Matadors: fiberglass or wood?

[dakest]

I had spent hours searching this but had no definite results, I am getting rid of my Calientes and getting a set of Matadors and need inputs on the fiberglass ones.
I know the wooden ones sound great, played them before....

Thanks in advance guys.

[Kaban]

I love the Matador fiberglass, but I also favor the Patato over the Classic. It all depends on your preference of sound. If I was you I would order the fiberglass, via Guitar Center, if you like it better than the wood sound, keep it, if not, send it back.

[CongaTick]

Dakest,

I had, and played quite happily with a set of Sam Ass wood Ardiente's with mule. Loved them. Good utility drums. But needed a bit more "cut-through" when playing with amplified groups I am often booked with. Upgraded to Matadors Fiberglass with Fyberskyn Skyndeep heads and love the volume and sharpness. Yep, they do carry a bit of a ring (dampened sufficiently with underside tape on heads) but they are durable, workhorses that deliver everything I need in a conga drum. If I were to be in demand for mostly acoustic sets, I would switch back over to the buffalo skins that came with them which produce a perfectly fine warmer sound with these Matadors when stroked properly. (Proper stroking has been my mission throughout life.)

[Kaban]

"(Proper stroking has been my mission throughout life.)" -Congatick

Heer Heer...

[dakest]

Thanks guys, are'nt the ardientes the same as aspires for Sam ash? seems to me that Calientes, Ardientes use the same shell as the Aspires, I have a set of Calientes and the shell looks the same as Aspires, they sound good though.
I am in a quest to get some Matadors at a good price, I have a the shell of a 11 3/4 Matador in wood but the hardware is in bad shape, the cost of getting it in nice condition may be too high.

[CongaTick]

Dakest.

Negative on the Ardientes being same as Aspires. They are a much better instrument. Though made out of Siam "oak" like most off-the-shelfs, but not anywhere in the same basement as Aspires. Matter of fact, my Ardientes with mules sounded every bit as good as Matadors. I just decided to own a "name" for a change and the reputation of reliability of Matadors as all around gig drums played professionally as well as for fun made the choice easy. Ardiente's are solid utilitarian tubs.

[VJBaros]

I have Performers Series from Guitar Center, good drums to kick around.