LP Originals-Palisades Park - Care and History

[Sakuntu]

Hi Folks,

I just landed a nice set of LP Palisades Park Original model congas (quinto and conga) thanks to a lead from fellow board member "Fed".

Being that these drums were made here in the states, I'm assuming the heads (which are the original heads) are steer skin. They are super thick and all white. They are also very dirty... I'm thinking about cleaning the heads off and then rubbing Palm oil on them to give some rejuvenation....or should I just leave them dirty? What are some of your opinions?

I love these drums, and they sound and feel great. I want to keep them up as best I can. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

On a side note- what year did LP make congas in NJ?

Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday etc...

[yambu321]

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU TOO, SAKUNTU.

I MOST HIGHLY RECOMMEND REPLACING THOSE HEADS WITH NON-BLEACHED COWHIDES. THE NON-BLEACHED HEADS ARE SUPERIOR. THE WHITE HEADS HAVE BEEN SOFTENED WITH BLEACH AND MORE IMPORTANLY THE SKINS ON YOUR DRUMS, HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I WOULD CALL "ISLA PERCUSSIONS" FOR SOME NEW SKINS. TALK TO THE MAIN MAN, "MARIO PUNCHARD" AT 310-916-3425.

TELL HIM THAT "CHARLIE" SENT YOU. HE WILL TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF YOU.

TAKE CARE BRO,
CHARLE "EL COQUI" VERDEJO



Edited By yambu321 on 1197892699

[Mike]

Hello Sakuntu,
congrats to your purchase.
If you don´t want to spend too much time and money, I´d unmount the heads and try scrubbing the old steer skins. Beware: cold water only.
I did this cleaning procedure once on an old, used Meinl tumba with very dirty, thick skin (Wonder why people couldn´t wash their hands before playing :;): )
and it helped a lot! The sound was completely fine after that.

Best Christmas wishes to you

Mike



Edited By Mike on 1197874434

[No.2-1820]

I would let your ears decide whether you should change the skins or not, if the dirt bothers you (it probably would me) then try to clean it up, sometimes those old very broken in skins have such great warm tones that would take you years to attain with new skins. I have a valje conga from the mid seventies that probably has it's original skin, it looks way out of place next to the other drums in my set that have bright new skins, but it has beautiful deep, earthy tones that are unique to this drum, if I compare it in other ways I'd have to say it has lost sharpness and volume compared to the newer skins, but the uniqueness of it deeper tones make it a great addition to my line up. I particularly like it's tones in a funk setting.

Barrie.

[bongosnotbombs]

You said it yourself, they sound great, so why change?

Cleaning is fine, I personally use shea butter to condition my skins, other guys here use that manteca d' corojo or palm oil.

I guess just be careful of the soap you use, if you use any at all.

but you know, the skins are just gonna get dirty again!

[Isaac]

Sakuntu,
I wouldn't even take them off to clean them. That will
ruin the good seating they already have.

For old skins I used to use a small dishwashing scrub pad, a drop of
hand dishwashing detergent & cold water. Not too much water - just
damp enought to scrub the dirt off. Then Rinse the pad and give
another wipe down and dry right away with a towel.
Oils at this point might not be helpful, unless the skin is too dry.
Oils could deaden the sound further.

~ ISAAC

[Sakuntu]

Good stuff everyone, thanks. So that answers my first questions...but how about some History behind these new drums.... does anyone know when LP had its shop in Palisades Park? Anything you can share would be appreciated.

[Gallichio]

I still have this 60's Conga and Tumba set made in U.S.A. In Gold sparkle and I love them because they are so light. I have cleaned the heads and polished the fiberglass and chrome. I use these in the in winter here in Chicago, they stand up very well in harsh weather.



Edited By Gallichio on 1202219018

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