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Posted: **Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:12 pm**

hey - just wondering if anybody has had a look/play on the new Meinl Woodcrafts, the Pros or the Mongo models? I'm checking out Meinls congas at present, and it appears that they've done a recent 'face-lift' on all their gear. I'm wondering if it's purely cosmetic - or re-design....

Any thoughts.

Also - I'm looking at getting you drums soon (probably a quinto, conga, tumba set) - and wondering if anybody has any thoughts about these Meinl models vs. Lp Patatos vs something like timbas.

I do alot of outside gigs - with the Symphony here, 10-piece salsa band work, perc ensemble - so a real mixture of pop/disco/rock/trad Cuban & more....Am interested in any thoughts regarding Nuskyns....i tried one a while ago on my old Meinl Marathons - but it was a real sloppy fit (crown was too big for a 11" head).

One other thing - can anybody recommend a good supplier to buy from that will ship to New Zealand?

thanks,
Craig

Posted: **Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:45 pm**

Hello Craig!

As I see, you got your eyes on Meinl's too.
I was trying out the new pros congas (conga and tumba), and I was not convienced to take, so I decided to order and wait for new woodcrafts (Quinto+ conga). They are different as the old ones; which I played and they had very special sound (diferent wood; before german oak, now american white ash, as Giovanni's, check the http://www.meinl.de...). I haven't heard mongos nor new woodcrafts, but other say that mongos are quite good.

Funny, i post it a note asking about woodcrafts recently and I also got recomendation for LP Patatos or LP Fiberglass. Fiberglass is loud man

i like that, but woodcraft series are known for their ''warmth'' (old ones had that!) I hope new too...

About other things You are asking, can't help you except only with advise that you send an email to Meinl's, they turned out to be very communicative, and ask them about shipment to New Zealand!

Wish You LUCK EXTREME!

Groove on!

Pimpi

Posted: **Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:48 pm**

Here, New Zealand dealer for Meinl:

Electric Factory
19b William Pickering Drive Albany
Auckland
New Zealand
Phone 64-9-414-1999
Fax 64-9-414-1983

Hope it helps in anyway!
p.

Posted: **Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:53 pm**

Hi Pimpi, thanks for the info,

NZ prices for Meinl (and pretty much any other music gear) is really high....so I'm looking at importing them myself.

thanks for the info - I'm after any recommendations I can get!

Craig

Posted: **Wed Dec 22, 2004 10:06 pm**

The best man!
That's why this forum is! I'm, humble said, shocked by the infos i got and getting here, amazing and i love it

BTW: what's the price in New Zealand for Meinls?
In Slovenija I will get them for 1000 Euros (conga+quinto)...

P.

Posted: **Wed Dec 22, 2004 10:13 pm**

Hi - yeah it's a pain trying to get them (last time I ordered some congas - they took 8 months through the retail!) - as they have to be ordering in from Meinl....

I'm not sure of the prices for the new Meinl woodcrafts etc, but I know that the could do the Patatos for about NZD$1300 ea drum.....when I could get them in the states for about $600-$700 NZD ea and then ship em over myself.

So - add soem shipping & tax and I'd probably have for about $900-$1000NZD ea.

Posted: **Wed Dec 22, 2004 10:59 pm**

Jeeez! I don't know what the NZD comparing to Euro, but yeah, the way the system goes...

May the Santa Claus be good to you this year!!!

Pimpi

Posted: **Thu Dec 23, 2004 1:41 am**

Have you tried contacting Billy Hydes drumcraft in Sydney?
02) 9211 1700 - tell them Marcelo sent you

Try drumcraft.com.au

They will be able to help you out.

Edited By ABAKUA on 1103766182

Posted: **Tue Jan 04, 2005 11:22 am**

Hey guru,
Dont buy congas in slovenija!I waited for my matadors 9 months!!!!I buy my instruments in Italy and believe me,you can get meinl congas for almost half the price..

Posted: **Tue Jan 04, 2005 7:48 pm**

Craig,

Regarding your request for info about NuSkyns, all synthetic heads have problem with their fit specially with comfort rims. (Traditional rims give you good fits but in some models only). It is something you have to leave with it. (It is worst with Remo Fyberskins and Evans Congaheads since they do not have the "traditional ring" that NuSkyns have).

Sound?????? NuSkyns are Evans, thin heads with not much overtones. My problems with NuSkyns, and I have them in bongos but I've heard the same comment with congas, is that the "hembra" or "tumbadoras" tend to sound to high and do not provide a "deep bass" sound.

In general synthetic heads do not provide the good sound as a good natural heads, nevertheless, it is acceptable. Therefore, those players that are constantly gigging are moving towards synthetic heads because they do not require tuning and "untuning" plus above all they are gentler to your hands. Most recognized conga players are using them and discarding their natural heads.

Saludos!

Posted: **Wed Jan 05, 2005 11:34 am**

G day, I have to congratulate you on your choice of percussion equipment. MEINL is very good. Rinf up electric factory in Melbourne, australia and ask ofr Bill. he is the brand specialist. he will help you with MEINL equip and he should have n stock most things. As I understand they receive a shipment a couple of times a year. so the wait is not to long, as long as the factory has them to send over. The wood Craft as an excellent drum, I personally use the mongo's.

IF you are doing mainly session work go for the woodcraft, if you are doing mainly gigs, get the mongos or the the model below. As it willl decrease the weight yo have to carry and if they happen to get scrachted you are not spending a smal fortune.

i will post the number for bill tommorow.

God Bless
http://www.cabritamusic.com

Posted: **Sun Aug 28, 2005 8:02 am**

dude i messed up

Edited By koolbreeze76 on 1125218452

Posted: **Sun Aug 28, 2005 8:35 am**

i have toca player series 10" and 11" 4010 blk congas.when i bought them the heads they came with sucked very much, like that dish nework commercial they sucked hard. the tone was flat and dead. i couldn't really get any of the basic sounds that basic teqnique makes.i tried tuning them and tuning them, but no satisfaction:( so when i heard about synthetic heads REMO was the first choice i heard about.seeing that poncho sanchez uses them, i tried them out.OH boy! they were better than i expected,i swear the nuskyns brought them to life oh yeah! they were talking sweet to me.the volume is louder,they have a sweet clear sound even when you have the bolts hand tight, it could be tune very low and the highs very high.either which way the sound is crispy clear and very warm. at first when i order them i order just nuskyns, i didn't know they had different sizes for different types of drum. they send me a m4-1000-tc and a m7-1106-n6. well the 10'' fit but the 11'' didn't.anyways when i found out about the they send me the right one and all was good. when i got them they came with a sizing chart and yes it does depend on the type of drum. so remember take it from someone who know REMO NUSKYNS ARE NUMBER ONE. MAKE SURE YOU GET THE RIGHT SIZE.GO TO WESTCOASTDRUMCENTER.COM they have sizing charts for all toca,LP,pearl drums.the synthetic conga heads are smoother on your hands. there so smooth, there smoother than a babys a$$! my hands feel much better and they never ache after praticing. plus i don't have to hit the drum as hard like i did when i had bison skins. DAMMIT! i hated those things.well i hope my opinion and comments are helpful to anyone who is wondering about synthetic conga heads. like i said REMO NUSKYNS RULE! #1 peace out and much love and respect from koolbreeze76 out of modesto california.

Posted: **Mon Aug 29, 2005 1:10 pm**

Hey how are you today . I have a pair of meil exclusives , i know that they are not their top end drum , but i have to say they are great . They are durable i have had them for about 4 years and they sound real good , although i think if they had thicker heads they would sound better .

rumbaman

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