New Player Looking for Conga Suggestions - Suggestions on Congas

[eldoroh]

I played percussion for a long time, but haven't really played since high school. I've been wanting to get back into it and all it took was one impromtu conga playing session at a bar and it stoked my interest in the conga. I am now looking for ideas as to brands and drums with which to get started. I know it's a broad topic / question, but we'll see what happens...

Bill

[ABAKUA]

I played percussion for a long time, but haven't really played since high school. I've been wanting to get back into it and all it took was one impromtu conga playing session at a bar and it stoked my interest in the conga. I am now looking for ideas as to brands and drums with which to get started. I know it's a broad topic / question, but we'll see what happens...

Bill

Very broad, its like asking "How long is a piece of string?"


What sort of a budget do you have? How serious do you want to get about the drum?
Do you want top quality stuff? or 'el cheapo' style drum circle in the park type drums?

More info needed brother.

Welcome to the world of Tumbadoras. (congas)

[KING CONGA]

Werlcome to the "Conga World". The conga drum is no doubt an instrument you can fall instantly in love with.
In reguards to purchasing a starting set I would personally recomend that you buy the most you could afford, but try not to buy a flat out begginer set because then you can't grow into them, that was my experience, I ended up selling them soon after I got them, what I mean is that as you gain more experience you'll notice that they dont realy respond well, the sound is not quite as good, and not only that but the hardware is usually not very good.
A descent intermediate set of congas would be the LP CP series.
I have a friend who owns a set and they are actually very nice sounding.
Good luck, and once again, welcome to the world of the conga drum. <><

[deadhead]

There are lots of factors to consider when purchasing your first set of congas. Do you plan to be serious with it, or just as a hobby? What style of music are you wanting to play? will you be playing live or recording? if you are playing live will you want to mic the drums?

Like King Conga said, buy the most you can afford. I would suggest against knock off brands that are sold on ebay in non traditional 9" and 10" sizes. The quality of materials used are usually poor and it shows in the sound . I'de stick with the standards: LP, Meinl, Toca, Gon Bops. There are better out there, but your looking at sometimes a grand per drum for customs.

I would suggest starting out on a midrange set as opposed to the beginner stuff like LP aspire or Toca Players series as they're sizes are not traditional. And then again the top of the line stuff may not be the sound you want either, I had a set of LP Galaxys that I hated. Check out the LP Matadors, they are in my opinion the best sounding/quality congas for the $$. If you can stand to spend a bit more go for the LP Classics which are basically the same drums with upgraded hardware. Keep you eyes peeled for used congas on ebay and craigslist. I found a set of 3 LP Classics in almost perfect condition for $480.

The problem in selecting your first set of congas is that when it comes down to it, its all about user preference. I went through 4 sets of congas until I finally found the sound I wanted. Some people like wood congas, others swear by fiberglass (which in my opinion sounds like a tin can). Some prefer Larger drums and play with Tumbas and Congas only, where others like the smaller quintos. Heads are a wholenother story. Your best bet is to go to some music stores and play every set they have until you find the congas that match your playing style. Good luck, keep us posted!

[Jongo]

When I was starting out I did a lot of research and played a lot of congas and I what I came up with was Matador. I thought they were the best sounding congas for the money. I bought a conga, later on added a tumba and then a quinto. If you buy a cheap set you replace them later on and it did not save you any money. I also think that Pearl congas sound good and so do some of the Meinl congas but for me Matador was the best choice.

[torelli]

I played percussion for a long time, but haven't really played since high school. I've been wanting to get back into it and all it took was one impromtu conga playing session at a bar and it stoked my interest in the conga. I am now looking for ideas as to brands and drums with which to get started. I know it's a broad topic / question, but we'll see what happens...

Bill

Gee, okay I see others have had trouble understanding just what it is you need. I am no different.

There are many good congas now that are reasonably priced. I recomend you begin with standard size congas, as opposed to the smaller diameter 'beginner' sets. Simply because you'll only have to sell those later to get standard size drums.

