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Posted: **Wed Jul 25, 2007 6:45 pm**

Hi all, I've spent the last few days at work obsessing over some new congas. I'm selling my Bobby Allendes and was thinking about dropping $1500 on some Drumskull solid shell Malian congas. Then I started looking at other drums like Gon Bops and Islas etc... Well, then I figured whay spend so damn much on top of the line congas when I'm really not gigging that much and could save some money by going with these.

Matadors $600

It's a set of 3 Matador's in great shape (I checked em' out) for $600 bucks! They seemed like fine drums. I own a Matador Custom tumba right now and it sounds fine. Maybe just throw some decent heads on em'. Anyone think this is worth it for the price?

Posted: **Wed Jul 25, 2007 6:54 pm**

I had a Matador Tumba, I got for a similar deal, Good drum, good price, just too heavy to transport often, so I bought vintage fiberglass for their lighter weight.

$600 for 3 drums? You can't buy one Isla for that much!
Do it.

You could always sell them later and get all or most of your money back. Thats what I did with my Matador

Posted: **Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:35 pm**

I just noticed that there's a "best offer" option as well. Since it's a pawn shop, I might be able to get em' even cheaper. I just don't see a downside to it. I've played really nice congas before, but in all honesty I'm of the opinion that once you get into the intermediate and pro range for gear, it's really more the player than the instrument. And these seem like really decent drums to me even though I've never spent a lot of time with them.

Edited By Garvin on 1185395782

Posted: **Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:57 pm**

Oh dear God! Go for it!
(before I do - kidding- I got enough drum and drum related debt)

Posted: **Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:55 pm**

I really like Matador and I think for the price you cannot beat them. If you are not gigging that much and don't need the top of the line stuff Matador is good and that is a really good deal. You made a really good point, the palyer makes the drum, the drum does not make the player.

Posted: **Thu Jul 26, 2007 12:25 am**

I played Matadors for 15 years. they are solid drums andIn my opinion well worth that amount. If you want wood you got to lug. Fiberglass isn't that much lighter.
pro skins and you can't tell the difference from more exspensive drums....Good Luck ...go for it

Peace
Bongo

Posted: **Thu Jul 26, 2007 2:07 am**

Thanks for the info everyone. I figured it was probably a good buy. Now I gotta unload my current setup to get the $$$. One last question though. Would the Matadors compare quality wise with Gon Bops Tumbao Pro? Are they essentially the same?

Edited By Garvin on 1185421310

Posted: **Thu Jul 26, 2007 1:32 pm**

The general sense I've gotten from other posts on Matadors is that they are basically LP Classics but with slightly downgraded hardware. The lower end of "professional quality" [same for the bongos which is why just bought some - best drums for my depth of pocket]

Personally I don't care about how the hardware looks so long as it doesn't break.

Posted: **Thu Jul 26, 2007 2:42 pm**

You can't go far wrong with Matador.. I think they're great for the price, Congas & Bongo, they also make decent bongo stands..

Never played on the Gon Bops but I would expect general build quality to be higher than the Matadors..

Edited By Charangaman on 1185461080

Posted: **Thu Jul 26, 2007 2:52 pm**

I don't mean to keep bumping this thread, but I think there really is some value in continuing to discuss this... As far as hardware goes, I'd contend that "cheaper" hardware is still gonna be strong enough for the factory heads. My concern would be going to a thicker head like mule, or cow or something like that and then cranking down so much that you pop one of the claws. Is this the kind of metal that would disintegrate under a welding torch? I've completly melted some of my drum set hardware trying to repair it myself. I guess I didn't realize that some of this stuff is sooooo cheap. Of course I've only ever been on a gig once wear conga hardware busted, and that was some homemade stuff that the conguero built himself. I'm sure it happens, but I really don't think that I'm at risk. I keep my stuff tuned fairly mid-low unless I'm performing and need to crank the quinto a bit. I'd worry about that with seriously low end stuff, but I can't imagine that being a big concern with the Matadors from what I've read so far.

Posted: **Thu Jul 26, 2007 3:04 pm**

Those Matadors look exactly the same at the three that I have. Same color and everything. I am still very much an "aspiring" player who's opinion might not count for much, but I love my matadors. Nice sound, nice slaps. Granted, these are the first set of nice drums that I have owned with my previous 2 sets being old el-cheapo's. Thats about the price that I picked mine up for, as they were also used. I think it is a good buy, and some pretty drums.

MD

Posted: **Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:34 pm**

i have many drums that are made by the best crafstman in the industry, but i keep an older set of matadors around for outdoor playing/practice. one of the sessions i go to is taught by carlos aldama perez, and he likes to pass drums around as he teaches - anyones drums. my matadors are the perfect fit for this venue - they sound good and can hold up to most any abuse. you can not go wrong with a set of these drums; especially in that condition and for that price. they will fit in most anywhere.

Edited By congalero on 1185478569

Posted: **Fri Jul 27, 2007 4:54 am**

Matadors are a great intermediate and the color on those drums is fantastic. Can't go wrong for that price either.

Posted: **Fri Jul 27, 2007 3:21 pm**

One thing I noticed about Matadors is the resale value on them is probably better than any other conga out there. If you end up not liking them for some reason or want to upgrade, you will get back everything you put into it. Everyone who plays percussion knows the LP name, and most people know that Matador is a great product line for the money, there will always be a demand for them.

Posted: **Fri Jul 27, 2007 4:29 pm**

Lp is not what it use to be. I remember when they were made in New Jersey by better craftmans. This days their quality is always compromise,also their customer service does not meet the standard. You buy something from them which may have a crack or any other flaw and it is up hill to get warranty or and exchange. Personnaly I do not care about their stuff.
Talking about other subject ,the music scene is getting better we are giging tonight again for the second time this week,next month we got gigs every friday night and one on the 22 .

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