congaplace.com

Howdy.

I recently acquired a couple of Palladiums, a tumba and a quinto. The guy who sold them had them tuned down and was going to show me how to tune them, but he had forgotten the key (he mailed it a couple of days later, though). This was actually a really good thing, because it made me learn how to tune my congas, as I had never done so.

However, after a couple of weeks, I have been unable to tune them (the quinto, in particular) so that it doesn't have fairly pronounced metallic overtones. After watching some videos and reading up on some ways to eliminate them (without tape or a towel) and spending the better part of an afternoon tuning it down and up, I have not met with any measure of success.

It seems like there's both head and body overtones, with the head overtones being the most noticeable.

Any ideas as to what I might be able to do in order to eliminate (or at least minimize) them?

Thanks.

The typical LP problem: Water buffalo skins, especially when they are new, ring like hell.
You might want to replace them by slightly thicker cow or mule skins.
Apart from that, the shells produce overtones indeed, which is not an entirely bad thing
as the tones must get some projection.

Are the drums new? Then you need a little patience, the skins need some breaking-in time.

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

I've seen the sponge suggestion a couple of times, now. Maybe I'll give that a shot.

They were made in 1996, so they aren't new (but I also know that's a relative term). However, I don't know how much they were played. They appear to have been well cared-for, though.

What's the ballpark cost of two good cowhide skins?

jinkywilliams wrote:

What's the ballpark cost of two good cowhide skins?

About $100 for two including the shipping from L&H Percussion.

Or from Bil confer, you cpuld also buy a side for about 120 or so and cut multiple skins from them.
PC

Yeah, cowhide should give those tubs of yours a warmer, less metallic sound,
but they will still ring! I sold my LP congas for that reason in the end and have settled
down happily ever after with vintage Gon Bops and Delaportes.

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

I just refurbed my Gon Bop conga with Bill Confer heads. Great sound and slaps. I cant wait for the head to break in. Go for the 0.60 thick head.