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I’m not sure if this is the best place to post this (new to this site) but here goes:

I play percussion for a rock-n-roll cover band and also a pop-funk-Latin group out of New Orleans, LA. Because we are playing more (and I’ve gotten better) I am ready to upgrade from my introductory level congas to a professional set. However, I am utterly baffled by my choices in my price range (under $500.00 per drum). Because I am inexperienced with this and have little access to quality congas in my area I need help other than the you-tube samples I’ve been listening to. That's where you come in...

I need recommendations/advise for a nice set of all-around congas. Some that have a good tone and feel but that will also cut through the mix with the bands I play with. I’m trying to stay away from fiberglass as I don’t like that tone. And my price range removes the high end makers (Isla, Moperc, Matt Smith, etc…)

So far, LP Classics have been recommended. But I am intrigued by the Tycoon Master Series (Fantasy or Handcraft). Also, Gon Bops now has the Tumbao Pro series which seem to be their Siam Oak competitor. Anyone have any experience with any of these or the Bauer DW Classic Series?

Also, should I be looking at an Ash wood set instead of Siam Oak? If so, Gon Bops has the Alex Acuna series and Rhythm Traders has their Ash Master Series. Anyone have any experience with these?

Any advice is welcome and appreciated.

Thanks!

P.S. Sorry for rambling a bit. I’m just getting in from celebrating the Saints Super Bowl victory. WHO DAT!!!!!

Bourge17,

First of all, warm welcome to Congaboard! Secondly, big congrats on the Saints winning the Super Bowl! After the Saints' long drought in the NFL, not to mention the Katrina devastation, you guys in New Orleans definitely deserve it!

Yup, this is the right place to post your question.

I own Gon Bops CA series congas and for under $500 per drum, I highly recommend the Alex Acuna series (in ash). Next are the Gon Bops Tumbao Pro series. These may come with rubberwood shells, but you basically the same hardware as both the CA series and Alex Acuna series.

Tycoons seem not too bad either. I, personally, prefer that they come with traditional rims and I just don't know if you can get these for under $500.

Best of luck,

Thanks for the welcome and the shout out for the Saints. The city and region is elated and the party is just getting started with Mardi Gras looming. Let's just say work will be less than productive in this area for the next few weeks. And unfortunately, the NFL beat me to the trademark for "Lombardi Gras." DOH!

Thanks also for the reply. After looking at the forums today I finally realized that my general inquiry has been discussed in great detail. That little search button on the top right corner of the site sure is useful. I apologize for the redundancy and appreciate the help even more now.

After your reply, umannyt, I looked things over and it seems that fellow bangers are very satisfied with their Gon Bops products. Also, I am sort of looking to go a little less main stream and am shying away from the common brands. Then again, for me, it’s really about sound. And most info I’ve found state that the GP’s sound great.

As for prices – the GP line seems better:

For Ash Drums –

Tycoon Signature Grand Series (11.75) - $589.00 (Cymbalism Music)
Tycoon Master Grand Series Congas (11.75) - $549.00 (Cymbalism Music)
LP Giovanni Palladium Wood Congas (11.75) - $489.99 http://www.steveweissmusic.com
LP Galaxy Giovanni Wood Conga (11.75) - $449.99 http://www.steveweissmusic.com
Gon Bops Alex Acuna (11.50) $439.99

For Siam Oak drums:

Tycoon Master Handcrafted Original Series Congas (11.75) - $405.00 (Dancing Drum)
Tycoon Fantasy Series Congas (11.75) - 389.00 (Cymbalism Music)
Tycoon Classic Series (11.75) – $369.00 (Cymbalism Music)
LP Classic Wood Conga (11.75) - $349.00 (WorldMusicSupply.com)
Gon Bops Tumbao Pro (11.5) – $319.00 (on GB site)

It seems these GB’s (AA and Pro) are going for a good price.

Just curious though – are the GB Tumbao Pro series the equal to the LP Classic series? Or are they more equivalent to the LP Matador series?
Either way, my real decision now is choosing between woods.

As an aside, I found some ridiculous prices at http://www.underbid.com.

Anyone have any experience with underbid? Are these prices to good to be true?

Bourge17 wrote:Just curious though – are the GB Tumbao Pro series the equal to the LP Classic series?

Yeah, I'd say so - you might prefer one over the other for whatever reason but as far as value and quality they're about the same.

Most of the Gon Bops will have NuSkyn on them (unless you find some old stock - check to make sure, the on-line ads are sometimes wrong) and LPs will have rawhide so that might make a bigger difference to you one way or the other than the shape or the hardware.

Of course for the price difference between rubberwood and ash you could buy some extra mounted heads or premium skins.

I think the Acunas are definitely great choices for an ashwod set, I owned some CA series but just recently sold them, too bad cause they went cheap, 700 for a conga and tumba! I would suggest also checking some e-bay auctions, you might be able to find a new set of acunas a bit cheaper than straight from the store. i particularly like the look of the ebony series.
PC

Bourge17 wrote:Thanks for the welcome and the shout out for the Saints. The city and region is elated and the party is just getting started with Mardi Gras looming.

Thanks also for the reply.

Bourge 17,

You're quite welcome on both counts. My wife, more than me, has been eagerly anticipating the Mardi Gras. She's a travel bug but we don't have plans to go anywhere this year.

Bourge17 wrote:And most info I’ve found state that the GP’s sound great.

