Anyone use Giovanni Practice Conga(s) live?

[RAJ]

Curious whether anyone uses the LP Giovannia Practice Conga for times other than practice ... i.e., at gigs -- whether full stage gigs or small, intimate, "unplugged" events.

I'm considering doing this to save space, weight, and $$. They sound fantastic (much better than the LP Aspires) and seem produce a much brighter tone than wood drums. Since I'm in a pop/rock setting, this would be good.

I'm thinking of giving it a go.

Thoughts? Experience doing the same or something similar?

[gilbert]

well i've got both the 11" and the new 11 3/4"
i am using them each time i have a rehearsal and private gigs and when playing with a DJ
never in latin music

[pidoca]

Gday mate.

I saw some percussionist who were travelling here in australia, (I cant remember their name), They were playing both sizes in a folklor and traditional music from the carribean island. They sounded quite good. They played them to save money having to hire congas for each gig and for space.

I personally use the 11" in gigs when needing to do a solo or some attacks.

God Bless
Pidoca
http://www.cabritamusic.com

[TigerBongo]

Hi Raj,

I have 2 x 11" Compact Congas.....I use them mainly for practise, Theatre work (where I can't warrant the space or need for a full conga rig and some pop/rock. I don't think I'd ever use them for Authentic Cuban music etc. Although they don't sound too bad new used in combination with a Wood Conga or Tumba......

Nice instruments for the price - only comment is that the sound is rather 'toppie' and a little metallic sounding not unlike that from Fiberglass Conga. Some might say that it's because of the synthetic Evans heads - but I think it's also because of the light weight 'comfort-curve' hardware - which is quite resonant.

Also - if you tighten them up too much in a snare basket - they get pretty badly choked I've found - lose there resonance. But if you don't do them up enough (at least in a Pearl snare basket) - the basket tends to loosen up considerably and 'release' the compact conga.....

My 2cents