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Thread: Where to buy congas

  1. #1

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    Default Where to buy congas

    Hi,

    I'm looking to buy some new congas. All we have around here is Guitar Center and some small drum shops. They all mostly carry LP Aspires, Performer, and Classic IIs, and Meinl Headliners or Marathons. Where do you find more variety to try? Do you just shop around Craigslist to try them out?

    Thanks,

    Shawn

  2. #2

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    Default Re: Where to buy congas

    Shawn, there's a running joke on the net and it's lots of fun. You're the next victim.

    http://lmgtfy.com/?q=congas+for+sale

    Oh, and welcome to Drum Chat!

  3. #3

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    Cool Re: Where to buy congas

    Hey, Shawn! Welcome to DrumChat!

    I'm not sure how big your Guitar Center is, but I live near St. Louis, and there's a GC not too far from where I live and I've seen other congas there, up to and including LP Giovanni Galaxy wood models. I also have a drum shop literally blocks from home and, for better or worse, they offer mostly LP Aspires and maybe occasionally a lower-line LP model.

    Having said that, I have bought five congas from the local drum shop, and their support has always been far better than GC (it helps that the owner digs Latin drumming and has played congas and bongos himself, too).

    IMHO, man, the bad thing about Craigslist is that you can't put your hands on what you're buying until you've paid for them, especially if it's not in your immediate area. and by then it may be too late.

    Always play what you're lookin' at before you put your money down.

    Good luck--and I hope that before too long, you'll be rockin' the congas with the rest of us bongo brothers!
    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

  4. #4

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    Default Re: Where to buy congas

    Thanks Bongobro,

    I would definitely not buy without playing. I was thinking maybe I would just contact each person who has a decent set for sale on craigslist and go try them out. If the're good I'll buy them. I guess that is my concern with drum shops and GC is that I can't try them before ordering. If you have a local drum shop order them do you usually have to pay for them before they order? I suppose you can always retun them if they're not what you really want.

    If anyone knows good drum shops in MA, CT, RI, or NH let me know.

    Thanks,

    Shawn

  5. #5

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    Cool Re: Where to buy congas

    Hey, Shawn, I've never had any difficulty playing congas at Guitar Center or at any drum shop I've ever visited. If you're serious about trying them--and not just there to knock them around like an untrained monkey--they're usually cool about letting you play them. In fact, I got to know the manager of the drum department at a GC near my home so well that (if he had any pull to it) he wanted to hire me as the hand-drum specialist, based on hearing my playing.

    Sadly, the management moved him out of the retail store, so it was bye-bye bongobro the bongo salesman!

    Now about payment in advance: Each independent drum shop has its own pre-payment policy. The guy from whom I bought my congas had a layaway plan, so I had ample opportunity to pay for them, a little at a time. (Of course, he was my drum teacher and we became good friends, so he was always cool about me payin' and playin'.)

    As for GC, you'll need to talk with a salesman about that. (Haven't been in one for a while since my drum-department buddy was transferred elsewhere.)

    See the "Show Us Your Hand Drums" thread for my comment about your current collection!
    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

  6. #6

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    Default Re: Where to buy congas

    I bought my first conga drum without playing it first. It was a Fat Conga of Santa Barbara. Being a custom drum, the music stores didn't carry it. Being a custom drum made of wood and natural bull hide from the states, I guess I lucked up. Best drum I've played so far. Everyone who has heard it wanted to buy it.

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