Advice on Conga Set

[DJ Amir]

After much serching on ebay I bought a second hand set of LP Caliente congas, a 10" and an 11" with gig bags.

Over time I have found that they sound very metallic especially in the open tone and it leaves me dissapointed when playing them.

I have contacted Issac about reskinning them with mule since a set of correct sized congas tend to be very expensive here in the UK and nothing affordable has appeared on ebay since.

Does anyone know if new skins will solve my problem, or am I going to have to grin and bear it until I can afford some new drums?

Thanks

[Master2987]

If your congas are made of fiberglass, then the answer is NO. Replacing the heads would reduce the ring-tones, but will not eliminate them.

If you have wood congas, then YES. Replace the heads with animal skins.

[DJ Amir]

Hi,

My congas are wood and look very similar to LP Classics (in fact some of the hardware appears to be the same), except they dont have the comfort curve rims and are smaller heads.

Thanks for the advice!

I am going to order some mule skins from Issac right now

[Diceman]

DJ Amir,

I may be being presumptuous, but first check out also how you are striking the open tone, fingers closed etc, you could be unconsciously doing something approaching an open slap, where a nice metallic sound is what you are looking for.

If you are happy that your technique is good, before you go to the trouble and expense of changing the heads, try putting duck tape in the centre of the drum and layering it until the metallic (overtones) reduce. When you have a suitable open tone, unpeel the tape and stick it on the underside of the skin from inside the drum.
I have tried this in the past with synthetics, hembra bongo heads and original supplied LP heads, as a temporary fix in hired studio drums and acoustic live work, and it works for me.
Animal skins are inprecise and organic, and technique has as much to do with the sound as the skins. New skins also means slight adjustments of technique to accommodate the different sweet spots etc etc.
I cannot comment on the drums, but try a few things before giving up on them. I am sure forum member will have some helpful comments and tips.
My two Euros.

Diceman

[Diceman]

PS welcome to the forum brother, you have arrived at the only place for percussionists to share knowledge. There are some very experienced dudes on this site and I have learned shedloads from them.
Tell us about yourself, your experience, where/what you play, what styles of music you like etc etc etc.

Diceman

[DJ Amir]

Thanks for the advice,

I had a lesson recently which has given me help with technique, but my main issue is that for the open tone to sound nice (non-metallic) both drums aren't tightened much which in turn leads to a problem getting the correct tuning between the two of them.

I can tune the smaller drum to have an acceptable open tone, but then the larger has to be tuned too low and sounds bad.

If i raise the pitch of the smaller drum then it sounds metallic and the larger can be tuned to sound good.

it's a pain in the backside!

[DJ Amir]

I almost forgot,

Hello to everyone on the board, my name is Amir and I am from London.

I have been dancing salsa for 3 1/2 years and have been teaching salsa classes and DJing latin music for 2 years.

I started learning about the rhythms in latin music to improve my dancing and teaching (there isn't a single salsa instructor in London who has a basic understanding of the music).

This christmas my girlfriend bought me a set of bongos and a couple of months ago I got a set of congas on ebay.
I take my congas to some gigs and play them along with the music

I have had 5 lessons with London based players but the music scene seems hard to find here and consequently I dont really know who would be best to learn with, or if there are percusion groups to practice with..etc

[yoni]

Welcome Amir!

My name is Yonatan, born in NYC but in Israel about 20 years. There are forum members here like Diceman, and I think Charangaman, who are in England and who may be able to refer you to conga happenings there.
Good luck!

[Diceman]

DJ Amir,
What is the interval between your drums?
A common one is a fourth, if you sing 'here comes the bride' the interval between 'here' and 'comes the bride' is a fourth.
Commonly the 10" Quinto should be tuned to around concert D, and the 11" Conga to around A, so long as the interval is a fourth. The drums should be sized to have a good sound at around those notes. Some players like a different intervals and tuning, so its only an indication. This should help you find which drum is in need of help.
Many a drum and skin has been thrown out/burned/sold/swapped in the quest for that illusive 'good' sound. If you let another conga player set them up and play them, they will sound different, so technique and physiological factors eg hands, also play a role.
Stick with it, you will get there.

cheers
Diceman

[DJ Amir]

Thanks Diceman,

I have spent much time and effort on the tuning of my drums, however I am not acustomed to tuning them according to musical notes.

I tune the 10" until I can produce a reasonable open tone without the metallic ringing and then the 11" so that there is the difference I am used to hearing in salsa music.

I will give your duct tape suggestion a try this weekend and I have ordered some mule skins. I dont want to give up on these drums, Well not untill I can afford some LP Palladiums or better.

I know they can make a better sound!

[akdom]

Hi there


I have a set of 3 fiber drums (quinto is lp patato and the 2 others a from a finnish brand). I put thick skins on these drums and they sound absolutely great. No ring tone at all. I suggest thick skins. You have to be sharper and more precise than with thin ones, but it is for the good.

Do not give up on your drums, you will find the correct tuning and skin.

The tuning method is up to you. You can tune them using the fourth method or just by ear.

I tune by ear and it works. Everytime I am done playing, I untune my drums and I retune them each time I play. I always find my tuning back.

Good luck and welcome.

B

[Charangaman]

Welcome Dj Amir, where in London are you teaching salsa and djing?

You are right about the salsa teachers here, they no nothing and play horrible music!


Regards,

[DJ Amir]

Hi Charangaman,

I DJ every week at Ruby Blue in Liecester Square ( I often take my congas and play along) and regularly at SOS (Salsa On Sundays) which is one of the best mambo events in central. My other gigs are all over the place!

I teach general classes rarely but private lessons are my forte.

[Diceman]

Keep us posted and maybe Charangaman and I can come along and jam.
Whaddayathink Charanga?

Diceman

[DJ Amir]

Thanks for all the advice,

I have ordered some mule skins for my congas & bongos from JCR. I cant wait to have better sound from my drums, it will make the work on technique exercises worth it.

Obviously my drums have smaller heads than the congas most people here are acustomed to, but I will still let you know the difference once I recieve and mount the new skins.


You guys are welcome to come and jam, maybe we can sort something out.