Opinions: Timba Congas

[Ben Esparza]

I'm a newbie here and would like to hear from people that own Timba Congas. I currently have an LP Classic Conga and Tumba that I use and am very happy with them. I've seen their website and their prices are up there compared to the market for LP's. Do they sound as good as they look? Is the quality there? Are they worth the price they are asking? I don't need to upgrade (if indeed they are an upgrade), but my curiosity has the best of me. What's your $.02?

[vinnieL]

I wouldn't spend the money but if money is no problem then i would go with Skin on Skin or Mathew Smith before Timba.

[No.2-1820]

I have no experience of the congas but own a set of timba bongo that I consider very nice, high quality finish on the tubs and metal work with a nice traditional look and great sound, strong voiced, I've had one nut shear on me in around 3 + years of a lot of use, other than that they look as new.

Barrie

[onile]

Alafia Abure Ben Esparza!
I hope that you are well and abundantly blessed!

As for Timba congas, unfortunately there hasn't been much written about them in a while on this website to be able to share whether they are played or not. I do however have a video posted on my youtube account that might give you an idea of what they sound like. Go to youtube and look up tatatonio, then look for the video "Guaperia Rumbera" the congas being used are "Timba" and they belong to an incredible percussionist from Puerto Rico named Angel "Cachete" Maldonado.

I'd post the video link here, however I believe that the administrators and members are trying to organize something to aid with the search and placement of such items. So, as not to interfere with that, I would suggest going to my youtube account and looking for the video until this other recommendation has come to fruition.

Many blessings!

Tony

p.s. Barrie, good luck with that "sheared nut", Wow! That must have hurt!

[vinnieL]

LMAO!

[No.2-1820]

Haha, yes indeed, but luckily I had another one !

Barrie

[vinnieludovico]

HOLA ! I have a set of Timbas and have not have any problems with them at all after 5 yrs of gigging in upstate New York thru awful winters and temperature changes.BTW I went to see Cachete to study (after his first stroke ) and he was nice enough to invite me to sit in with his rumba group(los Majaderos )and play his Timbas ,I 'd never played tumbadoros like that (solid oak with cow skins) and fell in love with them! As soon as I got back I ordered five of them ! However I never knew of Jay Berech (Skin on Skin) or Matt Smith at the time, and would of DEFINITELY gotten either Jay's or Matt,s drums.I now have a 11 1/2 Oak Matt made me and I visit Jay and Joshua whenever I can .My humble opinion,call Jay (Much shorter waiting time ) unless you want to spend upwards of 900$ + and get some of Matt,s beautiful Mahogany drums (If I only had the dough !!)
Jay or Joshua 1 607 639 2417
Matt Smith 215 795 2267
PS Any body know how Angel(Cachete) is doing?I heard he had a second stroke, I hope not.

[onile]

Haha, yes indeed, but luckily I had another one !

Barrie

Alafia Abure Barrie!
I'm glad you've got a good sense of humor! It was all in fun!

Abure Vinnieludovico, you are very fortunate to have had that experience with "Cachete", the video I posted was actually organized by the great percussionist de Puerto Rico, Anthony Carrillo in honor of "Cachete". The function was called "Guaperia Rumbera" and it featured a few of Puerto Rico's rumba groups, as well as Endel Dueno, Richie Flores and a couple of other folks! "Cachete" was in a wheel chair and was visibly limited in his physical movement. There was an incredible amount of love shown to him, so much so, there were tears flowing down his face.

I have a set of four Matthew Smith's Ritmo congas and they are the last drums I will purchase. Suenan bestial! They are incredible, and only took two years to get!

Chevere Mis Hermanos!

Onile!

[vinnieludovico]

YES ONILE ! I recognize the drums, especially the IYA mounted on the stand and that tiny quinto !I played that Iya during lessons with "Cachete ".Thank you so much for posting that video.I am heart broken to hear the Maestro is in a wheelchair.He still had some dexterity when I saw him last.Lets pray that we don't loose another true master .
Vinnie(Syracuse,NY)

[congamyk]

TIMBA congas are alright with me.

[ABAKUA]

Didnt I read on hear somewhere, a long time ago that these drums had developed a bit of a reputation of falling apart/cracking, etc and the manufacture voiding all warranty / washing their hands of it etc and subsequently going bust or shut down??

I almost 100% sure I remember reading that in an old thread. What a shame if factual, they certainly look great and sound fantastic. Yes they are very heavy!
I have a Muñequitos de Matanzas DVD concert in L.A where they are using all TIMBA congas. Great stuff.

[bongosnotbombs]

Didnt I read on hear somewhere, a long time ago that these drums had developed a bit of a reputation of falling apart/cracking, etc and the manufacture voiding all warranty / washing their hands of it etc and subsequently going bust or shut down??

I almost 100% sure I remember reading that in an old thread. What a shame if factual, they certainly look great and sound fantastic. Yes they are very heavy!
I have a Muñequitos de Matanzas DVD concert in L.A where they are using all TIMBA congas. Great stuff.

What I remember hearing is they got hold of some bad glue in an earlier batch or batches and their drums suffered for it.

[Whopbamboom]

Perhaps they got that sorted out and may still be in business? Here's a link that gives indication that they're possibly still around and offering a warranty:

http://www.timbapercussion.com/products.html

[Firebrand]

I can't believe Melena took a nude picture with congas...hahahahah....talk about "sex sells".

Honestly, all the congas out there in the professional range are pretty good quality. There certainly will be qualities about one that people will like over others, but at the end of the day, if they're pro quality, they'll sound just fine with good heads on them.

I own a pair of Patato fiberglass from LP and I've played LP's Giovanni line...I wouldn't trade my congas for any others...especially with Remo Fyberskin heads on them. I love the overtones and louder profile those heads give my drums. I'm sure Meinl has great congas, Pearl too...and I'm sure all the other manufacturers' congas are good. At the end of the day, it's just wood and skin...can't really change the physics of space (how big the conga), wood, and head type much. You probably could even make a conga that's just as good as a pro level one with the dimensions of a pro-level conga, good wood, and good skins (be them mule, rawhide, or synthetic).

You have LP classics? Don't even worry about it. I have LP classics and they sound great.

[vinnieL]

LP classics are fine drums they sound great and a large percentage of professionals out there have LP Classics on stage with them. Nothing wrong with them at all. Now if you had aspires.......