Congas: What's the best?

[1DrumBum]

What are your favorite congas?

I love LP congas! Unfortunatly, I have a Toca Players conga. Lookin' to upgrade very soon!

[bongobro]

I have a friend who has played a pair of fiberglass Tocas for several years...they're all right, but I'm with ya on the LPs. Actually, I own a pair of black fiberglass CPs which I've owned for almost 20 years...they're a little too light for my taste and have been knocked around andbattle-scarred, but sound darn good for their age.

I bought a pair of red wooden CP's a couple years ago--they're the ones I use in my church guitar group and on "professional" gigs--and I dig the way they sound indoors and out!

The one make that's surprised me is Remo. I picked up a gray Remo tumba a year ago and it really adds a lot of bottom to my playing with either CP set. (And I've gotten a lot of compliments from the guitar group since I added the Remo to the red CP's.) I like the shell design; it resembles the bed-liner in some new pickup trucks...it withstands the jolts and I like the way it sounds on slaps and rimshots...

Whoa, I want to start jammin' on those drums right now ...

[1DrumBum]

I got a chance to play with some of the Remo conga's down at Guitar Center today. OMG!!! They are probably the best sounding congas I have ever played! Great tone and resonance, and your right, the tumba has a great, deep sound. I think I might have to save some money to get me a set. Thanks for turning me on to such a great set of congas Bro!

[Jerry Bembe]

This can be a very emotional topic. First thing first. The best conga is one that is being played. This list is only my opinon.

New congas:

Best mass production congas: Remo Pancho Sanchez line.

Custom built congas: Volcano Percussion.

Vintage congas:

Best mass produced: Gon Bops (but you need to be able to perform repairs)

Cost effective set: CP Cosmic Percussion (with chrome hardware) or Matador

Custom built: Valje

There are so many great choices and options available today both new and used. Check em' out and play em'!

[seneferu]

I love Fat Congas of Santa Barbara. They no longer make congas, but have to say those are the best that I've played and continue to play.

[Ernesto Pediangco]

What are your favorite congas?

I love LP congas! Unfortunatly, I have a Toca Players conga. Lookin' to upgrade very soon!

All Asian made drums are of same materials & made in same factories, only the design elements & parts change. Lps are often over built shells & lack bass tones as a result. The common models using wood or glass shells are going to sound the same regardless of brand so there is no up grade in music qualities, only in price range. The more dressed up & beefed up the drum is...the less good it seems to sound ! ? Pearl, Meinl, Tycoon, Rhythm tech., Sonar & others are all made too similar so its a matter of fashion or name / brand nonsense. The only way to truly compare drums is using a uniform head like remo plastic since it is a consistent thickness if same type. The heads are the key ! The shells have a part to play as a resonator. Wood density adds volume, softer woods are warmer & hard woods approach fiberglass in high end frequencies. Shell size & fatness of bellies adds to resonance of some tones. Hard wares and internal fiberglass reinforcements that are too heavy will mute resonance a bit and make wood shells sound more like glass shells. This is why many Lp's suffer from not having full bass tones. My LIST : For tone, volume shell integrity & hard ware function dependability is : #1 ~My 1998 Ash wood, banded Gon Bops w/ new Cowhide heads ( general purpose from accoustic to big band gigs ) #2 ~Timba ( same as Orig Gon Bops but w/ design corrections ), #3 ~ Meinl top end models ( not Siam Oak soft woods or rubber woods ~ equal to Valje but more dependable hard wares. #4 ~ Lp/ Valje Armando Peraza model w/ Cherry wood shells & rubber booted bottoms. #5 ~ Volcano ( love the tone in accoustic settings but not for Salsa unless a slightly thinner head were available when I tested & played them on gigs ). # 6 ~ Fat Congas of Santa Barbara ( vintage! mid 70's ) for accoustic gigs. #7 ~ Lp Fiberglass & Meinl Fiberglass are tied for Salsa ! # 8 ~ Meinl Float Tune shells. #9 Ritmos & Skin on Skin are tied for accoustic or small band ( over priced considering obsolete problematic hard ware designs )# 10 ~ Remo w/ NuSkynz heads ( not FiberSkynz ) For Salsa & Latin Jazz general purpose work horses w/ ugly shell wrappers that go out of fashion in 4 months ! LOL ! I select based on performance environment settings, practical function & drum sound...not taking cosmetics into account except for Remos poor choice of fashion designs that must be aimed at 14 yr old & house wives.

