Volcano Congas from Hawaii - Any info

[CongaTick]

mj/mannyT,

Lived in the Philippines for 15 yeasr . Married to a Pinay back then. My heart is in those islands. Wrote a novel set in the islands :

http://www.geocities.com/dnamerow/BAMBOO.html

[icemd]

Just got my set of Volcanos last week. Sound as awesome as they look! Tom Alexander is truly a gifted artisan. Something about mangos and the islands thats like a magnet for us Pinoys.

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[KKonga]

Nice Icemd---Did you buy all 5? I will one day own VP, but until now just wish.
KK

[icemd]

I originally bought a boomba and super tumba in March, became enamored and ordered a tumba/conga/quinto which arrived last week. A truly magical experience playing these bad boy!

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[CongaTick]

icemd,

We are all drooling.

[folkloricoSD]

The more I look at these drums, the more I want them A little expensive, but I guess you can't put a price on beauty!!!

[maSSivdrums]

Aloha icemd,

On my last visit to Ka'u I got to view and sample your latest edition to your Conga Family. I know you'll enjoy playing them. Speaking of enjoyment, attached is a pic of a gig I did today with my Brothers in Blue as we played for a Police Week opening festivities. I'm the "maSSiv" pinoy on the right. :p

Keep on Poundin'... Aloha, maSSivdrums

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[109-1176549166]

Aloha icemd,

On my last visit to Ka'u I got to view and sample your latest edition to your Conga Family. I know you'll enjoy playing them. Speaking of enjoyment, attached is a pic of a gig I did today with my Brothers in Blue as we played for a Police Week opening festivities. I'm the "maSSiv" pinoy on the right. :p

Keep on Poundin'... Aloha, maSSivdrums

maSSivedrums,

Aloha, kabayan!

Nice pic! You look great, man!

Are your VP congas made of Koa wood? Who made your bongos? VP too? If so, what type of wood was used? Koa too? How do you like them?

I also couldn't help but noticing your chromed LP collapsible stands. They look nice. How do you like them? Do you find them inconveniently heavy?

I'll be getting my Isla Percussions quinto, conga and tumba set from Mario Punchard in about 2 weeks or, hopefully, less. I'm still debating if I should get the ones similar to yours or the new Pearl folding stands (in black--less conspicuous and makes the congas stand out more).

I hear that the Pearl folding stands are priced cheaper and probably lighter. And they come with a carrying bag each for convenience! However, I don't see them advertised among the big on line music stores anywhere yet. Did your LP stands come with carrying bags?

Then, again, I'm open to Meinl stands (either the Professional Stand or the Steely II Stand), Pearl Universal Conga Stand or LP Super Conga Stand. They're simpler, lighter, folding (except for the Steely II Stand) and cheaper than the LP stands.

I find the Gibraltar GCS Conga Stand (L and M) a little too tall for my taste. They seem to engulf almost 1/2 the height of congas.

Bottom line is: I want a stand that is stable and reasonably-priced, preferably folding, simple and light.

(Any input from anyone else will be greatly appreciated.)

BTW, I did receive your direct email about fellow Pinoy, Raul Rekow, and I haven't forgotten to respond to you soon.

Mabuhay and mahalo,

Manny T

[109-1176549166]

maSSivedrums & others,

BTW, I also prefer my conga stands to be capable of both standing and seated-playing use.

Musically yours,

Manny T

[maSSivdrums]

Aloha Manny,

My Conga set is a Curly Mango Quinto, Curly Mango/ Monkeypod Conga and a Curly Mango Tumba. My Bongo is a 9 inch Hembra and 7.15 Macho made out of Curly Koa made by Vp. The Mango Congas have a bright sound, yet melodic. I can get some really crisp slaps out of that Qunito.
The stands are Lp collapsible stands. Real sturdy and good support. Down fall is they are heavy as a motha!! They did not come with bags, so I lug them to gigs in a soft case bag with rollers. I've been lugging them stands around so much, I can now scratch my knees with my hands without reaching down!! :p . I can use these stands for sit down play, you just need an adjustable throne that can elevate you to a comfortable playing height . I use these cuz I trust them to hold my drums secure while i'm playing. But for gigs playing seated, if the venue has hard floors ( no carpet ) I play them on the floor. My next investment will be a gig cart to haul my toys and save my hands and arms for playing!
I've heard some good response form fellow forum members on the Isla Drums. I know you'll be happy when you get them.
On previous post you made mention of every Pinoy residence is equipted with a Karaoke Machine. That holds very true here in Waipahu. Everytime a Filipino house has a party you can bet they have a Karaoke machine going! Waipahu is a Sugar Plantation town with approx. 80% of the community being Pinoy. Can you fathom how many Karaoke Machine there are in Waipahu!! :p

Keep on Poundin'...

