What Congas Do you Play and Why

[yoni]

Hola Congueros!

I have 3 old black LP fiberglass patatos - a tumba, conga and "super-quinto" with a 9" head. I got them second-hand about 15 years ago, and replaced the heads with flat mule-skin heads supplied by Gon Bops to Manny's in NY. They're heavy, loud and durable and I especially like the quinto because of the small head diameter - haven't seen other mass-produced quintos with heads that small.

My first drums were pickle barrels with goatskin heads, later had a "King Conga" for a couple years til it got lost in a UPS shipment... then had a Gon Bops oak tumba for over ten years til it went out of round. Had to sell that one, for peanuts, though. Had some CP congas for a while and liked them alot even though they were small. Stained them in a unique way, letting stain drip down the shell, giving a wild "chocolate flame" effect.

My LP patatos are real work-horses, but I do miss wooden congas now, tired of the slight fiberglass over-ring sound, and would probably get Gon Bops or those Canadian drums Johnny Conga mentioned if I had the cash.
Nothing like the sound of wood to me.

But in the end I don't think it's so much the plane - it's the pilot that counts. A bad player can make great drums sound dead, a good player can make lousy drums sound amazing. Not to sound "new-agey", but whatever drum motivates you will eventually take on your vibe.
This process may work faster with wood and skin than with synthetic material.



Edited By yoni on 1110404470

[mjw]

I play LP Classics - bought them just over a year ago for a good price - hence why I play them. Considering replacing the heads - I've been advised to look at Timba heads.

Prior to that I had Meinl Marathons - 10", 11", 11.75" and 12.5" - they served me well for 9 years of gigging and recording. Pound for pound, I think these are the best 'entry' level drums - I paid roughly 600GBP for all four of them. Still managed to sell all four on for a good price.

[Ezzard Charles]

I play only da Mexcan bongos like Zim Gar!! I gat 20 washers on eackh lug an an inch of gooey funk on da heads. Theyr all cracked up but dey sound betta dan yers because I know how to play dem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Skoolin' Ya,


Ezzard

[Mundo]

Hello all your conqueros out there... i am a leader of a Latin jazz ensemble, i play all percussions such as djembe cajon. congas bongo, bell and shakers. i have 2 sets of congas
my first set 3 L.P Patato model. i have 2 congas and a tumbadora with remo nuskyn. in Latin Jazz there is no need for a quinto . i use these drums to play more in a out=door venue or any club where the music is unplugged, and the room is carpet these drum have a very loud projection. i always felt that the Patato model is the best fiberglass drum around for years is this particular drum that set the standard for all the other fiber-glass drums to follow.. i also have a pair of wood drum by Pearl. conga- tumbadora with mule head skins.i use these drum for rehearsals and very small intimate gigs such as supper clubs. they sound awesome and they have a very warm sound... i think most working percussionist alway should have 2 set of conga of fiber-glass and wood. one thing i have notice that when playing the fiber=glass drums with the remo head you really have to control the sound due to overtones,but the more you play the better you get in terms of your dynamics.

mucho ache!
Michaelangelo

[TigerBongo]

Howdy Fellas,

I play a set of Meinl Marathons requinto, quinto, conga, tumba (about 8 years old) with Isaacs Mule skins on. Great drums for the price! The Heads from Isaac really make the difference - awesome tone! I tried a Remo Nuskyn head - but had real problems getting it to it properly.

I looking at getting a new set of drums - probably fiberglass, as I do alot of outside gigs over summer and alot of gigs that need a more 'comtempory' sound that what wood gives. So am looking at LP Patatos or something similar.

In The Cuban Ensemble that I play Timbales in - the Band leader plays a set of Moperc Congas (Canadian) - and they are pretty much the best drums that I have ever heard or played - beautiful tone and amazing construction!

Craig

[Mundo]

craig have you ever play a set of Patatos or any kind of fiBER
glass drums,, ? and if so what did you think of the sound..?

ache! Michaelangelo

[windhorse]

I'm the proud owner of a set of four Sol Mahogany Classics.
They're everyone's favorites around here pretty much, though all of my friends also have great sets of drums.
They sound very similar to gon bops in their woody slaps and nice full tones.. But more presence in the tone than a gon bop. And much better bigger bass as well!




