Requinto,should I buy one?

I currently own two congas ,good ones and a good tumba. I am Considering getting a Requinto,but dont know anything about them except they have a 91/2 inch head and are tuned to a higher pitch {E ,i am told}I do have a love for melodic conga sounds and it seems like the next thing to get. Would like to hear from players of the Requinto for advice and opions.

How many drums make a set? I have seen two,up to seven. Also how high can you tune a conga?I have two and one will stay at "C" but what about the other.How high can I safely tune it?

[congafly]

The number of drums that make up a set is pretty subjective. I don't think there is a rule on that. Most players use three or four, from what I've seen. However you will find players that play seven or eight and some only one. It's really up to you. That said, a two drum set up is perfect for learning on. You can learn to play all the rythms on one but, reaching out to another drum is a skill all in itself.
As far a the requinto goes that was the first drum I got. I moved on to a quinto and tumba setup after that. Some of the songs I play with my bro's I like the sound of it better than the quinto. Most of the time though I use it as a accent drum. It;s a great drum and I love the sound of it. The only draw back is the small head makes it tough doing any double hande techniques like a heel tip roll on both hands.
If your still pretty new and still picking up the basics I wait to buy another drum. The burning desire to hit a third drum is worth the wait! By then you might find that you want a lower sound...super tumba!
Cheers

Good advice and thanks. The problem is the drum{requinto }is only on sale till the end of February. Will I succumb to the burning desire to get another drum,we shall see!

[Jibaro]

Originally Posted by leedy2

requito, quito,conga tumba and super tumba 5 drums and to play all you must be really bad an ensemble such as this you need 3 conga players that know what they are doing. Take a look at what I am telling you don't get mix up. If you can't play like this or are playing this kind of music use common sence.

¡Coño fenomenal!

Actually I am more interested in what Samuel torres does with his seven drums. I just love the range of tones he uses.But I have always been a tone freak .

Yes thanks leedy,I have seen some of patatoes playing;he is great. I sure hope we will be blessed to be playing at a ripe old age.

Potato seems to have the secret sauce alright.Probably got started in cuba at a very early age. Samuel Torres stresses the importance of melody and harmony.Thats a talent which I would like to develop.

[congafly]

Originally Posted by frquent flyer

Good advice and thanks. The problem is the drum{requinto }is only on sale till the end of February. Will I succumb to the burning desire to get another drum,we shall see!

OOOO...sale. Yeah thats a tough one. If it's a smokin deal you might want to take it. Like I said I love my little requinto but Leedy2 is right it is very much a solo drum. If you like that Sam Torres sound its not the drum for you. You dont get a lot of sustain out of them. It's a short and sharp sound. If your looking to get another nice "tone" in the mix I'd go with another conga or 12" drum.
Cheers

I hadn't thought that the smaller requinto would be short on "RING" but I understand now.Thanks.

[bongobro]

The question reminds me of a parallel question among our set drummers: "How many side and/or floor toms are enough?" I have seen guys who make a four-piece drum kit sound like ten--and I've seen some that make a ten-piece kit sound like four.

I have tried playin' four congas and I discovered (at least at the time I did it) that I might as well have been playin' two since I was essentially doing the same beats on two of the four at any one time. I could have done it better on only two or three congas.

Leedy is right, man...to make more than two congas work, you have to have them tuned to intervals that make them "sing" when you apply the right combination of hand positions...and, mi hermano, Patato set an extremely high bar for us tumbaderos to aim for!

[sean valdepenas]

Originally Posted by frquent flyer

Good advice and thanks. The problem is the drum{requinto }is only on sale till the end of February. Will I succumb to the burning desire to get another drum,we shall see!

Hey Frqent flyer what requinto is on sale til the end of February?

Also, I have 28 inch congas, I don't think they make a 28 inch requinto. Is it foolish to have a 30 inch (4th drum) in my group? Or does anyone know who makes a 28 inch requinto?

You might try california percussion,however currently NONE are available,of the galaxies.

[sean valdepenas]

Leedy, if this question is for me, I have LP Salsa Congas. I don't see that too many people have them on this site. If I get the LP rubber feet for them, it may raise them up to ~ 30 inches and a 30" requinto may work. I have just never seen any videos where anyone has congas of differing heights. Anyways, thanks for the videos above- theyre great!

[sean valdepenas]

Originally Posted by leedy2

I don't recomend for you know

Yes, I agree. It is not worth it to have the 4th drum for me at this point. Actually, have 3 kids who I am encouraging to play together as a drum circle and will give to each of them a drum when I 'retire to upstairs'. But for now, unless I become a professional and upgrade to professional-grade instruments, I will stick with the classic 3 drums.

Advice taken! Thanks Leedy.

[Jibaro]

Originally Posted by sean valdepenas

Hey Frqent flyer what requinto is on sale til the end of February?

Also, I have 28 inch congas, I don't think they make a 28 inch requinto. Is it foolish to have a 30 inch (4th drum) in my group? Or does anyone know who makes a 28 inch requinto?

I know you've been talked out of it already, but there are several brands that have 28" tall drums in a 10" size but don't call them requintos... usually the lower end models like LP Aspire or Toca Players Series; frequently sold only in pairs but you might find a used one.

[sean valdepenas]

Jibaro-

ah, very good! I did see that as well. I may become tempted again one day; been eyeing that 10"/requinto-sized space in my office at work to play around lunchtime...