congaplace.com

Many of the forum members live along the west coast of America and so this thread asks for advise from these members. I know that Rhythm Traders in Portland is a well stocked percussion store, There is California Percussion in San Francisco, Drummers Tradition in San Rafael and Drum Skulls in Santa Cruz. I do not know the LA Basin at all and it seems like San Jose ought to have at least one major percussion store who stocks congas

Are there any other suggestions?

thank you , marcus

Haight Ashbury Music has an excellent percussion section, often with vintage items on consignment.

John's Music in Seattle Washington. He is also the founder of the annual World Rhythm Festival in Seattle. Really great store. I wish I had had the $ back then to buy the Rauls that he carried.

Yes there is a lot of history with John's Music. I do not think he carries such high-end congas anymore. Yet "in the day" which was before my time that was the place. thx

bongosnotbombs wrote:Haight Ashbury Music has an excellent percussion section, often with vintage items on consignment.

I contacted Haight Ashbury Music and Juhad responded most quickly. That is good customer service!

thx, marcus

Judah is the name at Haight Asbury. Darn I really get angry at myself for typing too fast and not spell checking.

Marcus wrote:Yes there is a lot of history with John's Music. I do not think he carries such high-end congas anymore. Yet "in the day" which was before my time that was the place. thx

Yes, Johns has reduced the size of his store & never carried much in professional series of Latin drums, It was usually a rare thing to find hogh end instruments there since he was serving the entry level percussionist. The market just dried up.

Rhythm Traders in Portland , Oregon is a very pro shop oriented Percussion store . I often wait until the opportunity to drive there from Seattle arises so I can buy products there. Seattle stores are very entry level oriented & most high end products are Lp's which I am not interested in any longer unless they correct many design problems. They are just a generic Latin Drum company now...same as other Asian imports. Rhythm traders orders Asian drums made to their own configurations of shells, hard wares, which are same quality as most Asian imports but at a friendlier price point. You are buying the drum, not the name. They are expert at tucking heads, and specialize in African drums w/ woven cord style tuning, Like " Mali " weave * etc. They sell skin wires for all sizes of drums & can have odd sizes made easily. They stock several brands besides Lp. They were the only N.W. percussion store to offer Timba, JCR and other products not seen in Seattle. Check them out, they have an online store, a face Book account as well. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A ... ml&h=127dc