Which Skins

[torpedo tom]

I remember about five or six years ago that mule skins were all the rage. I know some still swear by them, but now I'm seeing a lot of cow hide reccomended. Are the water buffalo much used or are they out of the running? So what kind of heads are most drummers using nowadays?

[Kaban]

Can anyone compare the open tones between cow, and mule?

[Mike]

Cow = warm, mellow open tones which usually do not project as strongly as mule
Mule = more cutting open tones, slightly drier sound

Water Buffalo = just average between everything

Having that said, it all depends on the conga construction too - and your hands of course.
You can always hear the pros beating fantastic sound out of those crappy waterbuffalo skins!

[Kaban]

Hey Mike,

What do you think about putting mule on a Matador fiberglass conga?

Kaban

[Mike]

Well, that could mean that the conga cuts throughthe mix very well,
but also will produce a lot of overtones, probably more than with a thick cow skin.
At least I have made the experience that mule skins tends to be ringy with fiberglass drums.

[Marcus]

I am getting some mules from El Greco. They are in the mail and ought to be on my door step this weekend or hopefully earlier. So far it has been a good experience working with El Greco for thickness and such. Michael at LandH appears to be on a business sabatical for awhile which is why I contacted El Greco, besides the dark color of his skins will match my congas very well.

[Kaban]

Hey Marcus, which drums will you be mounting?

[Marcus]

Them new Gon Bops mariano's. Little concerned about the stress but I will just detune after use. Quinto, Conga and Tumba.