Do I need good skins?

[hoofbeats]

I just bought my first set of congas (lp classics) and they came equipped with rawhides. Should I just tune em up and play those skins to death? Should I go for something more fancy like mule or calfskin? Maybe koala bear or platypus, lol. :p

[Chapo]

Should I just tune em up and play those skins to death? Yes.

Luis

[Diceman]

How could you even consider waiting to make a decision on whether to tune you new drums or not?

Get all over them like a rash, my man

[vinnieL]

The added additional expense i would spend the money on something else like bags or some other equipment you might need or want. Later down the road you can change the skins to something better just tune em up and go! who knows thwey may sound fine LP skins can be hit or miss they may satisfy you fine. You'll never know until they break in so tune and go play give them some time to settle in. Just enjoy your new congas.

[CongaTick]

PLAY! PLAY! PLAY!

[maelopr]

Just don't forget detune them a bit after you play, both the heads and the drums will be happier!

[Whopbamboom]

I'm going to echo VinnieL here. I have LP Gio's with LP water buffalo heads, and they did finally "break in" and ring less after three months of regular practice and tuning/detuning. However, they do still ring a little and I still would like better sound-- I'm either going to mount mules on them, or apply that money toward a nicer set like Isla's, but that will be down the road. My point-- use the skins that you currently have, and after they've broken in, they may serve your needs just fine. You can make a decision on the skins later.



Edited By Whopbamboom on 1193450019

[burke]

Dudes this man is very new to congas! I played nasty drums for years and wondered why they didn' t sound like the great sounds I heard on albums (but loved them just the same).

As has been said before: good playing makes so so drums sound fine - bad playing makes good drums sound like crap.

hoofbeats ma man

Play your drums - enjoy them - they are AOK - when you need skins, or better drums (which may be soon or never) you'll know.

Its the journey not the destination!

ps

Sit down and hold the conga between your legs tilted away from you to let the sound out - save the stands for the Rock Show!

[Derbeno]

It I remember right you are just setting off learning to play this wonderful but sometimes tricky instrument so for the 1st year or so skin type should be the least of your worries.

Find a teacher get some material like Tomas Cruz method and just practice and learn

[hoofbeats]

Hey thanks guys. I'm gonna have a long time drummer show me how to tune em up (as I've never done this). I've been working long hours so I've been waiting for a day off to learn tuning. Also I need to buy a tuner.

I have that Kalani book/cd coming in the mail. I should be able to hook up some lessons with one local player.

p.s. Anyone have reccomendations on a comfy throne?

[CongaTick]

Others may disagree, but I recommend you tune with your ears, which are the most important instrument of all. Find a pleasing contrast between your drums, a melodic juxtaposition, if you will and work with that for now. A good teacher will advise you. You can also search the tuning threads on this fourm for some rather intense (and at times complex) tuning advice, though for the most part, tuning is a very subjective thing. Throne? Check recent throne threads. I used a kitchen stool for years for home practice b4 I bought one, but anything that'll cudddle your ass at various heights will do the trick.

[Whopbamboom]

I'm gonna have a long time drummer show me how to tune em up

Try to find an experienced conga drummer, not a drumset drummer. Conga's are completely different from trap drums.

[Mike]

Others may disagree, but I recommend you tune with your ears, which are the most important instrument of all. Find a pleasing contrast between your drums, a melodic juxtaposition, if you will and work with that for now. A good teacher will advise you. You can also search the tuning threads on this fourm for some rather intense (and at times complex) tuning advice, though for the most part, tuning is a very subjective thing. Throne? Check recent throne threads. I used a kitchen stool for years for home practice b4 I bought one, but anything that'll cudddle your ass at various heights will do the trick.

Nothing to add, listen to Congatick, brother(s), he is giving sound advice!

[vinnieL]

I definitely advise that you have a conga player tune then with you so you learn how to do it yourself. Not sure if i want a trap drummer tuning them no offense to any trap drummers but congas are a different beast and trap drums are another.If your friend plays conga as well then thats a different story.

[hoofbeats]

I know this guy's been around the music scene and has a conga player as a friend, so I'm hoping he knows whats up. (maybe the conga player can help too.) The one time I talked to him, the drummer seemed to know what up with congas. I'll find out tommorrow.

If he isn't up to snuff, I'll check out my local music stores. There isn't much of a conga scene in port huron, michigan.