drum artisans in Europe - know any?

[akdom]

you guys are missing my all time favorite.. Finnish Percussion. I own a conga and a tumba that I play along with a LP Patato quinto. Perfect match

http://www.fpkotaja.com/finnish_percussion_congas.html

[congalou]

Hello guys,

For the moment, I'm amateur.

Sometime I'm thinking to make a business, with top of the line fiberglass congas.
Custom made color, custom made hardware, individualized choice of the skins, unique models creates with the percussionnist.

What do you think about this concept ??

Some of the drums I made :

Congalou.

[bongosnotbombs]

I think that is a great idea, I don't think there is anyone making custom fiberglass drums,
only the big companies make those. I think the oak barrel congas are a great idea too, very
eco friendly using the recycled materials and all. You can also make bells for giants!

[akdom]

Hi Galou

I think this is a really good idea! *Since Delaporte, no one in France was able to get his name out there....

Please as soon as you have your business registered, make sure you endorse me!!!! lol

I would be proud to play on your drums and make your name spread in the world of percussions.



B

[congalou]

No problem B !!!

What do you think about "cow" congas black and white !!!

Soooooo funky !!!

Galou.

[akdom]

lol, sign me in, no problem....

I'm your man...

B

[seisporocho1]

I wouldn't mind a custom pair of fiberglass shells!! The funkier, the better Congalou!!

Keep me posted also.

peace

[Whopbamboom]

Congalou-- you made all those in those pictures? They look pretty professional in terms of manufacture, not homemade at all. If you made those drums, then it would seem that you've got the skills to possibly form the basis for a business.

[Victorius]

does anybode know something more about those campos percusion congas made in Madrit?? Any personal experience?

I don't understand any of theese words

[congalou]

Hello !!

Whopbamboom :

Left to right : My first wood conga, my last, my first prototype in fiberglass and the Pink, the second I have done.

For a business, I think That produce good drums is one matter, but sell enought to survive is another story. Of course, make a drum business is more for the passion, not for the money. But (to my mind...) passion job without money can waste passion.

Make a craftsman business in France is sooooo costly. I think that's why all the congas maker stopped : Delaporte, Baak, ASBA...

I think that for a French drum business, I have to build and sell at least 8-10 drums per month....

But why not begin that in second job ???....

I will keep you in touch,
Galou.

[Victorius]

I think it's great idea to creat congas... even it would be a second job - something like hobby but people pay for it not you. I'd like to do some experiments with building conga drums but I don't have any possibility - place to work and other stuff. So if you have it go on and try
Good luck!

p.s. I like your second wood conga most

[bongosnotbombs]

I would buy one of your french wine barrel congas if you go into the conga
making business.

[Thomas Altmann]

I don't know whether earlier manufacturers/artisans are of any interest; but:

Schalloch congas were once built in the German Schwarzwald (Black Forest), before they started to use the familiar Far East shells.

Also in Germany, during the 80's there was a small conga drum manufactory called "OAK Congas", and that's exactly what they made. These were the heaviest drums I ever lifted. The skins were thick, too. German oak gives an almost metallic sound to a drum. I visited these people once; they were living in a kind of seventies-drop-out-community in a house in the woods south of Bingen/Rhein, about half an hour drive from the next city. Very impressive. Some people in Germany, like Puerto Rican Freddie Santiago, played their drums for a while.

Just to help complement the list.

Thomas

[Mike]

Don't forget Reiche in Germany. Do a search of these forums for a link. Beautiful looking stuff.

http://www.reiche-trommelbau.de/

They have a very good reputation indeed.

And here is another German top-of-the -line conga manufacturer, but it has already been mentioned:
http://www.simonsen-holzart.de/conga_congas.html

[Victorius]

Also in Germany, during the 80's there was a small conga drum manufactory called "OAK Congas",

They don't exist anymore? I have ol meinl woodcraft made from german oak and I love this wood.