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Posted: **Tue Jun 26, 2007 3:10 am**

Hola,
Does anyone know what congas Ray was using in around 91'-"Handprints" era?
I'm sure he may be using a alternative set live, how about recording?

T

EDIT: I meant Handprints not Footprints

Edited By Tonio on 1182881904

Posted: **Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:24 pm**

Rumor has it that Barreto quit officially endorsing LP in the 80s and he practically had congas be placed by the "promoters" that could be any brand. Heard in some instances he did not want the brand to show in the congas. (LP being the brand that was most available in that time I bet you will see him in photos with LPs)

He started endorsing Pearl about three years ago and I personally placed his congas here in Puerto Rico during his last concert here. Interesting of the 4 congas we put him to play, which were wood Pearl Elites, he wanted 2 with Remo Fyberskins....(See photo I took in rehearsals).

Saludos!

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Posted: **Wed Jun 27, 2007 4:09 am**

Thank you for the pics Raymond. Nice Pearl endorser plug !!

Ray had a interesting live set up. Its like he had the main triangle setup (from left to right) quinto, segun, tumba-not exactly sure of each individual drum: with an extra quinto on the left.

Yes I have noticed (web pics etc) that during live sets , he seems to use whatever the local shop or agent can get. The one and only time I had the opportunity to see Ray locally. If I remember correctly , it was in the '90's. He had Lp Valje's (from L to R) quinto, segun, tumba. I was suprised to see that setup ,but then realized that the venue was a small coffee house that i have played at numerous times. San Diego is somewhat conservative in Latin Jazz , so I didn't really care at the time , just to see Ray was food enough. The place only had about 100 seats, so nice and up close.
I then noticed that his band members seemed to be subs. I noticed a few young cats names, but was low key. But the sessions was great.
Its so hard getting info on recording sessions. At this point I'm guessing that he had used Skin on Skin around that time, based on the tone recorded. Mainly the segun and tumba, and possibly his secret ax of a qinto on some tunes.

T

Posted: **Wed Jun 27, 2007 4:13 am**

Raymond, Pearl congas seem to really be taking off. The most current NAMM had alot o cats at their booth.

have you played the folkloric set? from the description, its seems, the heads are special (maybe cowhide) and the bands etc seems to be just special work
flush mount with the shell.

T

Posted: **Wed Jun 27, 2007 4:25 pm**

HI guys...I have been a Pearl perc. Endorsee for 12 years now..some have jumped ship, but I'm hanging with Pearl...they have been "berry berry gut to me"....I love my Pearl woods and fiberglass...I plan on being at the next NAMM show for the first time, and i willdefinetly be at their booth....come up and say hello...."JC" Johnny Conga-Pearl Artist/Independant

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Posted: **Thu Jun 28, 2007 11:43 pm**

Ray was a friend of mine,when he came to So. Fl. he used my congas a couple of times. He would called and I say Ray, don't bother bringing congas on the flight ,just use mine. I know for a fact that in the early 90's he was using Jay's Skin on Skin. In the late 80's on a trip to Venezuela, he had "Pan Con Queso" (Carlos Landaeta) make a conga and a tumba for him. If you have his "Irresistible" album on Fania, you can see them on the cover. I wanted to buy those from him,as he preferred SOS,but that never materialized.
Ray was, without a doubt, a giant of the instrument and the most humble person you ever met. May he rest in peace. Que Viva La Musica, as he used to say !
Saludos, Dario

Posted: **Fri Jun 29, 2007 2:56 am**

Dario!!, thank you for the confirmation. I just knew he was using SOS's.

JC, yes I know you a re a Pearl endorser. Have you tried the folkloric model?

T

Posted: **Fri Jun 29, 2007 6:09 pm**

I've tried the Folkloric congas. They look great and sound great. Very warm sound. The heads are a little bit thicker than the the regular stock heads most manufacturers include. (Pearl gets them from South America...)

Personally, I am a fiberglass man, so not a great judge of wood congas. A friend of mine order some through me and I had a set at home for a week. Played with them, besides playing them at the yearly NAMM, and they do not project as good as my Bobby Allende's that are fiberglass but that is my liking. (Got sharper and more projection from the Bobby's since they have a bigger mouth and the Fiberskyns on the Bobby's help to get me a sharper sound).

Have to tell you that the top endorsers from the competion have played them while at NAMM and all of them loved them....

Have to try them yourself...

Oh forgot! Yes, during my two visits to the last NAMMs, the only places things happen, regarding percussion, is those guys from the L company and ourselves...That is where the action is regarding percussion. We are at each other places all the time....

I hope this helps!

Saludos!

Edited By Raymond on 1183140674

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Barretto in 91'