My first question is simple: Should I keep with name brand company products (Like LP) when I go to buy some percussion instruments, or is it better to branch out into smaller brands?
First is a good point to think if you can find the instruments you want, and I think that
LP and
Toca you can find nearly anywhere and both make good instruments!
However I always think that a
machine instrument is never like a
hand/love made instrument, with the proper wood choosing, treating, head making and trating, the art, the metal parts and etc...
So, I like to speak with the
master artisans (that are also master musicians and percussionists) from here, and all the instruments I bought this way were
completelly better (in all aspects) than those of the tradicional brands (at least for me!!). The question however is... Can you find this kind of instruments where you live? So I suggest you to check all the brands you have available and remember, the better china tradicional instrument, in most of the times, are made at china by someone who does this for years!!!
And usually those instruments are cheaper!!!!! (at least here!!! Please, don't ask me why... I really don't know...

)
Another question I have is, which do you guys think is the best percussion instrument to start out with? Or in other words, what will I be using the most? I would guess instruments like bongos, congas, djembes, ones like that, but let me know if I'm wrong.
For sure the guys are right!!! You have to check the styles you like most!!! But
NEVER get struck thinking "
hmmm, I can't play pandeiro in a rock song..." If you like the pandeiro
DO IT!!!! There's not right or wrong in music and you can also develop something that is yours!!

My suggestion is to take the instrument you like most!!!!