Cool. Id love some congas but i have too much other stuff i need more for my kit so i dont think it is possible at the moment.
Twenty years ago I purchased a pair of black fiberglass CP congas for nearly $400. They've served me well (and you may recall seeing them in my first avatar).
What a difference 20 years make!
The Synergy congas I played this evening during a drum lesson at my buddy's drum shop offer more than those CPs...for about $100 less (although some websites are offering the set as low as $230.00).
Synergy is a Toca line comparable to LP's Asprire or CP range. Until recently, Synergy has been best known for its world percussion; this could change with these congas. At first glance, I thought the 10" and 11" drums were black fiberglass--but they are two-ply maple and, in this set, stained a very dark cherry that all but obliterated the wood grain.
The only thing the Synergy congas have in common with the ol' CPs are comfort-curve heads (except the new ones are black powder-coat rather than chrome. The heads, of heavy bison skin, rang a bit on rimshots, but since they were delivered, set up and tuned for the first time this afternoon, that can (and will) be remedied with play and fine-tuning. The maple shells gave them the warm sound and depth that only wood can.
I liked the four-bolt tripod stand, which features a rubber pad that not only protects the drums but also the center post from bumps and bangs, even when you play hard and fast. I played them standing (these drums are heavy!), but seated players will like the rubber rims that protect the bottom edges from scuffing the floor--and vice versa.
My drum teacher took delivery of two sets of these congas this afternoon--and sold one of them before I took my lesson. I have the feeling this set may surprise congueros looking for a good starter set...or a good value.
keep the beat goin' ... Don't keep it to yourself!
Charlie
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." --Henry David Thoreau, "Walden," 1854
"There's a lot to be said for Time Honored tradition and value." --In memory of Frank "fiacovaz" Iacovazzi
"Maybe your drums can be beat, but you can't."--Jack Keck
Cool. Id love some congas but i have too much other stuff i need more for my kit so i dont think it is possible at the moment.
i'm not an expert but, isnt maple fairly rare for congas? i always see them made from differnt oaks and stuff, but dont think ive ever seen maple.
maple goodness......
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...12802333_l.jpg
I play Schalloch congas on basket stands, but I just got my daughter Synergy bongos for her 5th birthday. They have that same cherry finish which looks pretty sharp. And they sound good to me.
Could you mount these to a rack?
www.myspace.com/maudeephyfe
The good times won't roll themselves
Gretsch Renown Maple, Paiste Signature, Reflector, and Dark Energy
32nd, the congas have brackets with holes that correspond to pins on the stand (like LP congas), with washers and wingnuts to hold them down.
I suspect they could be mounted to a rack, but your brackets would have to have pins similar to the conga stands for best results.
keep the beat goin' ... Don't keep it to yourself!
Charlie
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." --Henry David Thoreau, "Walden," 1854
"There's a lot to be said for Time Honored tradition and value." --In memory of Frank "fiacovaz" Iacovazzi
"Maybe your drums can be beat, but you can't."--Jack Keck
Is there any sort of custom mounting system for a rack out there? My buddy suggested I get a rack mount for my LP's, I just didn't have enough money.
www.myspace.com/maudeephyfe
The good times won't roll themselves
Gretsch Renown Maple, Paiste Signature, Reflector, and Dark Energy
Thanks for posting a review for the Toca Synergy Congas. I've been looking for a review all over the Internet and this is the first one I've found. I've been contemplating buying these since Christmas time and couldn't find any information from people who had used them. Now after reading your review I am confident that these will be a good starter set for me. Especially since when you posted this review the price was $230.00 and now they're only $179.00 or $199.99 with a set of bongos. I'm a beginner and I plan on getting a nicer set when I am more advanced and have a better paying job. Thanks again.
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