new drum

[Mario2CP]

Hey guys,
i gonna reclaim my Luis Conte drum, because its ringing almost the same. Since i doubt i will be succesfull, I gonna have to buy a new drum. Since i live in the Czech Rep, there are not many options where to buy.
Ican either go to the same strore to buy some any drum by Meinl. Woodcraft 11 3/4 costs, however, USD 680 there. which is almost the money some of you pay for Ritmos.
There is one drumset store that has some LP drums and its generally more expecive than Meinl. Giovanni's galaxy is approx USD 730, but you cant really try it there because any tone you make on conga resonates in all drums around:(
One more store has Pearl elite wood or fibercraft 11 3/4 for approx 350 usd, but again bad acoustics in the store...

So I was thinking to order a drum online. But I'm really affraid of recieving some similar ringing crap.... Any recommendations? There are lot of small brands around...

Mario

[seisporocho1]

First of all, you should definitely write a letter to Meinl and explain. Include an email with videos done throughout the process of trying to fix the ringing. I am almost 100% sure, Meinl will hook you up with a new drum free of charge. If not, I have a friend who knows the vice-president of Meinl (no promises!) but maybe we make a phone call ...

Otherwise, if you're willing to pay $630 for a Meinl Woodcraft, then (like you said) might as well call matthew smith and put a down payment on a new drum . With shipping maybe close to $900 total but you pay it over time. And you got yourself a guarantee of non-ringy tones and a drum that will last a lifetime. You'll never outgrow it!!

Or just buy a used drum (like a LP Matador) and move on. Guaranteed it'll be even better than a new Meinl.

good luck

Allan

[korman]

So Mario you did not have any luck with adjusting the tuning of the original skins or putting new skins on? Luis Conte's are not badly constructed drums at all, so you could re-mount a mule skin from Isaac or el Greco. That would work out a lot cheaper than buying woodcrafts or artisan-built drums from America.

Maybe you don't need to order from America. There are big internet stores in Europe (like www.thomann.de) and custom drum builders (like www.reiche-trommelbau.de)

[Mario2CP]

So Mario you did not have any luck with adjusting the tuning of the original skins or putting new skins on? Luis Conte's are not badly constructed drums at all, so you could re-mount a mule skin from Isaac or el Greco. That would work out a lot cheaper than buying woodcrafts or artisan-built drums from America.

Maybe you don't need to order from America. There are big internet stores in Europe (like http://www.thomann.de) and custom drum builders (like http://www.reiche-trommelbau.de)

I did reskin the conga, but it rings the same due to the shell, not the skin (there is a thread: Ringing conga, new skin?).
Another funny strory about thmomann.de. Store's approx 4hrs driving from Prague....We called to the store on thursday that we'll come on saturday and so we did. And bam! We arrived and it was a national hooliday so it was closed. There were guys with me who were driving from eastern part of the Czech Rep. so their jurney was 8hrs there, 8hrs back. I wrote to Thomann but they didnt even bother to answer.

After all this, I wonder I havent changed a hobby... If i weren't salsa dacer, instuctor and DJ, i swear I would burn my conga or throw out of the window....

Mario

[Mario2CP]

Hey guys,
Friend just called he's about to go to Thomann (largerst music strore in EU they say) on tuesday so he can give me a ride. They have many LP and Meinl congas. I have aprox 900 euros and I'd like to buy 2 drums...
What r your recommendations?

Frankly speaking, i'm lost in "war" between LP and Meinl. I read lots of discussions here on the forum and found many contrary statemenst so I'm really confused
Some say LP 3 ply system is far better then Meinls' 2 ply one. Some say Meinl's Mongos are like LP Gio, some say Mongos are big dissapointment that cant reach Gio.etc etc...

I'm not pro, and i wont be any time soon. I need reasonable drums (with no metalic ringin ) for salsa and related latino music.

I quite like Meinl professionals ....

Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance,
Mario

[vinnieL]

If you like the Meinl professional stick withwhat you already know you like. LP is a good drum also I love my Classics and can't wait to put good skins on them. But my advice is to stay with what you already know you like.

[Victorius]

my friend has quinto & tumba from meinl professional. I heard his quinto and have to say I expected more... I also played on woodcrafts and sound was very good but what a price!! Professionals are cheap (comparing to woodcrafts) so you can buy 2 drums and reskin them with mule - all will cost you your 900 Euros and will sound really good!

[Mike]

Hey guys,
Friend just called he's about to go to Thomann (largerst music strore in EU they say) on tuesday so he can give me a ride. They have many LP and Meinl congas. I have aprox 900 euros and I'd like to buy 2 drums...
What r your recommendations?

Mario,
they have been mentioned over and over again, why not consider MATADORs?
Their reputation is very good - and you get a very good bang for the buck

Or you might really consider the LP Gios which exceed the price level you mention though:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/lp_galaxy_profi_conga_set.htm
Then you would get very solid and sturdy drums.
But then - they pop up at ebay every now and then.

I do not have much experience with the Meinl Mongo series, once played them in a shop in Hamburg,
but I did not find them absolutely convincing. The skins were ultra-smooth and also thin.
But as I said, I cannot judge about them.

