Leaving the site....:(

[dakest]

I am leaving this site for good, I am getting familiarized with playing congas and I thought I could learn some things here but I was wrong, other than a coulple of guys like mike, abakua that gave me some input seems like no one else really cares.
It reflects the atmosphere in the music industry where everyone is cut throat and no one helps out a fellow musician, good luck to you all........

David

[Psych1]

I am an active member of at least 8 forums - all very different, on different topics - and have been banned from 2. I find this one to be one of the most informative, friendly, and helpful. Before I joined I spent a lot of time here reading through the old threads and listening to and watching the clips. Before asking questions I tried my best to search through old threads so I didn't ask what had been answered before. But, because many of the questions asked here have many different answers, the same things keep coming up over and over again - and, no one here seems to have any problem with that.

In the time I have been here I have probably read through all of the old threads - some of them many times. I have been playing, on and off, for more than 40 years and I still come here to learn, and, I have learned a lot here. If you are serious about music, and being part of a community, it is a process that never stops.

[Thebreeze]

dakest...( David ). I sympothize with you on this. It has been many a time that I have started a post hoping to get info from anyone on certain subjects and I also recieved no replies. I would just end up deleting the post in frustration. I know that when I first joined back around 2007 that there was a lot more activity and posts would really take off for me and I was really happy that I found this site back then. Later on I started to see some alliances by some people and sometimes sides would be taken certain posts that things would become heated somewhat, but still, that was ok, because that was how things were able to bring about more interest and knowledge so I was in favor of those kinds of posts. I think that there is less interaction these days on the forum for different reasons but I don't think that anyone means to ignore your posts intentionally, I just think that the right person has not looked at them or they are not as interesting to them for whatever reasons. So my remedy again, was to just delete my post if no one seemed interested, but I stay a member because you never know when that one post that you would like to read might come up. But I sympothize with you, I have been there, done that.
Will.
Hang in there!!

[Thebreeze]

By the way....this one post of yours caught my interest and that of Psych1 so you see? There will probably be others, and I for one think that this post is a very good one.

[PowerSemantic]

David, as someone who is getting familiarized with percussion (four years on at this point), an occasional poster, and slowly working to become more familiar to the community, I want to suggest keeping your registration. I originally joined to make searching easier, since it was not a feature available to non-members. Like Psych1, I re-read a lot of these threads, and would be a lot further behind in my Conga education without the forum.

I think part of the change in the board recently that Thebreeze talks about is that we used to have a guy (Leedy2) who reliably posted an answer to just about every bit of information that went up on the forum. He was an encyclopedia about gear, and the board felt like an online reference library for any questions you may have. He could also be rude and uncivil in arguing his strongly held opinions. He was banned and I agree with that choice on behalf of the moderators -- its kind of up to us to continue to make this a supportive, encouraging, and informative online community.

Good luck!

Adam

[dakest]

I want to thank you for the encouragement, I have been playing bongos and drum kits for some time and just started my hand at playing congas and always looking to learn about these wonderful drums.
I have search the site and other sites for info on interchangability of different LP congas, I have some shells that I intend to use to make a custum set but I have not been able to find any info and I know that hardware is expensive and it would be crazy to buy stuff for trial and error.
That was the reason for my post, I felt that someone must have done what I'm doing, I have also been a performance car enthusiast and been in sites where people go out of their way to help someone who is starting and I also know being a drummer that there are people who don't want anyone to get ahead in the music business, I felt that my posts were being ignored and my ideas categorized as stupid.
I know there are lots of purist and collectors here and just like the automotive world they cringe when someone tries to go out of the original but I belive in keeping and open mind....always, I learn a lot by being that.
I will hang on here because I see there are well intended people here after all.....
Thank you guys for the motivation, I really do appreciate it....

[Mike]

David, you should have not given up so fast, and it is surely good to stay.

Admittedly, this site might have temporarily suffered from a decrease of really useful information
from your point of view, but on the other hand many (or most?) of us have a day job, a family, bills
to pay, fences to repair etc., so at least I must say I cannot afford spending hours online.
I do understand your point though. It is only

We all like to rebuild our congas, customizing them etc., and traces are left here in various threads.
So what I want to say is this: You can see this this site as a gigantic online library covering each and every
conga-related topic.

