New Congas made by Volcano Percussion

[thomas newton]

not sure if I'd want to put bands on that nice wood though.
PC

I posted hastily when leaving the house this AM and didn't mean to imply that's the only authentic Cuban shape. There's definitely a Matador look about them and no doubt a cross fertilisation between mass manufactured shapes and artisan drums.

100% agree on the bands. To me this wood is 'over-figured' if anything and bands would throw straight lines in there, nah, can't imagine that looking good.

[Anonimo]

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

[congamyk]

A video of Volcano Congas, the audio setup is distorted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oGImzBeI7I

[pcastag]

I don't know how that sounds on your speakers, but the open tones were terribly distorted on mine.
PC

[Gallichio]

Jessie is a really great player but the sound on this short demonstration video is very distorted. The "sound" was not the intention of his video. Some of the microphones on small camcorders are not the best quality. The Volcano Percussion sound must be heard live for full appreciation. Only the human ear, studio, or good sound equipment can capture it's real sound. If you live near Chicago, on tour in Chicago, or plan a visit to Chicago I invite you to my home to hear Volcano Percussion drums. Then you can judge for your self. Oh yes, don't forget to bring your best drum for comparison. Most owners love the sound. You can ask any lucky owner. I have often said Volcano Percussion drums sound better than they look and they look fantastic.

[TONE74]

Sound should be the main concern why not put some good audio and post a video.

[Gallichio]

Hi Tone74,

You can try this-

http://www.mycongaplace.com/my/files/au ... fa02da.mp3

or this

http://www.mycongaplace.com/my/files/au ... 035565.mp3

I recorded My 4 Volcano Percussion Congas with two SM 57s on a small Roland digital workstation recorder. I added some reverb as I do with all of my recordings. I hope the links work.

[KING CONGA]

Great job on that recording, those drums sound very nice and clean.
I think that Volcano congas are awesome, Monkeypod would be my choice, that wood is the most beautiful I have ever seen.

[Jerry Bembe]

King,

I have a set of these fine Volcanoes and they blend beautifully with my Matthew Smiths and Gon Bops Mahogany. If you close your eyes and just played them together you would not be able to tell the difference between al of these. They all sound great. Also the Volcanoes get a price break if a whole set is bought at the same time. When ordering call Tom and he will work with you. The super high cost of Volcano is a myth. I did not pay an arm and a leg for my set.

I like to tune my congas melodically to the conga shell's sympathetic resonance of the conga shell. I thump the bottom of the body of the conga on my hardwood floor with an auto-ranging digital tuner next to the opening of the conga. Then I tune the head relative to this sympathetic resonance. I have never heard any congas sound better. The congas sing and the tone is greater than the sum of the parts because of the harmonics.

I will start a thread on this tuning method soon.

Jerry

[Gallichio]

2 New Mangos
Enjoy the photo.

Mango Volcano Percussion Congas

[Jerry Bembe]

Mike,

Do you have any insight about the tonal qualities of the various wood options that Tm Alexander offers?

It is truly amazing that there are so many options available with this one man operation. Wood options including Mango, Moneypod and Koa along with 10 different sizes 9", 9 3/4", 10 1/4", 11", 11 3/4", 12 1/2", 13", 13 1/4", 14" and 15". These woods are nice mixed or book matched.

I have an amazing set of 3 Ohia wood congas buit by Tom. Only 6 of these were ever built. My set has been graced by both Tom and Matthew Smith, among 2 of the best handbuilders of congas today. (There are many additional greats too ) So I have a set of bookmatched Ohia wood congas with Matt's Crowns and bands. This is a thing of beauty.

(Statements below are only my personal opinion. In no way is this meant to discredit or discount anyone elses gear.)

These are second to none! I personally can attest that these are equal or better than my Matthew Smiths (equal), Gon Bops (depending on variety), Valje (equal), Resolution (equal), LP (much better than), Remo(much better than), Pearl(much better than), and last my Playa Azul 9 1/2" is better than my Volcano 9 3/4". Playa Azul is no longer in production but boy this is the best requinto I have ever heard. Basically Volcano is betterthan any mas produced conga: LP, Pearl, Meinel, ect.

Granted this is only my personal opinion.

Keep it fun.

Jerry

[KING CONGA]

I have an amazing set of 3 Ohia wood congas buit by Tom. Only 6 of these were ever built. My set has been graced by both Tom and Matthew Smith, among 2 of the best handbuilders of congas today. (There are many additional greats too ) So I have a set of bookmatched Ohia wood congas with Matt's Crowns and bands. This is a thing of beauty.

Would love to see them. Please post some pictures of your Volcanos as well as your Playa Azul. Thanks.

[congalou]

Wow,

Volcano are the most beautiful drums I have ever seen !

This guy is an ARTIST !

Congalou.

[Jerry Bembe]

Volcanos sound great too. I have played them side by side with my Matthew Smiths and I cannot tell a difference. My favorite way to play 5 of congas these together is to tune my 2 13" Super Tumbas to C and the 9 1/2" Playa Azul Quitnto to F above the Tumbas and the 2 11 3/4"Congas to A. What happens is a melodic feel that creates a harmony of harmonics so the result is greater than the sum of the parts.

The Playa Azul looks ratty but it is the sweetest Quinto I have ever heard. The layout of the congas is pictured below:


C A F A C

This layout rocks!

Jerry