Johnny,
I wasn't sure about if the Cosmic congas were for kids, but these look like the Matadors, except narrow and like I said the original heads. They are old and I did use baby powder on them, the heads have not been maintained like you are supposed to. Detuning, so they have probably been tightened and tightened. No telling. When I went shopping for Congas, I wanted the big fat looking in the middle style. And I went with fiberglass because, Memphis is humid. And the LP drums looked good but I couldn't afford the Matadors. What I wanted was the Matadors, but they start at $500 a set on ebay, low but still out of my range. And so these looked like the same style shape, and as for the heads, I figured it would be good to have something that stayed tuned easily. I have some Matador Bongos, love em. And I had heard fiberglass was brighter on any drum. Toca is cost less r than LP, I heard that it was a company started by the Pete Esquevito and Richard Steinholst. Both are specialize in Latin percussion music. So, I went for the deal. There is a disadvantage when you are a novice. It all looks good. I had heard of Pearl but no one pushes Pearl like they Push LP and Toca and Remo. I had seen them on Ebay, but rarely. This must mean no one wants to sell theirs after they get them. My dad had some Pearl drums... still has them from 1950 or so, no telling how long he's played them. So, I know Pearl has good instruments, but with congas? (since Pearl is not so advertised and the Memphis Drum shop does not have a set of congas on display) I figured they weren't good. I found out they make "Afro djembes" and they sell them at the drum shop. Maybe your buddy Glen needs to call them? Do a clinic, promote them. Just an Idea. In any case, I am happy with my Toca's. Down the road when I can say I have some real talent playing, I will buy me some more. I will check out Pearl's congas because you recommend them. In the meantime, someone needs to get Memphis to sell them. Sometimes, the best instruments are not advertised. They are not mass produced and they are better instruments because of it, but I didn't know and so I went with what I read on the internet and saw. LP is high, even the student models. But what makes a good conga. The skin. I have heard this. What about the shape of the drum, the thickness of the wall of the drum. The process of making a wood drum is on the LP website but if you look at a picture of a Toca or LP wood verus a Pearl, no way to set them apart. So, If you were to pick up the drum and turn it over what makes it better than the other drum. Why do the put a band on the Fiberglass drums? Or the hand made drums ? That is what needs to be mentioned. I couldn't find anything that said that on the internet. I know how to tell a good flute or saxophone and it isn't the price. Name brand helps, but there are certain things they do to the best flutes that they don't do to student flutes. So, How a bout some clues, do you have any? What actually makes a good sounding conga? I need to know and you have given me good advise already so I will be taking notes.
And as for looking up Glen Caruba, I checked out his website. Looks interesting. Do I call him direct or does he work at Pearl in Nashville and I have to call Pearl? I have heard that he is good and a friend of mine saw a clinic that he did and he said it was great. So, I had actually heard of him before you mentioned him from a professional drummer. I am just starting to take this more seriously. I was going to look for a teacher locally first, see what I can learn. I have been using videos and trying to imitate the music that I hear. I feel like I need some drumming basic's under my hands before I seek out a pro like Glen. I told you before, I studied Flute and Sax, classical and Jazz, in theory. I can read Treble and Bass clef, but Drums are new and so far I am just having alot of fun. I have baffled my friends cause I went from sitting in the audience to playing in the band. The musicians in the band have been playing over 20 years and they didn't expect me to take it so seriously. I have really surprized some people. But I am a novice. And I have a long way to go. I don't know if I will be able to go on tour with Phil Collins or Sting, but I can play my heart out with J.A.M.B (Just Another Memphis Band) and that maybe all I do with it. And if you want to add me to your list of people that use drumming for therapy, I can tell you it is the best way to exercise you body and free your mind than anything else I have tried. Anyway, That is where I am coming from. I am past the age of a high school student. I am not going to set the world on fire with my talent, but when I play I can get people to dance and have a good time on a Saturday night.
For now, I am soaking up this web site, it is great and I am very glad that you are so active in it. I really do appreciate you comments and advise.
Thank you,
Congabebe