Anyone purchased congas in Cuba?

[Nonprophet]

As luck would have it, I'm going to Cuba sometime in the next 60 days. Given that I'm looking to buy a set of congas, I'm wondering if I would be able to pick up a very nice set there in Cuba for a pretty good price? Does anyone have any experience/recommendations on Cuban congas? What's the Spanish word for conga maker--tumbadero??

Thanks!


NP

[ralph]

I would ask for un artesano de tambores, tumbadoras, bata etc....if you ask the right people, you'll get good results i assume. Although don't be surprised if the congas made their are not of the best quality, they may sound right, but the lack of resources does not make for top quality work. But if I were you, i'll look for a good sounding drum (which you can probably get on the cheap), bring it back and have necessary work done here (i.e. changing skins, changing hardware, re-gluing)...



Edited By ralph on 1196344873

[Omelenko]

Nonprophet,
In Havana go to the FERNANDO ORTIZ percussion factory which is located in Calzada Del Cerro. El Cerro is the neighborhood I was born in,eventhough I left 45 yrs. ago as a child, I know that's where you can get SONOC congas (Sonoridad Cubana). They are one of the best sounding in the world. I have 5 of them and back in the early 80's they were made from Cuban Cahoba wood. Don't pass up on the opportunity, also pick up a pair of SONOC bongos, they sound awesome.
Dario.

Enclosed my SONOC congas

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... SONOCS.jpg

[tocandorumba]

Wow- those are some great congas! Bet those bongos have some snap to them. Thanks for posting- Peace

[bongosnotbombs]

Looking for more info on SONOC's I came across this,
a photo of the factory

http://www.pacifier.com/~kbweb/CUBAgallery/pages/sonocd1.htm

this guy has some great photos of cuba and drums on the site

http://www.pacifier.com/~kbweb/CUBAgallery/index.htm

[pcastag]

Sonoc drums are pretty cool, I bought some bata last time i ws in Cuba, think I paid 140.00 for a solid shell brand new iya. One thing you can do is look for some rumberos who may have some older sonocs made from cahoba, I don't think they use that wood anymore. Offer them a fair price, sometimes they can use the cash and pick up another lesser quality drum cheaper. I would definitely visit the sonoc factory though , beware of tourist junk that is sold all over havana.
PC

[bongosnotbombs]

I recommend picking up one of these if you can.... :p



Edited By bongosnotbombs on 1196489607

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... origin.jpg

[blango]

Anyone interested on working on making one of these with me in Napa?

I can buy a used wine barrel for about $30-50 in good condition (wine stained with semi tight bands when dry).

These things weigh a ton, so someone would have to have a van or truck, as well as a place to store this monster when done.

I'll go in halfs on the materials, for fun.

I want to play one of these Oak monsters!! I want to flail on it with a stick!

Tony



Edited By blango on 1196536125

[JohnnyConga]

I also heard you can pick up a set of "Tata Guines Model" 8 key congas at the airport for like 700 coco$. . .Johnny Conga

[bongosnotbombs]

Anyone interested on working on making one of these with me in Napa?

I can buy a used wine barrel for about $30-50 in good condition (wine stained with semi tight bands when dry).

These things weigh a ton, so someone would have to have a van or truck, as well as a place to store this monster when done.

I'll go in halfs on the materials, for fun.

I want to play one of these Oak monsters!! I want to flail on it with a stick!

Tony

Man I would love nothing better! but there just isn't any room in my SF apartment for that kind of thing, my parents got space down by Monterey, but thats kind of far!

[Omelenko]

My SONOC congas were reglued by the late Junior Tirado,because the glue in Cuba (is called Cola) is of inferior quality and SONOCS tend to split with time. With that said, if you can get some old ones made out of CAHOBA by all means do. They sound better than any conga available today, what do you think Los Muñequitos and Tata play, SONOC de Cahoba of course.
When back in the States have Matt Smith reglue them for you and you'll be one satisfied customer.
MOFORIBALE. Dario

[Chupacabra]

I made a double-headed rope tuned drum out of a smaller wine barrel. I think it's about 10-gallon capacity. It's sound is right between a sangban and kenkeni and is definitely more apartment friendly though! I have my sights set on another one that's slightly larger which was used for nails or bolts (wooden barrels were used for that, as well). When I get it it'll be used to make a peg-tuned Bembe drum. It was a lot of fun making it! You can also look into the barrelhouse drum company for ideas: http://vaxxine.com/bhdrum/
Good luck!