Which one?

[Palo]

Hello for all nice people and musicians here,
Im new guy on this foru and also on a conga world.Im playing deeply more than 11 years west african music,Im djembe player pro.Was 3 times in Guinea and Mali.But Its not me what about i want to write here.I just want to ask you for help with a choice of my new conga set.Now I feel that my heart start to be touch deep with the sound of conga.I had a set of Bauers but Planet beat series.I sold them cause I want something better.I also have two very good bougarabous which I bought in Guinee.I like them very much.I like deep warm tone and Im very traditional guy.So this is sound which Im looking for.Im from Czech republic in Europe and here is difficult to just go to the shop and try some kind of congas and choose which you like.You can just see the picture and order and for me its a stupid method to choose a musical instrument.We also dont have so much dealers for congas here with a big sortiment.
So you have a lot of experiences and you was hear them how they sounding.please help.
I dont have so big money for buy a some top of line.I can buy for special deal around 6 years old set of Meinl Exlusive series in very good condition (I dont like so much a design of body),think about Luis conte series,Matadors or Reiche trommelbau from Germany or some Tycoon with extra wide belly.I can spent around 800 euro for set of three.What do you think?or do you some other tips?Thank you very much for your help?I want something nice for my hands,ears and heart and share that with the people around.I want also to choose the congas with some of my music projects, traditional west african music,klezmer music,afro pop style,percussion project and flamenco project.Nice christmas and a lot of fun with a music.Palo

[KING CONGA]

Greetings Palo. Stick to the LP Classics or the LP Matadors if at all possible. Both of these drums produce a very warm and desirable tone. For the money, you cant go wrong. Hope this helps

[Anonimo]

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

[Isaac]

You mentioned the Bauer Planet Beat series. These were never available in North America.
They seem to be a starter model of the Bauers, a bit lighter in weight?

The recommendations so far here are usually Matador, great value for the price.
But since you're in Europe, Meinl from Germany would cost less.
Any of these in wood is nice, and if you can get them 2nd hand, even better.
With the money you'll save, invest in some real skins, not the water buffalo that
new drums come with. This will give that authentic, warm and rich depth of sound
you're after.

Let us know how it turns out !

~ Isaac,
Canada

[Palo]

Thanks for yours reply.The Bauer congas is my dream from since I start think about to buy congas, but at the time when I bought those Planet series was a big luck and special deal from Kalango in Germany, cause is not possible to buy them in Czech.The Planet beat series has a very good skins and light body.But after 2 years of using them one of hooks on quinto was broke and I was need money for my next trip to Mali so I decide to sold them.Also I wasnt so happy with the sound.Was little bit ringing and I had feeling that I must work a lot to have a sound from the drum.But I dont have so much experience with the right technique for congas and also I dont play on so many kinds of congas to compare them with others.In Czech there is maybe 3 or 4 people witch are focused on congas and they play on Meinls(Mongo,Woodcraft and Professional series).I sold those Bauers to my friend and after Three months Tumba crack under the hardware and he dont tuned so much and often.Its I dont know why.
I was also order Tycoon heritage congas.One of our dealers has a very special deal,half prize for conga and quinto.But finally I got from them conga and requinto.I dont want to have requinto so i send them back and they promised me to sen quinto and tumba also.But I was waiting 7 months and they still promise and promise and said that problem is with Thai distributor.Finally I send them back my conga and they give me back money.So now Im almost one year without congas.I think that Tycoon heritage series has a very good skins and I was very very satisfied with the sound and touch of drum.I can reccomend them.
With my deal I still dont know.I was read a lot on this forum and everybody mostly recommend for beginners Matadors.Are them really better then for example Luis Conte meinls?I think Im not really beginner and i want really some good drums.Thanks again for your reply.Im sorry for my english and long messages I dont have somebody who can help me with the conga problem.thanks for your pacient.Palo

[Mike]

Palo,
there is nothing wrong at all with the Matadors, on the contrary,
it is not without a reason that most here recommended them to you.
This series is for sure something for a lifetime, those drums are sturdy
and sound really good - a skin upgrade would be perfect.
Hopefully you can get Matador. In my opinion they are better or just as
good as Meil Luis Conte. Meinl has a different design - so it is a matter
of preference and availability for you I would guess.
BTW what about Thomann as a retailer- do they not send instruments
all over Europe?

Good luck anyway!

[Palo]

Hello,
I want to put some pics here , how I can do this?And can somebody from countries around Czech(Germany,Poland,Austria,etc.) know about some good deal, please send me a message.I found now on German ebay 2 Bauers for 250 and two Matadors for 450 euro.I was try to contact both but its not working on ebay site.Can somebody help me?Thank you very much.Nice and calm christmas.Palo