11" conga resonance

[austinrick]

Just bought a set of the Schalloch 10" & 11" congas (from MF) and am pleased with the purchase. I'm still getting a feel for the tuning, though; getting the drums to sing. The 10" is a cinch; the 11" is less resonant and I don't know if that is inherent to this size drum (I say that knowing there are other factors), the brand, the acoustics of the room they are in, or simply my expectations. 12" tom-toms, such as you find on a drumset, have always been problematic is this same way; thus, I wonder if I'm expecting too much. Any feedback is welcome. I'm brand new to this site and this is my first post.

[jorge]

A lot of how a drum sounds depends on where you are listening to it. Try having someone else play the drums while you walk around and listen, you may be surprised at how they sound. A drum that doesn't sound very strong while you are playing it may project really well and sound great from across the room. Also, vice versa, one that sounds nice while you are playing it may not project. Listening like that can help you learn to play your drums so they sound their best.

[AlexV]

another problem could be that there isn't enough discrepency in size. basically you're playing two quintos. even well tuned the 11 isn't going to give you the bottom end you probably are looking for.

[deadhead]

2 great points from jorge and alex. I always feel like im not getting the sound I want out of my drums, but man when someone else plays on them and i'm just listening the sound is so much different. There could be several things causing you not to get the desired sound. First of all, the heads on your new congas are poor quality from the factory, perfectly fine for a beginner, but a professional grade skin will make all the difference in your sound. Heads also need to be broken in, a new head is usually not going to give you your desired sound and will need to be tuned more often. Alex is right, your basically playing on 2 quintos, so in order to get a good combination of sounds, you will most likely need to tune the 10" a little bit higher than normal and lower on the 11". Tuning takes alot of practice and can be extremely frustrating, but just stick with it and you'll figure out what it is that you like. And remember there is no set tuning (unless the particular type of music calls for it) it is all about player preference.

[GuruPimpi]

Tuning takes alot of practice and can be extremely frustrating, but just stick with it and you'll figure out what it is that you like

so true deadhead, so true!
P.

[austinrick]

Thanks to each of you. I just posted a review of my Schallochs, and in it I pointed out that I'm not sure the rims could pull down a first-rate skin head if I were to upgrade the heads. I also pointed out that the inside of the drums are not finished, but quite rough, which can't contribute to much sound reflection, resonance, etc. FWIW, I seem to get the best tone and sustain at C#-A#.

[AlexV]

austinrick, hows it going? If you feel that the inside of the drums are rough you should go ahead and sand them down nice and smooth. on the cheaper drums limited work is done to them so you always have to do a little maintenance to get them where you'll be happy. as far as heads go i'm sure your conga will handle a quality skin w/o a problem. the only thing is you'll need a thinner skin which is just fine. it will still make a big difference in sound. usually when you order skins the person will ask you what type of drum you have and pick out something accordingly. i'm sure you could get some really nice cow that will give you what you're looking for and pacify your needs until you feel like upgrading.