LP Congas - which ones??

[mangorockfish]

Hola. I need some help from you experts here. I am wanting to get a new set of drums, I may not, but I want to. I have a like new set of Meinl Pros, quinto, conga and tumba, but they have never really inspired me that much. What I really want is a set of LPs in the three sizes mentioned above and this is where you guys come in. Should I look at LP Originals, Potato models, Salsas, or Classics. I just play at home and maybe a "pop" song or two when some buddys come over to jam. Which ones do you think would give me the most satisfaction in the long run or which ones would you look at?

[pcastag]

Classics. For hanging out at the house jammin they'll probably give you the best sound of the aforementioned sets.

[Thebreeze]

Hello mangorockfish...I guess you must have the Meinl Professional series drums. Just wonder if you have ever tried other skins on them? Sometimes just changing skins makes a big difference. As far as the LP Congas go..I would prefer the LP Patatos followed by the LP Classics Wood. Are you in a place in Puerto Rico where you have high humidity? That might affect wood drums somewhat. You really can't go wrong with Patatos. Being fiberglass all you have to worry is about keeping your heads in tune, and they have a great shape to them with the small bottoms that gives you great sound. Maybe some of the others on the forum can add something, but that would be my choice. Besides, I am not sure how the new LP wood congas are these days with 3ply wood shells. If you do go with wood, look for an older set, and don't count out the earlier Matadors either.

[mangorockfish]

Why were /are Matadors less expensive? Also, how do you tell older Matadors from newer ones?

[Thebreeze]

I believe that Matadors are one step down in pricerange from the Classics, but to me they are just as good. The earlier Matadors were CP Matadors ( cp meaning Cosmic Percussion ) . Here is a link to some currently for sale on craigslist in Los Angeles just for you to see what they look like. These are from 1989 according to the seller.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/ms ... 23319.html

Here is another 3 drum set of Matadors in Los Angeles for a great price. ( the quinto is not shown but is included ) Just for you to see.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/ms ... 66377.html

Lastly...here is a two drum set that looks like a quinto and a conga with stand for only 225 dollars!! great price. It is in the Sacramento area just for you to see...

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/msg/3023924869.html

So I am not 100 percent on how to tell the really new ones from the older ones except one thing you can do is look on the inside of the shells and there is usually a date written in there by the manufacturer.

[Thebreeze]

One more thing....Here is a youtube link to Orquesta De La Luz doing a wicked jamm and the Conguero is soloing on a set of Matadors. Also ....the timbalero does a mean solo too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mIM45UcFrE

[mangorockfish]

It said that they were made of Siam Oak, isn't that what Classics are made of? I bet the hardware is the only thing different between the two lines. Thanks for the input.

[JohnnyConga]

LP Matadors are good drums to start out with stay away from the LP Aspires as they are for kids...you will need a Conga and a Tumba...Jc

[Thebreeze]

mangorockfish...to me the only difference between the classics and matadors is like you said, the hardware. I really don't think it is any thinner on matador than on the classics, and I have seen quite a few people playing them on Stage so for your needs, I would look at matadors ( preferably an older set in good shape ) . Maybe you can pick up a good deal on Puerto Rico and save on shipping. I have had a set of Both Classics wood and Matador wood and I found no difference. It's like comparing LP gen II bongos with LP Matador bongos. LP puts lousy skins on the Matador Bongos to make you think that there is a big difference but with good skins on them, Matadors make great Bongos.

Johnny Conga is right, Matadors are good drums to start out with, but I take it one step further and say they are a good set period.