LP Matador vs. Meinl Luis Conte vs. Sonor Cubano

[Firebrand]

Guys,

I have a friend who is a recording engineer. He is not a pro conga player. He has been outfitting his studio with the necessary professional percussion gear and is looking into getting a set of congas (2 or 3) that has enough good sound quality to sound good in a studio. He does not need to spend extra money on getting some company's "top of the line", just good enough to sound good in a recording.

LP Aspire's or Toca's beginner line were too "flat", and without tone.

I recommended LP Matadors, which, surprisingly, had pretty good professional tone. however, he heard that Meinl's Luis Conte line have better tone for a cheaper price. He also asked me to check out the Sonor Cubano Conga line.

Could someone outline what level (begineer, semi-pro, pro) each of these conga models are, comparisons of the sounds, and which would make the most sense for the particular application (recording studio pair).

I'd highly appreciate any help.

[fed]

I would tell your friend to save his money and buy a good mic or something. I mean if someone is a conga player and good enough to record they got to have their own instrument that sounds the way he/she wants it to sound. Sometimes studios have collection of gear I guess, specialy if they know that it will give them some specific famous sound. But that's the key they have a collection of say guitar amps or snare drums.

I know this is not answering your quesiton but I just wanted to present another point of view. He would be waisting his money IMHO, but then maybe he's got plenty... :p

[onile]

Alafia Abures Firebrand and Fed!
I hope that you are both well and in an abundance of blessings my brothers!

I whole heartedly agree with Abure Fed! In every instance that I've gone into a recording studio, there has "never" been the offering of "their" congas for recording. In fact, I believe that to be due to them "not" having a set to offer, but if they had, I personally would be very 'picky'. With all due respect to all the congueros on this forum and out in the rythm world, we have our preferences, as expressed numerous times in various threads here.

Most groups coming into a studio will have their own instruments, however I have had the experience of having the group El Chicano, come into a studio out here that I have worked with, in which the conguero being very specific with regards to wanting a quinto (LP), and conga for recording, being that he didn't bring his stuff from CA. So, I guess it could stand to reason, that it is better to be prepared for the event if this happens.

Respectfully!
Onile!

[Firebrand]

Thanks for the answers guys.

My take is that he might be working with artists who are up and coming and who might not have their own equipment. Therefore, he just wants to have something available for performers. It might also double as a "gigging" set, in case he needs to hire a conga performer who doesn't own a set. He also directs his own band and often hires conga performers or needs a conga set for one of the front "chorus" singers to double on. But, since he's not the main performer on them, he's not keen on spending full professional money on it. He just wants something professionally sounding, with an eye toward more studio work than anything else.

I will pass on your advice about letting the percussionists have their own set, but, to the question I posted, what are people's thoughts on the three sets I outlined (Luis Conte, LP Matador, Sonor Cubano Line).



Edited By Firebrand on 1144778637

[caballoballo]

I agreed 100% with Fed & Onile. Every musician has his preferences and likes. That is why we have our own instruments,wood/fiberglass,comfort/traditional rims,synthetic/natural skins and tuned to our own distintive taste.

Onile,finally I sold the Pearl Elite Bongó,Amen. I could not make it sound to my taste. I will not ever buy one of those mass produce instruments again, I rather pay more for a hand made one,you get for sure a well made and sounding instrument. Last sunday me and some friends visited the widow of Ivan Caceres to buy some JCRS campanas,we bought every one she has for $10.00 each. That was really a bargain because those campanas are sold for at least $38 each at the stores. Arre Caballo

[onile]

¡Vaya Papa!
Alafia Abure Caballoballo!

Wow! That is a bargin on the bells! I am with you on the issue of mass produced instruments, this of course with respect to others who need to watch their $ a bit closer. As I had stated in another post, I work and pay everyone else, but once a year (tax time), I pay myself and get a new set of congas, or bongóces.

"si yo corriera......"

Vaya mi pana Firebrand! (te voy a enviar un e-mail a momento)

La bendicion mis hermanos!

Onile!



Edited By onile on 1144781715

[Jongo]

Hey Firebrand, I would take the Matador congas over the Meinl. I have played them both and prefer Matador. I have never played the Sonor Cuban congas so I can't really say about those. To me though the safest bet is to go with Matador