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Hello everybody Im new in this conga forum. I recently bought this congas from a friend who needed cash I remember he let it borrow it to Wily Lopez when he was in California for the salsa congress, wily loved this congas ,but he was touring. The distributor of RTP in Colombia where this congas come from is no longer in business, I remember he sold the set of 2 around $1300. This congas have the best tone I ever heard.they have steel reinforcing rings around the mouth where the head sits. Can anybody tell me about this Ritmo Tropical Percusion congas and what wood theyre made of(in Colombia) Thanks in advance.

Here are other pictures

Hi Callao, these congas looks like LP Classics!!

Yeah bro, but there not, on the triangle plates it reads RTP

traumtyp wrote:Hi Callao, these congas looks like LP Classics!!

Yes, I couldn't help but notice these design similarities with LPs: (1) heart-shaped or triangular tuning plates, (2) cast handles and (3) general logo design. I wonder which company first came up with these designs. I'm guessing LP did but I vaguely remember hearing/reading somewhere (probably in this Forum), for example, that LP's plates were influenced by/copied from an older conga maker after the latter company closed.

The look look is very similar to LP Classics.
The shape and the rim rivets match LP's traditional rims.

The logo on the head is identical except for different letters.
The first LP Classics I bought had "Hecho a Mano" under the logo.

Well they might look like LP's, but I never saw LP's with such nice wood as these have.
Also these drums have an alma and I never saw an LP wood drum with an alma either.

I've never heard of RTP drums, they look great though, and seem really well made.
They might have copied LP a little or LP may have copied them who knows.

thanks for the comments, but still dont know the WOOD theyre made of ,and more info about RTP (ritmo tropical percussion) colombia.

thanks

So THAT's where that set went! I seem to recall the seller describing them as a tropical wood when he had them briefly on eBay before the auction was yanked. And yes, I have seen the "RTP" stamped in the hardware. I saved a photo of that. I already posted a thread here on them and NO ONE had any info whatsoever. Nor is there any on the internet as of a fedw months ago when they were for sale. I also would love to hear more on them.

Bro ,I didnt list these congas on Ebay, but i bought it 3 weeks ago, can you post the pictures ,maybe the older owner listed it on ebay

Maybe about 6 months to a year ago there were a number of RTP bongos going up for sale on e-bay, some guy in Miami must have been bringing them over. Knowing the tradition of conga, bongo and cowbell (anybody ever heard an el piernas?, nice stuff), I would imagine that they sound pretty good.
PC

they look great!! the wood is awesome too....I bet they sound nice.
I am on my way to colombia in 3 weeks. I happen to know some percussionists out there and will try to find out who RTP is.

Nice set!!

6x8

Those drums look like the are made of two different woods. The one on the left resembles mango wood and
the one on the right looks resembles african mahogany.

I'm not saying those are the exact species, but from the photos, the drums really appear to be made from two different
kinds of wood.

Those congas were sold by Robert Felcher in San Diego. He had them on Ebay about a year ago. He offer them to me but I bought two Timbas Ismael from him instead. The wood on those Colombian congas is Guayacan. Here is a photo of the Ismaels I bought from him (these were made in Bayamon, PR)

Saludos,

Dario

Yes, that was the man that had them on eBay. He said he sold them to a friend. Never let the auction go through.