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I was at San Francisco Carnaval this past weekend. We had a tent and played rumba all day. I brought the drums I usually bring, Isla quinto, Gon Bops tres dos and the Valje tumba.

Anyways, there were a couple of stages and this even being in the Mission, there were several latin bands, salsa, latin jazz a big variety. It seemed like every conguero had their drums up in a stand with some crazy design painted on them, flags usually or something. You know, I looked at the rest of the band, bass players, guitars, pianos, drums and they all had rather normal and conservative instruments. I didn't see any pianos sporting a Puerto Rican flag, nor did I see any bass players with basses' o fire!

I know rock guys have their guitars done up and all that, but in each latin band I saw, it was only the conguero with the crazy congas.

So what gives? Why do the congas got to get the tacky treatment? I notice every major label offers several choices of tacky paint schemes, even Remo heads get in on the act. I guess there has to be a market for it...somewhere... ...even Armando Peraza gets in on it, with probably some of the ugliest drums ever. Sorry, Armando.

Drum company's are looking for more way's to entice the consumer's into buying there product. There have to be one step ahead these day's cause if you don't make the other guys will. I like wood finishes myself.

I've got one of those LP Custom Shop samples, not my favorite conga but when I play it in public it, and I, sure get a lot more attention. Lots of people must look more than listen.

I guess if it fits in with the 'show' appearance or stage appearance then great ie big shows & tours etc.
Other than that I see it as pointless 'flash'. However, manufacturers need to accomodate to different tastes. Sales & demand will determine whether they are continued in manufacture. Some guys like personalisation, other guys like over the top graphics etc Personally I dont get it.
From my personal experience, the guys Ive seen with these types of drums are those who dont really play all that well and need something else to stand out. Again, only what Ive seen first hand.
Not to say anyone who uses these drums cant play. Ive seen some of the best congueros in the world in clips using these types of 'decorated' drums, Im guessing in an effort by their sponsor to endorse & promote the product.

As Onile says, You can dress up and polish a turd, at the end of the day its still a turd. Each to their own.

As for me.....









Now these are beautiful tumbadoras.
Do want!!!!

Bongo I understand your gripe pero ultimamente to each his own. Remember this conga thing is really sub-culture stuff and nobody really knows WTF with the flames and all, only people like us will critic $hit like that and even then who gives a $hit? If Giovanni Hidalgo appeared in front of you with a flamer set of congas and played like he does, are you really going to give him $hit? Capitalism has its down-sides and the drum flames are a direct result. Personally I would not own drums like those, not my style.

I personally think wood finish looks best

Come on guys, it's part of the tradition, look at the top percussion album cover, or los papines congas. I don't have any funky congas but I'd love to have some old funky painted drums!
PC

Well what I want to know is why the other guys in the salsa band don't have the flags and flames? Why is it the congas?
Where is the Puerto Rican flag covered trombone at huh? The double bass painted in flames, the piano with some hideous star graphic all over it?

Hell i just wanna figure a way to shoot my conga's into space after a solo! And of course land safely with some kind off parachute device.Who need's flames and stuff.

Bongobilly wrote:Hell i just wanna figure a way to shoot my conga's into space after a solo! And of course land safely with some kind off parachute device.Who need's flames and stuff.

Do not forget before they are propelled up in space them congas must have the "Puerto Rican Flag" on them is a must. Come-on I see your avatar is just beautiful.

One of my friends has a decal of a naked nubile woman with a devil's tail, horns, and pitchfork in hand. Every guy who sees it has to do a double take.. Works like a charm..

I guess drums are kind of like suitcases.. In the past everyone would stick on a decal of where they had been, so the drum, being that wooden stand that just sits there and gets carried around, was the next best place to stick that decal..

I used to think that all conga players were crazy. Now I think that just 75% are crazy. I also used to think that the conga player ALWAYS got the women. After a 35 year survey I have concluded that only 10% get the women! I should have tried flags AND flames! Buckoh

Jazzambia Conga Model designed by Paoli Mejias.

buckoh wrote:I used to think that all conga players were crazy. Now I think that just 75% are crazy. I also used to think that the conga player ALWAYS got the women. After a 35 year survey I have concluded that only 10% get the women! I should have tried flags AND flames! Buckoh

The singer is the one who sees the most action.......

tamboricua wrote:Jazzambia Conga Model designed by Paoli Mejias.

Most congas have lots of real state and quite a few people see them as canvas for their creativity. Whatever, to each it's own.I like the Jazzambia Paoli's theme. Nice.