LP Originals

[mangorockfish]

What is the difference between LP's Original Fiberglass congas and their Salsa model?
Mango'

[ABAKUA]

What is the difference between LP's Original Fiberglass congas and their Salsa model?
Mango'

Well... from my understanding the Originals are fibreglass, not wood.

Salsa model are wood.

LP website contradicts itself by stating the Originals are

Virtually unchanged since their introduction in the 1960’s, LP Original Model Congas have become the standard fiberglass conga of Salsa players the world over.

Then follow a few sentences down by saying they are wood. ??? Not the first mistake they have made in catalogues etc..

Apart from my main drums, I actually own an antique fibreglass Original quinto from the early 70's. Sounds great when crancked up for rumba settings, would never use it in a band situation though, not the type of sound I like from my playing, besides my Palladiums stand at 32", the Original at 28"....

Apart from one being wood (salsa model) and the other fibregalss (original model) there is not much difference in construction. They are both of same shape and measurements, same height (28") same lug sizes and rims available, same skins (depending on store) The difference will be in the sound you gain from them and what your personal preferences are.

Play both, see which you like best. Shop around, lots of great drums in the market... also lots of lesser quality ones... shop around, play all you can, make the decision with the ones which 'feel right' to you, when the time comes, you will know.

all the best.

Original model:




Salsa model:

[Diceman]

Mongo,
I have a pair of Original congas and tote them in the car boot, great for noisy electric gigs, but dont have the tone and subtilty of wood.

Abakua,
I have recently scored a set of Paladiums on ebay. The quinto and super tumba have good skins, the super tumba having the original LP skin. Problem is, the conga and tumba have very thick cowhide and sound dull compared with the others. Is there anything I can do to the skins, to liven them up (they are well manteca'd), or is it a matter of changing them, and can you suggest a good skin and thickness if I have to change them?
Appreciate your help on this one, I can wait to take these babies out on the road.

cheers
Diceman

[mangorockfish]

From the pictures, the Salsa models are short "Classics" with the bigger bottoms. I have never seen any, but that is what I want. The look is KILLERand I doubt the sound is far behind. If I need a different sound, then I could always use my Meinls. Thanks for the enlightenment.
Mango'