Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2003 3:48 amSo, I drove my matador drums (conga & tumba) to the Sol Percussion shop (couple miles from my place in San Francisco) to be re-skinned. Although I was getting a good sound out of those drums, I didn't care much for the texture of the stock heads from LP.
The owner, Akbar, was very helpful and gave me a loaner drum (so I can continue practicing) while he re-skins my drums. Nice, huh? Anyway, I brought home one of the Sol congas which have different shape than the Sol Rumba models (which are similar to the Valje drums). http://www.solpercussion.com
Why am I telling you all this? First, to report that the hardware on these drums is really cool and the drums are really hand-crafted in their small shop in San Francisco.
Second, I am finding it quite difficult to get an open tone sound that I like from the drum. Granted, it could be my lack of tuning experience, but over the last few months I have been getting a nice sounds from my matadors. With this Sol drum, it seems that the second overtone (roughly, an octave and perfect 5th above fundamental in a imperfectly harmonic drum) is incredibly strong. Within the range of the drum, some fundamentals reduce this overtone but it is always strong. This gives "ringing" or thin open tone ( although the bass tones tend to quite deep and nice! )
So, what's different between this drum and my drums? I'll make a list and I like to get opinions regarding what might be a cause.
1) cow hide vs. buffalo
gee, I hope that's not the case, because I'm reskinning my with cow!
2) thinner skin on the Sol
3) shape : the Sol shell decends almost straight down from the bearing edge before tapering to a smaller diameter at the bottom. the matador are more barrel shaped. (btw, the Sol Rumba drums have the Valje shape...the loaner is not a Rumba model)
4) 5 lugs on the Sol vs. 6 on matador
5) anything that I forgot?
6) my inexperience ???
Sorry for the long, drawn-out posting, but I am curious because these are one of the options that I was considering for a future purchase. thanks in advance for any opinions/advice.
chris
The owner, Akbar, was very helpful and gave me a loaner drum (so I can continue practicing) while he re-skins my drums. Nice, huh? Anyway, I brought home one of the Sol congas which have different shape than the Sol Rumba models (which are similar to the Valje drums). http://www.solpercussion.com
Why am I telling you all this? First, to report that the hardware on these drums is really cool and the drums are really hand-crafted in their small shop in San Francisco.
Second, I am finding it quite difficult to get an open tone sound that I like from the drum. Granted, it could be my lack of tuning experience, but over the last few months I have been getting a nice sounds from my matadors. With this Sol drum, it seems that the second overtone (roughly, an octave and perfect 5th above fundamental in a imperfectly harmonic drum) is incredibly strong. Within the range of the drum, some fundamentals reduce this overtone but it is always strong. This gives "ringing" or thin open tone ( although the bass tones tend to quite deep and nice! )
So, what's different between this drum and my drums? I'll make a list and I like to get opinions regarding what might be a cause.
1) cow hide vs. buffalo
gee, I hope that's not the case, because I'm reskinning my with cow!
2) thinner skin on the Sol
3) shape : the Sol shell decends almost straight down from the bearing edge before tapering to a smaller diameter at the bottom. the matador are more barrel shaped. (btw, the Sol Rumba drums have the Valje shape...the loaner is not a Rumba model)
4) 5 lugs on the Sol vs. 6 on matador
5) anything that I forgot?
6) my inexperience ???
Sorry for the long, drawn-out posting, but I am curious because these are one of the options that I was considering for a future purchase. thanks in advance for any opinions/advice.
chris