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I want to start off by saying these heads are not going on my drums. I have no desire for synthetic heads on my congas.

I am going to start playing the congas at my church and my worship leader is set on buying synthetic heads for the church's drums. I don't know much about conga heads at all much less synthetic ones, so I'm pretty much at a loss as to what to look for. I offered to help him decide because I want the best possible sound out of the drums and he knows even less about heads than I do. I have no idea where to start though. Evans only makes one kind of head right ? Remo has so many and I'm not really sure what I'm looking for. I played some Evans heads in Guitar Center once and they sounded like garbage cans. I guess it could have had to do with the room the drums were in and the tuning, but I'm really only interested in Remo heads.

The drums are LP Fiberglass Palisades Park congas that I'm sure are older than me. I'm going to measure them when I go to church tonight, but I'm pretty sure that any of the heads I chose should fit since LP is the standard for synthetic drum heads.

It's hard because you can't try the heads out before you buy them. I know I can find some of the heads on youtube and on Remo's vimeo page, but that's not the same as hearing them in person. I've watched all of Remo's videos and I can't really hear a difference in the way the different heads sound.

I am simply looking for the best sounding synthetic conga heads. If anyone can help me out I'll really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

I've used Evans, Remo Nuskyn and Remo Fiberskyn on fiberglass drums. In my opinion the only one worth buying is the fiberskyn. I hated the slick feel of the evans and nuskyn. They were also extremely ringy, the Evans especially was terrible sounding. The sound of the nuskyn was decent, especially the slaps, but I couldn't get past the feel of it. I found the fiberskyns to have a nice tone with a more controlled sound, they have a warmer sound to them and are closer to the real thing.

I personally wouldn't ever use any of them again, but if I had to go with a synthetic I would go with the Fiberskyn.

If they are dead set on syth skins go for the Remo Fiberskyn 3. the M4 F5 not the nuskin or ones that look like tucked skins. These skins are nice and will last a long time. ive played them and are by far the best of the syth skins

Thanks Deadhead and msb501clave,

I didn't even take into consideration the way the heads would feel. I was only thinking of the sound and if you hadn't mentioned that I don't think I would have thought of it. I can definitely see how a slippery head would be a problem though. I couldn't stand the sound of the Evans I heard. I was trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I guess they don't deserve it. I'm going to go back to Remo's website and listen to the fiberskyns again. Our church has constant temperature changes and our ceiling leaks whenever it rains, so I can understand why my worship leader wants to go with synthetic. I'm going to have to get used to artificial skins though.

P.S.
msb501clave you're talking about the Fiberskyn 3 Crimplock right ? Also to anyone who knows what is the difference between the Crimplock and the Crimplock Symmetry ?

hey conguera2

i agree, fiberskyn is the best choice, but i would prefer the tucked skins. i have seen torn crimplocks ( one, to be precise), the tucked fiberskyn offers the same sound with more durability.

the nuskyn sound is good as well, but indeed they give your hands queer sensations . you should try yourself. the tuffenough series (remo) had nuskyn stock heads. perhabs you are able to play them somewhere in a shop or so.

the evans tricenter skins are not really worth talking about.

please excuse my bad english

greetings

zwar

I recomend Nuskyns, they play fine and have a very dynamic sound.
Fiberskyns are less dynamic, having less "attack" (softer) than Nuskyns.

Technique is different with everyone so it's really just personal preference.
Either way you won't go wrong with either one.
Don't buy Evans - I've owned them and will never buy them again.

Conguera, what other percussion instruments will you be playing in the church service?

Your English was fine Zwar. Thanks for your input.

So far I've had three people say fiberskyns and two people say nuskyns. I was already leaning towards fiberskyns, so I might go with those. However if I get a chance try out both of the heads I will.

I'm not sure about other percussion instruments Congamyk. Our drummer wants me to play shakers and possibly the tambourine. Our church has egg shakers, but I think I'd feel kind of weird playing them. As far as the tambourine goes that is just not my instrument. I have great rhythm and I can play it alright, but I get no enjoyment out of it. Also we have two women in the congregation who play the tambourine each week, so I don't think it's needed. We have a ton of handheld percussion instruments that I might experiment with, but nothing is set in stone as of yet. The only other percussion instrument I play already is drumset, so if I decide to play something else I'll have to learn it first.

I will say that even though I'm not the devout catholic I should be, some latino church congregations can get down better than drummers at central park. Congas, bongos, bells....the whole 9.

Back to the subject at hand:
Just FYI....I picked up a pair of used LP Gen II bongo with Nuskyn already mounted a while back, and will say that they don't sound too bad. I'll even say that they sound louder than real skin...the original owner told me he felt they cut through better for recording. On a conga, I could imagine a ring being present with those skins. Regarding a true sound, the mule on my JCR bongo sounds warmer and more genuine.

conguera2 wrote:Also to anyone who knows what is the difference between the Crimplock and the Crimplock Symmetry?

conguera2,

Below are photos of Fiberskyn Crimplock, Fiberskyn Crimplock Symmetry and Fiberskyn Tucked.

