Conga tuning question

[chris hansen]

Hello,

I've just recently started playing congas and I have a question about tuning.

I start by going around a couple of times until the tuning nuts are as tight as I can get them by hand. Then I use a wrench and, again going around, try to tighten them all the same amount. The problem is that it doesn't sound right and when I tap at the tuning lugs there is a different tone at each one. Should I try to even it out by tightening or loosening the lugs or do I need to maintain even tension all the way around? Should I use a torque wrench to ensure even tension?

Thanks

[CongaTick]

Chris,

Do not use a torque wrench to tighten the lugs! Welcome to the forum. Take a moment to use the search function to track down a multitude of threads here in which pros (and newbies) have addressed the tuning issue. Tuning your drums for most is up to personal taste. Factors affecting it include whether you have a set of wooden or fiberglass tubs, the kind of head ( synthetic, cowhide, buffalo, mule) and your personal taste in sounds. Check out our TUNING threads first, and if you still have questions, we look forward to helping you out.

[chris hansen]

I did look at some of the tuning threads but I must have missed this one.

My main concern is: Should I tighten each tuning lug the same amount or should I try to make the tone even at each one?

Sorry if this has been covered in another thread already.

[franc]

Chris,
i sugest you turn your tuning lug nuts evenly. when the skins are new i do a half turn each and then a quater turn. counter clock wise or the opposite side. there are other factors to considered which CongTick already mentioned. the reason to be even in your turns is that the skin will stay evenly all around the conga. hope this help!! your friend and welcome !! my best and ache to all in the forum. franc :;):

[akdom]

you indeed need to keep the shins evenly streached. So go around the drum tightening evenly.
And losen the rums after playing.

B

[chris hansen]

Thanks for the advice, it makes sense to me. It does lead to another question though.

The reason I ask is because the conga sounded funny, almost like there were several tones competing with each other, and re-tuning didn't seem to help. When I tap at the tuning lugs it sounds different at each one. Is this normal (I'm very new to congas) and can I/should I do anything about it?

Thanks

[CongaTick]

Chris,

Start again by loosening all lugs to a point where they are just at "finger turn" tension. Make sure head is seated evenly all the way around. Look at it from all angles. If need be, loosen even more to make head alignment adjustments. Re-tighten, if need be, to finger-tightness evenly, one-at a time clockwise or counter clockwise around the lugs starting at a lug you designate as the "beginning". Once finger tightened, use your lug wrench to give each lug (again, clock or counter wise. Just be consistent at every tuning) a turn equal to about half it's available turning capacity on the mounting. As you go, tap occasionally (gently with your wrench or finger tip) about 1-2" inside the rim in front of each lug to get your tone for comparison as you continue tightening around the head. No need to "choke tighten" the head. Get to a point where you get a pleasing open tone and adjust higher or lower depending on taste, but always starting with your "beginning" lug and moving equally -- and minimally--- in the same way around the head. If this doesn't satisfy, you may have an issue with your head, or your drum. More info on each might help us help you.

[chris hansen]

Thanks, I'll try it tonight or tomorrow (I've been pretty busy).

It's kind of what I did only maybe I'll be more careful. I got a set of Meinl congas about a week and a half ago. They sounded fine in the store but after sitting at home for a couple of days they sounded different.

[CongaTick]

Chris,

They'll sound different every time you move them from location to location. Unless you have synthetic heads even slight changes in humidity/temp will affect the skins and require "tweaktuning" :laugh:

[chris hansen]

Chris,

They'll sound different every time you move them from location to location. Unless you have synthetic heads even slight changes in humidity/temp will affect the skins and require "tweaktuning" :laugh:

Thanks for the advice, I'll let you know how it goes. I'm just concerned because it doesn't have that nice round sound I hear in the recordings which I'm pretty sure it had in the store.

[akdom]

Hi again

It also depends on the quality of the instruments... some cheap congas sound weird.. best quality have a pretty steady sound.


B

[GuruPimpi]

Chris!

Do everything CongaTick and Akdom said about tuning. If the tone is still like you said (ful of tones,= overtones), not even above all lugs, make them even by trying to find those who are mostly even and then adjust all others to get ful l rounded sound of tone.

Must do that carefully, by 1/8 or 1/4 of the lug circle.

Personally i hate it when i reach the drum without even tuned lugs, but making them even is very learning and 'knowing your conga better' process.

tip: Many times the opposite lugs have the same sound, so it is much easier when you screw up or down both of them, also you do them both, but each half of usual one...

I hope i put my words understandable...

my 2 cents

Primoz

[Sakuntu]

Guru-You said it-most of the time the opposite lug will have the same sound. for example-I'm im tuning a conga and between 2 side by side lugs the left one has a higher pitch-the one rigth acroosfrom it will have a higher pitch. What I do to even it out will be to lower the 2 lugs that have a higher pitch and then slowy tighten the lugs that had the lower pitch until everything is fairly even all the way around. one thing to keep in mind if its a natural skin head-its never going to be perfectly in tune cuz the skin may have differnt abnormalities and thickness in certain areas, but it should be pretty close.

[Sakuntu]

sorry guys-next time i'll use spell check....its late...