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Posted: **Sat Feb 17, 2007 2:04 pm**

As I have said many times, I have a set of beautiful Meinl Pros that I like very much, BUT. I'm looking for something new and different voicewise, so I'm going to ask some questions of you pros. First let me say that I have found a store that will give me 50% off list price on all the LP stuff. Now for the questions.

Wood or Fiberglass?

In the wood category, these are the ones I'm looking at: Salsas, Classics, Paladiums.

In the fiberglass:
Originals or Patatos.

I really like the looks of the 28" bodys and wider bottoms. What difference in sound is there between the two designs?

Overall what you you guys choose to be an altenate sound to the Meinls?

I'm playing in an acoustic duo group, but we plan on adding a bass later. We play original Americana music, low volumn, in mainly coffee houses and small pubs now, but may book some larger and louder venues in the future.

Thanks for you help.

Posted: **Sat Feb 17, 2007 3:45 pm**

Alafia Abure Mangorockfish!
I hope that you are quite well and in an abundance of blessings my brother!

First of all, you'll probably hear that in the venue you are playing in currently, wood is probably your best bet. Wood congas have a warmer, more acoustic sound to compliment the accompanyment you may have.

I do an incredible amount of duo, trio and acoustic venues, and in some instances I use my Patatos. I will offer that although fiberglass has the tendancy to be loud and cut through much of the sound you are playing with, it's always a reminder to be mindful of your technique (soft vs. hard playing).

I mostly enjoy taking my Fats out to a duo or trio gig, definitely a sound that lends itself to the venue.

If you choose fiberglass, let me offer the following analogy:

Having a vehicle with a V/8 engine doesn't mean that you have to go at full velocity all the time, but it's good to know that when you need to, you have the ability.
The "velocity" in this situation applies to "volume", although currently you aren't needing the volume, when you branch out to larger venues (more people in the audience, louder rooms, etc), you'll have the volume to call on.

Now if you decide to go with the wooden drums, I see that you mentioned Palladiums, please remember the concern of most of us who own a set (see attached), the weight is a bit more than should be tolerated. Of course I have two- 14" which the amount of wood needed for that size contributes to the weight, but come-on, it's damn heavy!

They do sound great however, as do the classics. I had been contacted to sell the set of Palladiums by a brother on the forum, but when I told him the price, actually a steal for what I put into them, $500 ea., I never heard back from him. Ahhhh! but I digress!

I'm sure that you'll hear other's experiences with the different drums, take it all into consideration, as I'm sure you will!

Many blessings Abure!
and good luck!

Suave!

Onile!

Edited By onile on 1171727228

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... 000129.JPG

Posted: **Sat Feb 17, 2007 4:33 pm**

Classics! I'd love to get my hands on a set of the Salsa model classics tho. For the music you are playing and the venues you are playing at you definitely want wood. Can't vouch for the Palladiums as I've never even played one, but onile's look a hell of a lot sweeter than the way they come from the dealer, I hate the way that ash finish looks. Awesome job on those drums onile!!

Posted: **Sat Feb 17, 2007 7:43 pm**

Adupue Abure Deadhead!
(thank you brother)

The classics not only sound good, they also look good!
Great point!

Suave!
Onile!

Posted: **Sat Feb 17, 2007 9:51 pm**

Yeah Dead', if I could get a set of Salsas in green w/chrome hardware, there would be no looking back. I wouldn't even consider anything else, EVER.

Posted: **Sun Feb 18, 2007 12:34 am**

Well Abure Mangorockfish, you're about a week late; Ebay had a set just like you described, but they aren't on there any longer!

There IS a set of Skin-on-Skins currently for sale!

Suave!
Onile!

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... n_Skin.jpg

Posted: **Sun Feb 18, 2007 5:51 pm**

The Salsa models by LP are hard to find sometimes. So, if you find some, and want them, get them. However, I am not sure but until the other day, they only come in two colors, the classic red wine and natural.

I've noticed that in their latest models, LP has tried to make the Patato body the standard. My understanding is that the Patato model became so popular because it provides sharp, higher than usual tones than other congas. However, the small mouth in the bottom is not that popular with seated players.

So, most of the new LP models in the Patato body, wood and fiberglass, are best suited for stands.

Salsa models provide a more bassy tones than other LP modesl. Of course, the difference between any wood or fiberglass models, besides any other design difference, is the overtones in the fiberglass.

If you are getting a 50% of suggested price in LP. Beware that is a standard price. Check that out. Because if customary to get from a 40% to a 60% of suggested manufacturer's retail price in instruments.

I hope this helps!

Saludos!

Posted: **Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:23 pm**

Raymond, thank you for your insight. All of the mail order places were about $100 a drum higher than the prices I was quoted, so I thought I was getting a good deal. Do you know where I can get 60% off? That would be a killer deal. $922 for Classic Quinto, Conga, Tumba + shipping. Is that too high?

Edited By mangorockfish on 1171823865

Posted: **Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:03 pm**

That sounds like a good price, how much is shipping?

Posted: **Mon Feb 19, 2007 2:39 am**

I really don't know about the cost of shipping, but I would suppose it would be $100+.
Here are the prices for Paladiums:
Quinto $429
Conga $438
Tumba $449
Super Tumba $459

Posted: **Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:37 am**

Those are definitley great prices if you ask me!
I paid $550 for my 14" brand new!
I had actually ordered them in March of the year they first came out and they weren't due until August or so.

Great Price none the less Abure Mangorockfish!

Suave!

Onile!

Posted: **Fri Feb 23, 2007 9:57 am**

There is now a set of Green LP Classics as you had mentioned Abure Mangorockfish on eBay!

here is the link for anyone interested.....

[url=http://cgi.ebay.com/Latin-Percussion-set-conga-quinto-Like-New-Buy-Now_W0QQitemZ130083212396QQihZ003QQcategory
Z38094QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem]http://cgi.ebay.com/Latin-P....iewItem[/url]

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... en_lps.jpg

Posted: **Fri Feb 23, 2007 11:18 am**

Congueros, the tendency down here in Puerto Rico is to use two 12.5" tumbas to play,11 3/4"and 12.5" is no longer the standard around here. Most of the Congueros playing with bands that I usually see are using the above mentioned size.

Edited By caballoballo on 1172229586

Posted: **Fri Feb 23, 2007 1:18 pm**

There is now a set of Green LP Classics as you had mentioned Abure Mangorockfish on eBay!

Thats a pretty good deal. I prefer used over new, thats almost 2 for 1. You could find a matching conga pretty easily for $150 or so.

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LP Originals vs. LP Potatos - Whats the difference?