I own 3 of the Pearl Elites, quinto conga and tumba. I compared them to others such as LP and Meinl and liked the Pearls quite a lot more. They also have the benefit of rubber rings on their base. This became important when later I had a flood. The rubber rings stood above the water level and no damage was done to the congas. Had they been LP or Meinl, with the shallower metal rings, I'd have been in strife.

There are a number of good DVDs out now on congas. Just do a google search.

If you are able to afford truly high quality, great sounding congas, I don't think anything compares with these.

Bauer Classics.

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... 832774.jpg

[Chuman]

I have a set of Meinl Marathons that I play at gigs on a regular basis and I'm quite happy with them.
Of course there are much better drums, but for the price these work very well

[congamyk]

I think the LP Matadors are the best up-front investment you can make.
Change out the heads when you get real good and you are in the big leagues.

Also, Meinl, Pearl, Toca, Bauer or even Rhythm Tech makes good congas that won't break you and will last for a long time.

I have played these and they are great quality.

Rhythm Tech Congas




Edited By congamyk on 1165211721

[eldoroh]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I know it was a very open ended question, but that's how fresh I'm starting. I think you did very well with the open ended question, and we almost figured out how long that piece of string is.

I am not looking to break the bank, but do want to purchase quality drums, and many of the suggestions agree with that idea. I'll just have to do some additional research with the suggestions that were made and we'll see where I end up!

I'll keep you posted.

[bongoron]

I started with Schalloch in 10, 11, and 12 inch head sizes. Then I bought Sonor Champiuon in traditional sizes. The sonors are pretty hard to find, I think. Both sets were under 500 dollars for all three with stands included. Back when I got the schallochs, they were under 300! The schallochs have held up for three years so far with no discernible problems, and a definite improvement in tone (might just be me getting better). Haven't had the Sonors a year yet, but I've used them more for gigging. I have used both sets for that and like them both. I have two sets of three,because I keep one at the studio where my band practices, and haul the other set around for church and home, gigs, etc.

God bless!

-Ron

[verticalgil]

YOU HAVE TO PLAY THE INSTRUMENT BEFORE U BUY IT .WHAT ITS GOOD FOR ME ITS NOT NESSESARY GOOD FOR YOU .GO TO A MUSIC STORE AND START HITING THE DIFFERENT SKINS . MY ADVICE WATCH OUT WITH THE SALES PEOPLE THEY ALWAYS WANT YOU TO BUY THE MOST EXPENSIVE SET...IM NOT SAYING TO BUY THE CHEAPEST ONES BUT SOMETHING THAT YOU FEEL COMFTABLE WITH AND SOUND GOOD TO YOUR EARS...

[SkinDeep]

I WAS AT A THE GUITAR CENTER IN EVANSVILLE, IN GETTING A SNARE FOR MY SON AND THEY GOT A REAL NICE SALE RIGHT NOW, THE LP CLASSIC II SERIES ARE PRICED AT ONLY $200.00 A PIECE. WORTH CHECKING OUT, THEY USUALLY HAVE THEIR SALES ALL AROUND.

Latin Percussion LP Classic II 3-Piece Conga SetOverall User Rating:


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Edited By SkinDeep on 1166327631

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... 434929.jpg

[windhorse]

Wow! Now there's a fine deal!!!!
Funny how you can almost get better deals on new congas than used ones. Not always the case,, but sometimes people seem to know that certain names and aged makes can get the price of newer botique models.

[verticalgil]

APARENTLY THIS ITS A NEW MODEL THEY LOOK NICE TO ME AND THE PRICE ITS RIGHT TOO. NICE LOOKING SET. FOR QUINTO, CONGA, TUMBA FOR $600.00 ITS A GOOD DEAL. but i only see one nut holding the hook ALWAYS COMPARE THE HEADS and hardware WITH OTHER SETS.



Edited By verticalgil on 1166413575

[Charangaman]

Greetings eldoroh,


Maybe a lot of people would disagree with me but I would say just get banging as soon as you can.. If that means a budget set then so be it..

All this pondering of brands and skins etc.. Is nothing to worry about right now, even the low end drums produce the variety if not quality of sounds possible on conga's..