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I have 3 LP performers Series My Dad got me awhile ago at guitar center. It was either Performers Series or Aspire . When I first got the I noticed a ring from them. and I know that PS (performer Series) is 2 ply cheap asian oak and dog chewable water buffulo skin, but its better than Aspire. So I got Remo Crimplock skyn deep heads and confort curve 2 rims, the ones that go on the giovanni congas. so the sound improved but I want a "old school" sound and right now I cant afford new congas. Whats skins on be great for these 2 ply drums? should I get Traditional rims? And what is you take on PS congas or Sam Ash Caliente and ardiente series? How can I make them sound better? I know about technique and hand position, that I have. but How can I improve these drums of mine?

nc

VJBaros wrote: So I got Remo Crimplock skyn deep heads and confort curve 2 rims, the ones that go on the giovanni congas. so the sound improved but I want a "old school" sound and right now I cant afford new congas.

Well, I wonder if reskinning the Performers is useful - the cost of 3 fine mule skins vs. the relatively cheap Performer congas
might be disproportional.
But then, I do use those drums in my school with the cr***y water buffalo on, and yes, they are playable for beginners, but
they are not what you would call profoundly excellent congas...
Why don´t you sell you Performers and try to get a well-used set of 2 or 3 decent Matador or old-skool CP congas?
Or (older) Meinl Marathon congas, which are a very sturdy bunch of drums.

I understand you are on a budget, but you simply have to consider by which investment you get the most bang for the buck.
BTW I would not have taken REMO skins and CC rims - but then that is just my personal opinion.


Just my 2 cents.

Here are your best options.
1.Buy a side of cowskin, about 100-120, you can cut three nice skins from it ( usually more ) and tuck them if you still have the original flesh hoops from the buffalo. I would check with bill Confer to see what a side goes for these days.
2. get rid of those drums completely and buy a good set of used congas, you can often get a nice set of matadors or similar quality drums for about 350, sometimes less.

Unfortunately you've already got some good money invested in those drums with the upgraded synthetic skins and the rims, so you might want to just hold on to them as is and wait for something else to come around.
PC

Thanks for all the input! When I do get new drums they wil not be Siam Oak, I want Matt Smith, S.OS, Moperc, Valje, Resolutions, or LP Gio Palladiam the colored stripes ones. Its a good idea to sell mine but I will not for sentimental reasons, for the time being I will just improve them. Mike you mentioned mule skins, would that be good for 2 ply drums?

VJ,

I was in almost your exact position. A few years back, I bought a set of 3 LP Classic II congas which are similar to the performer series. I knew nothing about drums at the time and thought "newer may be better" vs. buying used drums.

As my playing skill improved and I learned more (much on this board), I realized my mistake. I put a mule on the conga and went to CC2 rims vs. the comfort curve knock off's they use on that model....only to find that I did not have the sound I desperately longed for.

The mule was a slight improvement but could not fix crap build quality and acoustics.

I paid $800 after everything and sold em on craigslist for $600 when the market was a little better. The Classic II's have a distinct build quality difference vs. the normal classics.....the classic II's suck.

I now own several quality drums that give me the sweetness I love to hear....many which I bought used. If you look around you will find good deals.....you can get a pair of Palisades Park drums for around $300. I just sold a pair I couldn't give away for $270.

Good luck, and think sound and quality first.