new conga - I would like some advice

[alan]

hello everybody,

I am new to this forum and relatively new to the 'conga' world. I've been playing percussion instruments for years, particularly djembe in Holland. Since a few weeks I play in 2 bands in which I also play the conga, that's why I'm now specialising in this instrument.

1 of these bands is a drumgroup which consist of 4 drumsets and 1 percussionist (me). In the other band we play world music, most latin.

I like to buy conga's so that's why I am orientating now. I don't like the idea to buy a starters set which doesn't satisfy me anymore after a few months. I think fiberglass conga's fits me best because I play with a big group of other musicians and the fiberglass sound is a bit louder. I've been playing on LP patato fiberglass conga's which suits me well.

I would like to know what you think about the matador custom accents conga's? and if you have any other tips or advices for me, which will help me making the right decision.

thanks everybody!

Alan

[zwar]

hi alan

the lp patatos are pretty expensive, and sometimes are sold with bad heads.
the meinl fc11 (fc1134, fc1212) are cheaper, tuning lugs and rims are stronger, but also you have to make sure, the skins are good enough for stage.you say you played djembe before, so be aware that there is a great difference in the kind of skins. a good djembe-skin has to be thin or medium goatskin depending on the heads diameter. a good congaskin has to be thick waterbuffalo (that is standard on the most massproduced tubes) or better cowskin.
the lp matador custum accents are made of wood, they just look as if not. they dont project like the patatos or the meinl fc. for stage-use id prefere fibershells, but at all its a question of taste.

zwar

[Raymond]

My recommendation are Pearl Elite Bobby Allende Signature Series. Perhaps the best fiberglass congas available right now for the price.

They come standard with Remo Fyberskins from the factory, have Pearl's best hardware. If you like to sit while playing, they are made for the seated player, being 28 inches tall. Great projection and sound. They are made of "seamless" fiberglass and because of that they look like wood. (Seamless is that it does not have that metal ring all fiberglass congas have).

I recommend you check them out!

Tell us what you get! Saludos!