LP Caliente vs. LP Matador congas
Work Hard
congas, but I've never played them. Does anyone have any experience of
these?
Many thanks,
J.
Steve Vallee
seem to be in your price range:
Toca Custom Deluxe -- bright tone, good volume, nice finish and chrome
hardware, cost less than Matadors AND blow them away.
Toca Traditional -- sound more mellow, old-school style rims and finish, in
my opinion the most bang for the buck-- ok, maybe I'm biased since I own
these :-).
Pearl Elite -- I've never played them, but I've heard nothing but good
things about 'em...
I think LP is overpriced on just about everything, and not real impressed
with the quality. Their high end drums are nice, but not for those prices.
-Steve
"Work Hard" <enqu...@workhardpr.com> wrote in message
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Jamie Fisher
but I've found the Meinl Fibrecraft, at about 50% more per pair than the LP
Calientes - how would these compare? I'm keen on fibreglass for durability &
weight saving.
J.
Steve Vallee <sva...@ihpc.net> wrote in message
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bja...@users.iwaynet.net
> Hey J. I looked at the Caliente range when I was looking to buy a set of
> congas recently, and was told that they're not as 'well made' as are the
> Matador range. The Calientes lie between the CP (Cosmic Percussion) drums
> made by LP and the LP Matadors. I'd suggest either the Matadors (or the ones
> I eventually chose - Meinl Marathon Exclusives) as a good way to start out.
One problem with Caliente congas is the variablity. They seem to
be sort of scrounged together for Sam Ash. I've seen some
that were indistiguishable from Matadors and yet there were
others that looked like CP with a gold finish. Going that route
you need to check them carefully to be sure: 1. The congas are
the standard and not entry level diameters. 2. That the "easy play"
rim is thick metal like Matadors and not thin (and bendable!)
metal as found on entry level congas. There ARE decent buys
on Caliente congas but you have to keep your eyes open.
If I were you, I'd look into Toca congas. The traditional wood
congas are about $200 a drum and stack up to any. Compare
to Meinl Pros at about $300 a drum or Matadors at about $275
a drum (Prices from Interstate catalog). I play Toca Premiere
but fiberglass isn't for everyone. Note that the Meinl Marathon
congas are two ply and have black hardware while costing
about the same as Toca.
Best buys are often used. I noticed a killer set of LP Fierenza
(or some such name) for sale over at the used instrument store.
$200 for a set of two with stand! Matching bongos also there for
$80. Tried em, and they kill! Of course, this same store often
sells CP grade used drums for MORE than new price, so you have
to know what you are doing. Clearly THEY don't!
Benj
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Steve Vallee
Since I see you can get online, you can get anything you want by mail order.
There are a bazillion websites selling congas.
>Meinl Fibrecraft, at about 50% more per pair than the LP Calientes - how
would these compare?
Fiberglass? I thought you said you wanted some congas... jk :-)
I don't have any experience with these, but what I'd do is find some shops
on the web that sell them, give them a call and ask their opinion.
Steve
Jorge Ginorio
many brands as you can and see what do you like. Then do the search for best
prices online. Hope this helps!
Saludos, Jorge Ginorio
http://www.rhythmweb.com/jorge
"Steve Vallee" <sva...@ihpc.net> wrote in message
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Chumley Warner
served in the mail-order percussion dept.
I've decided to plump for the Meinl fibrecraft, as it seems a safer bet, and
a more professional product. My last pair were fibreglass (tho 'orrible) but
since I've been touring abroad and hiring congas (last ones were Galaxy
Giovanni) I've become spoilt!
thanks again for all of your help,
J.
"Steve Vallee" <sva...@ihpc.net> wrote in message
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bja...@users.iwaynet.net
> I've decided to plump for the Meinl fibrecraft, as it seems a safer bet, and
> a more professional product. My last pair were fibreglass (tho 'orrible) but
> since I've been touring abroad and hiring congas (last ones were Galaxy
> Giovanni) I've become spoilt!
> thanks again for all of your help,
I don't know about the Meinl fiberglass (ObUK: Fibreglass) but since
you had some 'orrible' ones you know the problem with the cheap ones
that are too thin. Good ones are nice and thick (eg. Toca Premiere (mine)
LP "Patato" (also mine). They have great tone, last forever, take lots
(but not excessive) abuse and are great for touring.
The local store has lots of Meinl congas in stock (no fiberglass tho)
and I'm quite impressed. There are some VERY nice congas in their lines.
I don't think you'll go wrong. Only down side is good thick fiberglass
congas do weigh a ton!
Gerry Scott-Moore
<enqu...@workhardpr.com> wrote:
> I'm looking to buy some congas, & have seen a great deal on LP Caliente
> congas, but I've never played them. Does anyone have any experience of
> these?
I own an early set and they are as good as any LP makes. I understand
they initially re-labeled their old "salsa" line as the the first rash
of Calientes. What they are now I don't know. Mine are traditional
sizes and some I've seen recently are not. Sam Ash has this line
exclusively, so you can be assured LP has not developed this line of
drums for general consumption.
I think it's just a grab-bag sell-off.
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///--- Nazodesu no more.