Giovanni's Compact congas - what do people think?

[timo]

Hi! Long time no see, hows everyone doing? Im sure this has been talked about some time before but i couldnt find the thread.

I'v been traveling alot and havent had time to play that much so I was thinking of buying the Latin Percussion Giovanni compact conga thinggy..whats the general oppionion, are they worth the money? i got the chance to try some out the other day and to be honest I was really supprised on how good they felt (considering its just the head and some plastic), the sound wast anything special, quite trebly and rich in overtones, but still a decent sound. but im not sure if theyr worth the money, I think they were about £139 (about 240$) for the 11" 3/4. but really not sure about it, I would like to play more, but im not really living in one place so it would be a pain to have real ones.



Edited By timo on 1145194307

[GuruPimpi]

Timo hello!

I bought one and I must tell you that for the one who can't have the place or time to exercise whenever or your drums are just to heavy... this is IT! I am exercising on that thingy regurarly and at some point I was thinking of buying the other dimension, but yes, it's pretty expensive... I bought it second hand (even though like new) and got it for 140 $, 220 $ is new...

It's practical, still loud (if you don't like to be loud, check out Pearl's practice conga), I even used it for 2 gigs, guys from band where like :O But still, no bass... I like whole body, not just skin...

In short: Great thing to practice and very practical (you need a snare stand too!), sadly that is so expensive... I'm very happy to have it!

Primozz

If you are traditional sound freak you won't like it...

[Isaac]

Pearl makes a nice wooden portable practice conga.
It's the size of a conga head and about 6" or 7"
deep. A lot cheaper, and good conditioning for
your hands.

~ ISAAC

[polish_lancer]

I hate to admit it but this is my alternative to the Pearl practice conga.

Conga Pad

Mine is similar. Rounded edge is good on hands. And you can actulally practice slaps.

[timo]

that seems quite good that pearl practise conga, a bit big for traveling, but a lot quieter that the LP one. Iv been using a table to practise for the past year and a half so i need to get something, its quite hard to produce all the right sounds using a table top, fun though it might be

Yeah, the fact that you also need a stand for it also bothers me, id have to lunge that around as well, Ill have to go try it again and see what i think, also need to try that pearl one, it seemed pretty practical for basic practise..thanks guys.

[Diceman]

Timo,

I have one, and it has its uses and most of the sounds, but because it isnt as solid as a full on conga, its impossible to practice doubles where you need a solid edge to produce the bounce.

Diceman

[blas]

I played one today in the store. It was fun but it definitely felt artificial. I can say that I wouldn't pay full price for one + the stand, but if I really had the need for it it might be worth the money. It's actually pretty amazing for what it is (basically a frisbee), I'd rather play a real one any day though.

[niallgregory]

I reckon the gio congas are great.I brought one with me on tour and it was great for warming up backstage or even in hotel rooms.The pearl ones are just made from wood.Just use a table , its the same thing .

[Thomas]

The compact congas are a great deal when it comes to rehearse with different bands at different locations. I just don't wanna haul my classics around for 2 hours rehearsal.
They are also great for gigs where space is a matter, i.e. bars, pubs and so on.
Maybe I wouldn't use them for traditional things like rumba or salsa, but if you play pop or funk, and need them only for a few songs, than they are pretty practical!
Thomas!

[pidoca]

G'day guys agree with you on this one. the compact conga lacks the traditional sound. But I don't think it is meant to sound like a real conga.

I have one; I always have it with me, it lives permanently in the back set of the car, the kids love it, i can take it to the beach, to work, spill coffee on it - a quick hose down and it's ready to go again. it won't replace my Meinls not should it.

My friends think it looks like a hub cap from a car. :rock: :laugh:

Bless ya

pidoca

[bongoron]

Sounds like a winner to me. After all, what good is it if you can't play it (play with it) anytime, anywhere!

Isn't that why we hit everything we walk past to see what kind of sound it makes :laugh: !? Or is it just me?

God bless!

-Ron

[congamyk]

Here is an interesting movie with the compacts being played with congas.

Compact conga video

[el huichi]

i bought the compact conga quinto size (11") and it defenitly do it for me...

i also expend so many time travelling that this instrument were a total blessing for me... i used to practice with kenkeni and sagban (african doundouns) as conga and tumba on the go... you have to hit harder to the skin, but IT HAS A BASS

mine i found it relly cheap... 130 $ with the stand (all new)... but i didn´t know that there were a diferent size... I BOUGHT 2 OF THE SAME SIZE... ready to sell one... shipping might be a problem (living in mexico at the moment)

[congamyk]

i have both sizes with snare stands. LP makes a gig backpack that carries both compact congas and stands in the backpack.

[Thomas]

Which stands do you guys use?
I had a Tama snare stand and it was totally rocky!
LP has a new mounting system, does anybody own it, is it worth the money?
http://www.lpmusic.com/Product_Showcase/Whats_New/cmpct_mount.html

By the way, has anyone of you played the compact bongos?
http://www.lpmusic.com/Product....os.html

Just wonder how they sound!