"Comfort" vs. "Classic" Rims - Why are there two styles?

[jmdriscoll]

Hey, just as a FYI.. not that I am concerned about this debate...but... I have some 10yr old Matadors with comfort rims on the conga and tumba.. version 1, 2... I don't know, and am not that concerned either, but I will add this little tidbit of info... I have a weld on the inside of my rims. They are also made from 1/8" thich steel.

With the chroming aside, I do think we are talking about more than a one step stamping process. If it was argued that CP's or something like that used one step stamp rims, then I would agree.. a LOT thinner metal. Anyway, doesn't LP market their comfort rims for their "comfort"?

My matador quinto has a traditional rim and I will say that it took me some practice on my technique before I stopped hurting myself on it.

M

[bongosnotbombs]

I used to have a newer Matador, with the gold rims on them. I don't remember seeing a weld on it, but I didn't look.
Maybe the metal is stamped flat and straight, then folded to get the curve, then formed in a circle and then spot welded? They grind the outside and not the inside?
When did the first comfort rims make the scene?

[bongosnotbombs]

I guess I was wrong before, comfort curves are not 100% stamped, they do have welding in the process. I assumed they would be 100% stamped like a pot.

Due to requests from percussionists throughout the world, Latin Percussion developed a rim which is more comfortable to play. With the help of advanced CAD technology, LP created the finest rim available in the world. Tested and approved by top players, the patented LP Comfort Curve II® Rim features a broad top edge with a gentle, large radius curve. The high-strength steel and inert gas-welded construction makes it the strongest rim manufactured. For those percussionists who still prefer the traditional rim they are also available.

I reckon what I said in the post before this is probably most accurate, the metal is stamped to get the lug hangers and holes, etc, then shaped to get the curve, then welded in a circle.



Edited By bongosnotbombs on 1198475713

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

[congamyk]

:D

Here's a new twist as the plot thickens.
Our very own "traditionalist" forumer, Mr. MannyT is photographed using comfort curve rims on his congas!

Manny's Band




Upon further inspection using specialized enhanced photography, Manny is seen holding drums with the COMFORT CURVE RIM!







Edited By congamyk on 1198461795

[umannyt]

Mike,

Uh, oh! I was deathly afraid that someone would finally discover and unravel this skeleton in my closet! OK, Shirlock Holmes, I plead "No contest" to the charge!

Seriously, those are definitely not my congas. They're the studio congas owned by our lead guitarist and founder, Robert "Doc" Fumo. He owns and runs a music studio teaching guitar, drums, etc.

Btw, for those who have a very observant pair of eyes, it's easy to see that they're LP Aspires (ugh!). No offense meant to current owners of LP Aspires.

You'll never know how much I hate this photo and want to have it retaken. Somehow, I feel that serious musicians, particularly percussionists, might cast doubt on the credibility of my band.

This was our band picture-taking day inside our very own rehearsal studio jointly-owned by "Doc" and Phil, our bassist. This picture was taken before I received delivery of my Islas last June. As I've said before, I inherited a pair of black Toca fiberglass congas from a former bandmate. I could have brought them but decided that the Aspires (in natural color) were more photogenic.

Btw, I don't consider myself a traditionalist, but rather a functionalist but also with a keen eye for aethetics. I prefer the traditional rims mainly because of the impression that comfort rims might add to the ringing sound of congas. My Tocas, which have comfort rims, definitely have ring.

Besides, the congas that I really want (Islas, Gon Bops CA Series, JCR, Matthew Smith and the like) only come with traditional rims. More than their very impressive features and the ready approval and recommendation of CongaBoard members for Islas (particularly Onile at that time), I went with them because of their relatively short waiting period of "only" about 1 month.

So there you are: the perfect alibi! LOL! :p



Edited By umannyt on 1198471973

[umannyt]

Mike,

Now, hold it, Mr. Wise Guy!

Evidently, those Gon Bops Alex Acuna congas in front of your advocate, Mr. T, are basically what are still considered traditional rims, don't they?

Touche?! :p

[umannyt]

Due to requests from percussionists throughout the world, Latin Percussion developed a rim which is more comfortable to play. With the help of advanced CAD technology, LP created the finest rim available in the world. Tested and approved by top players, the patented LP Comfort Curve II® Rim features a broad top edge with a gentle, large radius curve. The high-strength steel and inert gas-welded construction makes it the strongest rim manufactured. For those percussionists who still prefer the traditional rim they are also available.

