Replacement heads

[Herbal]

I didn't know much about the different types of replacement skins when I came here, and now I am just overwhelmed.

I have a Frankenstein set for now, a new LP Classic tumba, a LP conga, a 96 CP requinto and conga set the nice ones - bought them from the studio for $100) that I put a comfort curves on from a Giovanni requinto and a Classic conga, as far as my congas go. When I broke my back I had to sell my old Classics and Giovannis. I was going to buy a new set of the Gio's, but if I could get a couple of years out of these, I could use the money towards a van, haha.

What I would like is something warm but can still get nice slaps that cut. I figured I would try the new heads before buying more congas, it is the cheapest route. My main work, with these congas, is acoustic guitars and vocal harmonies with a lot of improv jamming. I want that warmth but I need my pops to pop.

Waiting months for something to break in isn't that great of an option either, I would have to swap the heads in and out before and after shows 4 - 6 times a week, but if y'all think it is really that much of a sound upgrade, I am willing to give it a shot. I can't use something that is real humidity sensitive since I live on a peninsula. With the factory heads, even the older ones, I have to get the drums in the room as early as possible so they will hold tune. Am I asking too much? Again, I live on a peninsula, it is very humid here. It is just below rainforest humidity for good parts of the year (the money making times of the year, of course).

I do not have a lot of $$ so can't really afford to buy a bunch of sets as the money that goes back into the business can be used for better purposes at this time. I am trying to make an educated purchase from word of mouth since there is nobody I know of around here that knows much or has anything for me to A and B. I am not looking for studio gear, it can't be overly temperamental.

I tried this old cats natural skinned conga at his gig when it was raining out and it sounded like I was hitting a piece of bologna stretched over a bowl (probably why he had it set off stage). I believe he said it was goat. I tried a goat and a cow covered djembe a couple of friends have down here and they can't keep tune for anything. They are way too sensitive for my needs.

Can y'all point me in the right direction? I tried the search and Google and I am just more confused.

I think I covered what my needs are. If you need more info, please, just ask.

Thanks guys,
Tony


(sure glad I found this place!)

[pcastag]

Warm , great slaps but no break in period. Hmmm, all skin heads have a break in period, PERIOD . Not much you can do about that. The only heads that will sound good right out of the box and maintain the same sound will be plastic heads. If you're going to use plastic heads I would suggest nuskins, got some on my bongos, they're probably the thickest plastics. If not, tuck some cowskins, yes they take time to break in, but that doesn't mean they sound bad off the bat, just means that they'll continue to sound better and better over time. My 2 cents.
PC

[Herbal]

I didn't expect anything natural would have "no break-in", but rather, something that will stay in tune while they are breaking in.

Can I use mule or cow on my stage gear while they are breaking in or would I have to swap them out with the old ones before shows for a period of time? Again, I live in a very humid area. I can't have the drums having to be tuned every few songs.

Which brings me to another thing - has anyone A & B'ed the LP Classics next to the new top tuning ones? It looks like the top tuning would be great when using a stand.

Thank you for your time.

[seisporocho1]

Herbal: sounds like the answer is simple.
If you gig all the time and you live in a very humid area, then it is without a doubt beneficial to buy synthetic heads. No need to analyze any further.
I gig 2-3 times a week in Miami, FL and after years of using natural hides (my preference), I realized I was just not being smart.

Leave the natural hides for your rumba sessions if you want, but if your concern is getting a skin that won't come out of tune every 2 songs when they're new, you got the answer!!! There isn't a natural hide without the 'break in' period.

Good luck.

6x8

[Herbal]

Thank you, seisporocho1, that is the kind of information I was fishing for. I have only replace heads when they were damaged and always bought the "Hand Picked".

I don't know a damn thing about synthetic heads either. Are there a few good options, each having their own flavor? I don't want things sounding plastic - I need warmth. My bread and butter is backing an acoustic guitar duo with 3 part vocal harmonies. We do a lot of soul, blues, folky rock (CSN), etc. If My drums are too thin, harsh, limited sounds, or anything that isn't as pleasant. I wouldn't be able to use them.

Can I get a fat warm sound from synthetics? If So, can you give me any advice on some makes to check out and ones to stay away from?

Thanks you,
T

[niallgregory]

Thank you, seisporocho1, that is the kind of information I was fishing for. I have only replace heads when they were damaged and always bought the "Hand Picked".

I don't know a damn thing about synthetic heads either. Are there a few good options, each having their own flavor? I don't want things sounding plastic - I need warmth. My bread and butter is backing an acoustic guitar duo with 3 part vocal harmonies. We do a lot of soul, blues, folky rock (CSN), etc. If My drums are too thin, harsh, limited sounds, or anything that isn't as pleasant. I wouldn't be able to use them.

Can I get a fat warm sound from synthetics? If So, can you give me any advice on some makes to check out and ones to stay away from?

Thanks you,
T

Any of the remo synthetic heads will do a good job for you . I wouldnt be a massive fan of evans conga heads , found them quite thin sounding and ringy . Remo is the way to go .

[Herbal]

Thank you.

They have Fiberskyn, Nuskyn, Skyndeep, and several variations of each. you know where I can read about how they compare to each other and if there is a place online where I can listen to them?

[niallgregory]

http://www.remo.com/mini/crimplocksymmetry/

its all here , videos etc . Skyndeep are nice heads man .

[seisporocho1]

Herbal: In my personal opinion, the Nuskyn will be the closest you will get to the warmness and sound of natural hide. I emphasize "closest" cause simply nothing compares to the real thing but the Nuskyn heads are the best.
I tried all the other ones and they simply don't have the thickness and thus the warmness that the Nuskyns have. Even the new crimsonlock heads...too thin and ringy.

And the great thing about the Nuskyns is that you still get significantly increased volume (if you need it).

This will eventually be your final choice cause everything is subjective and what works best for you and your technique is what matters the most. That being said, I highly recommend using the nuskyn over the other heads and I am confident you will agree.

6x8

[Congafreak]

Hi. I do not live by the sea but the relative humidity in my house may still range from 16% to 90% depending on the weather. Finally I got fed up with my conga going out of tune and bought the REMO Nuskyn Crimplock heads. The sound is a bit different than the original LP heads but it hard to say if they are worse or better. Slaps is easier, the sound is lgenerally ouder and clearer, the tumba on the other hand sounds a bit weird. I get less overtones. The heads are easier on hands. Overall, taking into account the burden of the detuning of natural hides, the synthetic heads are a much better choice for me.

But even the synthetic heads need a few feeks to wear in. As their shape never quite exatly maches the conga shape, they need to settle on the conga. But once they wear in, they keep the tune 100%.

[Isaac]

Anyone have any experience with the newer SKYNDEEPs ?
How do they compare or differ from the NUSKYNs?

~ Isaac

[musiqman]

I got skyndeeps on my older LP Patato conga/quinto:



Im in love with these new heads. They feel nice and have a rich sound. A Remo rep. told me Nuskyn's are the darkest of the 3 and Fiber the brightest (as he said, Fiber are used for the loudest invironments) Skyndeep tends to be the best of both worlds.