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SKohl
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« on: June 10, 2005, 09:06 AM » |
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I've been playing drums for over 30 years and I am just getting into percussion. I've been looking at the different congas from the major companies and can't decide which to buy. I tried a few of them at stores but my playing ability doesn't do the drums justice at this point and I don't know any good percussionists to help me out.
Is there anything you guys/gals could help me with as far as this purchase. I know sound is a personal thing but I am interested in horror stories, satisfied users and best bets to help me make up my mind. I am also looking at the low - professional end. The 11 Quinto 11 3/4 Conga type of combos.
Thanks in advance for all the help.
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bongo
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« Reply #1 on: June 11, 2005, 10:10 AM » |
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I have seen Meinls that have the finish stratch way too easily. Their finishes are beautiful but delicate. I'd be careful with them and keep them in cases.
I like the Tocas cause they make smaller diameter 9-10"quintos. I also tend to like the Toca sound.
Sound wise (though this is a personal preference) I rate them Toca, LP, Meinl.
The LPs are great drums and tend to be loud and ringy (especially the fiberglass models). They really cut through the music. The larger sized drums (11" quintos) are excellent for that and have a big sound.
Most of these big name manufacturer drums are made overseas in Thailand, most out of plantation rubber wood, which they call 'Siam Oak'. The wood is not Oak wood, those trees do not grow acorns.
They call it 'Oak' cause they know Oak is the most traditional of the conga drum woods, having its roots with the first rum barrels imported from New England to the Carribbian Islands where they were making molasses. The slat construction was an innovation over the hollowed log drums.
If you want a more authentic sounding and looking conga drum, hold out for Gon Bops, Skin on Skin, Timba, Valje, or Sols.
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Bongobob
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« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2005, 07:53 AM » |
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I am a LP fan. I will be honest that I have not tried Meinl mainly because I haven't seen any in this area. I have heard good and bad about them, everybody has there opinions which is great. I have played all the others though Toca, Remo and like the sound and construction of the LP's. You might start out the way I did with a Aspire type set. Then I went on to the Matador series and know with the Giovanni's that I love. The Aspires are good but you get what you pay for. After time I bent the rims, very thin. The Matadors are very nice to start with, they served me well. They have the fat body style so have a nice tone. I agree about the fiberglass ones being loud and ringy but the woods are warm. I think tuning and heads are probably the most important in the over all sound along with technique. So playing them in the store is not always a good judge as they might no be tuned properly and the heads that come on them are not always the best. I look more at construction, rims (comfort or traditional) and support from company. It is all a personal preference.
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Tripsleft
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« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2005, 09:55 AM » |
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I originally owned a set of Tocas and they were OK. I then bought the LP Giovanni Galaxy series and never looked back. The difference is night and day IMHO.
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SKohl
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« Reply #4 on: June 15, 2005, 09:55 AM » |
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Thanks for the help all. I have heard much on the Meinl finish issues so i stayed away from them. If I was going pro I would probably go with Sol but I felt spending that much money when I'm just beginning seems irresponsible. I got a good deal on some Toca Traditionals. That should get me started. I agree that the Giovanni Galaxy's are a nice drum, but I got a Quinto and Conga for the price of one LP.
You do get what you pay for but hopefully the Toca's will at least let me grow to some competence. Who knows, after that I may just spend the dough on those Sols I was looking at.
Thanks again, I'll be lurking and picking up some great info at the cafe.
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windhorse
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« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2005, 02:39 PM » |
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Who knows, after that I may just spend the dough on those Sols I was looking at.
Hopefully, he'll still have them,, Akbar is now making Gon Bops.. |
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Hollow a log into a drum. It's the space inside that makes the sound.  |
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B-cero
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« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2005, 04:24 PM » |
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I think the Toca traditional series are as good as anything available from the Lp, Meinl, pearl etc. (I used to play the Trad. quinto in my set up). They are pro level drums and should serve you well.
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SKohl
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« Reply #7 on: June 16, 2005, 10:05 AM » |
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Hopefully, he'll still have them,, Akbar is now making Gon Bops..
That must be why he said he had limited quantities. By the time I'm ready for them I guess I'll have to take a look at the Gon Bops. Thanks for the info. |
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OldGuyAl
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« Reply #8 on: June 16, 2005, 10:00 PM » |
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One thing I've learned about buying instruments over the years - if you buy low end stuff, you'll usually end up selling it for quite a bit less than you paid for it. If you buy the high end stuff, you can often sell it used for equal or more than you paid for it (after a number of years and assuming you take good care of it).
I'm sure that's not true in every case, of course.
When I'm on a limited budget, I usually look for high-end instruments that are not quite old enough to have appreciated - try to find the "price dip" that all new things go through in the first few years. Lower end stuff generally keeps "price dipping" for longer and goes lower. Higher end, dips a little for the first 2-5 years and then starts going back up.
Like I said, not always true but frequently true. I know I can get more for my Giovanni's on eBay, right now, than I paid for them.
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Drumlooney
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Yes that drumlooney!!
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« Reply #9 on: June 17, 2005, 07:25 AM » |
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I'm an LP guy, I have a custom set (fiberglass) and the 40th anniversary series (wood) I love them both for different reasons. On a recent gig where I was playing trap the percussionist was playing Meinl (he endorses them) and I have to say they are nice drums, I can't really comment on Toca mainly because I've never played their higher end stuff so I'll refrain from making an opinion on them until I do. Bottom line is you have to play them all and see what you like. And like it has been said already you pay for what you get.
My two cents.
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You don't practice one day no one notices, you don't practice two days you notice, you don't practice three days everyone notices.
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