congaplace.com

Posted: **Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:41 pm**

Had a chance to e-mail Fredrico of Fredrico Percussion a couple weeks ago, concerning his bubinga congas. Here are the details that he gave me, as well as some additional info gleaned from the conga buyer's guide that was in a recent Drum! magazine:

Weight between 31-32 Lbs.

Steam bent solid bubinga wood staves

Fredrico's thoughts on bubinga: "I think bubinga is deeper and warmer (a fuller sound) than African Mahogany but still has the cut and highs.... The grain pattern on bubinga is tighter and richer in depth than Koa and I think bubinga is louder and more durable, but I have not tried Koa.. just general observations."

Available in:
10" Requinto
11" Quinto
11.75" Conga
12.5" Tumba
13.25" Super Tumba

Pricing is between $2,550 and $2,750 per drum...

I can only dream, but I thought I'd share these with you guys since I don't think anyone has yet posted on them.

Edited By Whopbamboom on 1184701528

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

Posted: **Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:42 pm**

Another picture:

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

Posted: **Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:54 pm**

I should probably also mention that he said he has bubinga bongos as well. I didn't get pricing on those.

Posted: **Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:56 pm**

Pricing is between $2,550 and $2,750 per drum. What? Is he out of his mind?

Luis

Posted: **Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:10 pm**

Well, I do feel that these will be one-of-a-kind drums ten years from now myself. But he did indicate that it is a very intensive process to steam-bend the bubinga staves. Also, bubinga is not cheap wood.

Posted: **Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:31 pm**

Nothing against this man or his company but, I really hope that he doesn't sell these drums at this rediculous price because it will only drive other drum prices higher than they already are...this is crazy! I've had body parts worked on by doctors for not too much more than this! I'm sorry but if someone pays that much for ONE conga, well, they're giving new meaning to the word SUCKER!

Luis

Posted: **Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:54 pm**

Whopbamboom...wht country do u live in tht this guy can sellone conga for over 2,ooo dollars?....and have u seen the Matthew Smith congas...now these drums could windupto be collectors items one day...."JC" Johnny Conga...

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

Posted: **Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:40 pm**

Those were U.S. dollars. Fredrico is in Pennsylvania, I believe.

I don't really think it matters where I live, but I also do live in the U.S.

I never said that I thought he would actually sell any at those prices. I simply made the post to share some nice drums that have been hand-made out of a wood nobody else has used in congas so far that I know of.
Sorry if I seem a little testy, but I didn't expect to receive a lashing for sharing.

Posted: **Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:39 am**

Whopbamboom,

Those are gorgeous-looking congas indeed! But, $2,550 or $2,750 for each? That's almost 2x the price I paid for my set of 3 Islas!

JC is absolutely right. You can buy a whole family of the best congas and bongos in the planet for the price of just one of Frederico's congas.

And I highly doubt it if the sound difference justifies the incredible price differences.

What next? Diamond-studded congas with 24-karat gold bands? :;):

Anyhow, thanks a lot for sharing those photos. You have only made our knowledge richer!

Edited By mjtuazon on 1184719324

Posted: **Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:39 am**

Whopb, Please understand that my post was not directed at you & I sincerly apologize if I offended you. I have a problem with rediculously priced products...in this case congas. I know, I don't have to buy them but, it just pisses me off to think that someone will or already has & in our current economic (capitalistic)structure, all of us are affected. I've made some mistakes in my life but, at least I can say this won't be one of them! Anyway, life goes on & it's all good.

Take care
Luis

Posted: **Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:50 am**

I don't mean to be testy either Bro...these drums by Matthew Smith ARE HAND MADE and these are his "walnut" models...he's selling them for around 475 and up...I asked where u lived cause i know one Lp conga in Paris will cost u almost $2,ooo dollars American....so i thought u lived outside the country....now if u wanted "to make" your own congas at Lp it would cost around $5,ooo for a set of 3 and they are designed "by you!"....BTW have u seen MoPerc Congas from Canada?....also hand made...and then there is the classic Jay Berek-"Skin on Skin" congas....."JC" Johnny Conga...

Posted: **Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:51 am**

Chapo wrote:Whopb, Please understand that my post was not directed at you & I sincerly apologize if I offended you. I have a problem with rediculously priced products...in this case congas. I know, I don't have to buy them but, it just pisses me off to think that someone will or already has & in our current economic (capitalistic)structure, all of us are affected. I've made some mistakes in my life but, at least I can say this won't be one of them! Anyway, life goes on & it's all good.

Take care
Luis

Chapo,

Don't worry. As Whopbamboon has said, the unusually high prices were driven by the high cost of materials (especially the wood "bubinga") used.

Have you heard of a Bentley owned by a sheik in the Middle East that's fully-studded with diamonds? It's filthily expensive--even for a Bentley. :;):

You can almost be a 100% sure that only a very minute segment of the world's population would be willing to dole out the dollars for one or more of Fredrico's congas. Therefore, his market would, by his very prices, be very limited.

Only if Fredrico's congas sell like hotcokes (which is very highly unlikely) will it even THEORETICALLY drive the prices of much cheaper congas up.

Edited By mjtuazon on 1184720210

Posted: **Wed Jul 18, 2007 1:04 am**

I suppose my hand made Volcanoes using rare Hawaiian Koa was a bargain afterall

To quote McEnroe "you cannot be serious"

Edited By Derbeno on 1184720762

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

Posted: **Wed Jul 18, 2007 1:58 am**

Why dont we let the master speak for himself on pricing?

He is the best maker of congas anywhere in the world today.

His congas are, i think, are the best value in the industry.

Tony

Posted: **Wed Jul 18, 2007 2:38 am**

Derbeno,

For sure! :;):

congaplace.com

Fredrico Percussion bubinga congas