Ringing conga, new skin?

[Mike]

The sagging of the skin is somewhat normal. You should not worry about that too much.

Having that said, during a "normal" drying process I would tighten the lugs half a turn (or less) each day
to avoid the sagging, but in your case with the nicked skin waiting to be fixed I would highly recommend
to avoid any pressure on the skin by tightening the skin. THat would even be a mistake!

Plus the sagging is most likely to vanish (or also reappear) due to climate changes. Especially congueros
in humid climates have often reported saggin skins

With such a thick skin like yours, it is quite understandable that the skin sags: The upper part dries
more quickly than the inside part of the skin. You could put the whole conga on its side to let
air come into the shell.

After drying and fixing the marred skin you can tune the conga up and it should be fine.
The most important thing that it sounds good, isn´t it?

[thomas newton]

Having that said, during a "normal" drying process I would tighten the lugs half a turn (or less) each day
to avoid the sagging, but in your case with the nicked skin waiting to be fixed I would highly recommend
exerting pressure on the skin by tightening the skin. THat would even be a mistake!

This paragraph is a bit confusing Mike.

[seisporocho1]

Mario,
Don't worry too much about the sagging. Once the skin is truly dry (i.e. even in the parts where it is tucked which takes the longest), you could just tune the drum and play. The "lake will be gone. Or put the drum out in the sun and watch the 'lake' go away!
By this point (perhaps even today) you should be very close to playing your drum!!

Hints:
-If you see that the skin goes down a lot (and effortlessly) every time you tighten a lug, then you know it's not fully dry.
-If you try moving the trim of skin where you cut it and it moves even slightly, it's not ready.
- The sun speeds up the process immensely...if it's almost dry, put it in the sun one day and you'll be ready for sure.

Have fun and enjoy your new skin. I think everyone here understands the patience it requires and how hard it is every time you walk by that newly skinned drum and wonder if it's ready yet!! Kind of like "...are we there yet?!"

Just remember that the true sound of a skin does not come thru at first. Depending on the thickness and type, a skin could take months before you break it in and get a true test of the sound. And should get better thru time.
It does not mean however, that you can't get a decent idea on whether the skin will work for that drum or not right away.
I have put very thick skins on my drums in the past and sometimes it just never worked out. I can pretty much tell right away now. There is such a thing as a skin being too thick for a drum. So, with your excitement in one hand and reality in the other, know that it could be possible the skin is too thick and could be choking the drum. I sure hope not.
Hint:
A skin needs to vibrate at a certain frequency in order to produce a desired tone. If the skin is heavy, it needs a larger circumference so the vibration waves have space to do their job i.e. travel from the center of the drum and back.
I don't know what size of drum this is but now you know the skin:drum ratio needs to be balanced. Sometimes you can do it by skin thickness. Other times by skin quality (intergrity) of skin. For example: a thick mule is not the same as a thick cow.

Anyway, that's another conversation for another day. For now, let's hope your skin works beautifully!!

Maybe you can attach a video clip later!

6x8

6x8

[Mike]

Having that said, during a "normal" drying process I would tighten the lugs half a turn (or less) each day
to avoid the sagging, but in your case with the nicked skin waiting to be fixed I would highly recommend
exerting pressure on the skin by tightening the skin. THat would even be a mistake!

This paragraph is a bit confusing Mike.

I am sorry about that, of course I meant to avoid exerting pressure.

Sorry again for my blunder. I edited it in the post prior to your, Thomas.

Thanks for correcting me.

A nice weekend to everyone - hey it´s springtime after all - even if the temperatures here still keep us in
winter´s cold grip...
So, Mario, while waiting for the conga skin to dry, enjoy the sunny season

-Mike

[congalou]

Hi Mario,

Your skin is very thick, be carefull to your lugs !!! : Don't forget to wax the edge and lub the lugs well before tune your drum. The tension will be more easy and it will more safe.

Cheers,
Galou.

