Gon Bops Alex Cuna vs Meinl LC vs TOCAWood Conga Traditional

[kubaszek82]

Hi!
Long time since my last post here
Time to back to congas again!
I'm looking for set of congas (conga & tumba). I've found a conga Gon Bops Alex Cuna 11,5" Natural Lacquer, (it is something rare in Poland), in a very good price. Another offer is TOCA TO801142 Wood Conga Traditional Dark Walnut 11 3/4'' 3911-3/4D.
Are they better or similar to Meinl Louis Conte Series, which I've had played long time ago.
Mainly I'm asking about quality of heads. On Meinl's they are too plastic IMO.


http://www.gonbops.com/products-category/alex-acuna-series/
http://www.tocapercussion.com/products/congas/traditional-series-conga-114/

[Chtimulato]

Hi. If you can have it at a good price, I recommend the Gon Bops. It's ashwood, so better quality than the others you named, which are made of "Siam oak" (i.e. rubberwood). But you'll have only one conga... This being said, the Meinl Luis Conte are not so bad (if Luis Conte signed them...) Idon't know Toca, I mean not enough to have an opinion.

[Kaban]

I have played all those in the stores (GC, Vic's Drum Shop, The Drum Pad, and SamAsh). The GB Acuna is louder (ashwood) and has tighter slaps (small head). I think, from what I remember the Meinl LC sound better then the Toca. Overall the best deal is the Meinl LC. The Acuna cost a lot of money. Good luck.

[kubaszek82]

Many thanks for your help.
I've bought 20-years old Meinl Marathon Quinto & Conga in good condition.
They sounds lovely. The drums from 90" looks far better then new one from 2016 . And the skin is a skin, not "something" like on Meinl LC series.
Not good picture, and the renovation in home , but there they are:

[Seneferu]

I had problems with cracking of the Siam Oak shell when it was used to build the fake Valjes by Lp. I would go with the GB Alex Acuna's. Ash is a domestic wood and has less chance of cracking. Just my two cents.

[Derbeno]

In terms of sound you can't go wrong with LC Meinl