the recommendation to check Ebay. A good set of congas will last you a lifetime, or most of your professional career, as long as you protect them with bags during gig travel. Why waste money on intermediate "temporary" congas, when you can pay for a good set, and make that money back in 3-4 gigs.

Don't EVEr pay full price of $1200+ for most 3 conga sets. I've never met any professional gigging conguero that has. most have found great deals.

I got my 3 LP Classic congas for $650 on Ebay, great condition
I got my 3 LP Fiberglass Patato Valdez for $640.00 on ebay, great condition.

For the SALE price on any online store for ONE set of LP Congas, I got two sets. I'm sure you can too.

If you're not too wedded to the LP sound (I like it), you could try other companies like Meinl and see if they have cheaper prices. Bottom line: any professional conga company will produce a quality conga set, and when you're gigging with bands, most of the time, they will give you a quality sound that will fit in most settings. To be safe, most of the players I see play Meinl or LP (mostly LP, but some Meinl) and they NEVEr sound bad in gigs. I've even seen some people playing LP Aspire congas and they "do the gig" (althoug aspire's don't have the full tone of professional congas).

Wanna go with a safe, versatile set, for modern and traditional playing settings? I'd recommend LP Classic model. I had Giovanni hidalgo play my set, he loved the tone, and he played modern salsa to abakwa bembe rhythms at a concert, and nobody complained (but then again...it was Giovanni playing :p )

Don't go for a bad deal on Ebay...be patient. You WILL find a good deal...wait for it. I did, and I'm happy.



Edited By Firebrand on 1130174759