[Jerry Bembe]

Thanks Ernesto for the detailed list.

[goodguybuddy]

I am buying my first pair and can afford to buy up. Any suggestions on a mid level pair for someone who is playing first for fun but has plans to use them for gigs. I am vacillating between Meinl Woodcraft and LP Palladium Series but just discovered the top tuning LPs which while not ash seem interesting. Anyone have suggestions on the best way to go? These or others?

[Jerry Bembe]

I would not reccomend any LP congas if you are serious for the long term (my opinion) there are many better choices now available for equal or less money. The Palladium series are 32" tall so if you play sitting down it will not be that great unless yare really tall or sit really high.

The only 2 mass produced congas I would consider currently are: Gon Bops Mariano series (New) and the Pearl Folkloric series. These both are less than LP and superior in many ways.

If you buy only one conga, first buy a conga (11 1/2" - 11 3/4") and the second drum a Tumba (12 1/4" - 13 1/4"). If you have more money then a full set of 3 or 4 but most beginners will be busy with 2 drums for quite a while.

Next find a good teacher to guide you. This way you will learn correctly and quickly. It is easy to develop bad habits from being self taught or street style drumming. (I know this from personal experience and I have an excellent teacher now.)

I hope you have a long life of enjoyment of these fine drums.

[Jerry Bembe]

I forgot to add that the Gon Bops Mariano series should not have the issues for repairs that the old Gon Bops from the 70's had.

[busyflyin]

I would not reccomend any LP congas if you are serious for the long term (my opinion) there are many better choices now available for equal or less money. The Palladium series are 32" tall so if you play sitting down it will not be that great unless yare really tall or sit really high.

The only 2 mass produced congas I would consider currently are: Gon Bops Mariano series (New) and the Pearl Folkloric series. These both are less than LP and superior in many ways.

If you buy only one conga, first buy a conga (11 1/2" - 11 3/4") and the second drum a Tumba (12 1/4" - 13 1/4"). If you have more money then a full set of 3 or 4 but most beginners will be busy with 2 drums for quite a while.

Next find a good teacher to guide you. This way you will learn correctly and quickly. It is easy to develop bad habits from being self taught or street style drumming. (I know this from personal experience and I have an excellent teacher now.)

I hope you have a long life of enjoyment of these fine drums.

Jerry; can you expand on your thoughts about the Folklorics? I'm really wanting some new congas. I have no idea how these sound but they look very nice, both cosmetically and how they are built. Thanks.

[sean valdepenas]

