Lp or Toca

[mc77]

Hello everyone. This is my first time to post & see this forum. So, please forgive me if this question has been posted before. I did look around but did not see this topic. Ok, I'm thinking about buying some new congas but can not find real conga players to give there take on Lp & Toca.

What do you guys think of Toca's Limited Edition compare to Lp's 40th anniversary plus the Giovanni model. I like the Toca's for the money. I have not got a chance to play the Giovanni line but people speak highly of this line (maybe it's a sell pitch). I did get to see Giovanni in Columbus Ohio play last week & his conga's sounded great but I'm sure his hands could make a cardboard box sound great.

[conga KID]

welcome mc77 im only new to this site aswell as the conga scene.. i have a set of toca elite series and a lp aspire 11'' i feel that lp's give out a more traditional low pitch sound to toca but to me its personal preference i asked around for months and was told get these and get them from heaps of different people but it all comes down to what suits you. test and tune and see what sound you like.below is a link to lp's site where you can hear the 40th anniversary series maybe the other guys on the site can help you a bit more...good luck



http://www.lpmusic.com/Product....nga.mp3

[ABAKUA]

I love my drums...





Nothing against Toca, but they got nothing over the build quality of LP.

/.end commercial plug for LP. :;):



Edited By ABAKUA on 1114406921

[conga KID]

very nice abakua maybe you can tell me who stocks lp in sydney or newcastle area cheers conga KID

[ABAKUA]

very nice abakua maybe you can tell me who stocks lp in sydney or newcastle area cheers conga KID

Hey champ

Unfortunately there is no LP distributor near you.
Billy Hydes Drumcraft/Music in Sydney & Melb. are the LP authorised dealer/distributor in Aus.
Other stores will retail LP gear, however at higher prices.

If you already know what drums you want, I can inspect them for you and the store can freight them to you as per below:

(taken from their website:)

We only ship with-in Australia, Papa New Guinea and New Zealand; sorry no overseas sales to any other countries.

All all orders and deliveries within Australia, we charge a flat $10 fee to cover postage and handling. (Excluding accoustic pianos).

CLICK HERE FOR BILLY HYDES DRUMCRAFT/MUSIC WEBSITE

LP WEBSITE CLICK HERE

LP 40th Anniversary Tumbadoras - Clickity Click

I have a very good relationship with Billy Hydes and can organise a great deal for you on LP gear.
Feel free to ring Billy Hydes and ask for "Anthony Sheridan"
I have years of trade with them.
Tell him 'Marcelo' (me) has reffered you to him and see what he can do for you. I am happy to go in with you also and can introduce you to their network if you like.

Anthony can be contacted @

Billy Hydes Drumcraft
02) 9211 1700
100 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010

This be him!


lol... Tell him I put a photo of him on the internet! :p



Edited By ABAKUA on 1114420155

[conga KID]

thanks abakua i will let you know when i head down thanks for your help...conga KID

[conga KID]

one other question for you abuaka are those palladiums that you perform with? also what size do your drums range from?

[ABAKUA]

I have both Classics and Palladium series.


Classics:
2 x 11.75" Congas
1 x 12.50" Tumba

Palladium:
2 x 11.75" Congas
1 x 14.75" Super Tumba

Original - fibreglass } not seen in pics
1 x 11" Quinto

[Firebrand]

LP...I would say don't go for the hype though...Go LP Classics (the cheapest, PROFESSIONAL brand of LP) for Wood or Patato Valdez model for fiberglass (all other fibers are based on that prototype...which actually, my percussion mentor owns...Patato himself gave it to his son for showing amazing conga technique, and later, Martin Cohen took the measurements for it).

The Giovanni models may be made of other woods than LP classics, but honestly, LP classics have been the standard wood conga I see all (most pros :p) playing. And if fiberglass is your thing (for louder gigs), than all of the galaxy, and other models are based on the "fat body, small bottom" design of the Patato model. I believe they are going to phase out the Patato model...must be Patato is not very good for "pushing" the conga. However, it might be the cheapest of the Fiberglass line.

Others with more experience can correct me if I'm wrong, but I get the feeling that most of LPs professional line are just marketing rehashes of their original LP Classic or Patato lines (Giovanni's may be different, given their North AMerican Ash wood roots).

My recommendation for versatile situations? LP Wood Classics, tumba, conga, quinto.

I haven't played a single toca conga drum that I've liked.

[mc77]

Thank you for the info. Conga kid, I'm a little bit new to the congas also. I've been a drummer for a long time. But lately I've been doing more percussion work. I've played congas off & on depending on the gig. But now the drums have been a doorway to the congas. I'm thinking of selling my DW kit & buying some new congas. I've been playing on the remo tubano's wish have a totally different vibe. But this has been a great learning tool for me. FYI, I mostly play in american pop & rock music. And a lot of christian worship music. So, I'm not playing straight up latin stuff. But more of a drummers approach to the congas.

If I can get over the price tag. I leaning more towards the Palladiums because of the wood & the fact they are a taller drum. They look like something that would hold up for a lifetime if well taken care of. I like the congas at a higher height also in the standing position than most people I see playing in my neck of the woods. I like the height just above my elbows & below my chest.

Abakua, how well does your Lp stands hold up your Palladiums? Plus is it hard to find the Palladiums in the chrome finish than the gold hardware? Gold hardware does not stand the test of time & on the road very well.

[ABAKUA]

I had to slightly modify one of my stands for the Palladiums.
For the Palladiums I use 3 independant LP collapsible cradle stands (as seen in pics above). I cut 3 of the legs by 9 cm approx as the Super Tumba sat much higher than the 2 congas. After cutting 3 legs (i use that stand only for the super tumba) the super tumab sits at same height as the other 2 drums. I do not use any of the pre drilled settings in the legs, as just sliding the legs in, leaves them at the perfect height for me. Also, the rubber supports etc where the congas sit are left at the maximum opening as this model of congas is far wider and taller than your standard LP drum.
The stands are the best I have ever used, they hold the drums in perfect place and do not move around nor slide away from you.
I also have the LP double stand where you can have 2 congas on the same stand held on by the side plates and an independant cradle stand also. I use these stands for my Classics.
The Independant collapsable cradle stands (as seen in my pic) are superior in every way.
Bloody heavy though! I have a small suit case with wheels and a strap that I use to lug them around in! Much easier to carry them around, and less lugging trips to and from the car!

I have not seen Palladium congas with gold hardware in Australia. All the ones I have seen come in chrome finish. There are very few Palladiums in Aus, I am one of the 2 owners at this stage.

I came quite close to getting the 40th Anniversary series congas, I basically had the choice of any LP drum, and since I already had 3 Classics, I went with the top of the range in LP, the Palladiums. Drums to last a life time.



Edited By ABAKUA on 1114438428