Matador vs. LP Classic - conga comparison

[Ecuarumba]

Hey guys,...just wanted your opinions on the differences between Matador wood congas and the LP Classic Congas.
I'm about to buy a pair and after trying them both and reading their specs. i'm really only seeing/hearing minor differences between the two such as the fiberglass backing that the Classics have in the upper area for added strength, and the different rims on each.
To save some money, I'm thinking of buying the Matadors but I wanted to check here to see if there was something I was missing in my comparison.

Oh and the skins aren't really an issue, cuz I'll be changing them to JCR Mule Skins anyway..

Thanks
any help is appreciated.

[Master2987]

If you asked me, the only difference between the two is $75. I own the Classics....good but not great, especially the skins.

[Jongo]

I have Matador congas and I changed the heads to some JCR heads after I wore out the original and those Matadors sound so good. I play other congas from time to time just to see how they sound and they do not sound better than my Matadors. Another good thing is that they were very inexpensive compared to other congas. Like for what I paid for them and how good they sound, it was a great deal. I have never had any regret about investing in Matador rather than the regular LP's

[smidogg]

Let me tell you my friend. I have both a set of Classics and Matadors and the differences are minimal. I tour with my classics and leave the Matadors set up as a practice set and they both sound amazing. I have found that the Classic Tumba sounds better than the Matador Tumba but the quinto and conga are totally comporable. Often times in my studio I will mess around with all 6 drums and other than appearance, they all sound the same.
If you are looking for killer drums at a good price go matador.
If you are looking for a set of drums that will look more pro, get the classics. (I did this to get some more work. and it worked.)
Both sets are wood by the way, I dont mess with the synthetic.



Edited By smidogg on 1147820622

[dannydrumperc]

If you are looking for killer drums at a good price go matador.

He's right. I bought the Matadors (wood) about 2 years ago because of that. I play more drums than conga, but needed a better set than my Aspires for gigging and went for the Matador set. LP says at their website that Classics are stronger than Matador, but soundwise I don't hear any difference (at least on the wood-shelled drums).

[caballoballo]

Smidogg, Try some Fyberskin sometimes. You are going to hear how your sound will come alive.

[rhumbatumba]

They have different heads... the Matador heads are a slightly lower quality, both sound great though and the difference in sound is slight. They have slightly different rim shapes as well. When playing the drums I dont really even notice much of a difference between LP's old curve rim (matador) and the new curve II rim (Classic).

I know the LP fiberglass drums have a steel rim in the bearing edge of the shell and the Matadors dont... not sure if that is the case for the Wood drums though.



Edited By rhumbatumba on 1148659579

[rhumbatumba]

Smidogg, Try some Fyberskin sometimes. You are going to hear how your sound will come alive.

Just to add to your comment... I truly like synthetic heads better due to playing live a lot... I have having to tun in the middle of a set. Anyway, Fiberskin heads are great... personally I have moved on to Nuskin.

If you plan on changing to synthetic heads go with the matadors, no point in throwing away $75.

Does anyone else find that Nuskin sounds better on Fiberglass drums where as the fiberskin sounds better on wood shells?

[Mike]

Hi Ecuarumba,
having seen all those opinions that favour Matador over LP Classics, I can only agree (I own both Classic + Matador Drums, they´re really equal, although I found the COMFORT CURVE II RIm quite fine with the Classic Quinto).
On the other hand, have you ever tried s.th. like BAUER Congas (from Brazil)) or the PJs from Denmark? I only played them in shops, but they are SO different and unique in sound and feel! It depends what you are up to, i.e. what sound you´re after..

Just an idea...

[OLSONGO]

Matadors and LP classics are made in the same company in Thailand , just the logos change and lower quality heads.

[wouter]

Which one would be the best to buy: matador wood or matador fiberglass?
Thanks.

[wouter]

and what are the big differences between matador and matador custom?
thanks again.

[Ecuarumba]

thanks for all the input guys...i ended up gettin em...they're dark brown wood Matadors and i've already put some JCR mule skins on em and they sound great...i have to agree with all of you, i hear no real difference between these and the LP Classics, so I'm glad i saved some money.

[Jongo]

Hey Wouter, I would get the wood. It has the warm sound that I think most of us really appreciate in congas. Fiberglass is great but for me wood is where it's at. I am not that familiar with the Matador Custom. I have only seen then online but I think I would go with the regular Matadors.
Ecuarumba, glad you went with the Matadors, saved some bucks and you like the sound. I have never regretted buying Matador congas.

[dannydrumperc]

and what are the big differences between matador and matador custom?
thanks again.

The only differences are the color option and that Customs comes in packaged sets. Aside that, they are identical drums - same wood and everything.