VGA Congas???

[Loman]

Is there anyone familiar with VGA congas? http://www.vgadrums.com/

I'm thinking about buying some, but I dont know much about them. The guy who owns the company is a good guy, I sold him some Valje congas a few years back.

[Jerry Bembe]

Have you considered contacting Ralph at Resolution?

His prices are very close to these prices and he includes a bag and stand with that price. I have also heard here at COngaplace that he will negotiate the price if you buy a full set. There is a one drum price and it goes down with the number of drums ordered.

These VGAs look great but I don't know if you will find someone who already has them. They might be great but with Ralph being available for this style of conga it would be a good idea to compare these two builders.

Someone has to be in that first group of customers for VGA. That 15" looks very interesting!

I would like to see more information about how these drums are constructed prior to ordering. The site shows that they are 32" tall and most congas are 30". Valjes are typically 31"

Respectfully,

Jerry

[Loman]

Thanks Jerry for the information. For some reason I totally forgot about Resolution congas. I did get a private message from one of our forum members saying that a friend purchased a set of the VGA congas and likes them very much. I will see what additional information I can find and keep the forum up to date.

[Mike]

Is there anyone familiar with VGA congas? http://www.vgadrums.com/

I'm thinking about buying some, but I dont know much about them. The guy who owns the company is a good guy, I sold him some Valje congas a few years back.

He seems to be the one that offers his skins at ebay too(at a slightly higher price):
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... K:MEWAX:IT
http://cgi.ebay.de/Flat-Skin-Bleached-S ... 4aa7d8c245

I have not heard anything about VGA congas, but they look very good for sure.

[bongosnotbombs]

Yes, they look very similar to Resolutions, very similar indeed. The VGA may be very good drums, what does the acronym stand for I wonder?

[Ernesto Pediangco]

VGA congas ( aka Vega ) are sublime congas in the style of Valje's and are superior to Resolution ( re introduced orig. Valje designs built by the son of the orig. Valje drum maker Tom Flores ) VGA has improved the drum by using Stainless steel hard wares, most notable, the 1/2 round profile crowns which first emerged in Fat Congas of Santa Barbara, this crown design is now seen on Volcano drums from Hawaii and Sol drums by Akbar ( also a former Valje drum builder ) and on new DW/ Gon Bops via Akbars input. This crown design is superior in strength to weight ratio of any crowm design on the market and offers comfort as well as being easy to custom re tuck new hides / heads. The picture I saw showed a " stretched white* hide " which is simular to old Valje & Gon Bops and is a warmer toned head. It may be posible to order the natural un bleached / un stretched cow hide heads which is full toned yet brighter and absorbs less humidity from the air. I love the drum so far and VGA is continuing to enhance the over all design and variety od products from VGA. Check the web site ( seen in these other postings re: VGA / Vega drums. The standardized congas and tumbas are the best bet as a pair and then I would consider the adding of quinto & tumba if desired.

[MichaelC]

Hello,
I have just completed business with Mr. Vega, and I called him to thank him for his VERY professional transaction.
He completed all communication in timely and accurate fashion. He worked with me to get me what I wanted.
The packing was impeccable and the shipping charge was MORE than reasonable!
I bought two skins, and two used Valje drums. Everything arrived in a couple of days in perfect condition. It was obvious that the drums had been given loving care and maintenance .
While I haven't had the pleasure of playing his drums yet I can say that he carries out his work in a manner that gives me confidence that his drums are of the highest quality.
I certainly look forward to doing more business with Mr. Vega.

Michael C

[Ernesto Pediangco]

VGA's are a FAT version of a similar to Valje looking drum but : the hard wares are stainless steel & appear stronger than Valje / Resolution drums. The heads I have seen were the *stretched white variety which is soft & tonal but not my preference. They should offer other choices & expand the drums market potential. I have recommended a different side plate design which is superior to the Valje looking ones that are w/ riveted parts. At least VGA should anchor the parts w/ some hidden welding & add more clearances for trustworthy tuning hooks function that will not ever have a chance of damage tuning threads. A bottom of drum protective boot is always a great idea & should be standard on a custom drum ! I can not comment on the sound since I have not played them but I can speculate they sound as tonal as Fat Congas of Santa Barbara due to the fat bellies. I like some drums that are Fat but if the drum sizes are larger heads & bellies, it makes staging the drums an issue on smaller stages, makes custom cases / gig bags a necessity & is an issue just to transport to typical gigs. Just in design features I feel these are more dependable in the hard ware design than Resolution drums, up to par with the best from Volcano drums & more dependable than Ritmo Studios. Gon Bops California model shares these Fat Conga style crowns in stainless steel as well.

[s'chopp]

VGA offers a wide selection of wood, I just got an email from louis. $900 for a 13" mahogany.
You can specify the height and belly position.
Natural heads are available,