Perhaps the value on them are going WAY up if Sol sells to DW and moves to Mexico. But, don't ask,, I'll never sell my SOL!



Edited By windhorse on 1110804973

[Tonio]

ok , late to the game..

I have Lp classics -wood quinto, segun Y tumba with custom finish-white with black grain. Also have quinto & segun LP -Valje's.
I used to have GonBops quinto conga, small tumbe Int'l model, Meinl floatune quinto , Toca qinto. Also Skin on Skin (full 3 set) in oak. LP fibergalss original.
That spans more than 30 years so I've seen quite a few drums. I must say Gon Bops was my best set for sound when I had them. I guess due to the style and/or sound I was looking for. But they were tempermental.
Once I got Lp's I noticed the craftmanship is more consitant. It may be looked at like mass produced product but they always holds up-as long as you have good heads.
I can rely on the models I have now for different gigs wether it be recording or live, salsa or rock, cojunto or R&B.

With JC and Raymond in the house I really would like to check out the Pearls, but they are no where to be found, maybe I need to go to LA?
I am intrigued by the resurected GonBops too. I'll be getting some muleskin from Isaac, so getting new drums may be passed due to new sounds!!
T

[franc]

i have the giovanni galaxy series. i'm looking foward on buying the quinto. ''GREAT HEAVY SOUND!!!!! my best!!

[Raymond]

Tonio,

Pearls are worth a try....Here is the link of Pearl for dealers in California. There has to be one close to you

http://www.pearldrum.com/deal_ca.asp

If not close or have problems, contact Pearl or tell your dealer you want Pearl. The "market" has to create demand and the demand is created by the public's request....Be a doer.....

The other brands, LP and others, have created a sense of demand to those dealers...Have to admit that Pearl needs to work on this...(Have suggested several times, specially here in Puerto Rico)...Nevertheless, that is coming and you guys, if you like the products, could create the demand...

Again, worth a try....don't take my word for it....If Barreto, Sammy Garcia, Eric Velez, Bobby Allende, and last but not least, our own Johnny Conga, that I respect his opinion very much, all outstanding congueros, are using Pearls is because the quality and the sound are outstanding!

Go for what you want.....(That's my opinon)

Saludos!



Edited By Raymond on 1110905261

[Tonio]

Raymond, your points well taken!! I had forgotten the power of demand
Although most chain stores do stock the lower end products, which is understandable. It seems that LP, TOCA and other are stocked as new items at Gutar center when they come out, they will not restock. They will at a special order price however. My case with the GioPalladiums are still available since they got to guitar center. It may have to do with the
local conservative outlook.

Thank you for the link, will utilize that to call first and see how the local stock is.

T

[OldGuyAl]

Hey, y'all!

I'm playing LP Galaxy Giovanni series but not those crummy water buffalo heads - cow on the tumba and conga, (soon to be) mule on my quinto. I really like the LP shells and hardware but I firmly believe that it's the skins that make the difference - well, really it's the player that makes the difference but since I'm the only player that matters when it comes to spending my money...

I'm not at all an LP slave, though. I've played Tocas and Meinls that I have loved (but not owned). Those Mango congas (I've only seen them on their website) are gorgeous! I don't know if I'll ever see or play them in person but I would surely love to try them. Maybe one day, Mangos, or maybe I'll find some vintage Gon Bops or Sols.

Mostly, I just need to become a better player, no?

[yoni]

well, really it's the player that makes the difference...

Couldn't agree more, Al. It's not so much the plane as the pilot.

yoni

[OldGuyAl]

yoni - actually, you could agree more if you heard me play - great drums, mediocre player.

[Raymond]

OldGuyAl,

Don't give up....keep it up...Agree with your modesty but don't lose interest..You'll see..eventually you get what you want, including a good set of congas, if you want to...

Saludos!