My first confga set - Pearl Elite Mahogany Series!!!!

[Jotape]

I'm looking for my first quinto&conga, my dream is to be a percussionist, but i don't know where I should buy them.
Here in Chile (very very south america), I can only find LP (aspire, matador, professional).

Conga matador= 293 euros, 465 usd... Is that a good price?? I had not enough money for that, but I if they worth it maybe I can make that money.
Another problem is that i like that Meinl congas... so I'm trying look for something out of my country, so I can find variety. I'm looking for Meinl Luis Conte or Marathon Clasics series (conga&quinto), I was reading on the forum and that's maybe a good and not too expensive choice for a begginer.

I thought that I should buy them by internet... i where looking in http://www.music123.com, but in usa the taxes, sending to another country and all that kind of costs are sometimes 60% the price of the product extra (somebody knows about that?). So I don't know where to buy them in spain, in England, in centroamerica?? how much do I have to pay to bring them here??

If I can't make the money for a brand new conga set, I was thinking that maybe I should buy them used...

IF SOMEBODY HAS ONE OF THOSE SETS FOR SALE (NEW OR USED) JUST LET ME KNOW.
If someone can help me with good ideas, information or solutions i'll be very thankfull.

Si pueden contestar en español seria bueno.

Sorry about my english... Thanks...


Juan Pablo Contreras

[Mr. Conga]

Mira Papa, estas empesando.
Y quieres algo espesial?....que no sea LP?

Haste un favor mi brother, y hablale a Mario de ISLAPERCUSSIONS.COM
Calidad de hermano Boricua, artesano, piezas solidas.
Y por un presio bien chevere!

Shipping con ISLA PERCUSSIONS para otros paise no es tan caro, ni tantas taxes de importacion.
hablale pa que te diga.

Es un brother bien chevere!
(310) 916-3425

[Chupacabra]

Good luck with your search and I believe you have come to the right place.
Just don't apologize for your English! I think you can write your thoughts better than half the english people I know and I'm one of them!
My response to your inquiry is as much a question as it is a reply and hopefully the intent isn't lost in translation.

Within Chile and neighbouring countries and the related ethnic groups in the region, is there a strong musical/rhythmical culture? Whether it's from the indigenous people or people of Spanish heritage? If so, you might discover that there might be some local artisans who would be more than happy to make a set of congas or ashikos out of all local materials, including quality skins that we in North America might not have any access to.

All this might not mean anything at all if you really like the glossy, shiny look of LP or Meinl. Not to mention the local climate in Chile could be challenging for natural hides and natural wood shells.

Just putting my thoughts out there for what they're worth!

[Jotape]

Within Chile and neighbouring countries and the related ethnic groups in the region, is there a strong musical/rhythmical culture? Whether it's from the indigenous people or people of Spanish heritage? If so, you might discover that there might be some local artisans who would be more than happy to make a set of congas or ashikos out of all local materials, including quality skins that we in North America might not have any access to.

Gracias Chupacabra...

Here in Chile the musal/rhythmical music has not too much percussions... Te music of the indigenous people i really basic and with basic instruments... The folkloric chilean music with Spanish influence played here have no african influence.

In the region there some countries with african influence: Uruguay, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela...

Here in Chile theres one artesan who makes congas Luis "Kiko" Anacona... is in the north of my country, he is an old man, I don't know if he still making congas, and I knew that nobody will continue his work... he has no "aprendiz" (in spanish), and theres no garantee if I have some problem if he his retired.
I would be really really happy and proud for have his congas... I'm gonna ask about those. I know that when "Changuito" was in Chile he changed his conga set for one made by kiko.

There another thing that I'm ansking myself... my hand, my fingers are really thin, they are not too strong and firm, I don't know if I need some special tip for that.

[onile]

Alafia Abure Jotape!
Espero que todo este bien contigo!

Mira, loque dice Abure Mr. Conga esta totalmente correcto! Con Mario te puedes buscar un set de congas tremendas y hecho especialmente a tu gusto, mas todavia van a sonar increible mi pana! Nuestro Abure Mario es una tremeda persona que produce congas y batas de calidad y con mucha sonoridad! Ponte en contacto con el paraque veas que es verdad loque te recomendamos aqui.

Acerca de tus manos/dedos, eso no sera un problema despues de un poco tiempo con practica technical correcta. Aqui en este forum tenemos a un Abure Johnny Conga que ha sido tan amable de poner unas lecciones gratis en el internet (al momento se me escapa la informacion acerca de la direccion). Quizaz el se comunicara contigo para dartela o alguien mas en este forum. Hay varios en youtube.com como el Abure
rqshquesada. Si tu tienes acceso al internet y puedes connectarte a youtube.com marke "rqshquesada" en la clave de busqueda o "johnnyconga" para ver loque tienen.

Buena suerte mi Pana!

Onile!

