Percussionstores in NY

[stithra]

Hello!

I`m a new user at this board and have to ask some questions..

I`m a norwegian percussionist and I have to bye som new congas. I would like to have LP congas, Patato series or Original Fiberglas model, which is too expensive here in Scandinavia. This summer I have the possibility to make a short trip to New York, and I will then go shopping!!! :cool: But I`ve newer been in NY before, and don`t know which stores i should visit...

If someone could give me any tips (Name of percussionstores and adresses) I would be very saticfied! :)

(..Sorry, my english is not tip top..)

BR, Stian
Norway

[JohnnyConga]

Go to "MANNY'S" on 48th st in Manhatten right off Broadway....or to CASA LATINA on 112th st I think in "El Barrio" Manhatten...."JC" Johnny Conga....

[guarachon63]

Also try Drummers World:

151 W 46th between 6th and 7th.

[Thomas]

Hi fellow congueros!
I was in both shops, drummersworld and mannys, a few weeks ago. IMO they don't have so many good and different congas there, same choice as in Europe, just cheaper (anyway have you thought about the fact, that you have to pay for the shipping and for customs?)! I think it's not much cheaper after all.
I'm regularly in the same position, once a year I go the NYC and buy some percussion instruments, but only smaller things, which I can put in suitcases.
If I would import some congas from the us, I would go and get some hand made congas from JCR in the bronx! They are very well made and sound great (but they are made out of wood, not fiberglass). Caly (the owner of JCR) ships them all over the world.
Isaac here in this forum is sales rep. of JCR and can hook you up with Caly, a very nice guy!!
Isaacs email: funkytradition@yahoo.com
All the best,
Tom!

[stithra]

Hi fellow congueros!
I was in both shops, drummersworld and mannys, a few weeks ago. IMO they don't have so many good and different congas there, same choice as in Europe, just cheaper (anyway have you thought about the fact, that you have to pay for the shipping and for customs?)! I think it's not much cheaper after all.
I'm regularly in the same position, once a year I go the NYC and buy some percussion instruments, but only smaller things, which I can put in suitcases.
If I would import some congas from the us, I would go and get some hand made congas from JCR in the bronx! They are very well made and sound great (but they are made out of wood, not fiberglass). Caly (the owner of JCR) ships them all over the world.
Isaac here in this forum is sales rep. of JCR and can hook you up with Caly, a very nice guy!!
Isaacs email: funkytradition@yahoo.com
All the best,
Tom!

Thanks fellows!

Hello, Tom!
Thanks for good tips! I`m looking for LP congas, and I think it will be fiberglas, but have not desided yet. Maybe the LP Patato Model or Original fiberglas. But other brands are also interesting! What is IMO?
What about Drummersworld and Mannys? How is the pricelevel compared with for example the Netshops (f.ex. musiciansfriend.com)?

I`m shure I can take the congas with me as baggage on the airplane (SAS)...Or do I have wrong? A friend of mine was in NY last year, and he was sending a huge contrabass on the same airplane....I have to check it out! But I have to pay taxes. Anyway it is much cheaper than buying here in Norway. YES, shipping is expensive!!!!

JCR also sound interesting! Do the have a homepage?

Br, Stian

[GuruPimpi]

IMO is short for ,, in my opinion''

I used to be very frustrate with that

Primoz

[stithra]

IMO is short for ,, in my opinion''

I used to be very frustrate with that

Primoz

Ooooookay..... :O

Do I feel a little bit stupid?...Oh,yes :p

Thank`s anyway!


Stian

[Thomas]

What about Drummersworld and Mannys? How is the pricelevel compared with for example the Netshops (f.ex. musiciansfriend.com)?

I experienced that Drummersworld is in most cases cheaper than Mannys (but maybe not for everything). Anyway the best is to compare the prices!

I`m shure I can take the congas with me as baggage on the airplane (SAS)...Or do I have wrong?

I think that this is'nt possible anymore (to take them with you inside the plane), as they have increased their security levels, and anyway on overseas flights its not allowed to take such big things inside with you I think.
If you want to check them in you have to really protect them, because people at the airports just throw it, they don't care, so if they are only in bags, you won't be satisfied with them at home when you unpack them :O

JCR also sound interesting! Do the have a homepage?

I think they had one, but I don't know if its still online (was just a draft I think). Ask Isaac, he will provide you with everything you want to know (also check out their world renowned bells!!)!

All the best,
Tom!

[Raymond]

My experience in dealing with New York are the same shops everybody is recommendating, Mannys and Sam Ash, one in fronf of the other. Drummers Worls is in a second floor in corner. (Is all in the Times Square / Broadway area. Just walk and look for the street addressess they are giving you).

Another interesting place to visit is JCR in the Bronx if you like cowbells and/or want to check if Cali has some congas there for sale. (Is easy just take the train to the Bronx get out in the Yankee Stadium and walk to Ogden Street. Ask is nearby. Just a 5 to 10 minute walk).

Patatos? Well...LP is practically making all the latest model in the same style of the Patato. So, any Accent model will give you the same sound or their latest signature models in fiberglas. No difference there. If you notice LP's marketing strategy is not with the Patatos but with the new models. They are the same. Maybel the Patatos will be cheaper.

