congaplace.com

Does anyone know about this drum?

Echo tone. Together with King Congas, these are some of the best fiberglass congas ever made, very little overtones and great hardware. Will you be purchasing it?

Echo Tones were the first fiberglass congas ever made, they were made by Frank Mesa out of Long Island NYC, were sold at Manny's on 48 St. I had a number of them in the past. This particular one even an earlier model than mine. The only other one I've seen like this belonged to Louie Goicochea, who played with Tito Rodriguez back in the late 50's. Jaquie that's a great find girl, where did you get it?

Dario

Check out this ancient version, fiberglass over wood, used to be mine, my buddy still has it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/15371714@N08/2012163577/in/photostream/

OK, just tried like 10 different times , can't figure out how to post images from Flickr anymore.
PC

unknown conga by pcastag, on Flickr


Think I got it now
PC

The conga that Jaquie (congablue) posted, is probably among the first Echo Tones made by Frank Mesa. I have only seen 2 like that, the one that she posted and one that belonged to Louie Goicochea, Tito Rodriguez conga player from the late 50's. Here is a photo of Louie and his early Echo Tone.
Louie lived in Broward county and he bought a conga from me in the mid 80's, he still had the conga in the photo. I wanted to buy it or trade it for the one he got from me, he would not do it, as he said that conga had too many memories. Louie died a few years ago from cancer, his son is a great Latin music bass player.

Dario

I am so excited about this drum.....OH MY GOD!!!!!!! I am sure that this is an early Echo Tone. And it is MINT!!!!!!! I was pretty sure it was but had my niece with me this weekend and didn't know how I was going to deal with even getting it. I thought for sure someone would get it before I could but wasn't positive it was an Echo Tone...I even told the seller that I thought it could be an early one but it looked so different from others that I had seen that I wasn't sure. Anyway....I will post closeups soon. The man said he traded in a wooden conga drum for this one at Manny,s 50 years ago. He has not played it in 40 years. The hardware moves liked it was made yesterday...I am so excited. I will post more pics soon....If anyone has more info please let me know. The seller was curious and I told him I would let him know anything I found out. Thanks Dario and King Conga for your information. I was pretty sure what it was but I am not an expert. Thanks.

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OK ....Here are some closeups. The seller told me that he was told 50 years ago that it was mule skin and it is the original head, never changed. I didn't know mule was used this long ago. Anyway...I am beyond happy.

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Leedy...WOW...I can't believe this. I didn't know anything about Pacific drums. I knew hardware was dif. from echotones which was why I was initially questioning whether it was. But then...I was like, well what else could it be? I don't care that it isn't an echo tone...this drum is stunning and just kept in mint mint condition. Sounds like you are right. The seller did say he bought it from Manny's though. Tell me more about Pacific drums and who the drum makers were. Hope you are doing well by the way. You guys really do amaze me with your knowledge and history. Jacqui Still very happy!

Leedy...I don't understand this either...could you explain more? What store was a warehouse? Manny's?

"that drum was purchased at Bate record on forsyth st and Delaney wow the 48th store was a warehouse"

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Congabluedog congratulations on an awesome find. That Conga is in incredible condition for it's age. Tell me about the sound, just curious if the skin still has life. Many times when a skin is left unplayed/treated it gets stiff and dry and of course looses it's playability.

Hey King Conga...Thanks for the nice words. I think it sounds great. It has a 10 1/2" head so I guess should play as a quinto. It doesn't sound good as this though. When I tune lower it sounds beautiful as a mid drum with nice tones and bass. The slaps don't have a strong bite but prob because I am tuning low. The head seems to still have alot of life in it. How? I don't know.

My main problem now is that I promised this to my niece. I was so busy this weekend that I just figured someone would get the drum before I could. I was just hoping it would last till Sunday afternoon. I was showing her some stuff on bongos and then showed her a pic of this drum. She really really liked it and asked if I could get it for her. I have a hard time saying no to her...I just love her so much. But this drum really isn't appropriate for a kid who is only 12 and who doesn't know how to play yet. Anyway...because she said she wanted it I pursued it full force...and now I have it and really want to keep it. Anyway...too much info I am sure. She is the best kid though. She also loves this mint lightweight vintage LP I bought from Docarroyo. This drum is easier for her to play, lift, tune etc. A better match I think. Anyway, have to figure this one out.