looking for best drum up to $500-$600 (El Piernas, CP info?)

[Victorius]

Yambu very good point of view!
But here they're $600!
And we are starting over:/
If I lived in USA I'll probably do as you tell me. Buy non-expensive drums play a lot and then collect money and look for something better. So I can choose: buy here in Poland e.g matadors and pay too much - or take down much better from USA in the same price - shipping cost are the same if I ship matadors or islas. Moreover I already have Pearl Elites - I guess they're comparable to matadors! But they don't satisfy me - a lot of ringing and overtones.
I can spend a lot of money for drums - only problem is I don't have it YET - no don't want to spend it at all.

Olsongo thanks for info!
I am really interested in El Piernas - for few days am looking for someone familiar in Colombia to get some info in Hector's shop 'cause he don't reply for my e-mail... Did you play on his drums? Or know who did?

If I couldn't get El piernas I would think about Islas - probably I won't buy all set (3) in the same time but maybe one drum per several months it will be ok.

[korman]

Victorius, have you changed the heads on your Pearl Elites? I think while you're saving money for the handcrafted congas, change of skins can make a huge difference on the mass manufactured drums. Pearl Elites, if I'm not mistaken, are the drums that Johny Conga plays, go look in the videos section, can't complain about the man's sound, can you?

Also be aware that shipping drums across the globe is potentially damaging to them. While transported on the plane they undergo serious air-pressure, temperature and moisture changes, and the guys throwing parcels around in the airport may not know (or care) that a precius instrument is inside. So check all your possibilities in Europe before buying overseas, there is a thread on custom makers http://www.mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=3881 and there are some in Europe.

Take a look look at this site http://www.reiche-trommelbau.de/- they make congas in Germany and in your price range. That would at least save tranatlantic flight and customs, maybe you could even go and get them yourself.

[Mike]

Victorius, have you changed the heads on your Pearl Elites? I think while you're saving money for the handcrafted congas, change of skins can make a huge difference on the mass manufactured drums. Pearl Elites, if I'm not mistaken, are the drums that Johny Conga plays, go look in the videos section, can't complain about the man's sound, can you? .

Couldn´t agree more, I own an Afro Elite conga (predecessor of Pearl Elite) , and it has got a superb sound, full open tones, wonderful bass tone.
They stand 32" tall, which is very comfortable for me as a tall man. A skin upgrade might have a tremendous effect indeed, as Korman has pointed out.

So check all your possibilities in Europe before buying overseas, there is a thread on custom makers http://www.mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=3881 and there are some in Europe.

Take a look look at this site http://www.reiche-trommelbau.de/- they make congas in Germany and in your price range. That would at least save tranatlantic flight and customs, maybe you could even go and get them yourself

Another good idea, a trip to Germany, e.g. can´t be that expensive (depending on where your location in Poland is of course),
I have heard that Reiche congas have brought fat smiles into the faces of many congueros...

[Victorius]

ok guys! so what skin do you propose?

I'll consider it of course!

[Mike]

ok guys! so what skin do you propose?

I'll consider it of course!

Two options in my opinion:
Mule skin, which is hard to get in Europe, but available via Isaac from this board. The sound you get will be
exceptional, dry, cracking slaps and fine open tones without too much ringing. Importing them from the US
won´t cost as much as congas!

OR: a decent, medium thick to thick cowskin (I got one from "Drumcenter" in Cologne for a reasonable price
and it sounds fantastic on my Classic quinto)

In any case: the upgrade you get with either mule or cow will cost you about 100-150€ for a set of two congas,
with a sound and felling totally different from them dead waterbuffalos

Just my two €-cents

[Victorius]

just in case... do you have any contact to this mule skin seller in US???

[Mike]

just in case... do you have any contact to this mule skin seller in US???

Sure, it´s Isaac, also long-time honourable member of this board. Here is his email address:
(which you could also find when searching congaplace forum for this name, so I am not releasing any
private information here)
tradicionpercussion@gmail.com

You might want to take a look at his ebay shop
http://cgi.ebay.com/JCR-Percussion-MULE ... dZViewItem

Regards,
Mike