Alternatives in fiberglass, Pearl's Elite Bobby Allende Signature congas. They do not have the small mouth like the Patatos that in my opinion are great congas but more suitable for playing in stands. The Bobby Allende's come with Remo Fyberskins from the fabric. They are 28 inches tall, suitable in the event you want to play seated, they have a big belly with a big mouth. They provide the same characteristics of the Patato and they are cheaper. (By the way, the Bobby Allende's have the best hardware in any Pearl conga. Also, they do not look like fiberglass congas because they do not have the chrome ring in the body of the conga like other fiberglass congas. They look like wood. They are two colors or models of the Bobby Allendes...A Cafe con Leche, (Coffee and milk in Spanish) which is a dark brown fading into a lighter brown and then darkening into the darkbrown and a Solar Sparkle, which is a Silver with glitter.... I personally use them and I know some member of the forum have them also and I believe they are satisfy with them

Other brands??? You have to check but I give you the recommendation of the Pearl Bobby Allendes.

Good luck in New York...you will enjoy it.

Tell us how it goes!

Saludos!



Edited By Raymond on 1174164144

[stithra]

Tom and Raymond, thanks for a thorough answer, fellows!!!

I look forward to the trip to NY...!
And I will let you hear from me afterwards


Stian, Norway

[guarachon63]

You know I just stopped by Manny's, Sam Ash and Drummer's World for the first time in many years and I have to second Tom's comment about their weak selection and would just say, "save yourself a trip." Go see the Statue of Liberty instead.

These stores used to be packed to the gills with congas but not anymore, they all had the same sad selection of of LP's, a couple of Giovanni's and a few of the lower series, and a smattering of a few other brands. Nothing special or interesting at all. At Sam Ash they are kind of all thrown into this junky looking back room, sort of as an afterthought. (Drummer's World had quite a few of those slick manufactured cajones for some reason.)

So I would say maybe check Casa Latina uptown, or like Tom says talk directly with a builder.

[Isaac]

Isaac from JCR here,
All our JCR congas are by custom advance order.
We're a workshop/tiny factory not a store with
congas ready to go. Bells of course we make continuosly.
The congas are not shipped all over the world
due to the big shipping costs of an oversized
and heavy box. The big brands can do this based
on their mass produced & high volume.
Bells are a different story for us.
If you want some of the other
name brands , their best top of the line
items are also rarely in the store these days. They make
more money selling quantity beginner drums. They
don't want to invest in too much inventory
they've paid for in advance, so even now you may have
to advance order from them as well.
May I suggest if you want some LPs, check out
www.descarga.com. You could pre-order before you get here
and have them sent to where your staying while here. . I used to
travel by plane with congas in good cases with my clothes packed
inside. They doubled as my luggage! If you have a lot of other luggage, though, you'll be paying
a hefty extra baggage cost. You'd be better off with
some European companie's congas and good skins
to replace the stock water bufallo. JCR
does ship all over the world, but most countries
have a package size restriction, that would put
congas over the acceptable limit of most countries. ..otherwise
it can be like paying for another passenger.
I' d also say that travelling with fiberglass congas would be
lighter and safer. (and goodcases!!) Either the LP Patatoes or Bobby Allende Pearls
are nice in my opinion and less weight.

~ ISAAC
Percussionist / Sales JCR Percussion

[yoni]

Thanks for this info, Isaac! Next time I'm in NY, I'm definitely checking out JCR. Or I hope you get out here so we can jam. Hey, I also use drums to pack clothes in - I guess lots of us do.
All the best,
Yonatan

http://www.myspace.com/yonatanbarrashi

[stithra]

You know I just stopped by Manny's, Sam Ash and Drummer's World for the first time in many years and I have to second Tom's comment about their weak selection and would just say, "save yourself a trip." Go see the Statue of Liberty instead.

These stores used to be packed to the gills with congas but not anymore, they all had the same sad selection of of LP's, a couple of Giovanni's and a few of the lower series, and a smattering of a few other brands. Nothing special or interesting at all. At Sam Ash they are kind of all thrown into this junky looking back room, sort of as an afterthought. (Drummer's World had quite a few of those slick manufactured cajones for some reason.)

So I would say maybe check Casa Latina uptown, or like Tom says talk directly with a builder.

hello!!

Hmm...very strange! It sounds like it is impossible to get my favorite congas in NY!?!? If there are no stores in NY wich haven`t the most common pro-series from LP, where else should I go to get some?

Dose someone have any idea?

BR, Stian

[stithra]

Hello Isaac!

Thanks for very nice information! I notice that Drummers World, Mannys etc. doesn`t have a good selection of LP, so it seems like I have to consider other brands than LP..! But I will go to NY this summer to bye congas, and I make the trip with some musicianfriends. One of them is also working in the check in by Scandinavian Airlines, so he can give me a very, very cheap trip to NY, and the congas can I take with me on the plane for free!!!

I have heard a lot of good things about JCR, but haven`t either seen or tried some..

Is the JCR-shop/-factory placed in NY?


BR, Stian