California Congas (and bongos, etc)

[ABAKUA]

Found that post...

Anybody have info on King congas? Are they being manufactured?

Website: http://www.kingconga.com


From their Facebook page:

Company Overview:
King Conga™ was a legendary Fremont, California based percussion manufacturing company founded by Cirilo "Mitch" Basas in the mid 1960's. They were one of the first companies to produce fiberglass congas and although the company was only around for a few years, these drums are still considered some of the best sounding conga drums ever produced. The original endorser for King Conga was the legendary conguero Armando Peraza.

King Conga™ produced four original sizes - Requinto (9.5"), Quinto (10.5"), Conga (11.5"), Tumba (12.5"). All of the hardware and fiberglass fabrication was done by Cirilo in his shop in Fremont, CA. His partner Ray McGinnis painted the unique artwork on each drum. Unfortunately the company ceased operations abruptly in early 1975.

In 2007 the company was resurrected. We are currently in the process of producing the four original sizes: Requinto (9.5"), Quinto (10.5"), Conga (11.5"), and Tumba (12.5”) and expect to start accepting orders in late 2009.

Mission:
Our main goal is to bring back the authentic vintage King Conga™ sound. We are going to extraordinary lengths to make sure that the new Kings preserve all of the same design attributes as the original Kings while also making some needed structural and hardware innovations. We are also employing some unique fabrication techniques and composites that have never been used before.

The new Kings will be handmade to order. More importantly they will be made here in the USA with high quality skins & hardware.

Products:
Coming in late 2009....Requinto Drum (9.5"), Quinto Drum (10.5"), Conga Drum (11.5"), and Tumba Drum (12.5”) as well as replacement hardware for original drums.

[KING CONGA]

King Congas are back my friend! I posted up some info in that other thread.

Not quite yet but acording to the e-mail response that I received they should start production within the next few months. If youre on their mailing list you should receive some more information soon.

[ABAKUA]

See my post just above yours.... ^^^^^

[vinnieL]

I hope it's not like Fat Congas who continously say that they are working on their new line of congas. This has been the story for how long now?