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Tom Alexander is right up there at the top of the current conga craftsmen, he is a true innovator. There are few great craftsmen and less true innovators, Tom Flores and Mariano Bobadilla were among the greatest past innovators.

Tom Alexander uses superior glue, Stainless Steel hardware and biscut joined staves. The glue and biscuit joined staves prevent cracking and build a better drum. Of course if solid staves are used there are natural factors associated with wood.

I love my old El Piernas bongo. It is also made with biscuits but I haven't seen another one like it. It is made from iron wood - heavy as hell, and the hardware is super heavy too. These days I have to play it with a stand, or sometimes a strap around my waist to take off the weight. But is is a masterpiece with a big big sound. I've never played one of his congas but I've heard from others that they are also heavy but great with with a big sound. So, add Hector Roja to the list.

Michel Ouellet Percussion (Canada)
MOPERC

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Up until I played on my Volcanos, the best sounding drum to me was made by "Pan con Queso" in Caracas...I got to visit him on a tour back in 1976 and got to play on his bongos(incredible one piece/no slats shells) and a conga drum he made and he used Caoba wood that he would get from Cuba every couple of years...EVERYONE that was ANYONE on the NY Salsa scene that ever went to Caracas bought his maracas/bongos/claves/and cowbells..his work has been copied over the years..he was a true Artisan.....Carlos E Landaeta(Pan con Queso)

Mr. Landaeta is in the white suit...a very very nice and kind man, who actually "tested' my drumming skills before he would commit to my needs....and that was to buy his claves a bell and maracas....

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Ralph Flores has done a good job of maintaining the Flores tradition.

Akbar Moghaddam and Octavio Ruiz of Valje, Sol and Gon Bops.

It would be a shame to not reconize these fine craftsmen.

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Leedy,

I did not see that you updated the list. Still Octavio Ruiz is not on this updated list. This is a judgement call but he would be good to include.

Cheers!

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Si me fue a la casa de el. y .el vive en un tremendo barrio...and he had a very small apartment with stuff all over the place...I stayed at the Tamanaco Hotel, and played at El Poliedro...

Frankie Rodriguez, not Harlow's or Batacumbele's player/singer, from Long Island NY, made Casa Cubana congas, of which I had 2 of them. His name should be included.

Dario

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Isn't Martin Cohen a past Conga maker? I thought he has retired and sold his intrest in LP.