Getting ready

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Getting ready

Postby torpedo tom » Sun Oct 21, 2012 12:05 am

I'm taking a new job down in Teas to start in a few weeks. After I get a small pad ($$$) built back up, I plan on getting a new set, quinto, conga, and tumba and maybe a bongo. If you had $2000 +/-, what would you get? I know they wouldn't cost close to this, but for some reason I want a set of LP Salsas or Originals. Would this be a good choice. I have Meinl Pros now. Give me your opinions on what you would buy. Thanks TT.
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Re: Getting ready

Postby pcastag » Sun Oct 21, 2012 2:53 pm

for 2000 id get some custom jobs, mopercs, sos or ritmos. if not those then some giovannis or meinl woodcraft.
PC
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Re: Getting ready

Postby congamyk » Mon Oct 22, 2012 12:05 am

Meinl Pro Series is very similar to LP Classics -little to no difference.
They are both good pro congas.

LP Galaxy, LP Giovanni's, Meinl Woodcraft and Gon Bops Alex Acuna Series are the best factory made congas.
You could drop close to $2000 with tax on 3 drums & Bongo on any of those.
I'm with PC, if I'm spending $2K I'm getting 3 custom hand-made drums from Moperc, SOS, Ritmos, etc.
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Re: Getting ready

Postby torpedo tom » Mon Oct 22, 2012 1:27 am

Thanks Congamyk. I thought there was some difference between the Meinls and the LPs. If that's the case, I may just get me a nice set of Meinl Free Ride bongo and a few percussion toys and stuff the rest of the $$$ in my pocket.
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Re: Getting ready

Postby Kaban » Tue Oct 23, 2012 3:44 pm

Hey, post a pic of your pro drums. I had one for two days, returned due to crack, and I liked it better then my Classic LP. Those are hard to find for a good price, i would hold on to them.
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Re: Getting ready

Postby torpedo tom » Tue Oct 23, 2012 9:46 pm

Hey Kaban, mine are the natural quinto, conga, and tumba. They have been in LP Gio cases most of their 7 or 8 years and are in MINT condition, not a nick or scratch on them. I may set them up and do some pics tomorrow. They are sweet.
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Re: Getting ready

Postby jorge » Tue Oct 23, 2012 11:56 pm

I suggest spending some quality time with the drums you have, learn to play them really well, then think about getting more drums. In a few years when your timing is great, your technique is clean, and you know how to make the music swing, you will know what kind of new drums you want.
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Re: Getting ready

Postby Kaban » Wed Oct 24, 2012 1:28 am

Tom, put those cases in the basement, and leave your drums out ready to play. Take advantage of any chance you get through out the day; 5,10, 30 minutes of focus practice adds up. I have a busy schedule, and that's how I get my practice in, and I am seeing improvements. So, take pic of those bad boys, and practice as much as possible.
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Re: Getting ready

Postby Kaban » Wed Oct 24, 2012 1:35 am

Sorry one more thing, if you can't get to a conga instructor, get lessons from home via Internet, i take lessons from Johnny Conga, e-mail him to see if can work with your schedule. He is good people, and an even better teacher.
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Re: Getting ready

Postby torpedo tom » Wed Oct 24, 2012 3:01 am

I have talked with JC before about instruction. I drive a truck and am not able to have any kind of practice schedule that I can stick with unless I'm home. I have been checking out You Tube and have found lots of good stuff to work on until I can get some one-on-one instruction. Will let all of you know how I progress.
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Re: Getting ready

Postby jorge » Wed Oct 24, 2012 4:14 am

Have you thought about getting a travel conga that you can carry with you on the road? Stuff a towel in the bottom and you can practice with an iPod and earphones in the hotel or the back of the cab of the truck. Or even with a laptop, an iPad or iPhone on YouTube. Not while you are driving, please!
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Re: Getting ready

Postby torpedo tom » Wed Oct 24, 2012 2:35 pm

I've been looking for one that won't break the bank, but they are so expensive. May just get a bongo and work on that and then tumbadores when at home.
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Re: Getting ready

Postby jorge » Wed Oct 24, 2012 11:09 pm

$200-250 for a travel conga you can actually use to practice every day when you are on the road is so expensive it is going to break the bank, but its ok to spend $2000 for a 4th 5th and 6th conga that you won't be able to play much because of your work travel? I seem to be missing something here.
Play your drums.
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Re: Getting ready

Postby torpedo tom » Fri Oct 26, 2012 1:41 am

You are right my friend. I'll start looking harder. Thank you for your insight.
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Re: Getting ready

Postby jorge » Fri Oct 26, 2012 2:31 am

torpedo tom wrote:You are right my friend. I'll start looking harder. Thank you for your insight.


Why do you need to look for more drums? Sounds like you need some more motivation so you can't wait to get home and practice on the drums you already have. Get a travel conga so you can practice on the road, but 3 more congas? Why?

Motivation: here you go...

Van Van, 2006, Joel Driggs on 2 congas, great groove and improvisation, great audience response.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bionVBJ-Oi4

Cachao Descargas with Tata Guines on 2 congas (tack head tumba)
Best tumbao you will ever hear, not to mention his solos. Recorded over 50 years ago, still killer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD0363kwbO0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3YeQp4K4sE (tune your 3 drums to the piano/coro in the intro: Malanga Amarilla)

Fastest tumbao you will ever hear. Tata on 2 congas. Don't try this at home (actually don't try it OUTSIDE your home!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z09Dmsdyd0o

Pedrito Martinez on 2 congas, great hand technique, great sound (nice Matadors, but he can make ANY drum sound good), perfect timing, tricky breaks, fantastic singer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAoYmoVVK_4

OK, if you really want to learn how to play 3 drums, here is the gold standard, starting at 1:43.
Van Van, 1980 Joel Driggs on 3 congas, classic songo, Changuito on drumset
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjrzvmAQokM

That should keep you busy for a little while.
Play your drums.
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