Im considering a djembe, but Im not sure whether to go with one of the tunable (and relatively) expensive LP "djembe" drums, or go w the Remo type or one of the many carved, rope-tuned djembe models out there. The LPs look the best made, but I only tried one briefly in a store. Im not sure if they have the right sound. I have LP Galaxy congas and bongos and want to add the djembe for tonal variety, especially bass. Thoughts?   

If you want an authentic sounding djembe, a real rope tuned African one is the only way to go.  Don't get a cheap one.  Good ones will be made of hardwood, will weigh a bit, and will have a dark brown or reddish brown color.  Avoid tan colored, lightweight ones.  They're the cheapos. The sound will emphasize dry, cutting slaps, along with a big bass note.  They need to be tuned very tightly,  and kept out of very hot enviroments, like a hot car interior, to prevent head splitting.  Figure 250-400 bucks for a good one.

If you don't care about authentic sound, a "fake" djembe may be just fine for you.  Remos tend to sound a cross between a conga and a djembe.  They also tend to be less loud than a real one.  The mylar heads tend to start ringing badly if you tune up to "African" tightness, so people tend to stop at a lower tuning.  Some muffling helps to control the ringing.  I think the ones with "Nu-skin" heads sound better than the ones with "Fiberskyn" heads.  Remos are nearly bombproof, although I have heard of the plastic bearing edges melting in very extreme hot enviroments.   If you just want a lot of bass, they do make a 16" model which should give a huge bass note.

I haven't had much experience with the LPs.  I think they do have some natural head models, which would improve the sound.  With mylar, you would once again have the problems with ringing at tight tunings.  Actually, I haven't run into a key tuned djembe yet that didn't ring some. 

You could also consider an ashiko, which is a conical shaped stave drum that is rope tuned and headed like a djembe.   Avoid, however, any drum that uses sliding wood blocks, or sliding knots, or anything that slides, for tuning.  You can't tune them tightly enough, and they won't hold their tuning.

I would suggest checking these folks out. Simple tuning and pretty traditional sounds...

http://www.mountainrythym.com/

I'll second Markers comments. He has some well stated reasoning there.

The plastic heads are just that, plastic ... and they sound like it.
Not to say they don't sound good, they do in the right hands. They've got good bass and fair slaps. But they do sound different than the authentic african skin drums which are just that, authentic.

all helpful comments.....does anyone have an LP djembe? if so, what are your reviews of it? what i want to do with a djembe - either Remo, LP or rope-tuned - is put it on a stand, maybe gibraltar? next to my LP galaxy quinto and conga, which are also on a stand. that way, im thinking the djembe can function like a tumba. im not thinking of it for a drum circle, but wd use it in an acoustic trio cover band to give some beef to the bottom.

If you just want to use it as Tumba remember that it won't sound like a Tumba. If all your looking for is a djembe for it's bass tone pretty much any one can give you that. The LP would match your congas as far as looks and they would give you the bass you want. BUT if your going to get a djembe I'm sure you will want to use it for all the sounds you can get. I have both types Remo and rope tuned, they have there place with the sound you want. The remo 14" would probably be a good one to start with. I would recommend the LP Universal Basket Stand. You can get it up pretty close to match the height of your congas, you can use blocks under the legs if need be.

The tunning works! I have one of these djembes and I can tune it really tight. Maybe for conga with thicker skin it might be a problem.

does anyone have any experience with sageman djembe drums? their stuff looks good on their website. wondering how they sound?

I have a couple of the Sageman drums. I think they sound great and the quality of workmanship  is very nice. One thing I like about them is they offer some non-traditional carvings. One thing though, they do very in size because of the solid piece of wood they are made from. I ordered a 12" and it was close to 13", ordered a 13" and it was closer to 12". Jim (Sageman) and his staff are very helpful with any problems you might have.

I've got exactly same book, and same issue, though I do hear difference between slap and tone. It's mostly pitch. Slap appears to be higher pitch sound, but not as noticible as on congas. 

One of the things I am using (and some other non-traditional people around here) to play "slap" marks is: I hit at the very edge of the djembe with tips of my fingers while puting  the edge of other hands palm very close to where I hit. Hard to explain without a picture.  But it makes a loud high pitch "tack" sound that's pretty musical.