[OLSONGO]

Mi hermano, para empezar yo te recomiendo que consigas algo local, tu mencionaste Las Matador, esas congas no son de nada malas; si es necesario solo cambiales el cuero y yo se que Chile es un pais de cuero y no creo que te sea dificil encontrar una tripa de vaca. Despues buscate un maestro que te ensene la tecnica , tus manos con practica se formaran al tambor. Entonces despues de un tiempo de saber que de verdad sientes el amor por el tambor, te compras unas congas profesionales de buena calidad. Y aqui siempre estaremos para responder cualquier inquietud que tengas.

Paz
Olsongo

[Jotape]

I did contact Mario, and he wrote me about the congas...
I don't know if I'll can pay them... I'm trying to get the money, If I cant' do that... the Matador alternative is in second place...

Thanks you all for the help... this forum his like a family... I can feel that.

I'm gonna tell you about my congas when I get them.
I'll need some help with maintenance.

[Derbeno]

You will be just fine with the Matadors for quite a few years.

[Omelenko1]

Jotape,

Si puedes trata de comprarte las Islas. Hay tremenda diferencia entre Islas y Matadors, en lo que se refiere a sonido y calidad. Trata de reunir y si tienes que esperar hazlo. Las Islas son congas para toda la vida y vas a hacer el gasto una vez nada mas. Habla con Mario y ponte de acuerdo.

Saludos,

Dario

[OLSONGO]

Jetape,
Si claro... si tienes el dinero ahora compra las Islas, pero si tienes que esperar ?? No se que rapido quieres aprender a tocar... la tecnica no espera, entre mas rapido cominses y con un buen maestro mas rapido llegaras a un nivel profesional. Si solo quieres ser amater entoces espera.

Paz
Olsongo

[Jotape]

Gracias por las recomendaciones...

La verdad es que tengo prisa, esas congas las necesito hoy! Estamos armando una banda con excelentes músicos y yo necesito las congas pronto para comenzar los ensayos... yo soy el unico sin estudios instrumentales del grupo, pero ellos me han escuchado tocar y dicen que voy bien, creo que será mi punto de partida para profesionalizarme en las percusiones.

En cuanto a las congas:
- Las matador son una buena opcion porque las tendré de inmediato y el costo será menor.
- Pero me encantaría tener esas Isla, sin embargo mi condicion economica no es buena (de hecho las matador para mi ya son costosas), soy estudiante y debo pagar tambien mi carrera... Dentro de estos días sabré cuanto dinero puedo conseguir y vere cual es la mejor solución... despues de todo las congas no son lo unico que debo comprar, necesito algunos accesorios también. Tal vez si encuentro alguien que me financie el Shipping, pueda encargarlas a Mario... Si Dios quiere lo conseguiré.

Some questions:
¿What about the Heads of islas? I have no idea about good or bad heads, natural or syntetic... I just need something good because muy hands are very thin. Someones say that "wather bufalo is bad" "mule is better" but I have no idea what are they talking about... wich one uses Isla??

How can I change the heads if someday I want to? can I put them Lp or pearl heads? Do I have to kill a cow?
That's another thinking I have to make the choice...

I don't have the money jet, so I have a couple of days to get recomandations.

[Congadelica]

Ho Hermano.
You dont have to kill any cows , mario uses thick steer of high quality . mule is good but steer is also good . no worries Isla percusion are ready to rock out of the box .

Mine arrive in a few days

[yambu321]

Jotape,
Since you are just at the start of your journey, you should get a decent set of congas to begin with. You do not need to try and reach out for some special conga drums right now; and there are a few different ones out there. Isla's Congas Have A Great Folkloric Rumba Sound, But so what! What you need, is an excellent set of affordable congas that are easy to buy, and easy to maintain. For you, I will recommend the LP Matador Congas. They are easy to get, easy to buy parts for, and they sound great!

I can say this because I own both Isla's, and Matador Drums; and even play them all together. The Isla's have the finer sound, while the matadors project further. one thing we must all understand, is that there is not, nor will there ever be, just one answer for Congas. A part of the joy of embarking on this journey, is not to have the sole, so called answer, to the Conga World, but rather, it should be all that is experienced as we grow through the years. To listen and to play, to make personal choices, to buy new sets of drums for different reasons. Some Will Argue, that you should go for the higher level drums now. But, I must tell you, that it is much more rewarding the other way around. It will be Safer, you will have greater peice of mind concerning theft, damage, and or, if someone wants to touch, or play your drums. First see where you truly want to go with this. Feel the joy of learning, and growing in this art. Then later on, upon your convenience, get the Drums that you truly desire. Lp Matador's are most highly recommended for sound, and value; and would be a great choice, for you at this point of time.

Buena Suerte,

Charlie.

[bongosnotbombs]

Great advice from Charlie there.

If you get the Matadors either you can get them from the store or online and
you will be playing on them in a week or shorter.

Islas you must wait 2-3 months. I recommend something like the Matadors for now and
save drums like Isla for later.

[OLSONGO]

Well said Charlie, we are on the same page and BNB about having to wait months for your drum, by then you may have lost the interest .. if you are a starter. I remember when I first got the fever listening to Santana ( was hip at the time) in the basement, with a couple of paint cans between my legs and there I went , in my own world banging away.

Paz
Olsongo