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Posted: **Thu Jul 22, 2004 6:42 pm**

Hey guys I like the way Bobby Allende's congas look and the dimensions but i dont know how they sound and none of the stores near me carry them so i cant play them. so i wanted to know if you have them or played and if so how did they sound and are they better then LP matador Fiberglass model?
Thank You again

Edited By iLLz777 on 1090521830

Posted: **Thu Jul 29, 2004 4:45 pm**

Can't say that I have...

They are pretty new still. They do look beautiful, though...

Good luck.
Ivan.

Posted: **Tue Sep 27, 2005 3:04 pm**

I am interested in the Bobby Allende Cafe con Leche fade congas. Now that they have been out a little longer maybe more people have had a chance to play them and can give some feedback on them. I have not seen any in the music stores around here so I have not had the chance to play them at all. So any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks
Juan

Posted: **Tue Sep 27, 2005 3:38 pm**

Gentlemen, the Pearl Bobby Allende Signature Series congas are selling like hotcakes...Pearl is currently putting their factories up to speed for the demand. As a Pearl endorser, I waited a couple of months for mine. I've told that is not the problem anymore.

For those of you who wants to know, I just got mine and they are lightest, best sounding congas I've had. Very comfortable to play. The fact that they have Remo Fyberskins from the factory make the sound great. (Most congas with factory natural heads tend to sound dull because the heads need break in or the heads are from a bad batch. Normally, people change the heads...In this case that is not happening).

Have to admit, I've never played with 28 inch congas and these are great to be playing while seated. The conga has a big belly and a bigger mouth creating more volume....Is a different design from all Pearl congas...the comfort rim is different and more comfortable.

Since most stores carry the "usual", you might have to ask for them at the store to create a demand. (If any of you want to know what store in your area have them, let me know).

In the ARMANDO PERAZA thread I posted a picture of my new congas. Let me see if I could post one here....

Take it from me...they are the best fiberglass congas I've played....they look like wood and they sound great!

Saludos!

Posted: **Tue Sep 27, 2005 4:02 pm**

Here is a picture of PEARL BOBBY ALLENDE SIGNATURE CONGAS AND BONGOS....

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... 270002.JPG

Posted: **Tue Sep 27, 2005 4:45 pm**

Alafia Raymond!
¡Chacho! Si esas tumbadoras se ven chévere.
I have always played on natural heads, have you had to get used to the synthetic heads? I have some GonBops California Models on order, estaban supuestos de llegar en este mes pero ya vemos que se va ‘cabando el mes y nada todavía. I'll make sure to post a pic of them once they arrive!

Adelante mi hermano!

Onile!

Posted: **Tue Sep 27, 2005 5:42 pm**

I agree with Raymond, I have a set of the wood elites and the Bobby Allende they are wonderful for playing outside & in open area. At home or the studio (20x31 ft) I'm now finishing. I can enjoy my own space. These drums are well made and not that heavy. I can't say much about the bongos since I haven't purchased yet.but I have been to several samash and they do have them. I don't no why but they are kept out if sight. This are great congas! Get it if you can, you won't be sorry..Just my 2 cents

Posted: **Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:29 am**

Those Tumbadoras are BEAUTIFUL. I have the Matador's wood congas and I'm pleased with them, but when I get the cash, I'm running to get the "Cafe con Leche" congas.

Hey Tampa, you said these drums are "light", correct? My Matador's are heavy as ####! I've wanted a Tumbadora that's light.

Posted: **Wed Sep 28, 2005 4:29 am**

wow i didn't know they came standard with synthetic skins. I was going to buy some but I want natural heads that Pearl congas normally come with. Can i get them in natural heads?

Edited By congamyk on 1127953168

Posted: **Wed Sep 28, 2005 11:49 am**

For those wondering, they come with REMO FYBERSKINS from the factory. (The same with the bongos). No, they do not come with natural heads but I guess you could change them if you want.

For those looking for fiberglass these are the congas to get...Nothing like it in the market....They are the lightest fiberglass.

