by Raymond » Sun May 11, 2003 11:19 pm
Don't worry if it is Galaxy and wood, appears you have the matching conga for your requinto. They are all Giovanni's .
The Galaxy series of LP started to be a conga and a bongo in fiberglass and it was to be their premier conga/bongo series. The conga was to be modeled about their succesful Patato series which a tall conga with a wide body and small mouth. The special thing about this series when it came out was the fact that the fiberglass shell had a kevlar lining inside. Kevlar is the material used for bulletproof vest. Highlights or reflective "sparkles" that vary colors when light hits the drum are also feature in the drum. Also, the second generation comfort groove rim was introduced with this conga. (Originally, the rims and the hardware were to be gold in all the models, however, some of the drums could be found out there with silver/chrome rims and hardware. LP features in their web site only their gold hardware models and in black. I have seen them in all types of colors like red, blue, grey, etc, etc. These colors are hard to find sometimes.)
Years later when LP wanted to have a conga in the name of their superstar endorser Giovanni Hidalgo, they gave him a Galaxy series drum which was and is still is their premier line of congas. (Right now, they have an Accent series which is practically a Galaxy series conga with special printing in the conga).
However, instead of siam oak like their other congas they used as material american ash wood in the new Galaxy wood congas. The form and features of the congas were like the fiberglass Galaxy congas like gold hardware, Patato style, etc. etc. The Giovanni line offered the same quinto, conga and tumbadora and in addition, apparently as requested by Giovanni, also a requinto which is a 9 1/4 inch drum. (LP introduced a Galaxy fiberglass requinto this year). A bongo with the same material, ash wood, was introduced also called Giovanni and Galaxy. (I think LP offers the conga and the bongo in chrome rims and hardware also).
Around three or four years ago, LP introduced a new type of rim for the galaxy series which make them special in regards to synthetic heads. I am not sure if it is the same for natural heads but is something to be aware when you buy any type of Galaxy series conga. Personally, I have a Galaxy in Fiberglass with the original rim and I bought them when the new rim was introduced, however, mine was from the "old batch" and is not the new rim.
Both the fiberglass and wood Galaxys are priced about the same. The fiberglass models were very succesful at the beginning and I know as a fact that LP gave out a lot of Galaxy fiberglass congas to their endorsers at the beginning with special plating on them to promote their series. There are a lot of Galaxy fiberglass still been used. However, lately I have seen a lot of people going with the traditional fiberglass congas and/or wood congas. The Giovannis, well, I have not seen that many people with the them out there gigging. (The gold hardware is something a lot of people do not like because it requires constant cleaning and maintenance). The drums are like the Patato models which are famous for having a "sharp tones" because of their small mouth. Personally, I always like the sound of Patato models. The bongos have not been able to overdo the wood Generation II in sales which are priced lower. Nevertheless, the whole series are great drums.
You bought an outstanding drum. Enjoy it!