Need help buying my first Conga set
Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2018 10:21 am
I've been playing a djembe at a pretty small open mic night for a few months and mentioned to my girlfriend how much I'd love to play the Congas. I was going to wait till after Christmas to buy a set but she went out and got me an 11" LP Aspire without any research on the subject. Still thoughtful but from what I've learned, I should buy a better conga when I purchase the second one. I'll be taking lessons and going as far with this hobby as I can and I know plenty of musicians I can play with. From what I've read, a two conga set would more traditionally be the Conga and Tumba rather than one of those and a quinto. Can I still play a Quinto and 11.75" Conga or Quinto and 12.5" Tumba for a while until I can afford to buy both of them? And which one should I buy first? Seems like two sizes next to each other make sense and that I could add a Tumba a few months down the road after I've bought an 11 3/4" Conga.
Is it risky to buy it used? What questions should I ask? What risks are there with a used conga?
I could get an 11 3/4" Matador for a little over $300 after shipping. Should I hold off and hope for a better deal on a used one? Or is that a decent price for that brand? And what alternatives to the Matador should I consider? GonBops? Toco? Mienl? LP Aspire and Performer series are out of the question because too many posts and articles trash them.
It would be nice to find something decent for under $250 but if I have to pay $400 I'll make it happen eventually. I just want something that lasts and is respectable enough to play 3 or 4 songs at a dive bar once a week. I'd also like to not have to replace it if I get good and start playing actual paying gigs. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Is it risky to buy it used? What questions should I ask? What risks are there with a used conga?
I could get an 11 3/4" Matador for a little over $300 after shipping. Should I hold off and hope for a better deal on a used one? Or is that a decent price for that brand? And what alternatives to the Matador should I consider? GonBops? Toco? Mienl? LP Aspire and Performer series are out of the question because too many posts and articles trash them.
It would be nice to find something decent for under $250 but if I have to pay $400 I'll make it happen eventually. I just want something that lasts and is respectable enough to play 3 or 4 songs at a dive bar once a week. I'd also like to not have to replace it if I get good and start playing actual paying gigs. Thanks in advance for any advice.