Fixing my conga and quinto. - Will better skins change the ringing?

[tactikal]

I recently bought a cheap LP two-ply conga and quinto and want to try to get at least a passable sound.

They were pretty cheap, and they sound pretty bad, but I initally thought that it was mostly because they had been kept tuned-up for the whole time the seller had owned them - and I presume she has ruined the heads ???

The main issues I have are that;
I cannot leave any part of my hand touching the skin (or "play into" the conga at all) as the resonance is then severely dampened.
There is a harsh overtone that dominates.
....This means that I can't get that nice conga sound from them at all when playing normally - in fact, I almost feel like I'm playing on a Djembe trying to get clear(ish) sounds.

My questions;
Is it the skins that are causing these overtone and resonance issues?
Could the drum construction be another reason for bad overtones and lack of resonance?

I personally believe it is the skins... The skins that are on them are very thin, and have been lined with some kind of clear substance, so I plan on getting some heavier/better skins - but thought I'd ask you guys and see if it could be some other problem.

I have tried tuning them up higher and dampening the skins a little - but whilst this can reduce the ringing, I also lose any good tone and resonance.

Should I bother getting better skins so that I can achieve that tight, clear sound or will these drums sound bad anyway?

any help is much appreciated!

[tactikal]

Just to clarify -

Playing a tone normally requires that you leave your hand resting on the skin after the strike - If I play this on my drums, I can only get a muff sound.

Is it the crappy/thin/abused skins that have caused this?

Also, is heavy goatskin too thin for conga?

[Congadelica]

Hello Buddy , You sound as though your pretty new to Congas. Firstly which model of LP do you have and how long have you been playing ?
I suggest you read heaps more on this website , you will be amazed at the level of information and help here . I was a novice earlier this year but now have improved heaps since having lessons with a pro player and instructional DVD`s to help with style and rythm .
It all depends on how serious you want to be as a player .

The tone sound is finished with the hands off the drum so it resonates overtones can be a problem with budjet drums .

Happy to help

marco

[CongaTick]

tactikal,

ASSUMING the shells are not cracked, split or delaminated, and that the hardware is in reasonably good shape without stripped lug threads, then I would have to agree with you that skins are your problem. A good set of skins will bring new life and a whole new world of possibilities on both drums. I have mule skins from Isaac (Funky Tradition) on all my drums and they are amazing! Though costing a bit, they are a worthwhile investment that will take your "cheap" drums to a different level. But if mules are out of your range, explore our threads here for forum pro recommendations for steer and cowhide heads which will also renew your spirits and your drums. Welcome , and good luck

[tactikal]

heya guys,

thanks for the replies.

As for the tone sound, I was going by what I saw on the youtube vid posted by one of the members on here.. he spoke of doing tone-slap practice rhythms, and he left his hand distinctly touching the skin after both strikes. ???

Obviously the videos aren't that great resolution-wise, so it could be misleading... Regardless, everything I do on my drums without immediately lifting my hands off results in muffley badness.

I'm reasonable at percussion in general, know how to get good sounds out (and have managed with some difficulty to get something out of these babies) but I know something is wrong... and i get the feeling it's a combination of weak hardware (brackets) and thin skins.
(Trying to tune the conga up to A3 resulted in fractured bracket.)

I bought these drums being told they were "One World" brand... I could only find One World percussion as a Canadian brand, but couldn't get any info on the drums.. turns out they were "One Rhythm" - the cheapest of the cheap of LP's range.

I've spoken to a tig welder and I'll probably get the brackets reinforced and buy better skins.. as the construction of the drum seems ok (nothing special, but hey)...I should be able to get a good sound if I can get them skinned, tuned and stable (as in the brackets).

Marco, when you say overtones are a problem in budget drums.. is this because of the cheaper skins that are supplied? It doesn't seem to have to do with the wood or construction as i can remove the overtones by damping the skin slightly.

Cheers for your help too.. I really do think it's the skins that are the major prob, and needed a sounding board.

Does anyone know the likelyhood of shipping Mule-skins internationally? Quarantine restrictions?
I'm having a hard-time even getting prepared cowhide here in Australia ( I don't really feel the urge to shave hair off belly hides. :laugh: )

I'll shoot off some emails and see what arises.

Cheers!

[CongaTick]

Check our threads, and contact a forum pro--Isaac (Funky Tradition) who is with JCR. He will tell you everything you need to know.

[blango]

Mule is a good choice for cutting ring.

The drums are ringy, so using a thicker skin, and Mule will help. Thick Bull/Cow will aslo work for you.

They may never get the sound you are looking for, but they will be close.

They sound much better with nice skins than the weak skins they come with.

Tony

[bongosnotbombs]

Cheapest of the cheap!

You might be able to improve the sound of these drums by spending money on new heads and getting tig welder to improve the brackest and stuff.....

.........but you could also take that money and just buy a better set of congas, LP Matadors are always the budget recommendation with a decent sound. I've had one and they are great drums for the price.

