Pearl Bobby Allende congas - advices about this model

[rebongo]

Hello to everybody!
I'am reading you from much time, but this is my first post; somebody has played the fiber Bobby Allende congas by Pearl? I need a "All weather " set and i'd like what do you think about.
Thankyou

[Garvin]

I think there are probably a few threads about these congas, but as far as their all-weather qualities, this is the best I can tell you. I moved from the Southwest (desert) recently to Northern Michigan. The climate change was intense and I experience no difficulty in keeping them in tune here verses there. I haven't played them outdoors yet, but have left them in a garage overnight and did not have to tune at all the next day. I'm sure the combination of fiberglass shells with the synthetic heads keeps them in tune no matter what. I have since changed the quinto head to a LP hand select, but kept the factory heads on the conga and tumba. These are fine drums, with great tone for contemporary music. For a folkloric or more acoustic gig they may be a bit loud, I still have a hard time figuring out how to be dynamic while maintaining good technique I guess (I hit too hard maybe?). I also had to get used to the 28" height since I'm used to 30" tall matadors. I would also reccomend trying Remo's Tuff-e-nuff congas for their all-weather durability. I've played them on several occasions, but they were too heavy for me. Hope this helps!

[rebongo]

Thankyou, Garvin! The Pearl endorsers on the forum can tell me more?

[rebongo]

I repeat the question!!
Is it possible, nobody has played the Bobby Allende congas by Pearl? Nobody can help me and tell me sometthing about?

[GuruPimpi]

Hello Rebongo!

Sorry, I was away from Congaplace since I operate our bends myspace.com site...

Yes, I own and will take with me on a gig tommorow Bobby Allende's Tumbadoras.

About their sound and playability in 'all weather'' was said a lot on this forum somewhere, I think if you type their name in search mode of forum it will come out, just make a cross in the 'older' topics. Anyway, they tend NOT to change sound, pitch when they are exposed to different level of humidity, cause they have plastic skin (Remo Fyberskin) and are fiberglass.
I like the sound of Quinto, very crisp and together with tumba and conga are ''Sisters of Enjoyment' on stage, when I have a concert with my original band (we are electrified and many times loud'.

Sound of them is bright and NOT appropriate for quiet acoustic gigs if you are not used to play softly. Personally I like wood for that kind of gigs, I can't play them together with wood congas, they are much different in 'Colour of the sound'.

I hate REMO crimplock skins that Pearl uses for them, Quinto skin died in the middle of the sound check, when I had an outdoor concert (temperature was something like 32 degrees Celsius), so by my experiences they are not ok when exposed to direct Sun. I bought myself REMO tucked skin. They serve me well now.

If you have a chance to try those babies, check the lugs, mine were rusty and real pain to tune. I ordered new from Meinl, cause I couldn't and didn't want from Pearl.

Check them for sounds and hardware, anything you will play and own for your musical journey - play them first, except some real fine handmade by Masters of Tumbadoras.

I don't have any recordings with them yet, try to find some Bobby Allendes newest tracks (I think his playing with Carlos Santana now...

my two cents,

PimpS

[polish_lancer]

I gig with them in Chicago for their ablility to handle the constant change in weather around here.

You can get a pretty good sound out of them as well. (I play a of non traditional gigs, so I am not always in need of that "true" conga sound that you might hear as a complaint from others)

Have had no problems with hardwear over the past year and a half.

[Raymond]

I own a pair of Bobby Allende's and I love them. Lots of posts here about them.

The greatest features?

1 - 28 inch tall, that makes them suitable for playing seated. (Most congas are 30 inch tall).

2 - Come from the factory with Remo Fyberskins. (If you want synthetic heads from the get go these are the bests and already come with it).

3 - Wide "mouth" in the bottom. Great to project. (Also deals with point 1 making them great for playing seated that is a problem the LP "Patato" style they have implemented in all their new congas that makes playing seated a problem).

4 - Pearl's best hardware are in these congas. The comfort rims are the best ones they have. (Well'...have to qualify that because the new Pearl's Richie Flores, blue, etc, and the new Pearl Mahogany congas have the same style).

5 - Looks....they look like wood because they do not have a metal ring in the body that most fiberglass congas have.

In summary, they are very light to carry. (Not as heavy as other brands). Their project is great, as fiberglass will give you.

I have not gotten problems with the hardware. On the contrary....is still working good and looking good.

Two colors or models to choose...Cafe con Leche (Milk and Coffe or Brown or light brown) and the Solar Sparkle (actually kind of silver glitter that is OK. By the way, Cafe con Leche are the most popular..)

The best thing about them is the price in comparison with the other brands....Check them out!

I hope this helps...

Saludos!



Edited By Raymond on 1179582822

[rebongo]

thanks to all the kids!