LP Caliente Congas

[congavalde]

I just bought 2 LP Caliente drums on evilBay, and know that I've overpaid, now that I've researched a little more. Oh well , but I am curious as to where they stand as far as quality.

Inside it looks like they are glued together and there are multiple pieced staves in one drum, the quinto I think.

The Caliente line is not on the LP website. Is it a true LP line? How do they compare to the Aspires?

They sound fine to me, since I am developing my techniques, but just wondering how the stack up to other lines.

[Derbeno]

There was a previous thread saying that Calientes are no better than Aspires

You would have been better off looking for Matadors, which are more of a serious entry and utilitarian drum

Wish I had more positive news

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7475

[congavalde]

That's okay, I don't mind Aspires. These were bought to be my moveable drums, for outside playing, for the kids, etc.

It seems to be that the Matadors are hard to find for sale Used, and the ones that are, are pricey.

I have not seen the Caliente line on the LP website, so I was wondering. Plus some websites are selling them new and they seem expensive.

Will putting mules on them improve the sound? I ve seen references on posts that say that it's the head is that makes the sound, the drum makes the resonance.

Thanks!

[Mike]

Caliente and Aspire have inferior hardware compared to Matador drums,
so I doubt that they can really take the extra stress of mule skins or if
reskinning Calientes with top-of-the-range skins is not rather a waste of money.
But that is your personal choice.

[Derbeno]

The hardware will not take the stress of a thicker skin

This looks like a good deal

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Latin-Percussio ... 1c38eab643

[Mike]

Will putting mules on them improve the sound? I ve seen references on posts that say that it's the head is that makes the sound, the drum makes the resonance.

Of course a good skin is surely nice.
But it´s the hands really that make the sound.

FWIW, I had a spontaneous recording sessoin with my band,
and the vintage 10" Cosmic Percussion I had at hand only
in our practice room (others were stored away at home)
yielded a fine sound over the PA (no effects). And it still has
the standard water buffalo skin on! See here:
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8520&p=81237&hilit=cosmic+percussion#p81237

[PowerSemantic]

From my observations, Calientes are exclusive to Sam Ash. You should see them on their website, and few other places.

My impression is that they are like Aspires with the addition of gold hardware.

Whatever use you put them to, I wish you the best!

[congavalde]

Thanks all for your responses. I don't mind Aspires, I just wanted to confirm that I got ripped off for the price I paid. I do have a group of LP Salsa congas with mules on them..love em. These Calientes will be my throw-around pair; am sure the kids will knock em over, etc.

I would get those Matador congas, they look great. Only I just spent $150 on LP gen II bongos and $212 on Matador timbales, after spending the 275 on the Aspires. I cashed in some of my annual leave/ paid time off to get these. At least now I research before buying...

I will just keep using the Calientes to develop my hands, and one day either donate them to someone who is just learning, or continue to use them with students if I ever have any down the line!

[burke]

I know I've done it - that is got excited and overpaid before looking into it deeply enough.

The other day I sold a vintage banjo uke for less than I paid. But I thought to myself - I owned it for 5 years and used it - the difference between the the buying/selling price is a rental fee. I got at least the dollar amount in usage over time.

If that's any consolation

Cheers

Darrell

[congavalde]

Thanks for the words of solace!

There is a small rough area on the drum skin near the edge, so I try to avoid it with slaps and open tones. Very small, put noticeable to my hands. Is there a way to sand it down? Or should I replace the head with American cow (is that better than water buffalo?).

Not looking to spend, but if it will help me stop looking to buy more then I want to make this my "go to" pair.