A Choice: Carribean Drum vs. Conga - My first drum..HELP!

[JimReef]

One of my good friends is in the Carribean and says there are some native drums over there strung with rope that cost $50.

My question: Is it better to buy a rope strung drum for the first time that is made with what they have there OR should I buy a conga with the metal lugs?

I have no experiance with rope tuned/strung drums or congas.

I will appreciate your opinions greatly.

[CongaTick]

The pros on this forum will wade in on this one, but my 2 centavos? If you want a conga (tumbadora), you will want one with solid metal tuning lugs and hardware that will allow you proper tensioning of the head. Rope-tuned drums are a feature of djembes and other ethnic (primarily African) instruments. You'll have to research and decide which you want to play. Pictures would be a help.

[Sakuntu]

You can always buy a conga-but how often will you have the oppertunity of buying a authentic caribbean rope tuned drum? As long as the drum is full sized (25-30 in tall with head diameter of 9-12in) I think its well worth 50 bucks. I own rope tension 2 Haitian tanbou drums. They sound good and look great. They aren't that hard to tune or maintain either.

If you are looking to get into hand drumming it would be good to have some different style drums to strengthen your technique. Each drum has its own voice, and where as some basic sounds may be the same (open slap etc...) how you approach those sounds will be different depending on the drum.

I say get the cool Afro carribbean drum. By the way, where in the carribbean is this drum coming from?

[JimReef]

Sakuntu & Congatick: thanks for the info.

I'll tell my friend to get me a rope strung drum since it's more authentic and tuning it will be an experiance.

btw..it's in Jamaica.