So far I have not found another website in the least that has this accumulation of information and input.
Exceptions here and there granted...

[Bongobilly]

I liked Cuco ( Leedy) Since he left it doesn't seem the same. He answered a lot of question's for me and history and if he post something that was out of hand i just wouldn't pay any mind to him. I didn't know he was band from this site until now although i notice his comment's were removed. I will just Facebook him for now on.

[Mike]

I liked Cuco ( Leedy) Since he left it doesn't seem the same. He answered a lot of question's for me and history and if he post something that was out of hand i just wouldn't pay any mind to him. I didn't know he was band from this site until now although i notice his comment's were removed. I will just Facebook him for now on.

Despite his expertise, Cuco did not pay proper respect to other members. Really different story.
Well, there might have been less hot discussion and bantering after he left, but that is not necessarily a bad thing in my opinion.

[CongaTick]

Hang in, Dave! Look at all the posts you've generated from members encouraging you to stay! I've been on here for over 10 years (OMG!!Time flies when you're having fun) and there have been conflicts, misunderstandings, and sometimes downright nastiness. But all in all, you will not find a better resource for information and sense of community devoted to this class of instrument than here. Like the man said ... we all have day jobs for the most part and unfortunately life gets in the way of congas, so there are months of great interactivity and weeks where things are a bit more quiet . But you will not find a better bunch of pros and knowledgeable guys anywhere else. And --despite your perception---they ARE very, very generous with their time, advice and knowledge. The thread archive is ---in my opinion-- one of the largest repositories of contemporary knowledge about congas that exists. Unfortunately---like any vast library--it takes a bit of work to sometimes find the perfect nugget you are looking for. Have patience, stay with us, enjoy the community we offer. However small you may feel your contribution, it will always be valued.

[KidCuba]

Hang in there, and just read all the old posts filled with valuable knowledge.

[niallgregory]

One of the main reasons i have stopped posting so much on here is that for me there is to much talk about different kinds of drums ! Which is the better brand , who makes the best drums etc etc etc . I dont see much talk on actually playing the congas , or talking and debating rhythms etc . Its all about the actual drum on here these days and not about the music . I have never been a big gear head and have lots of drums already so im not that interested in the technical aspects of the equipment .More music talk would help liven up the place imo .

[CongaTick]

niallgregory: Agreed.

[jorge]

Niall and Congatick, the site has different kinds of members, ranging from those who are primarily merchants and use the site for buying and selling drums, skins etc, or those who are primarily players and use the site to learn and share information about playing congas and Afrocuban-based music, repairing their drums, playing related hardware issues, hand injuries from playing, or other musician-related topics. Some of the conflicts in the past have arisen when people who are mainly interested in selling drums are not up front about that and present themselves primarily as players but always seem to have a hidden agenda. Of course it should be possible to do both (hopefully in different threads), but it would help a lot if we were a little more careful choosing the specific sub-forum section for our posts and limiting thread hijackings.

Getting back to the topic of the original post, sometimes lack of response to a question occurs when the OP re-asks a question has been discussed in detail in the past, without using the Search function. Admittedly the search functions on this and most forums may require some skill in choosing the search terms, but it should be a first step before posting a question that may have been discussed in great detail in the past. Also, many folks here are busy, work one or more day jobs in addition to playing. Sparking people's interest in a discussion may require no more than wording a title or original post in a way that people can relate to the topic and feel interested in sharing their thoughts.

[congamyk]

One of the main reasons i have stopped posting so much on here is that for me there is to much talk about different kinds of drums ! Which is the better brand , who makes the best drums etc etc etc . I dont see much talk on actually playing the congas , or talking and debating rhythms etc . Its all about the actual drum on here these days and not about the music . I have never been a big gear head and have lots of drums already so im not that interested in the technical aspects of the equipment .More music talk would help liven up the place imo .

this!

The forum isn't as active as it has been in previous years because there's more conga info, music and videos on the web.
Why write about it when you can see and hear it!

If you're looking for advice about rehabbing a custom set of congas from shells you don't need a forum - you need a craftsman.
All the explanations and hand-holding in the world aren't going to build your custom set for you.
Everything about shells, refinishing, hardware and skins has already been said and you have access to in this forum.
If you can't get answers try private messaging a few people that have experience in these areas.