Aloha & Salamat, maSSivdrums

[icemd]

Mahalo and Mabuhay maSSivdrums!
I am honored and thankful for your comments on these Tom Alexander masterpieces. Thinkin about relocating to the islands soon as I'm getting tired of being mistaken for the construction worker or gardener in my sterile neighborhood. Love hitting these drums wit friends just to shake up the neighbors. Gonna have a Afro-cuban-Pilipino rhumba this weekend.. If ever you are in the Bay Area --Please hook up!

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[109-1176549166]

Mahalo and Mabuhay maSSivdrums!
I am honored and thankful for your comments on these Tom Alexander masterpieces. Thinkin about relocating to the islands soon as I'm getting tired of being mistaken for the construction worker or gardener in my sterile neighborhood. Love hitting these drums wit friends just to shake up the neighbors. Gonna have a Afro-cuban-Pilipino rhumba this weekend.. If ever you are in the Bay Area --Please hook up!

Icemd,

Those VPs are really gorgeous; they're practically works of art--scultures! Like what I told kababayan, maSSivedrums, I probably wouldn't have the nerve to take those out on live gigs.

I expect my 3-set congas (q, c & t) from Isla Percussions sometime next this week or next week. I ordered them in mid-April last month. I chose Canoe wood, Matanzas model, with wine-red color stain. I can't wait to receive them soon so that I can "christen" them during my main band's ("Tattoo Blue") gig at a Fremont (CA) festival this coming May 27.

I've heard very good things about the sound (authentic folkloric Cuban) of Isla congas and they're built to be roadworthy.

From your email ID, I suspect that you're an opthalmologist (eye surgeon). From how you write, I suspect that you're also Pinoy.

Well, as I've been writing maSSivedrums, I am, too. I'm a Fil-Am here in the U.S. since 1982. And I'm located in the East Bay--in Union City.

BTW, I noticed that you live in the plush community of Alamo. Do you happen to know a certain Jun De Guzman, a Pinoy professional drummer who lives there, too. Also, are you the one picture at the NAMM (2006 or 2007?) Convention with Pinoy pianist, Kenny P? If so, they're both my good friends.

I suggest eyeballing so that we can chat "all day" about our common passion for percussion, in general, and congas, in particular.

Kumusta at mabuhay,

Manny T (PinoyConga)
Percussionist, Guitarist, Lead Vocalist & Sound Engineer(Independent)

P.S.: My main band is currently "Tattoo Blue", a 6-piece all-Caucasian (except me) blues-rock band playing all-original songs and with its own CD. I also session for "Kafe Mundo" (Latin-Jazz band), "First Issue" (dance party band), "NuVerz" (90's and 00's dance party band), "Live Performance" or "LP" (dance party band).

[maSSivdrums]

Aloha icemd,

C'mon over!!! I know you'll fit right in, here in Paradise. We have many physicians here of Filipino Ancestry. My own family doctor, Nestor Del Rosario is a Pinoy with a thriving practice. Hey, if I were you I would blow your neighbors minds and one day walk around your yard wearing a big straw hat and a leaf blower in hand just to mess with their minds!!! :p I can't wait, 7 more years till I retire. I already own a weed wacker, just gotta by my leaf blower and i'm going to give the Tata's in Waipahu a run for there money!!! :laugh:
My first set of Vp drums I bought from Tom was his first "Retro Look" drums with alternate Curly Mango/ Koa wood. It really caught on. I believe your set is the very first set of double staved alternate wood drums with book matched and matching grain Mango/ Monkeypod wood. They are fabulous looking, and truly a work of art. You are very blessed to own a set that beautiful.

Manny,

When you get your set of Isla's, please post some pic's and give us the lowdown on how they sound.

Maybe one day we can all get together and you guy's can teach me the Pinoy Rumba!!!! :laugh:

Attached is a pic of my Curly Koa Tumba and Super Tumba and playing my Conga as a lead drum while sitting in with some friends at a Luau.

Keep on Poundin'... Aloha, maSSivdrums

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[onile]

Magan Dang Umaga! Kumustaka?
Okay, so maybe my grammar might not be all that, but I'm trying.....

Alafia Abure MaSSivedrums!
Wow! Those VPs look awesome, your's too Abure Icemd!

Chacho! They are the Zenith of congas without a doubt my bruddas!

Abure Mjtuazon! Definitely post your "Islas" here when you get them, here is a pic of mine. I use them almost on every Latin Jazz/Salsa gig I do! They sound incredible Papa!

Suave!

Onile!



Edited By onile on 1179324819

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[onile]

here's another shot of 'em....

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