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My congas have been pure bliss since they arrived here, but I have a question now. Since there are no handles for transporting them. What is the best way to move them around? I have been trying to grab the plate that's for a stand, when I can.

I know this question may be simple enough, but I have already grabbed the rim a few times when I wasn't thinking. I'm guessing that's a big No No?

That's the way I always pick up my congas, with the fingers grabbing just under the flesh hoop, using two hands most of the time if possible. I never pick up my drums by the handles even if they have handles on them. To me that is putting all the weight of the drum on that one stave where the handle is mounted on ( if your drum is made of wood with staves that is ). I have fiberglass LP Patatos as well and I still pick them up by the rims. All those drums that you see like Juniors, Isla, and others with handles, to me is mainly for looks.

Will.

I never considered what you said about all the weight being on one stave. That's an interesting point.

I'm sure if it had a handle, I would be using it! I wouldn't have thought of that at all! I would have assumed since it was there by the manufacturer, that it was there to use.

I think that in the case of a well made fiberglass conga that using the Handle would not be a problem. Don't get me wrong, you might pick up a wooden conga by the handle and never have a problem ever, but maybe it's just me not wanting to take a chance. I remember years ago when I was in my twenties and just starting out when a veteran player told me not to pick up my drums by the handles and ever since then it has stayed with me.
Maybe some of the other forum members will share on how they carry their drums..

Will.

I might be in the minority but I really like handles. I asked for a handle on my Isla
drum even though they kind of stopped putting them on there.

I find them really useful for when you have to move your congas around a stage or whatever
and can't put them in bags. They are also good if you have to move two congas at the same time.
It's kind of clumsy to have to walk holding the drum by the crown in front of you. It's easier holding it by your
side like a suitcase.

About 1/2 of my drums have handles and the others don't.