The FYBERSKINS give a lot of volume and projection to these congas....Yes, you feel the overtones but they "do not stay" with you like some of the LP Patato style congas...the overtones "go away" where they should go... I love the warmth of wood and natural heads but these congas give you the volume with a sound that tells you that is going out there clean... The look is great because although they are fiberglass they look like wood. (That no ring around the conga "cliche" is gone here).

From other Pearl Elites, these are different from the comfort rims to the shape of the conga....

Saludos!

Posted: **Wed Sep 28, 2005 9:29 pm**

I tried a pair of these three times now, and for fiberglass
congas with remo heads they're very nice indeed.
For the player that wants both wood congas
and fiberglass, these are on top of my list
for fiberglass. For "loud" bands these project
easily and are lighter to carry so you won't
break your back. I suppose you could
change the heads yourself for natural
skins if you want, but they're good already.
They also have a nice visual design, which
I think should win a product design award
if anything. They are 28" only in height but
this doesn't make them quieter, in fact it
allows for a nice bottom tone.
I would get these ( on my wish list now )
as an alternate set to my JCR wood congas
which are more of a fat traditional sound.
The matching bongos on the other hand
are nothing to write home about. The metal
centerpiece is an oddity that weighs too much,
and they do have that annoying ring to them
because of the large comfort rim,
unless you replace the heads as in most
mass produced bongos.
For the endorsers out there,
I'm happy your name is out there and you certainly deserve and earned all the honor & recognition you're getting. I hope I'm not offending anyone by my candid critique.

ISAAC
Percussionist / Rep. JCR Percussion Co.

Posted: **Wed Sep 28, 2005 9:48 pm**

I'm I seeing things, are the bottom of the congas are made of rubber?

Posted: **Thu Sep 29, 2005 3:02 am**

(To Isaac)...No problem....Your critique is respected and you agree with me regarding the congas. I am aware that the bongos Pearl are making now are too heavy for the seated players.because of the rims and brige..We are giving the input. (By the way, I got a taste of JCR new congas when I visited his shop a couple of weeks ago..he gave the info about the site being not authorized when I visited in June. The congas sound great)!

Regarding the Bobby Allende bongos...they do sound great...they are not the same as the regular Elite...the whole drum is smaller although head sizes are 7 and 9....For those who do not know...the bongos Richie Bastar, El Gran Combo bongo player, is using are Pearl Bobby Allende's with a "slight" adaptation from Cali himself (JCR) of JCR traditional rims and smaller bridge in wood...still with the Fyberskins...

(Yes, Ray..bottom of congas are rubber).

Saludos!

Posted: **Fri Oct 07, 2005 6:28 pm**

Raymond wrote:For those wondering, they come with REMO FYBERSKINS from the factory. (The same with the bongos). No, they do not come with natural heads but I guess you could change them if you want.

For those looking for fiberglass these are the congas to get...Nothing like it in the market....They are the lightest fiberglass.

The FYBERSKINS give a lot of volume and projection to these congas....Yes, you feel the overtones but they "do not stay" with you like some of the LP Patato style congas...the overtones "go away" where they should go... I love the warmth of wood and natural heads but these congas give you the volume with a sound that tells you that is going out there clean... The look is great because although they are fiberglass they look like wood. (That no ring around the conga "cliche" is gone here).

From other Pearl Elites, these are different from the comfort rims to the shape of the conga....

Saludos!

I have a set of 2 Matador Fiberglass with Nuskins (quinto & conga)... very pleased with sound. Not pleased at all with weight. I have a tumba that is LP original fiberglass, seems like its weight is even worse.

I like those rims by the way, classy. You say those are fiberglass? They look similar to wood with that finish.

Posted: **Thu Oct 13, 2005 9:23 pm**

this congas are not so bad ,the weight is light and it's good for travelling.the specific defect for me was that these congas(like any other fiberglass drum)has to much harmonics whith plastic skins.
so i have search a solution to keep the plastic heads but with less harmonics.
and i'have found!!!just stick a "remo falam for bass drums" on the middle of the bottom of the skin.
you will get a natural sound like with natural skins!
it'sheap and quickly done.
i dont understand why they do not propose this accessory whith their skins? hope that it's help "con clave" fred el-pulpo :;):

Edited By fred el-pulpo on 1129240382

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Pearl Bobby Allende Sig. - Does anyone Play them?