Conga age

[Mario2CP]

Hi guys,
i'm just curious about conga age, 'cause i read here a lot about conga restoring projects.
Is it because they're antique, is it sentiment or is it the about wood/sound/technology?

I would assume that with all the knowledge and advanced technologies, congas made nowadays should be far far better than old ones.


Thanks for answers.
Mario

[vinnieL]

I think a lot of it is nostalgia. But to be honest the majority of it is the sound. The old congas just sounded different more earthy. Yes the advances in glues and construction methods today are far superior than in years past. But there are only a couple of craftman left that can reproduce those sounds. IMHO

[Psych1]

Great question and answer! For me, it's all those things. I have some old (1970's) congas and bongos, some very old (1930' & 40's) congas & bongos, and a few new ones. They are all very different and I play them differently. The old ones, tack heads, inspire me more but, of course, they won't stay in tune. I'm most comfortable, and play, the ones from the 70's - they sound like I think they should sound. New ones are a mix - some good some not.

[bongosnotbombs]

I wrote an article on this for my blog, I'll copy some of it here:

The distinctive feature of most vintage drums is their sound, and also the reason they are sought after. Typically the vintage drums have a sound that cannot be recreated by modern drums. Reasons for this are many, but most commonly it has to do with construction techniques and woods. Modern drums are often made differently, utilizing different techniques and can be made mostly by machines. Also some species and ages of wood are just no longer available or used. Mahogany, Caoba and the Phillipine Luan wood used by Gon Bops comes to mind. Also companies discontinue model styles, or change specifications, like changing rims from traditional to modern "comfort" curves for example.

These vintage drums are often desired for rumba because of the sound. There is a certain nostalgia attached to these drums. Vintage drums can sound older, and resemble the older recordings more. Also for some rumberos vintage drums were the only drums available at the time they first started playing and an old Valje reminds them of times gone by. Perhaps less subjective is that older drums often have a "drier" and "woody" sound, with less sustain and resonance. I have heard it expressed that this kind of tone produced by congas is ideal for rumba. The shorter tones keep the drums from speaking over each other; the tones of the rhythm are more distinct. Also this quality of sound just has that folkloric feel.

There disadvantages associated with these older drums. They can be hard to track down, and when they are found they are rarely in perfect condition. Most have had repairs and modifications done to them, and many require further repairs or new skins. Replacement parts are frequently impossible to find. Usually they come with scratches, dents, maybe a little rust, call it a patina of use or "character". Personally I consider that an advantage; if I have a drum with a few scratches I don't worry as much about giving it another, so for me they make good drums for playing outside, at public rumbas and that sort of thing. However some vintage drums can be very valuable, like Junior Tirados or some of the older Cuban drums, and some people like to restore them to as near perfect as possible.

Another disadvantage is it may be difficult to find or build a completely matching set of 3 drums from vintage stock of the same manufacturer, model and condition. Often you see mismatched sets of vintage congas. I have such a set with a 40 year old Valje tumba and a 30 year old Gon Bops tres dos. I use an Isla quinto with this set.

I myself have a couple of vintage drums and have completely refurbished another that I sold to an artist, Max Kelley, in Florida. I love owning these old drums for the history and character they possess. They also serve as excellent conversation pieces when playing with other older rumberos who love to recall stories that these older drums remind them of. Restoring an old drum and then playing it yourself or passing it along to another to enjoy is an incredibly rewarding experience that I wholeheartedly recommend to those that are so inclined. Of course they sound wonderful as well.

[Mario2CP]

Thank you for posting article. Its very insteresting.
Mario

[yambu321]

BONGOSNOTBOMBS,

THAT WAS AN A GREAT ARTICLE THAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN.

THANK YOU,

CHARLIE.