Matador = CP or LP? Conga ID neccessary...

[Mike]

I am a bit confused by the sighting of this badge. It says "by CP". Does this mean that Matador was part of the cheapo Cosmic Percussion series? i know that CP is a sub-sub-branch of Latin Percussion Inc.

It is a 20-year-old Fiberglass conga, the interior signature says that the production date is 1988. Was Matador
a part of CP then? I always thought Matador has been a sub-branch of LP and quite decent quality in general.

So the real reason behind my question is: Is a conga like that of poorer quality than a Matador Fiberglass conga you get today? The hardware is basically the same, the horned sideplates, only the nuts are smaller, like with the earlier
LP nuts.

It comes with a water buffalo skin that is on the thin side....

So waddya think, breth´ren? Might this conga be worth a grab? Upgradable with a better skin?
Or is it something to shy away from?

Just wanna know.

[bongosnotbombs]

I would definitely go for it. I know the older vintage Cosmic Percussion congas are much better
quality than what is called Cosmic Percussion today. I see those older CP's all the time
and they are very solid and sturdy little drums. I even play on one sometimes as it is one of the
class congas.

I always thought Comsic Percussion was either an independent company that got bought out
by LP the same way Valje did.

...or that CP was always a subsidiary of LP selling more affordable congas but under a different
name the same way auto makers do. One of the two.

However vintage CP and modern CP are worlds apart.

I think this drum would go very well with that red quinto you just got.

[Mike]

I would definitely go for it. I know the older vintage Cosmic Percussion congas are much better
quality than what is called Cosmic Percussion today. I see those older CP's all the time
and they are very solid and sturdy little drums. I even play on one sometimes as it is one of the
class congas.

Thanks for replying that fast, Geordie!

I have also heard about those older CP models being better by far than present-day ones,
in wood at least, but fiberglass seems to be a similar matter.

Still I wonder what the Matador sign, also on the lugs has to do with it?
I mean I have never seen a CP bongo or conga with Matador signs on it...

But anyway, if the conga in question is as good as you suggest, I am in the market.
You know something about good fiberglass congas

I think this drum would go very well with that red quinto you just got.

Righty-ho! Got it, bro! I thought this 28" tall white conga would match the LP Palisades quinto indeed!
But I would definitely need a skin upgrade on the Matador/CP-conga.

BTW I love the Palisades quinto drum - it sounds awesome with the Cuban cow skin on it

[bongosnotbombs]

I have also heard about those older CP models being better by far than present-day ones,
in wood at least, but fiberglass seems to be a similar matter.

Still I wonder what the Matador sign, also on the lugs has to do with it?
I mean I have never seen a CP bongo or conga with Matador signs on it...

I don't know if there even are any fiberglass CP drums still made.

I think the Matador was a line of the CP drums the way the Patatos are for LP, those Patatos
have that little hat on the logo. That is a little bit of a guess though.

I'm hoping one of the guys with first hand experience or a catalog or something will be able to
give you some solid facts.

[Mike]

I don't know if there even are any fiberglass CP drums still made. (...)
I'm hoping one of the guys with first hand experience or a catalog or something will be able to
give you some solid facts.

Well, at least a couple of years ago I came across a pair of CP Fiberglass "Congas" that were those unfortunate 9.75 & 11" sizes, had sewn-in heads, were ultralight-weight, and produced nothing but a crappy sound.
Compared to that the Matador/CP conga I am in love with is definitely a different league...
I am quite serious about it, so I got hooked and bought it.

Yeah, an expert ´s old catalogue info would fit in nicely here... As I said, the conga is from 1988.

[Sakuntu]

I believe cp was the old affordable stuff that lp would sell. Kinda like aspire today. Cp was the first to make matadors. It was their high end stuff.buy it fast!!

[Mike]

I believe cp was the old affordable stuff that lp would sell. Kinda like aspire today. Cp was the first to make matadors. It was their high end stuff.buy it fast!!

Thanks for the tip, Sakuntu, I bought it!
Will have to replace the skin of course.
The 20-year-old water buff is kind of dead
- it died twice as it were
BnB & Sakuntu, you provided just the necessary input!
Gracias amigos

I will keep you updated about further restoration issues.
BTW the hardware (rims & sideplates) is pretty much the same quality
as my LP Palisades Park Quinto, same thickness at least.

[ABAKUA]

Nice old classic drum that one, yes CP originally pumped out the Matador series, it features the old school style lugs LP and CP, etc would once use on thier drums.
Much better quality that todays CP stuff.
It is an original Matador.
Nicely found. Well done.

[Mike]

Nice old classic drum that one, yes CP originally pumped out the Matador series, it features the old school style lugs LP and CP. Much better quality that todays CP stuff. It is an original Matador.
Nicely found. Well done.

Thanks for the compliment, bro
Yeah I am happy about that buy - a hot drum! (BTW in German "Fieber" means fever,
so fiberglass congas can be hotties )
The conga is relatively light compared to the LP Palisades Park quinto, but
the fiberglass shell looks pretty good inside. And yes, the hardware is surely alright.

I really like the idea of having this older indestructible couple now - it´s like a dear
uncle and aunt.

EDIT: Good morning, Abakua! As a hard-workin´ man, I get up early on Saturday too
I assume you are in the business for some time already, as you are hours (if not miles) ahead..

[ABAKUA]

Its late Saturday afternoon here, currently 5pm

[Mike]

Its late Saturday afternoon here, currently 5pm

Yeah, as I said, you are the future, here it is Saturday morning 9 a.m.

Have a great weekend, Marcelo!
All the best & take care
- Mike

[Mike]

A minor footnote on the CP/Matador-Conga:
I noticed that the "bull" symbol stamped onto the handle is 90 degrees clockwise compared to present-day Matador logos:

I have the feeling that the conga will sound quite good with a new skin. Maybe I will find some time between the years.

[Mike]

Now here this conga goes with another Cuban cow skin I was lucky enough to acquire:

So it matches my LP Palisades Park quinto - at least as far as the skin is concerned

Once the skin has dried completely. it will undergo El Greco´s treatment to make it look and sound as beautiful as this one viewtopic.php?f=14&t=4420&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=30
But I am hopeful that the sound will be a good match too, it is quite promising already, freshly mounted as it is.