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Posted: **Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:39 am**

Congueros,

Can someone run down the various skins available and the distinct characteristics of each type of skin/heads? I just replaced my rawhide skin with a synthetic head just to see what it would sound like. It's definitely louder but it seems to lose a lot of warmth. Kind of has a metallic "pinging" sound when I play it. I always heard the more experienced players describe it that way but until you actual hear it you don't really know what they mean. I don't think the synthetic sounds bad but it just doesn't sound as nice as the natural heads. Anyway, can you guys describe the various sounds out there?

Thanks very much.

Posted: **Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:04 am**

The only good thing about synthetic heads is that you don't have to worry about them going out of tune when the weather changes, but on the other hand its best to detune your congas when you aren't playing them anyways as it will prolong the life of the shells and heads. The remo fyberskins are the only ones that I think have a good tone, the evans and the nuskyn remos sound like a coffee can., that metalic ring your describing. As far as other skins go, I havn't had a whole lot of experience, I like the LP Handpicked on my classics.

Posted: **Tue Jan 09, 2007 3:44 pm**

Over the years I have use steer,cow hide and Mule on my bongos. All them are good and have their own individual distintive tonalities . Water Buffalo skins hand pick or premounted are way under the quality of the ones listed above. Those mentioned Indeed will cost more specially mule skin but you are looking for a skin that will take the sound of your Congas to an upper lever so money should not be an impediment to achieve your goal. Also they will last longer. There was an article posted in this forum about the difference between the skins mentioned above. You can buy mule skin thru brother Isaac at funky tradition and Steer skins can be purchase at bongomania.com.,in both of them you have the choice to select the thickness.

Edited By caballoballo on 1168357900

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Various skin characteristics - What are the different sounds