Crimplocks were made for the conga and bongo drum models of a relatively limited number of manufacturers. According to Remo's 2007 Catalog, Crimplocks were made for: LP, Pearl, Toca and, of course, Remo. They fit the following head sizes: 10", 11", 11.75", 12", 12.5" and 13" for congas and 6.75", 7", 8", 8.5" and 9" for bongos.

Re: Crimplock Symmetry, according to Remo's website, "was created to add flexibility in our manufacturing while increasing available drumhead dimensions. This means, Crimplock Symmetry drumheads can fit more conga drum models from the various manufacturers in the industry." In addition to conga drum models of the 4 manufacturers previously mentioned, Crimplock Symmetry now fit those of Meinl and Gon Bops.

My own Gon Bops California Series quinto, conga and tumba drums have the following smaller head sizes: 10.75", 11.5" and 12.5", respectively.

Btw, I replaced my original calf skin heads with Fiberskyn Crimplock Symmetry heads. I'm very happy with them and recommend them. I play in a very loud, amplified dance cover band and Fiberskyns have a lot more projection than real skins. (Depending on the size of the venue, I sometimes still mic my drums.) Also, the Fiberskyns maintain their tune throughout a gig--a big convenience for me--and hardly need retuning after. I also like how they feel and how easier they are on the palm of my hands.

For a technical difference between Fiberskyn, Nuskyn and even Skyndeep (Remo's latest film), go to: http://www.remo.com/mini/crimplocksymmetry/

For very interesting and informative video testimonials from several professional percussionists regarding these Remo heads and to hear how they actually sound, go to: http://www.vimeo.com/album/38295

You'll hear some of these players say that Fiberskyns have a brighter, more cutting sound than Nuskyns. But, ultimately, the choice depends upon your preference(s).

Best of luck,

conguera2,

Btw, whether you end up choosing either Fiberskyn or Nuskyn, I totally agree with zwar re: Tucked heads, particularly since they're available for your church's LP Fiberglass Palisades Park congas. It's very easy to visualize how they can be more durable and dependable than both the Crimplock or Crimplock Symmetry models.

I, personally, would have picked Tucked heads myself. Unfortunately, their head sizes are odd for my Gon Bops California Series quinto, conga and tumba. So, I ended up following the specifications provided by Gon Bops on their website which were later on confirmed to me by phone by their Technical Support department.

conguera2 wrote:I am going to start playing the congas at my church and my worship leader is set on buying synthetic heads for the church's drums. I offered to help him decide because I want the best possible sound out of the drums and he knows even less about heads than I do. [...]
The drums are LP Fiberglass Palisades Park congas that I'm sure are older than me

I do not understand why either you or your worship leader, who also does not claim to be an expert on conga skins) should want such a nasty, potentially ringy sound out of a beautiful instrument like those Palisades Park congas? OK, I can see stability in tuning as one reason.
But why not opt for REAL skins - the sound only benefits from them. Perhaps someone could help mounting some decent cow or mule skins. That would be the real thing and not something only close to the real thing.

Forgive me if my thoughts seem contraproductive to the expert opinion that has already been given here on synthetic skins. Just wanted to throw in another view

Thanks Umannyt,

I'm pretty sure we're going to go with the fiberskins, but I'm not sure which heads will work with the drums traditional rims. Thanks again everybody.

Hi Mike,

Did you read my original post? I stated that my worship leader is set on buying synthetic heads . Meaning I have no chance of changing his mind.

conguera2 wrote: I am going to start playing the congas at my church and my worship leader is set on buying synthetic heads for the church's drums. I don't know much about conga heads at all much less synthetic ones, so I'm pretty much at a loss as to what to look for.

I cannot decide on what type of heads will be brought for the drums because I'm not paying for them. If I had a choice synthetic would be the last thing on my list, but I have no choice. The best I can do is make sure that he buys the best synthetics on the market. I do agree with you about these congas they're beautiful. I have to say that they're the best sounding fiberglass congas I've ever heard. They're quality is amazing looking at them you'd never know they were over thirty years old. Anyway like I said it isn't my choice, so I just have deal with it. If had any say I'd go with mule, but I'm beginning to get used to the idea of synthetic heads. I might as well since whether or not I like it that's what I'm going to get.

conguera2 wrote:Hi Mike,

Did you read my original post? I stated that my worship leader is set on buying synthetic heads . Meaning I have no chance of changing his mind.

I cannot decide on what type of heads will be brought for the drums because I'm not paying for them. If I had a choice synthetic would be the last thing on my list, but I have no choice. The best I can do is make sure that he buys the best synthetics on the market. I do agree with you about these congas they're beautiful. I have to say that they're the best sounding fiberglass congas I've ever heard. They're quality is amazing looking at them you'd never know they were over thirty years old. Anyway like I said it isn't my choice, so I just have deal with it. If had any say I'd go with mule, but I'm beginning to get used to the idea of synthetic heads. I might as well since whether or not I like it that's what I'm going to get.

Hi,
and I am sorry if I should have caused any trouble. I did read your initial post, but, hey, no offence meant whatsoever, but I still cannot understand why the guy is fixated on synthetic skins.

Anyway, all the best and enjoy those LP Palisades! My Palisades Park quinto is one of my favorite beaters, particularly for gigs in the outdoor season

All the best!

Mike