by Raymond » Fri Nov 21, 2003 3:48 pm
Pidoca,
I guess you are talking about Meinl's Mongo Santamaria Signature Series Congas. They come with buffalo skin heads which I like very much. Buffalo heads tend to give a "crisp" sound and in my experience, they do not have that much break in. They are great congas. They are made of ash wood that is the same material as the LP Galaxy Giovanni Hidalgo models. It is strange you cannot find "artificial heads' for them. Among the brands Remo and Evans have heads for are Mein. In addition, Mongo's are the same standard size as LP, Pearl and Toca. However, although the same size, brands could require different synthetic heads because of the rims. (Example: LP Giovannis, although the standard size everybody has, need different synthetic heads because they have a special rim. I am not aware of any other model that has the problem). Check Remo and Evans site and look for their chart for conga heads per brand and/or models (Beware Meinl has "odd" sizes for some of their Marathon line congas but not the Mongo's).
Richie Flores' equipment? Richie has been a Pearl Percussion endorser during the last two or three years. Also, he is an Evans endorser regarding heads. However, be aware that Richie has utilized in some of his early recordings with Caribbean Project his old LP Classic with natural heads. (The natural heads are "pre-mounted' no brand from I've heard from him once that I talked to him here in Puerto Rico). (It might not be Richie's case, but some artists, for logistical reasons and/or personal reasons, some out of their control or on purpose, sometimes do not use the equipment they endorse in recordings.....True!)
Be aware the style of the conguero, the "micking" in the recording, the equalization of the sound of the instrument, and the eventual mix of the record determines how a "conguero", or any other instrument, is going to sound. Of course, the equipment also, the conga, the heads, etc. I've seen Giovanni Hidalgo recording with both his signature models and Evans heads and with LP Classic and some "no brand conga" and natural heads, and the guys gets "his sound across always". Therefore, my recommendation is to "play around" and check equipment, heads, tunings, etc, and see how do you achieve the sound you are looking for. Be aware some people, because of their techniques, tend to sound the same no matter what they use. You have to aspire to that but if you are not there yet "look for your sound (even if its somebody else's sound that you admire).
Saludos!