Luis Conte Congas - Lookin' for info...

[maelopr]

Saludos compañeros:
Just wanted to know if anyone has or has tried the Luis Conte line of congas, and if any Remo synth head will fit these drums... haven't seen any down here in P.R., but I like the look of these drums. I also have a couple of Meinl bongos (sessile woodcraft and older live sound series-both great drums) and a set of Luis' timbales which are also great. It's just that with the Meinl congas, Remo synths will not fit right (not even nuskyn- rim just barely too loose for comfort)...

Thanx for any help on this..

[Bataboom]

interesting I was just mensioning these congas here. http://www.congaplace.com/forum/index.htm I contacted Luis Conte last night about what sizes he uses.

Check out his meinl video at the meinl web site in the artist links, they sound great, he sounds great from what you can tell from a video anyway. I play a set of headliners even though they are a low line set I like them, I would think the Luis artist model would sound even much more better being a higher model they simular to the marathin models with the exception of the traditional rims.



Edited By Bataboom on 1135199765

[Percussionista]

I really like the conte congas. I work in a store that has sold a lot of sets of these as upgrade models and as performer sets. The are very warm in tone because of the traditional rim and its snug fit. Deep bass, crispy slaps, overall fresh sounds! Very much worth their quality. Im not sure if remo heads will fit, but most evans heads fit on them.

[Bataboom]

good cause I just ordered and sent a money order to music 123 for my first drum, I went with the quinto as my first then I will get the conga and last the tumba.

I read somewhere that the evans heads are too warm sounding almost like rawhide opposed to remo's synth heads is that true? If thats the case you just as well stay with the hides. Of coarse I like the idea of the tuning staying a little longer on synth heads.

[onile]

Alafia Bataboom!
I wish you a very merry Christmas my brother!

Now, if I may make an observation with regards to the decision to order the "Quinto" first out of the set of three that you named. This is far too common today, especially here in the "States", maybe abroad also, but I can only speak of what I am aware of. I don't know what your talent/skill level is, it may be quite advanced, but as for the G/P (general population) that are newcommers to the drums, ordering the "Quinto" first is like ordering the "stereo" system first before getting the "car".

"when I get my car, I'm gonna listen to all of this music like this......." :p

The "Quinto" is the ride drum, it has certain parts that are played, but traditionally it's played along with the other two drums setting the "Tumbao". There is a saying in Spanish, "Ay que desayunar antes de comer y comer antes de senar" (You must have breakfast before you have lunch, and lunch before dinner)

All things have a place, a sequence to them, and to take some things out of sequence may lead to missing critical elements of the whole experience. I would have recommended ordering the Tumbadora, Conga then the Quinto. You would be able to work on developing the tumbao in preparation for the use of the Quinto!

This is just an observation brother Bataboom, and not a personal 'slam'! I hope that you have a wonderful experience with the Quinto, and continue for many, many years enjoying the rythms produced by the talent you posses and develop!

Many blessings my brother!

Respect!
Onile!

[Bataboom]

for some reason that sounds backwards to me... I wasnt sure which to order first, so I just took a wild guess that sinse the quinto was the center drum that got the main part of the playing that would be the most likly one to get first. for example when playing tumbao what drum do your start off playing on? tha quinto, so is seemed only natural to get it first. I mean I know you can play tumboa on a news paper stand or garbage can and get the sound, but I just thought sense the quinto was played in center and that was sort of the main drum in the set.

I did post a "Which size to get 1st" topic and no one helped there so Im stuck with a quinto first the money is on the way so I cant change that.

It isnt a 9 or a 10' quinto its an 11' and the conga is 11-3/4 so cant I close my eyes and almost fool myself into thinking its a conga until I get another drum? 11 & 11-3/4 is pretty close in size I didnt think it would make that much difference which one I got first. In fact I wasnt even sure weather to get a quinto because I know some people play with 2 congas but I couldnt seem to get any response from anyone about all of this, I currently play a headliner set with a 10 & 11 and I do a lot of playing on the 10 quinto.

So I just used my coconut and said to myself... "self" Im gonna just get the quinto first then the conga then the tumba and have all three one day

p.s. when I was young my car broke so I took my stereo system out and put it in my room with a 12 volt power supply and rocked the house with no car @!!!!! WoOT! as we say in America "why by the cow when you can get the milk free" lol :p



Edited By Bataboom on 1135537449

[onile]

You got me there Bataboom! (the stereo reference!)
I hope that I didn't discourage you my friend, it wasn't my intention at all! The fact that you are proceeding with getting you a sweet set of drums is a great start!

You are right my friend, the quinto (depending on how high one tunes it) can be, and is the center drum. It does get more play than the others, however you should search the forum for a very clear historical explanation on the quinto's initial role in the set up. I have only one quinto, but when I use this particular set (Fats), I tune it down to a conga. That is purely preference my friend, however I have a friend out here in the desert, we call him "Mighty Mouse", he has a reputation of tuning his quinto up to what some call a "bongo" sound! :p

I'm sure you'll do well with the quinto, please accept my humble apologies if I sounded off inappropriately. I should have been more encouraging and probably didn't come across as such!

I'm glad to see that you maintain a great sense of humor my friend! Much Love, Respect and Peace be with you!

Suave!
Onile!

[Bataboom]

You wasnt discouraging at all dont worry, I am fairly new to conga playing I have only been hand drumming about a year, and I am just now getting into the latin sounds of it, so I dont know a lot of the inside scoop of things so needless to say your earlier post more or less confused me a little thats all.

I have a got my poncho sanchez lesson book in the mail today, I plan on taking that with my new quinto and just start by practicing latin rhythms and patterns to start with. So I think I will be ok with a quinto, or any other drum for that matter because im starting off at the basics of one drum. I will soon get the conga to match and hopfully a tumba soon after that then this topic will be history cause I will have the whole set by then and I will be asking you other dumb questions like what side of the bed would be best to sleep with the conga or tumba because my wife is sleeping on the sofa cause I spent all the money on congas and not dresses PAHA!!

Anyway no hard feelings at all my friend, im easy to get along with. Im just trying to learn a thing or two if I may.
Thanks for all your helpful advise!