As for prices – the GP line seems better:

If by GP you mean the Giovanni Palladium, I highly suggest that you do a "Search" on this drum in this forum. The main objection with this drum, partly because it's 32" tall is the unusual heavy weight. This will definitely be a factor when it comes to hauling your drums to and from gigs. But, if you envision your drums just staying home, then the weight should not be an issue.

Bourge17 wrote:It seems these GB’s (AA and Pro) are going for a good price.

I agree, not to mention their great hardware which I much prefer over stamped comfort rims. That's why I highly recommend these series of GBs.

Thanks everyone for the replies!

Manny - I meant GB's..."GP" was a typo....however, good advice on the Giovanni Palladium's. I will be lugging my congas around often so I dont want anything too heavy. Then again, maybe I need the exercise. And you and your wife make plans and come on down to New Orleans. When y'all do, let me know and I'll be happy to give you the skinny on all the local resturants and places to hear live music. (That goes for anyone visiting).

And just when I think I have things figured out, Jibaro makes a great suggestion - "Of course for the price difference between rubberwood and ash you could buy some extra mounted heads or premium skins." Now I have more to think about. In any event, at this point it sounds like I cant go wrong. I'll hopefully pull the trigger but will check ebay and other sites for better prices like pcastag sugested.

Thanks again and I will post some pics when I finally make an order.

Bourge17 wrote:Thanks everyone for the replies!

Bourge17,

Again, you're more than welcome! I'm only glad to be of help.

Bourge17 wrote:Then again, maybe I need the exercise.

I can almost guarantee you that the novelty of the exercise will wear out sooner than you think. Then, you might start cursing the daylights out of the Giovanni Palladiums!

Bourge17 wrote:And you and your wife make plans and come on down to New Orleans. When y'all do, let me know and I'll be happy to give you the skinny on all the local resturants and places to hear live music. (That goes for anyone visiting).

Hey, thanks for the offer! Who knows, my wife and I might just take you up on it. I've always heard that most New Orleaneans are very warm and hospitable. You've just proved it once again!

Again, best of luck and do post those pictures,

Bourge17 wrote:...Then again, for me, it’s really about sound.

The Gon Bops are fine drums, I've played every model except for the new black Alex Acuna Signature model with the black synthetic heads.
They are fantastic looking drums and hope to try them out when I see them.

But in my opinion LP's Galaxys are louder, crisper and sound better than any Gon Bops I've played thus far.
My advice is you head to a music store(s) and try to play both along with Meinl's pro line too, then decide.

congamyk wrote:The Gon Bops are fine drums, I've played every model except for the new black Alex Acuna Signature model with the black synthetic heads.

I 3rd that comment....those do look hot

Just a quick note besides a warm welcome and Superbowl congrats. I'm in a similar band situation as you, and lug around wooden tubs with real skin heads and am always fighting the amplified sound/sound egr so I can be heard.... If I had to do it again? 3 good fiberglass drums (lighter than wood) with the best syntheic heads you can find to help you cut through the mix. Add a cheap-ass lil mixer and mics and you're good to go for almost any gig genre.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I took it to heart and today did some reconnaissance work at lunch today.

First, here's a good story. By chance I found a pair of LP's Galaxy’s at a local Mexican restaurant. http://www.lacasagomez.com. The restaurant owners, extremely friendly people, have a set of 3 LP's Galaxy’s that were given to them by a former customer. Apparently this patron was moving out of town and was so fond of the place he just gave them a Quinto/Conga/Tumba. The owners leave them on stage for local groups to use when playing there. She had no idea what these congas were worth which sparked a devil and angel debate on my shoulders... I took the high road and informed her that she had a really nice set up and to take of them.

Anyway, I tried them out and thought they were great drums. Heavy as I've been told. But a very nice sound except on occasion where I heard something very ringy. It may have been the drums, heads, or tuning, but I wasn’t sold on them.

Second, I found some Meinl Fibercrafts at a local store and didn’t like them. I realize fiber is great for rock-n-roll bands as they tend to project more but I just couldn’t get the feel for them. Luckily, I do the PA/sound check for my "How loud can I play my guitar" band so I’ll come through well enough with any drums I go with.

I haven’t tried the GP Alex Acuna’s but I’ve checked with many folks who all agree that these are great sounding drums. I am working a deal on the internet and it looks like I am going to get an ebony conga and tumba at a good price. I’ll post details if it comes to fruition.

One question though – I found only a very few sites carrying the Alex Acuna SE Ebony series. This led me to believe these are not in high demand. Is there something I don’t know about these drums? Are the synthetic heads turning everyone off? (I’ve read they sound really good). Or is this a result of SABIAN buying Gon Bops?

DW didn't get the marketing right, I thought with their distribution networks the new gon bops wold be all over theplace, unfortunately they went through some changes and price increases that probably turned off a lot of buyers, I personally think they didn't have their hearts in it and didn't know much about the Latin pecussion market, the products are excellent, their top of the line drums are excellent, their mid range drums sound great, I haven't personally played the acunas but I've owned the CA. series and played the tumbao series. Nice drums for sure!
PC

The ebony Alex Acuna drums are a new model that just came out.

Cool. I hoped there was nothing otherwise.

In related news, I pulled the trigger today. Through e-bay I got a set of Alex Acuna Special Edition Ebony congas - Conga and Tumb - for the same price as this link. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT.

I thought less than 400 per drum was a good and fair deal considering other prices I found online.

Thanks to everyone for the great advice and help. I'll make sure to post some photos when I get them. Now I need to go practice to do these drums justice.

Have a good one!