Help choosing congas

[windy_mtn]

I have currently been playing an 11" LP classic and a 12 3/4" Matador wood for 8 or 9 years. I have been thinking about another set. Wanting congas that weigh less and project more. Not that my congas don't project, but I have heard fiberglass can give you a little more. I am looking into some Matador or Matador Raul Rekow congas. Does anyone know if they save weight from my wood ones? Are they that much louder? I play in a few groups. One of them is dynamically challenged. Meaning there is one volume, and that is all the way up! Not fun for a conga player. Any help would be appreciated.

[Dangler]

I play in a few groups. One of them is dynamically challenged. Meaning there is one volume, and that is all the way up! Not fun for a conga player. Any help would be appreciated.

Earplugs,some mic's,a small board w/on-board effects,and a powerful(250-400 watts)self-amplified monitor is what you need IMHO!!!!
Maybe some synthetic heads and a cowbell w/a big stick too

[windy_mtn]

Done all that for the most part. What I really need is a baseball bat to take care of some amps! But really, can someone give me some advice on this matter. Weight is important to me. Are the fiberglass congas lighter? The volume comes second, but I am still curious.

[KING CONGA]

Absolutely, fiberglass is definitely lighter than wood. I personally would recommend the LP Patato series, in my own opinion the shape is much more desirable than the Matadors. I had a chance to try Oniel's set, a member from this forum, and they sound and resonate very well, in fact they sound beautiful. He did changed the skins as typically the one they come with is not the greatest. The drums are also built quite well, with re-enforced wall along the mounting lug area and very thick hardware.
I also know someone who has a set of Bobby Allende Fiberglass Congas, less expensive that the LP Patatos. He told me nothing but good things about them, their hardware is also hefty, he especially likes the fact that they come with Remo Newskin heads, see attached.
Finall but not least are the Remos which I have with hardware which is second to none, made of what is called Acousticon, very resistant to nicks & dings, the sound is outstandingly great but they are on the heavy side. The heaviness has it's advantages especially if you just sit them on the floor the way I do, they are more stable.
Hope this helps. Good luck.

[GuruPimpi]

Windy_mtn hello!

I own Pearls Bobby Allende fiberglass congas and I use them mainly for gigs, and less for recordings, with guitar electrified bands that are loud. I find them very good also in more quiet musical scenery, but when I record something more pop like or playing with r'nr-funk (stevie wonder and similar covers) choir, or world music I play Meinl Woodcrafts. I bought these drums cause I needed drums for gigs (good and affordable for driving in a van). At the shop I get them on a really good deal as an endorser and I said, what the hack, hey ho let's go!

With Bobby Allendes congas I'm satisfied, but I must tell you, that when I got them, they had a bit rusty lugs and the place on shell where remo skin is put (rim of shell) was in need for some brushing with scratch paper to even down the lacquer and fiberglas, nothing alarmatic, but after scratching, evening down, the sound was better. I put duck tape under all three skins and I had to warn you about quinto's remo skin - you get the crimplock fiberskin on all three. Mine broke after 1 month; it was hot, had a gig around 2 pm and when I played during the sound check... BAM! These drums mustn't get warm. Skin was not too tight BTW, I prefer low tuning... I got myself tucked remo skin for conga and quinto...
Otherwise, these drums are great, presence is awesome, but if you are in wood sounds, you need time to accept the fact of fiberglass and artificial head. As Isaac said years ago something like: don't bother to put mule or other skin, cause they are built to sing with remos.
Quinto is great: on many concerts friends percussionists were amazed by it's sound, slaps and tones are great... I like tumba and conga, cause they make nice low and loud or better said presence, sound .
Very pleasing to play sitted, but if you play them standing you get real strong bass out of tumba.
Many guys here said that they don't sound good, in some cases I agree, in acoustic or ethnic music they tend to have too much overtones for my taste.
Getting a good deal on these drums is very safe and satisfying investment.

But, if you find a nice and good deal on fiberglass matadors with real skin... Go for it! I know that I will some day!

My 6 cents

PimpS

[windy_mtn]

This is helping tons. You people keep it coming.

[pavloconga]

I play in a few groups. One of them is dynamically challenged. Meaning there is one volume, and that is all the way up! Not fun for a conga player. Any help would be appreciated.

Apart from the issue of the congas you play (which is secondary), I think the people in your band show disrespect to you and your chosen instrument by playing so loud that you likely can't hear yourself and they can't hear you. What's the point of playing then? If it was me I would bring it up with the people in the band and if things didn't change I would find another band to play in.

So I think all you can do is:
a) get every one to turn down
b) get yourself properly miked up
or
c) find another band that appreciates congas and percussion being part of the music and not just an 'afterthought'.

[windy_mtn]

Thanks, but let's stick with the equipment issue.

[CongaTick]

windy min,

Have to agree with pavlo on this one.

[windy_mtn]

Ok. Here is the deal. I am a hired gun for this group. I sit in a couple times a month. They pay me great money for 2 hours of work. Now, if any of you want to give me moral and music ethics advice on playing in a band, that is fine. I will quit my great paying gig that is a litlle loud and you can drop me a check in the mail each month for what I normally make. No one here is paying my bills. You do what you have to sometimes. I play for me most of the time, for my release and the love of music, but we have all played gigs where we could not pass up the money. I posted this in the equipment catagory to get some advice on what type of conga I should look into. I have tons of mics, drums, and mixing boards at home. I have tried multiple variations of mics and blah blah blah. I play in other groups with the best musicians who are great friends and respect everyones space. The simple fact is I want to buy some new congas. That is it. Point blank. I just want to buy some new congas and I would like fiberglass. I need some advice on what types because I have been playing wood for so long and want to make one purchase and keep them for a long time. Thank you for the advice, but as I said before, please keep this tread about the equipment.

[bongosnotbombs]

I actually find the Patatos to be on the heavy side. I like the LP classics for fiberglass.
Make sure and get some synthetic skins too, they are louder as well. Any kind will do probably, but maybe nu-skyns are louder, or so I've heard mentioned.
This band must be paying pretty well to justify buying a whole new set of drums just to be heard.

[Jibaro]

I also vote for Pearl Bobby Allende.
The new ones come with Remo tucked heads.
Perfect for loud, live performances.
Not too expensive either.
Can't speak to the weight issue, but 28" fiberglass is always lighter than 30" hardwood.

Here's a cool video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDD_vt-tABg

[congamyk]

If I was shelling out a ton of dough for fiberglass congas I'd get the Tribal Galaxies.


Too bad they are discontinued. So if you can't find them go for the Armandos.

[Tonio]

Your best bet is to go demo some at music stores which would have at least the one you have in mind, and another set in the same price range you may not be familiar with.
If you can't find a store that can furnish that, perhaps a short road would not hurt.

Otherwise, asking a personally subjective question is almost futile. It all depends on your personal needs and esthetics beside just getting a informed answer no matter what level the informant is at. But then again do you know what level the informant is at?

That said, some folks can provide some technical information about some models they are familiar with, but buying site unseen is a risk. You and only you can take that risk for your own needs.

BTW, just because a drum is lighter does not necessarily mean it will have more projection or be louder. Fiberglass drums in general do posses more projection and cutting through, however.


good luck in your search.

T

[CongaTick]

Good luck.