congaplace.com

Hi everyone!
I have a problem with find some info about meinl's woodcraft congas made in Germany - these made from German oak. I know that meinl factory was moved to thailand in 1978, but why woodcrafts were still made in Germany and sold like a superior drums? When meinl started produce this series and when it ended? I heard that meinl reintroduced woodcraft series in 1998 but they probably was still made from german wood - so when they started woodcrafts made from ash in thailand? Does anyone has informations about that? Am asking becouse maybe I will have an oportunity to buy an old school woodcraft conga probably 15 - 20 years old. I don't know how to check it out is that really German superior woodcraft!

Hi Victorious,

I do not know if this helps, but a while ago there was a thread started by GuruPimpi
who has got an older set of the Meinl Woodcraft series.
Maybe he can provide you with some information if you contact him.
Here is the link to the thread viewtopic.php?f=14&t=2549&hilit=meinl+woodcraft

Good luck! Even I am from Germany I do not really know much about the the Meinl Woodcraft series
But every now and then some congas from that renowned and partly highly acclaimed pop up at German ebay...

At the very moment there is this offer, but I do not believe it is one of the older series, as it say "American oak", plus it is not really inexpensive: http://cgi.ebay.de/Meinl-11-3-4-Conga-W ... 240%3A1318

Just my two cents
Greetings
Mike

Ooops!
I have just found this 10-year-old info in German on the Sticks-Website (druming magazine):
http://www1.sticks.de/magazine/9808/meinl.htm

It confirms what you say about re-introducing the Woodcraft series:

Als Flagschiff des Conga-Repertoires wurde im Jahre 97, neben den immer noch aktuellen „Marathon"-, „Livesound"-, „Fibercraft"- und „Floatune"-Serien die „Woodcraft"-Edelcongas als überarbeitete Neuauflage wieder in den Dienst gestellt, ein „High End"-Produkt deutscher Herstellung, das in Sachen Material (hundertjährige Eiche), Verarbeitung und Sound seinesgleichen sucht.

- but unfortunately it does not say more than that. I would like to point out though that the oak for those Woodcrafts was quartersawn from 100-year-old German oak trees. Perhaps that is why there are not so many of them around here anymore

Just wanted to add this.

I recently bought this woodcraft conga and I'm very pleased I like how it sounds, no overtones! This woodcraft series is little short (29") but... still like it! Now I am looking for another two drums conga/quinto + thumba. I have no idea where I'll find them - as Mike said; there is not so many old woodcrafts

Congrats, man! That conga looks really good!
It also looks quite different from the new woodrafts.

My friend has a Conga qnd tumba . those old woodcraft are the real deal . they sound great .
enjoy. I think you may have to look far and wait long for your complete set . be patient they will come up for sale eventually .

marco

Yeah, looking good, your Woodcraft, Victorious. Very nice drum!

What´s with the skin? On the close up, it seems like a faulty part?

I wish you best of luck to get one or two more Woodcrafts!

Cheers
Mike

thanks guys!
yes cow skin is scrached indeed, but it is harmless loss of epidermis - it is since I bought it.
I hope to find woodcrafts on German ebay but it's unique drum, so who wants to sell it?? I think even only one woodraft sounds good with other brand drums.

Victorius wrote:thanks guys!
yes cow skin is scrached indeed, but it is harmless loss of epidermis - it is since I bought it.

Not a big deal then, since they are very good skins as far as I can see.
Good luck again with further woodcrafts. It might be a longer quest..
I hope you will be like your name then one day: victorious