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Posted: **Sun Sep 03, 2006 8:25 am**

Hello Everyone,

New to the board. I'm trying to decide between the LP Classics and the Galaxys. I'd like to get the Palladiums, but being 5'7", the shorter drums seem to work better ergonomically. So I guess my question is, are the Galaxy's worth the $220 (US) extra (for a conga and tumba), and if so, why?

Thanks for your input. Scott

Edited By Scottie P on 1157271988

Posted: **Sun Sep 03, 2006 8:08 pm**

my opinion,you going to pay a lot of money just to have giovanni stamped in your tumbadoras they are 32" h made of ash wood very heavy to handle,they are good quality intruments but if you want something that sound great last foe ever for a better price try galaxy fiber they run for about $519.00 for the quinto and so on those are the best made tumbas from lp. my opinion

Posted: **Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:22 am**

Sorry, I'm not a big fiberglass fan. Wood seems to have a warmer open tone and a nice round bass tone that Fiberglass drums just can hold up to. As for my opinion on your choice of drums... I'd personally go with the classics. Just becuase they are just that...Classics. But really i would suggest playing them both, seeing what feels and sounds better to you. Go to the music shop, sit down, tune em up and play for 15-20 min on each set. I did that the other day with a set of Giovanni's and even though they were awesome drums I wasn't supper sold on 'em. Just didn;t feel right. Its all up to you. You can't make a wrong choice in this venture. Let us know how it turns out.

Posted: **Mon Sep 04, 2006 12:31 pm**

hallo. I never play clasic conga but I Play galaxy wood conga. I love them. sound great and warm. great colour and hardware. Im agree with sakuntu. try to play them. expensive conga are not alwayas good. i think the most important thing is that you comfort playing with. hope this help!

Posted: **Mon Sep 04, 2006 1:35 pm**

are the Lp fiber's light? or heavy as the meinl's ?

Posted: **Mon Sep 04, 2006 1:58 pm**

I have a fiberglass LP Galaxy quinto that weighs more than I do, and I ain't too skinny!!!!!!!!!

Saludos,

Berimbau

Posted: **Wed Sep 06, 2006 7:23 pm**

No, not worth the money.

If I understand my insider-LP lore well, LP's wood congas are mostly based on the specs of the LP Classic, and the LP Fiberglass lines are based on the Patato-specs model.

Meaning that, unless you're absolutely entranced with the North American Ash design of the Giovanni models, it's not worth the extra 200 to get it.

Think of it...most congueros you see have a variant of one of the two i spoke off (if they play LP, I mean). They sound good...so it will be good.

Giovanni himself told me not to bother getting anything "name branded"...to get the basic pro models. Sound virtually the same.

Go with LP Classic or one of the pro, no-brand, LP Fiberglasses.

Posted: **Wed Sep 06, 2006 10:28 pm**

Firebrand wrote:No, not worth the money.

If I understand my insider-LP lore well, LP's wood congas are mostly based on the specs of the LP Classic, and the LP Fiberglass lines are based on the Patato-specs model.

Meaning that, unless you're absolutely entranced with the North American Ash design of the Giovanni models, it's not worth the extra 200 to get it.

Think of it...most congueros you see have a variant of one of the two i spoke off (if they play LP, I mean). They sound good...so it will be good.

Giovanni himself told me not to bother getting anything "name branded"...to get the basic pro models. Sound virtually the same.

Go with LP Classic or one of the pro, no-brand, LP Fiberglasses.

what your opinion about the patato model?

Posted: **Thu Sep 07, 2006 2:15 pm**

well, i've heard complaints here about the more "bass tone" of wooden, and I have to agree that the wood ones have a lot of low tone. Depends on the sound you're going for in performance. If you're exclusively playing small, old-style combos or percussion jams, the wooden one will give you that authentic wood conga sound. The Fiberglass ones are a modern invention...they're designed to cut through a mix, and are great for live shows...they're loud even unmiked.

I have played both in gigging settings and I haven't noticed a disastrous loss of low, bass tone on my Fiberglass tumbadora. I have noticed that I can usually reach open crack hits on my Fiberglass more consistently than I do with the wooden ones.

I actually played the prototype of the Patato congas (owned by my late mentor and respected conguero, Freddy Moreno). Patato himself gave it to his son, who at the time was an up and coming conguero, with giovanni style chops. They are VERY Heavy...but everytime I'd visit Moreno's music store, i'd go into the basement and sneak in some tumbaos on the prototypes...I loved how I could get great cracks, slaps, and loud hits on his fiberglass congas, and ever since, I've loved fiberglass models.

If you're playing a lot of modern salsa stuff, and/or want loud, cutting through power, I'd go with the fiberglass.

The LP wood classics are an all-around conga that will be great in all settings, and in the hands of a master, will cut through...but...it's about preference.

PUt a set a Remo Fyberskins on either of the congas...I don't think you will be disappointed.

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LP Classics vs Galaxys