congaplace.com

I'm wondering... in what way 14" is better than 13" tumba? or maybe it is only another piece of extra weight to carry?
If I had a second tumba I'd like to tune it to F pitch (my first one I tune to G) I know I can tune my 13" tumba to F also, but just wondering if 14" would be better perhaps...? What do you think guys?

I suppose if size matters, then an additional inch could be an advantage

VICTORIUS,

IT DEPENDS ON ANY NUMBER OF FACTORS.
TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT AND TO GIVE AN EXAMPLE: LP MAKES THE PALLADIUM SERIES 14" TUMBA.

YET, I'D RATHER OWN AND PLAY MY ISLA PERCUSSIONS 13" TUMBA ANY DAY. FOR ME, THE ISLA HAS ("SUPERIOR TONES"), AND WEIGHS A WHOLE LOT LESS THAN THE PALLADIUM. IN MY VIEW, THE ISLA TUMBA IS ALSO OF THE PERFECT HIEGHT AS WELL. MAKING IT EASY TO MATCH IT UP WITH OTHER STANDARD SIZE CONGA DRUMS. THE LP PALLADIUM IS TOO TALL.

ONE SHOULD REALLY KNOW WHAT ONE IS LOOKING FOR IN A TUMBA BEFORE BUYING ONE, SO YOU ARE AT LEAST ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

CHARLIE.

I have to Agree with Charlie, My Isla Tumba has a great sound. 13 is plenty

It's not the size of your Tumba, it's how you use it!

Alafia Abures!
I hope that you are all well and abundantly blessed!

I am one player who lives on the "fatter" side of tumba town, having most of my drums larger than 12.50". I have to say however, that for me it's the real estate aspect, as well as the lower tones that I enjoy from the larger drum. I think it just maybe psychological, but I personally prefer the fatter look and sound of my drums. I used to have two Palladiums, but due to the weight of those monstrosities, I wound up giving them away to a couple of friends. I think that if it's the bass sound you're looking for, you can find it in a size 12.50, 13", 13.25"......, but a 14" whew! You'll be hauling around a dead carcass with you every where you go.

I mainly play my Matthew Smiths, but when I'm not sure of the location, I take my Islas and they sound fantastic also......my main drum in this set is 11.75", and two 13.25". A 14" will probably weigh you down, and you'll be hard pressed to find a case, unless you have someone make it for you.

Why 14" tumba? Why climb Mt. Everest? Because it's there.

I don't have one, and it's certainly not on the top of the list but I'd like to have a Super Tumba in the arsenal some day. It would probably stay at home most of the time but I'd like to have one more color available in the sonic palette.

I'LL TAKE THE 15" ISLA PERCUSSIONS "SUPER-TUMBA". WHICH IS STILL LIGHTER, AND SHORTER THAN THE 14" LP PALLADIUM. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT TRULY HAS THE THUNDER.

PS- THIS IS NOT SO MUCH OF AN LP VS ISLA STATEMENT, AS IT IS, A SEARCH FOR THE RIGHT TUMBA STATEMENT.
EVERYONE HAS THERE OWN REASONS FOR WHY THEY HAVE CHOSEN A PARTICULAR DRUM.

CHARLIE.

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

personaly I'm not a big fan of 13" drum nor 14". I just play 13" becouse I have one. Never played 14" so I don't have my opinion... But the point is: what is better to choose. I mean drums like ritmos or skin on skin or other custom drum makers - I don't mean 14" LP Palladium I think it is definetly too tall and too heavy. I was considering how skin tension and diameter of playing surface influence low tones - i.e. F pitch as I said. 14" has larger surface so skin tension is stronger too, isn't it?
14" as a 'special item to have' - I agree I also love drums and if it was possible I'd love to have many many different drums! But it is not main point of discussion. For me advantages of 13":
- my case will fit
- a bit lighter (it is not proved)
So those advanteges aren't really important - sound is more important!

Some great replies here and a few of them made me laugh too (congatick, derbeno, robertthelpus)

my 2c: I bought the LP Palladium super tumba earlier this year to complete my set of 3.
The super tumba is great for playing in certain situations but is impractical to cart around.

In hindsight, for the kind of gigs I play, it would have been better for me to instead buy an extra LP tumba to add to the set rather than a super tumba, mainly because of the size and weight factor.
I may still buy an extra tumba and keep the 14" just for the sake of it, or even sell it if I can find a buyer.
I'm very happy with the Palladium conga and tumba.
cheers guys
Pavlo