All Asian made drums are of same materials & made in same factories, only the design elements & parts change. Lps are often over built shells & lack bass tones as a result. The common models using wood or glass shells are going to sound the same regardless of brand so there is no up grade in music qualities, only in price range. The more dressed up & beefed up the drum is...the less good it seems to sound ! ? Pearl, Meinl, Tycoon, Rhythm tech., Sonar & others are all made too similar so its a matter of fashion or name / brand nonsense. The only way to truly compare drums is using a uniform head like remo plastic since it is a consistent thickness if same type. The heads are the key ! The shells have a part to play as a resonator. Wood density adds volume, softer woods are warmer & hard woods approach fiberglass in high end frequencies. Shell size & fatness of bellies adds to resonance of some tones. Hard wares and internal fiberglass reinforcements that are too heavy will mute resonance a bit and make wood shells sound more like glass shells. This is why many Lp's suffer from not having full bass tones. My LIST : For tone, volume shell integrity & hard ware function dependability is : #1 ~My 1998 Ash wood, banded Gon Bops w/ new Cowhide heads ( general purpose from accoustic to big band gigs ) #2 ~Timba ( same as Orig Gon Bops but w/ design corrections ), #3 ~ Meinl top end models ( not Siam Oak soft woods or rubber woods ~ equal to Valje but more dependable hard wares. #4 ~ Lp/ Valje Armando Peraza model w/ Cherry wood shells & rubber booted bottoms. #5 ~ Volcano ( love the tone in accoustic settings but not for Salsa unless a slightly thinner head were available when I tested & played them on gigs ). # 6 ~ Fat Congas of Santa Barbara ( vintage! mid 70's ) for accoustic gigs. #7 ~ Lp Fiberglass & Meinl Fiberglass are tied for Salsa ! # 8 ~ Meinl Float Tune shells. #9 Ritmos & Skin on Skin are tied for accoustic or small band ( over priced considering obsolete problematic hard ware designs )# 10 ~ Remo w/ NuSkynz heads ( not FiberSkynz ) For Salsa & Latin Jazz general purpose work horses w/ ugly shell wrappers that go out of fashion in 4 months ! LOL ! I select based on performance environment settings, practical function & drum sound...not taking cosmetics into account except for Remos poor choice of fashion designs that must be aimed at 14 yr old & house wives.

What do you think about the hickory 50th anniverary LP drums? Any better than the siam oak/rubber? How do they compare with Ash?

[seneferu]

I've own a Lp Galaxy wood drum I thought was made of American oak(it's heavy enough). It cracked on me twice. This is after buying the Lp/Valje quintos that also cra cracked on me. I'm still playing my Fat Conga that is still hanging in there after going on 20 years. No cracks and a very nice sound. My drum was made in the 90s and is maple.

[Ernesto Pediangco]

I am of the mind set that all Asian made drums are more similar than are different. They all copy each other, use same Asian heads & only in rare cases offer better woods. But...Meinl sizes ( heads & the size of the drum bellies ) and heads are most consistent w/ authentic CONGA sound rather than the thin sounding Lp's & the shells offer a rubber base which protect from slipping drums or scratched floors & actually helps the drums to sound constantly resonant on wood, concrete or other surfaces. Every thing else is purely cosmetic or marketing hype. I prefer my 1997 Gon Bops although It requires me to tuck my own heads since they are & were never easily available in stores. Natural heads are all different & only time & experience will make selecting & mounting heads a success. My Gon Bops sound like REAL congas...not like sewer pipes w/ randomly selected heads mounted or plastic tom tom heads w/ odd over tones etc. THE BEST congas on the market are Volcano congas from Hawaii. Best shells, great skins, great hard wares, great traditional conga tone but are custom made w/ exotic woods...so are pricey.

[clark drummer308]

I like pearl primero pro congas because they have just a great sound and r great for playing live.

[VIbes]

The only congas I have owned. My 1980 California Series Oak Conga & Tumba.
I had to repair the Tumba for a split along a couple staves and refinished them a couple years ago. They sound great live and for recording.

[bongobro]

I still own all the bongos and congas I've mentioned through the years, and as I reviewed the responses, I have come away with two conclusions that are classics; actually one...IF you forgive me for mashing JerryBenbe and CONGRICAN together"

While the best congas are often the ones you currently own, it's not so much the congas that make the sound as it is the conguero. If you don't know what you're doing, the highest-rated congas in the world will sound like empty paint pails...but if you have the discipline to practice and the willingness to learn, you can make them sound almost as good as Giovanni Hidalgo or Poncho Sanchez...

PS: Poncho was in town last night and I didn't find out about it until I was at work--too darn late to do anything about it!

[waverider]

...it's more the drummer than the drum. There are numerous opinions as to which conga is best, but to me it's about the playin' not the talking. If i am seriously being asked advice, then i just recommend buying professional models, from reputable drum makers , when budgets permit. If not, just buy one that sounds good to you and play, play, play.

