Fiberglass with other than WB skin

[Kaban]

Just wondering if anyone has fiberglass congas with cow, mule, or bleached skins, and what are your thoughts on them compared to water buffalo?

[JohnnyConga]

WB skin doesnt have the life of a mule or cow IMO....they take the skin from the side of the buffalo which is the thin part...versus the stomach area which is the thick part, that they get from mule and cow...I do have to admit I can take care of my WB skins that have outlasted other skins I have used, and 2 out of the 3 still have the original heads from over 20 years ago...I know it sounds like a contradiction...but i have also used WB skins that only lasted 3 years on a drum...this has been my experience...

[bongosnotbombs]

The thicker cow skins I have put on my fiberglass drums gave them a mellower sound with more depth and less ring. I also prefer the way cow skin feels on the hands than water buffalo.

[Craig]

I agree with bongosnotbombs. I have some LP fiberglass congas that I purchased new in 1971. I have had water buffalo, mule, and now cow skins heads on these drums. I prefer the cow skins to all other, both for sound and feel.

Craig Weinlein

[Kaban]

Hey Craig,

Can you please give us the characteristics of the skins on your fiberglass drums. I have read plenty about different skins on wood drums, but not on FG. Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.

Godspeed

[Craig]

Godspeed,

I am not very good at describing sound characteristics with words, however, I agree with bongonotbombs's description of mellower with more depth and less ring. Also, fewer overtones and more of a fundamental pitch.

If you can hear the difference between water buffalo, mule and cow skin on a wood drum, I think you hear the same differences on a fiberglass drum.

Craig

[jorge]

One of the best sounding rumba quintos in the NY/NJ area is an old white LP fiberglass conga (about 11.5") with a really old yellow opaque mid thickness cowhide on it. Beautiful dry tones, real clear secos, no ring. It has little or no bass, does not sound great as a tres dos, but everyone loves it as a quinto. I doubt it would sound as good with a different skin.