Good luck anyway with your conga purchase,
and I feel also sorry for you because of the "Thomann desaster" you mention

All the best
Mike

[seisporocho1]

This is very simple to me but I understand you really like Meinls so I guess you know what you want.
But since you are asking for opinions ... :
I recommend getting a set of LP Matadors and putting good skins on them. Matadors are warrior drums. I have friends (rumberos with Los Majaderos, Rumbainilla, Yuba Ire, etc.) in Puerto Rico that have had the same set for over 15 years and they are still sounding great. When I say "great", I mean GREAT! Those drums are awesome.
Especially for you Mario, since you are a newbie and are still learning the basics... Even pros in New York like Pedro Martinez or Roman Diaz will still use an LP Matador on gigs. While the LP Gio's are even higher end drums and MIGHT give you a remarkably better sound, for the difference in price, Matadors are a killer deal.
I have a set of Matadors that have been with me since 1996. They are the ONLY drums I used for the first 10 years of gigging in Miami. I leave them in the car 24/7 (which you're NOT supposed to) and I still get complements on their sound. My conga has Isaac's mule and the tumba has Moperc's cowhide. These drums sound really good and even though I can't wait to get my Ritmos, I never felt like I envied any other percussionist's drums. I've compared them to Meinls and Pearls etc...in the end Matadors are a solid option even for a pro. That's the truth.
Oh! And LP Classics or LP Patatos are perfect options as well.
Meinls are good drums but they are heavy. Plus, not to put them down (cause I really like how serious Meinl has taken their work), but you just had a shitty experience with them!
Anyway, just trying to save you some money. I mean, even if you buy used LPs, they'll still last you decades!

Good luck !

[seisporocho1]

This is very simple to me but I understand you really like Meinls so I guess you know what you want.
But since you are asking for opinions ... :
I recommend getting a set of LP Matadors and putting good skins on them. Matadors are warrior drums. I have friends (rumberos with Los Majaderos, Rumbainilla, Yuba Ire, etc.) in Puerto Rico that have had the same set for over 15 years and they are still sounding great. When I say "great", I mean GREAT! Those drums are awesome.
Especially for you Mario, since you are a newbie and are still learning the basics... Even pros in New York like Pedro Martinez or Roman Diaz will still use an LP Matador on gigs. While the LP Gio's are even higher end drums and MIGHT give you a remarkably better sound, for the difference in price, Matadors are a killer deal.
I have a set of Matadors that have been with me since 1996. They are the ONLY drums I used for the first 10 years of gigging in Miami. I leave them in the car 24/7 (which you're NOT supposed to) and I still get complements on their sound. My conga has Isaac's mule and the tumba has Moperc's cowhide. These drums sound really good and even though I can't wait to get my Ritmos, I never felt like I envied any other percussionist's drums. I've compared them to Meinls and Pearls etc...in the end Matadors are a solid option even for a pro. That's the truth.
Oh! And LP Classics or LP Patatos are perfect options as well.
Meinls are good drums but they are heavy. Plus, not to put them down (cause I really like how serious Meinl has taken their work), but you just had a shitty experience with them!
Anyway, just trying to save you some money. I mean, even if you buy used LPs, they'll still last you decades!

Good luck !

[seisporocho1]

This is very simple to me but I understand you really like Meinls so I guess you know what you want.
But since you are asking for opinions ... :
I recommend getting a set of LP Matadors and putting good skins on them. Matadors are warrior drums. I have friends (rumberos with Los Majaderos, Rumbainilla, Yuba Ire, etc.) in Puerto Rico that have had the same set for over 15 years and they are still sounding great. When I say "great", I mean GREAT! Those drums are awesome.
Especially for you Mario, since you are a newbie and are still learning the basics... Even pros in New York like Pedro Martinez or Roman Diaz will still use an LP Matador on gigs. While the LP Gio's are even higher end drums and MIGHT give you a remarkably better sound, for the difference in price, Matadors are a killer deal.
I have a set of Matadors that have been with me since 1996. They are the ONLY drums I used for the first 10 years of gigging in Miami. I leave them in the car 24/7 (which you're NOT supposed to) and I still get complements on their sound. My conga has Isaac's mule and the tumba has Moperc's cowhide. These drums sound really good and even though I can't wait to get my Ritmos, I never felt like I envied any other percussionist's drums. I've compared them to Meinls and Pearls etc...in the end Matadors are a solid option even for a pro. That's the truth.
Oh! And LP Classics or LP Patatos are perfect options as well.
Meinls are good drums but they are heavy. Plus, not to put them down (cause I really like how serious Meinl has taken their work), but you just had a shitty experience with them!
Anyway, just trying to save you some money. I mean, even if you buy used LPs, they'll still last you decades!

Good luck !

[Mike]

6x8,

I can only agree agree agree
Especially in this respect: Matadors with decent skins are awesome!

Mike

[vinnieL]

I was going to recomend the Matadors also but it seems like he still gravitates toward Meinl so i figured if he likes them go for it but the Matador is a solid choice as well as all the other 6x8 mentioned.

[Mario2CP]

Hey guys,
thanks for comments. NO Meinl preference over LP whatsoever. Sorry to give you that impression. I'm interested in good frum no matter what brand it is:)
thank you once more
Mario

[umannyt]

Meinls are good drums but they are heavy.

Aren't current LP Matadors and Classics, both being also manufactured in Thailand and made of Siam oak (rubber wood), about as heavy as Meinls?