Lp Aspire, and Stagg Percussion beginner congas

[Miguel7]

I'm 100% for "keeping it fun" and I think to me that's a key element of what we do as congueros. Most of us will not get to play with big bands or travel teh world performing solos. Most of us don't make a living by playing our music; but anyone who's ever played even a little knows it's all about having fun. If it ceases to be fun, it's work.

Now I know that's not what he was referring to, but I was thinking about this whole topic and I think what I said applies. I don't claim to be a great conguero, but I can tell you for a fact that I have a great time playing. Sure, I'd absolutely love to upgrade to some big-shot model (I like the PR-Flag themed Matadors in terms of appearance and sound) but I can have just as much fun on my Aspires, and I've never heard a complaint from people about my sound. So, whatever your position on this issue to me the bottom line is, "let's have fun."

PS - it seems that funky drug-dealer/professional spammer has either been booted off or left on his own - awesome! lol

[burke]

As has been said many, many times, with a decent skin they can be made to sound much better. My only problem is that if someone buys them new at a music store they usually pay more than they are worth and the resale value is piss poor [this I know from experience ] but conversely you can nab a used set for dirt cheap.

[bongosnotbombs]

Yeah, they can be made to sound better with new skins, but you have to take care, because the hardware is so cheap a real skin can be too much for it.

[Doctor_J]

LP Apsires are OK......I have been playing 4 months.....and I got REMO NuSkyns on them. I have an 11" and 12". I am already looking to buy some fiberglass congas. I played other wood congas and they sound ALOT better, even without synthetic heads. But dude plays good.....very good.

[SalseroBoricua71]

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[Jerry Bembe]

Salsasero,

Case settled! It is the player's skills first and foremost.

Thankyou for sharing this HOTTTT example.

Jerry

[SalseroBoricua71]

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[congamyk]

IMO that video sucks, it's almost painful to watch.

The Aspires are so light and ratty they tip every time he hits them.
They sound like he's hitting a piece of lumber - no tone.
If you want to sound like that, go buy a couple of 2 X 4's at the lumber yard and hit them.

I'm not a fan of Richie's style either, not my thing.
This video is a perfect example of his playing - all flash - no soul.
He doesn't groove, I've actually never heard him play a decent groove and maintain it.
His solos have no set tempo - just a mish-mash of styles that speed up and slow down creating no context at all.
Fast hands but no musicality whatsoever - just my opinion.

I recommend to anyone don't ever buy LP Aspire congas - they are a toy and sound like a toy.

[SalseroBoricua71]

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[congamyk]

SalseroBoricua71, I've made the mistake of owning LP Aspires before I knew better.
I don't recommend to anyone else to buy them.
I didn't know better or have a website like this to get advice when I began playing.
I'm only passing on my opinion to others.
They can choose for themselves.

As for Ritchie's technique and style - he's a high profile player that gets a lot of gigs.
More power to him - it's just not what I enjoy hearing.

My videos are on my youtube page - but I don't advertise

[KING CONGA]

Having owned a set myself, IMHO, I would and must also agree, if at all possible save a little more and buy a used set os Matadors or Classics which come with much better hardware and skins not to mention the size of the drums also.

[MedinaNYC]

I understand and agree with what congamyk and the rest are saying, aspires are pretty bad, but if you choose to buy them that's your choice, however I think richie is nasty, in a good way, his hand speed is amazing, yes a lot of flash but I wouldn't say he doesn't have any musicality, he got those aspires to sound half way decent, I personally dig his style. My 2 cents.

[mrhands]

I respect guys like Gio and Richie a lot. They have such command over the instrument and I can't sense an ounce of apprehensiveness when they play. They always play balls to the wall. That being said, I can't help but experience a lack of musicality amongst all those slaps, heel/tips and double strokes. Perfection for me is Samuel Torres. That guy is my hero. Ever since I saw that video of him playing 7 congas I've been a fan. His Playing, to me, is the perfect mix of technicality and musicality. He is awesome!

Regarding Aspires....There's a reason they are much cheaper than Matadors or Classics or whatever.But I've always been a believer that the player's ability mattered more than their gear. However no one can deny how much better a player can sound with the right gear, or higher quality instrument. So if you are trying to convince yourself that a player will sound the same on a set of aspires as they do on a Skin on Skin or other higher quality conga, studio mics will tell you different. Heck, you wont even need studio mics.