What conga is Teo-Dor?

[Mike]

I have just seen this vintage conga at ebay.
Does anyone know anything about this brand?

[bongosnotbombs]

It's a Mexican made brand. My friend has two congas exactly like that.
Decent drums, not really up to today standards in quality. Not the
same quality as your vintage Gon Bops for example.

[Mike]

Aha, thanks for the very fast enlightenment, BnB!
The hardware looks somewhat rustic, but I believe the shells
are not the finest. The striped staves remind me of older SONOR or Meinl conga models
which were also not bad, but not that good either.

[KING CONGA]

Hi Mike. Actually many of the Mexican drums are very well made the only thing is the hardware, typically it's not very hevy duty. If the hardware was changed 9 times out of 10 you would have a very good drum.

[ABAKUA]

That drum is actually very well put together. Its is from Manila in the Filipines (Phillipines) not Mexican.
A good friend of mine, one of my early teachers owns 3 of them amongst his collection. You may have seen his son in a few of my videos (Tonio) anyway, very well put together, many subtle touches adding extra strength.
The drums have been around for over 30 years are are still going strong after constant usage. No warping. They even have almas. Check if the one you are looking at has an alma.

But Teo-Dor is actually Filipino conga.

Here is another set currently for sale online:

[bongosnotbombs]

But Teo-Dor is actually Filipino conga.

Well I guess you learn something new everyday. They felt like and looked Mexican to me.
They had a lot of characteristics of Mexican drums as well, so I assumed they were Mexican.
But I guess Teo Dor could be made in the Phillipines.

They are about the same quality as a lot of Mexican drums that I have experienced. Not bad drums,
but not as good as LP's, or Gon Bops.

[Mike]

That drum is actually very well put together. Its is from Manila in the Filipines (Phillipines) not Mexican.
Here is another set currently for sale online

Alright, that is interesting for sure. I wonder what type of wood might the shell be then?
Now, when I look at that set of two, I have to add "rusty" to my original words, "rustic" hardware
But nevertheless those drums surely so not seem too bad.

But Geordie is right, my Gon Bops give me all I need at the moment.

[yambu321]

HELLO EVERYONE,
I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE ABAKUA PROPS ON HIS KNOWLEGE OF TEO-DOR CONGAS. HE IS 100% CORRECT ABOUT THEIR ORIGIN. THEY WERE MADE IN THE PHILIPPINES, MANILA TO BE EXACT.
THE SHELLS WERE VERY NICE INDEED. IN 1979 I BOUGHT A PAIR IN OLONGAPO CITY, BUT SOLD THEM FOR ECONOMIC REASONS. THEY WERE MUCH FINER MADE, THAN ANY MEXICAN CONGA I HAVE EVER SEEN. I WISH I STILL HAD THEM.

CHARLIE.

[bongosnotbombs]

Here is one of my friends Teo-Dor congas. They are not bad drums, they still remind me a lot
of Mexican drums, mainly the hardware and the style of inlaid bands.
But you guys are right, a closer look shows me the drum shell is higher quality than the Mexican made
drums I come across. The wood is heavier and denser and quality is higher overall. The hardware is better too,
but still kind of funky.

Not a bad drum at all, but still not on the same level as a vintage Gon Bop in my opinion.
Cool pair of drums for my friend, he got them very cheap and pretty nice examples of
the Phillipine drums.

[Mike]

Thanks for posting the pics, BnB!
OK, the wood construction looks very fine.
The steel bands with the tension bolt - well, it looks kind of flimsy.