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I play LP classics getting a little tired of the weight. My friend has a set of old Gon-Bops that are very light. What are the lightest full size congas that are in production and available in th USA currently?

Those Gon Bops most likely were made of Honduras mahogany , vintage now . There is a possibility that one of the USA artisans can make you a set if you so desire and don't think twice about spending the money.

Peace
Olsongo

blosh wrote:I play LP classics getting a little tired of the weight.

Have you considered fiberglass? Nothing beats fiberglass for weight.
Matadors or patatos both have a comfortable weight not to mention they are both very nice sounding.

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leedy2 wrote:A drum of good quality made of fiberglass will be a bit heavy non are really lite weight.The gauge of the fiber glass plus metal makes them heavy.

What I can say is that I am familiar with with the Classics, as well as many other pro grade wood congas. I can tell you that the LP Matadors, the LP Patatos and even the heavier LP Galaxy as well as the Pearl Boby allende models are all lighter than the classics in fact I dont know, not that they dont exist, of any fiberglass conga that is hevier than a pro grade wood conga.

OLSONGO wrote:Those Gon Bops most likely were made of Honduras mahogany , vintage now . There is a possibility that one of the USA artisans can make you a set if you so desire and don't think twice about spending the money.

Peace
Olsongo

I think the gon bops were made of philippine mahogany which is why they're so light, honduran mahogany is a bit denser. I would say some vintage gon bops are about the lightest drums you can get and still get a decent sound, problem is you won't get much projection so You'll have to rely on mellow gigs or monitors to get you through.

Thanks for all of the replys. I have owned fiberglass and I don't remember them being any lighter although I never actually weighed them. Anyone played a composite Remo conga, that can comment on the weight and sound?

blosh wrote:Thanks for all of the replys. I have owned fiberglass and I don't remember them being any lighter although I never actually weighed them. Anyone played a composite Remo conga, that can comment on the weight and sound?

I definitely can. They are heavy as a tank. The material is neither wood or Fiberglas. It is a proprietary material called acousticon, some type of resin mixed with wood and the hardware is second to none. As for the sound, they definitely sound good. I know four other guys that own them and they would all tell you the same thing.
Poncho Sanchez is sponsored by REMO so you can hear REMOS in any of his recent recordings.
These are mine.