Have been fortunate enough to have played a lot of congas in the past 50 years and still own quite a few. Still have vintage LP, Valje, Gon Bops, and number of handmade drums, and like them all. I work with what i got 'cuz sometimes the congas are provided at a gig.

I have a home on the Big Island and have personally played a number of Volcano Percussion congas. Tom approached me for an endorsement quite a few years ago but i really couldn't recommend them at those prices. I'd pick any one of my drums over his unless it were an art contest. Interesting thing is, i met Tom showing his drums in an art gallery ...Just my 2 cents

[CONGARICAN]

I totally agree with Bongobro;

"'It's not so much the congas that make the sound as it is the conguero"

I've seen A LOT of "wanna-be-congueros" that purchase thousand-dollars-congas and they were better off playing paint pails. What a waste of money!!!. (That's how I got my two LP Galaxys). The guy bought them, but never learned how to play them. Got bored and had to sell them at rock-bottom price. His loss my gain. Never the less I've seen Real Congueros (e.j. Giovanni Hidalgo) playing on broken-down congas and they made them sound like the best conga in the world.

CONGARICAN

[MartyM]

If I was to consider a entry level..as I see a lot on the bay and CL..are LP's Ok for a beginner? thoughts

[red1]

If I was to consider a entry level..as I see a lot on the bay and CL..are LP's Ok for a beginner? thoughts

I bought a set of LP Classics when I started and I still have them. Also check out Meinl congas. I remember playing some that sounded pretty good(sorry, I can't remember the name of the particular model).

Also played some Pearl Bobby Allende Fiberglass congas with Remo Fiber Skins on them. They were loud! Nice to play though. You might find that if you learn on a set like that, when you have to play wood congas with thick skins you might struggle a bit as those fiberglass ones were so easy to get a loud sound on (if that makes sense). However, I guess there will always be a certain amount of adjustment between different congas.

I have thought about changing the skins on my congas, having played a few different types over the last few years.

The LP Giovanni congas are good but obviously more expensive than the Classic series. Try and play as many as you can before buying. You don't want to buy a set and then six months later sell them on Ebay at a loss to get the ones you really want.

[bongobro]

Good call, red1! If you find a set that rocks for you, buy it...but keep in mind that you're makin' a big commitment in time and money, no matter what congas you finally buy!

[MartyM]

Thanks Red1, yea, i have seen some fiberglass congas..but I guess chalk it up to old fashioned, but I do prefer real wood.

[red1]

Thanks Red1, yea, i have seen some fiberglass congas..but I guess chalk it up to old fashioned, but I do prefer real wood.

Same here!

[tubsmacker]

I remember walking into my favourite club and there was a great band on stage. The percussionist was playing a very scruffy set of old Congas.
After the gig, I asked him if they were "Natal" Congas but I already knew the answer from the delightful and distinctive tone they have. Given the scruffiness of the set he was intrigued to know how I knew that indeed they were Natal (Fibreglass) Congas.

Natal seem to have introduced cheaper sets made from that generic Thai Oak or whatever it is. But It's the high end fibreglass ones that you should check out.

I have until recently had wooden Tocas which were 'OK' for most purposes. I did buy some 'Players series' on Ebay but they were terrible and decided to relist them.
I simply have to save up for Natals one day.
I think the Toca players have inferior heads but I thought that the glass was a few mils too thin as well which is why I got rid of them soonest. Pearl did some much better (Fibreglass) ones once but I'm unsure now what model they were.

Other comments would be. Fibreglass (Thick as poss) = Great projection for live work
Wood = Warm sound for recording and light acoustic work.

I was interested in the comment above about Remo Congas. The Remo Mastertouch drum set was made from "Acousticon" which was in reality compressed cardboard with epoxy or similar. However, they are still among the best Live drums I have ever heard and far exceed the qualities (in my humble opinion) of modern sets costing $,000's.
If you see a set going cheap. Buy it, you will be impressed.

If the Remo Congas are made from this stuff (which I'm sure they will be) then they would most certainly be worth looking at.