I'm fully aware that LP's comfort rims come in different designs and I've seen these pictures before. Just the same, thanks for sharing!

Evidently, LP's "best" comfort rim design (Comfort Curve II), which come with their top-of-the-line models, such as the Galaxy (wood and fiberglass) and Patato, has an almost-half-moon (therefore also flat) profile which allows it to be mounted as close to the shell as possible--the same characteristic of the traditional rim--while still providing a smooth, curved striking surface.

Nevertheless, there still remains a hollow chamber underneath the rim, although noticeably less than both its Matador Soft Strike and CP EZ Curve siblings and, theoretically, less potential ringing.



Edited By umannyt on 1198473392

[Congadelica]

Ok Manny , its time to throw the shovel out of the hole man , You have dug deep enough .

D. I .Congamyk . (columbo eat your heart out ) :laugh:



NOI just pi**ed meself when I saw the pics .

But I aint getting in no plane fool !!!! ??? :p



Edited By Congadelica on 1198494678

[bongosnotbombs]

I was wondering about the comfort curves and bongos. Bongo technique is a lot different than conga technique and there is a lot less risk of hurting your hands on the rim.

Also I think the comfort rims on bongos make them wider and harder to hold if your using them seated.

Then again a lot of people play them standing, I don't know what technique is used for that, mostly open tones isn't it?

So why are they using the comfort rim on bongos?

[umannyt]

So why are they using the comfort rim on bongos?

I'm saying this with a wink and a smile :;): : It doesn't take rocket science to figure out why?

As a trained accountant/financial analyst and someone who's had almost a decade of hands-on experience in mass production processes (our now defunct 49-year-old family corporation in the Philippines), the major percussion companies eventually switched over to using comfort rims as part of their bottom line: lower production costs (in the long run) which translates into greater profits for the company and/or their shareholders.

Blessed and Joyous New Year to all,

[Tonio]

Bongos has more chances of hurting yourself IMO for a beginner. Especially if you have big hands.
Most of the open tones on the macho are done w/ the fingertips (between the outer most joint and middle joint). Especially the riffs- muted open tone w/ your left hand (if right handed).
T

[bongosnotbombs]

Bongos has more chances of hurting yourself IMO for a beginner. Especially if you have big hands.
Most of the open tones on the macho are done w/ the fingertips (between the outer most joint and middle joint). Especially the riffs- muted open tone w/ your left hand (if right handed).
T

You think beginners are more likely to hurt themselves by hitting the rim of the bongos?

[JulianM]

Check out half crown rims.

[umannyt]

I've always meant to bring this up about Islas, but I keep forgetting it and just remembered it again now: Many of you know that Islas basically have a traditional rim. But, instead of using the vastly more common v-shaped steel catches (I can't remember how else they're called) for the tuning rod hooks, Islas have bent rectangular, stainless steel catches.

These catches are much like the so-called "teardrop" catches used on a certain model of older Gon Bops (I recall that Dario owns a couple of these drums), although (just based on pictures) these Gon Bops rims appear to be basically comfort rims too.

I've long noticed that these Isla catches actually serve the same purpose as a comfort rim while still remaining essentially as a traditional rim. These catches are located in such a way that 2 of them can be positioned directly below where both striking left and right hands should be.

Isla owners, I don't know if you've noticed this yourselves. I think it's a very smart and efficient design! Plus, it makes the Isla rims very unique and distinctive.



Edited By umannyt on 1200086239

[afrocubarico]

congamyk,
That was some funny ass **** with the photos! I was happy to see this topic on the forum as I was going to place a thread on "Classic vs. Traditional".

I've only been playing for almost 2 years now and I completely understand that I have quite a bit to learn about not only patterns and strokes, etc., etc., but of technique as well. My first teacher was a stickler on technique and so I think I developed good technique from the start. One thing though, from my very first congas to my current set, I've always played on the Comfort Curve rims. I now play on LP Classics which feature the Comfort Curve II rims.

I notice that when I play on a drum with traditional rims, my hands get all banged up, particularly my thumbs. I'm wondering if this is happening because I am not used to playing traditional rims at all or could it be in part to poor technique? I've never suffered any injuries whatsoever with the Comfort Curves rims at all. Your thoughts guys?

Thanks,
afrocubarico