What do you think about Pearl Primero Pro

[akdom]

Hi
I am thinking about changing my set.... I'd like to get patato, but I was wondering about the pearl primero pro. The price is a bit lower, but what about the quality?
I am actually looking at good material for around 350 to 450€ a piece.


Thanks for your advice.

D

[Mike]

For around 800 Euro for a quinto - conga - tumba set, you might want to consider
a Pearl Elite set:
http://drumladen.com/shop/article_1449/ ... %3D1449%26

[akdom]

Hi

Thanks for the input.

I never played these drums, but price here is higher: http://www.shopzilla.fr/7Y_-_cat_id--16 ... ite+congas

http://www.musicdestock.fr/tambour-bong ... 84939.html

Could you give me more info on these drums? What do you think of them and why?

Thanks again

[KING CONGA]

Here is a link of a current thread with basically the same topic:
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=5102

[akdom]

Thanks

I actually found it also.

D

[Mike]

Could you give me more info on these drums? What do you think of them and why?

Hi! I only know that the Pearl are similarly well-built than the former Afro Elite Congas.
They are rather heavy, but very solid and with proper skins the have a good sound,
considering the fact that they are mass-produced.
Unfortunately I do not know the Pearl Primero Pros at all, I just thought Pearl´s upper
line might be a better option for you, but with the prices given, it would be a pretty costly
enterprise for you in France.
Besides, the link I posted is good for the discontinued blue fade model only, normally Pearl Elite congas are more expensive here too.

BTW there is the Pearl Elite mahogany series too http://www.pearleurope.com/ProductDetai ... =0&TabId=1
which has received a good press on this forum too.

Just my 2 cents

[akdom]

Hey Mike

Thanks for your 2 cents .

The Elite mahogany look just awesome!

I'll have to make up my mind soon anyway, my BDay's coming and I want to treat myself.

I was about to close a sweet deal with 5 Timba congas for almost nothing, but the deal went sideways...

Thanks again.

D

[Mike]

You are most welcome!

I feel sorry for you about the bad luck with the Timba congas.

Another side thought:
If I had a few more bucks to spend, I would try to get some handcrafted congas
if I were you.
What you get for perhaps the same or little more money might be outstanding quality.
In Germany there is Reiche Trommelbau or Munz & Simonsen which are not overpriced
if you consider the price-quality ratio.
Unfortunately I do not own any of these, that was just an example.
We had some European drum makers in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=2851&hilit=conga+makers+europe&start=15
Well, France does not seem to teem with conga manufacturers. To quote you:

Since Delaporte, no one in France was able to get his name out there....

Well, except for Congalou and his miraculous tumbadores of course

Time and again, I have also been found as someone who has deleoped a deep love for vintage congas...
Sorry for getting off-topic..

[akdom]

You are not off topic at all!

Thanks for the info.
I too am a vintage/handcraft lover... I love timba, gon bops, bauer and all the "smaller" brands.

There is a Finnish brand that is just outstanding with killer drums "Finnish Percussions". I own a conga and a tumba from this brand and they are just way above any main stream brand! But they stopped production. They said they would produce again soon, but I had no news since... And they are a bit pricey: http://www.fpkotaja.com/finnish_percuss ... vagalleria

I will still look around since I would really feel bad giving money to the main stream manufacturer... And Galou will not mass produce anytime soon

D

[bongosnotbombs]

I just played on a set of these at the music store for about 10 minutes.
They were the fiberglass ones with the yellow mottled finish.

I have to say, I did not like them at all. They sounded horrible, the skins were
way too thin, and the hardware was not heavy duty.

They are not the same quality as LP Patatos or Classics. They are worse.
I cannot recommend them.

[Mike]

I just played on a set of these at the music store for about 10 minutes.
They were the fiberglass ones with the yellow mottled finish. I have to say, I did not like them at all.
I cannot recommend them.

BnB, which ones do you refer to?
Pearl fiberglass or the aforementioned Finnish Percussion congas?

[akdom]

yep, would be interested to know..

But cannot be the FP. The hardware is made for vikings! heavy heavy duty!

Note that the right hook on the front drum is not original. The left one is

[bongosnotbombs]

The Pearls of course.

[Mike]

Thanks for the enlightenment.
I just wanted to know for clarification,
but since I am not much of a fiberglass fan nor expert,
I do not heed the call of the glass
TBH I tend to believe that the Pearl Primero congas
are not really in the same league as Matadors or others,
no matter if wood or fiberglass ones.