[tactikal]

You might be able to improve the sound of these drums...... but you could also take that money and just buy a better set of congas

That is indeed my dilemma.

I spent $205 Aussie Dollars on the set = $165 USD
The welding will cost the best part of ~$70 USD
Two new cowskin heads should be about ~$65 USD

Total to get these sounding ok = ~$300USD

Now I'm wondering if any (around $300-350 USD) pair of drums will come with nice heads and sound any better than the cheap-arse LPs I already have?.

The nearest I've found is $320 USD for a pair of Block "Club series" (10" + 11")...
Anyone have any info or opinions on that set?

They appear to be Blocks bottom-end and cheapest conga series -

I'll look around and see what else I can find.

BTW, I'm in Australia.

[Congadelica]

G`day mate,

Ill try help if I can, I was in your situation in February of this year, I made a big mistake by buying whats know as a hobby set of meinl 10" and 11" headliners. these turned out to be too small for my hands and did not sound too good .
after much reading past thread on this forum I soon realisd my error I choped the hobby drums for a second hand set of meinl marathon classics which out of the box sounded more the real deal .I payed $520 USD for 3 congas with stands Im now in the process of replaceing the thin ringy thai water buffalo heads which come with all mass produced Congas.
You have probibly seem heaps of the type of drums you talk about 10" and 11" for sale on e bay , It all depends on how serious you are about learning to play as you develope your skills you will find that the hobby drums have a limited amount of sound and the ringy overtone will start to get on your nervs.
Id hang out and wait to get either a set of LP matadors or Meinl marathons / luis conte . do more reasearch and look at middle entry drums , you may want to change the heads in time , Ive chosen to go with the mule skins from Issac JCR who incidently post on here .

Like I say it all depends on how far you want to pregress your skill .
Best advice would be to read as much as you can here on this forum you will find all the information on this topic .

HTH

marco



Edited By Congadelica on 1188986043

[tactikal]

Cheers Marco!!
Some really great info, thankyou.

I am looking around for drums in that 400-550USD range.

Drums seem to be more expensive out here though - finding 3x Marathon's for $520 USD is impossible here;
- a 2nd-hand Marathon Tumba (on ebay) goes for almost $250USD
- a NEW set of 3x Meinl Marathon Classics sells for $1040USD (in the US would cost under $700!!!)

Marco, if I buy some Matadors or Marathons you're saying I'll probably want to replace those factory-skins as well, right?
I hate that ringing sound.

The situation is this; I adore drumming and have a natural talent for it, but I've never really had the cash for quality gear...
I just want to be making rhythms already....

[Derbeno]

I am curious to know how long you have been seriously playing/practicing the conga.
If not very long you may need to be patient, find a teacher and just practice, practice and practice again with your current set (once you've repaired the hardware) before you can truly asses is you have a serious overtone problem or not. Conversely get an experienced player to try out your drums. I have seen players that have made even a set of crappy Aspires sound like decent drums. Those on youtube that produce that "nice conga sound" have been slaving for quite a while.

Learn all the tones with clarity whilst still learning the rhythms which is fun, however you need to concentrate on all the tones to begin with. With your experience with timing you should progress quite easily but it does take time, effort and dedication.

I hear you when you say you are talented, so you should progress rather well. A talented and proficient Conga player cannot pick up a Djembe and run with it just like that or Timbales or Trap drums these are different instruments with totally different skills and technique requirements.

I am aware of your extremely strict quarantine and importation laws down under, so if you must change the skin you could consider one of the good synthetic ones.

All the best and good luck

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7fA8abimD0

[tactikal]

Thanks for the kind and helpful words Derbeno.

I didn't mean to come across as saying I was a fantastic drummer/percussionist....not just yet anyway :laugh:
(- I was told I had lots of natural talent by a pro percussionist -who's been playing Jazz timings & rhythms for near 15 years- when he saw me play.)

I really am flip-flopping with this decision.

I found a pair of lovely Meinl Floatunes (with quality bags, etc) for about $800 USD here in Melbourne, Aus.
But I can't afford that.

There's just not much available in the way of well-made & well-priced, 2nd-hand drums out here.

The search goes on...

[CongaTick]

tactikal,

derbeno's advice and counsel is of great value. Too often perhaps and -- it seems-- far too much focus has been placed on DRUMS. Though I get an erection everytime I see slick pics of Matt Smiths or Volcanics, the point Derbeno makes is strong. If you have a set of drums, that with reasonable repair/skin replacement will work, technique/stroke perfection will bring out their max potential. And yours. Please do not take this as criticism, but rather a confrimation of derbeno's view.

[tactikal]

Please do not take this as criticism, but rather a confrimation of derbeno's view.

No, I don't take it as criticism. Thanks for your advice.

You guys have answered my question perfectly.. that if I repair them and replace the terrible skins, that I can (with practice) get ok sounds out of them. So until I find an affordable pair of better drums (or get richer) I will fix these ones.

Thanks again everyone.