congaplace.com

Congueros,

I was in Key West playing with my band for 3 days this past weekend.

On the way to brunch on Sunday, my girlfriend and I ran into a couple street performers. I can't say the guy could play very well but they were really nice. Anyway, they had a set of congas I had never seen before and knew somebody here would help me figure out what they are and where they come from!

Dario, I'm sure you'll get this one AGAIN!!

I know that our forum member "pcastag" from Houston Tx. has a set very similar to this, except his are in a light wood, maybe oak. Pcastag set I think are very high end Mexican congas and according to him, Matt Smith was restoring them. I'm sure when he reads this post he will post a photo of them and the name of the brand.

Dario

Thanks Dario.

Hopefully Pcastag will join the thread.

ache,

6x8

Yeah, I've got a very similar set except the side plates are different. Matthews been "working" on the quinto for about a year now, probably avoiding it, it's in pretty bad shape. All I know about the drums is the badge says R. Galvan, Monterrey N.L. Mexico (nuevo Leon) They're very heavy, put a new skin on the tumba (12") and it sounds pretty good, typical oak, kind of bright. Here's some pics, I'll probably send the tumba off for repair when the quinto comes back, although it's definitely in playable condition.

quinto (11")

Tumba (12")

Badge

Thanks Pcastag!
The guy playing them said they were from Kenya. It was then I realized he didn't have a clue. It's impressive to see how many congas were made in MX and how many are still around.

6x8

Wow!! what hardware it really looks hefty. Man they even look heavy in the pictures, it's definitely an interesting looking drum, I’m curious to see what the inside looks like.

Pcastag to the best of your ability could you tell us what the sound comapres to

Well, they're not as warm as my old cherry skin on sins, and not as bright as my gonbops california series, somewhere in between. Nice sounding drums , I really won't know what they ultimately will sound like until I get them both repaired though, there's quite a bit of minor stave separation on the tumba, and I'm pretty sure once that's fixed they'll have a bit more resonance.
PC