[El Greco]

Hi Mario ,

Follow the Mike's Instructions in order to save the skin.If it happens this cutting mark is a good solution what Mike recommend you.
Also I will agree with Congalou.Be carefull with the lugs.Very thick skins need the proper hardwear as well.Of course this model of Meinl have nice hardwear but this going according with the thickness of the skin and also the quality of wood and generally Total Construction.
I will also recommend you for your next skins to try the same thickness as the Side Plates of the Congas.Very thick skins needs the Certain-Proper Hardwear and also Good & Heavy Duty Construction of the Shells .

For the moment do not worry so much and just keep playing .

Hope All The Best

El Greco

Descarga Percussion

[Mario2CP]

Hey guys,
after 6.5 days of drying I'm back to share my "results" at this video......No comments to make you surpised. My camera died so I gonna make a better video with all the tones.
cheers
Mario

[congalou]

Hi Mario,

You stopped the overtones due to the skin, but not those due to the shell, I'm actually working on a system to control them. I will keep you informed.

Cheers.
Galou.

[Mario2CP]

OK,
so what are your thoughts now? If I compare my congas sound here with other Luis Conte congas video it's fairly obvious that something is rotten in the state of Denmark... Should I reclaim it? is it even possible with musc instrument?
M

[vinnieL]

I think the drum sounds fine i think there may be a combination of acoustics in the room affecting it and also technique in hitting the drum.

[bongosnotbombs]

You have to give that skin a chance to break in, play it for a couple of weeks.
Then fine tune the skin. The drum actually has pretty good tone, it does have
that slight ring. Let the skin break in for a while.

Your slap technique needs some improvement, the fingertips should not bounce off
the skin. Even my drums have a little ring when I slap them like that.

Good job on the reskinning BTW.

[seisporocho1]

Mario,

It is definitely hard to tell if the overtones are from the drum or something else in the room...Like Vinnie said, it could also have to do with your technique.
Have you played other Meinl's to see if you get those overtones? That would be a good way to find out if it's your technique.
You should also start contacting Meinl's Denmark representative and start finding out what your options are in the case you'd like to get another one.
Tip: Even if Meinl's policy does not include "Satisfaction Guaranteed" or any kind of reimbursement/exchange, you have all the necessary evidence (i.e. videos and conversations in this forum) that would convince anyone in Meinl that you deserve the right treatment. I can't imagine anyone in the right mind would reject your point and case after all you've done to try to fix this drum.
By the way, the skin came out perfect for your drum and you're getting a better sound already!

6x8

[Mario2CP]

Mario,
Have you played other Meinl's to see if you get those overtones? That would be a good way to find out if it's your technique.
You should also start contacting Meinl's Denmark representative and start finding out what your options are in the case you'd like to get another one.
6x8

Hi,
I've played Meinl Professional, Woodcraft, Mongo Santamaria series. I had all those congas in the same room with mine LC. Mine were the only one ringing. I know my technique is far from good, but i can produce clear tones with no overtones on previously mentioned drums. Different L.Conte drum was ringing too, but less.
Acoustics of my room does have effect, but the drum was ringing when i took it out to park too.

I think this skin improved the sound,i like open tones much more. Ringing within slaps is redused by 20-30% I guess.

M

[Mike]

You should also start contacting Meinl's Denmark representative and start finding out what your options are in the case you'd like to get another one. 6x8

As far as I read, Mario is from the Czech Republic, and from my humble knowledge his sentence "something is rotten in the state of Denmark.." seems to be an almost proverbial phrase by an olde English Bard rather than a real geographical affiliation...

I would like to confirm what BnB has just said: it will need some time until the skin has broken in.

In case of trying to return the drum, I would personally not know how to handle a global player like Meinl,
i.e. is there any Czech sales rep you could grip, what about the hassle of shipping etc.

The drum surely does LOOK fine now - and it has even got some resale value IMO!

-Mike

[congalou]

I have try a lot of drums, 2 examplary of the same model could sings very differently, even for top of the line congas.

Have you try to hit a hook or a side plate with a stick (or directly the shell but be carfull to your varnish !!) ?. If the bad ring is still here, it's not a skin / technique problem, it come from the shell.

Gaël.