congaplace.com

Posted: **Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:01 am**

I've been offered a set of Congas that were made in Cuba (described as 'Vintage') but are said to be in excellent shape.
My question is would Congas made in Cuba generally be considered to be quality made Congas, or am I better off looking at brand name vintage drums?
I haven't seen them yet but any opinions or things to look out for (good or bad) w/b appreciated as I will be checking them out on Saturday.

Cheers, Randy.

Posted: **Sun Feb 17, 2008 3:15 pm**

As far as great sound you can't get a better conga. If the ones offered are Cahoba wood go for them immediately. Here is a photo of my SONOCS, cahoba wood. No vintage quality conga sound as good as them.

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

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:38 am**

Just be careful. Just because it's made in Cuba does not automatically mean you have a great quality product. I was just over a friends house a couple of weeks ago. He was in Cuba recently and bought a cajon, and palitos type setup and it was nothing but junk. I could not believe he took the time and effort to bring that stuff back to the states. So yea, lot's of good Congas come from Cuba but I would not say that they are the best sounding drums anyway. That's like saying that Mathew Smith, SOS, Gon Bops, Valje, Junior, all take a back seat to a Cuban Conga???? I don't think so.

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 3:28 am**

duplicate

Edited By Coco on 1203305580

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 3:32 am**

Coco wrote:
Thebreeze wrote:That's like saying that Mathew Smith, SOS, Gon Bops, Valje, Junior, all take a back seat to a Cuban Conga???? I don't think so.

I would take a Vergara over any of those in a "New York minute".

It should also be remembered that they have been making tumbadoras ( and bongos) in Cuba for a lot longer than they have in the US.

Your point about uneven quality is well taken though...in particular the hardware quality of Cuban made drums is uneven in my experience. I suspect that that is down to the raw material shortages that seem to be endemic in socialist societies.

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 3:07 pm**

Thebreeze wrote:Just be careful. Just because it's made in Cuba does not automatically mean you have a great quality product. I was just over a friends house a couple of weeks ago. He was in Cuba recently and bought a cajon, and palitos type setup and it was nothing but junk. I could not believe he took the time and effort to bring that stuff back to the states. So yea, lot's of good Congas come from Cuba but I would not say that they are the best sounding drums anyway. That's like saying that Mathew Smith, SOS, Gon Bops, Valje, Junior, all take a back seat to a Cuban Conga???? I don't think so.

I would say the real question is "When" was it made if we are talking about a vintage 50's, 60's Vergara conga...than yes, nothing is better...but also those Cuban Sonoc drums that Dario speaks of are a monster as well...just listen to Los Munequitos recordings just to get an idea of how they sound....INCREDIBLE!....i think the main issue with cuban drums is the hardware...if you can get a decent cuban made shell and get a guy like matthew to put on the hardware...than conyo!...you got the perfect drum....

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:31 pm**

Just rec'd some pics of the Congas for Sale.
Have a look and let me know.
Looks like the hardware is not the best quality but give me your opinions.
Cheers, Randy.

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... onga_1.JPG

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:33 pm**

Another pic.
Randy.

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... onga_2.JPG

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 5:41 pm**

Sorry if I stepped on anyone's toes. I am just trying to be as realistic as I can. You guys hit on a good subject..hardware. That is definitely an issue. I just wanted to add a hypothetical situation...These Vergara drums for instance, say you have three congas made exactly alike with the same type of heads, etc. and the owner of the three vergara congas tells you..." Play them all one at a time and then pick one out for yourself as a free gift" Are you going to say they all sound exactly alike or are you going to pick one out knowing that to YOU it sounded better than the other two? Remember...it is still up to the individual personal taste. Does this mean that the other two Vergaras are still better sounding than American hand made drums??
You see what I am getting at?? I don't want to step on toes or insult anyone's opinion and I hope I did not. I saw a picture on Mathew's web site showing before and after pictures of some old Junior Congas that were taken apart, and put back together with all Mathew hardware. OK, now there is a Hybrid set of drums as a result. All the expense having gone into this project, do those drums sound ok, but not quite as good as Cuban vintage drums? I have heard that Juniors were the best sounding drums. Again, personal opinions.

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:02 pm**

Randy C...i would buy them (they look pretty nice and if they sound as good as they look, they look like some serious congas....they look like the drums los munequitos play....

Breeze...i see what you saying...i think Juniors drums were the best sounding ever, and still are...but others disagree...what can you do? Thats why there are various producers to choose from...

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:26 pm**

Those look pretty good, I'd buy them if the price was
right.
The one on the right resembles the SONOC's, I have seen in videos, so it might be, but the wood looks more like quarter sawn oak than anything else.
We are defintaely not talking about Vergara's here though.
SONOC is a State factory, so they are probably able to make some pretty high quality drums.

Edited By bongosnotbombs on 1203359210

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:57 pm**

Saludos Hermanos

there nice looking drums but very low quality, hardware and shells.
shells have very noticeble gaps between staves. there shouldnt be a line between staves.
still nice drums, unique, & authentic.
to me they would drums i would only play at the house.
collector drums.

suave
Oz

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 8:42 pm**

Randy, If you don't buy 'em send me the seller's address. I can do something with them. Geez, just the washers alone are worth a bunch! Just kidding, the shells and plates & rims look salvagable and the shells can be given a new life.
Here's one of my Bauers that I just touched up and added about 6 coats of General Finishes water based satin, lightly rubbed. Finished last week, new head and played on Sat.! Buck

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... 62-cab.JPG

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:31 pm**

Thanks for the replies everyone, they're being offerred to me at $400 Cdn for the pair.
As a reference you can siometimes get a pair of LP Matadors for a used price of between $400 and $500 in Vancouver.
I'm going to see them tomorrow at noon so I'll be able to give a better report once I've given them a once over.
Any thoughts as to how much these s/b in the range of cost wise?
Cheers, Randy.

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 11:26 pm**

Dude, buy them immediately , the one on the left definitely looks like a sonoc, the one on the right I'm not sure, but those drums could be rehabbed, and will sound better than anything you could buy on the market today. For 400 canadian you would be getting a steal, you could rehab themyourself, or have it professionally done and end up with a unique and wonderful sounding set of drums. To me it looks like no major cracks, so probably just some new skins and you're ready to go!
PC

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