Fiberglass vs wood congas
Daniel Reynolds
I've been lurking for a while, and have looked for a FAQ, but have not seen
the direct answer to my question: I am planning to purchase a set of GOOD
congas soon; what are the practical differences between the LP Galaxy and
the LP classic/millennium? The little I have been able to find seems to
imply that wood has a nicer tone, for recording in particular, whilst
fiberglass is louder.
My situation is thus: I am an URB (Upright Bass)player in a rather good
Latin band. We have three guys who are pretty good on congas. I play bongos
a bit (working through Trevor's book) but I am beginning to feel that I need
a solid knowledge of congas to really advance my playing. Indeed, when I
played traps in a blues band it did WONDERS for my bass playing. In addition
congas are soo damn cool; just got to see Poncho Sanchez and was wowed. So a
long roundabout way of saying I have pretty discriminating tastes in sound
and don't mind spending what I need to do get a sound that is inspirational.
And Stanley Clark always said that your axe should LOOK cool, make you want
to go over and play it instead of doing anything else.
One additional thing- are the Gon Bops congas as good as their bongos? I
know they are out of business but sets of them do turn up from time to time;
their bongos are incredible- and if so are there any 'classic' or 'to be
avoided' years for Gon Bops or LP?
Thanks in advance, email replies or newsgroup replies deeply appreciated
Benjamin Jacoby
> Hello,
> I've been lurking for a while, and have looked for a FAQ, but have not seen
> the direct answer to my question: I am planning to purchase a set of GOOD
> congas soon; what are the practical differences between the LP Galaxy and
> the LP classic/millennium?
Um, about $100 a drum? Seriously the Galaxy Giovanni are some great
sounding and exceptionally sharp looking drums. You could hardly
go wrong with those. Personally I don't much like the classic line.
Some of the congueros I know don't really think much of them either,
but who are we to tell you what your taste should be. Look at and
play them both if you can and decide.
> The little I have been able to find seems to
> imply that wood has a nicer tone, for recording in particular, whilst
> fiberglass is louder.
Louder and brigher. Wood is more mellow and has a more "traditional" tone.
I'm not the one to tell you about the subleties of high end conga tone,
but fiberglass is *way* more durable than wood which is important in many
road situations. The tone of fiberglass is (IMHO) better suited to a
rock sound while wood tends to give a sound better suited to traditional
latin. My congas are fiberglass. I have the LP patato and toca premier.
Personally I find the Toca have better tone and are easier to play.
The absolute best sounding and playing (and worst looking) conga I ever
played was this traditional cuban made thing with a mule head that looked
like it had been rolling around the docks for about ten years...so with
drums like most instruments you just never know.
> My situation is thus: I am an URB (Upright Bass)player in a rather good
> Latin band. We have three guys who are pretty good on congas. I play bongos
> a bit (working through Trevor's book) but I am beginning to feel that I need
> a solid knowledge of congas to really advance my playing. Indeed, when I
> played traps in a blues band it did WONDERS for my bass playing.
You got this figured out exactly right! I play drumset and bass guitar
(haven't played upright for years and years) too! And I'm here to say
that here is nothing that helps your groove like playing drums (works the
other way too in that bass playing helps your drumming). And playing
hand-drums (like congas) is a MAJOR education in the groove! And conga
playing will do wonders for you even if you weren't in a latin band
and since you are, it's a wonder that conga playing isn't *required*
for all the members!
> In addition congas are soo damn cool;
AMEN! NO arguement from me!
> just got to see Poncho Sanchez and was wowed. So a
> long roundabout way of saying I have pretty discriminating tastes in sound
> and don't mind spending what I need to do get a sound that is inspirational.
> And Stanley Clark always said that your axe should LOOK cool, make you want
> to go over and play it instead of doing anything else.
The Galaxy Giovanni series certainly qualify in the looks
department. Howver you should note my above story about the looks
of the best sounding conga I ever played.
> One additional thing- are the Gon Bops congas as good as their bongos? I
> know they are out of business but sets of them do turn up from time to time;
> their bongos are incredible- and if so are there any 'classic' or 'to be
> avoided' years for Gon Bops or LP?
Don't know about "bad" years...it's probably more like "bad" individual
drums...especially if you don't buy new. But yes, Gon Bops are as
good as the bongos and if I were you, considering cost is no object
and you play in a latin band, I'd go for gon bops if you can find them.
But also let me caution you that as a beginner, it's going to be
hard for you to judge what's good and what just looks good. You might
want to get the conga player in your band to help you check out
drums you are thinking of buying.
In any event, eventually as you get better and into conga drumming
just like you finally choose a bass that feels right to you,
you will be able to better figure which drums are "your"
sound. But starting with quality drums if you've got the
bread can hardly be a mistake. Go for it!
You are gonna love it!
I know I did!
Good luck!
Benj
--
SPAM-GUARD! Remove "user.", if present, from address to email me.
Nazodesu
<dpre...@pacbell.net> wrote:
> My situation is thus: I am an URB (Upright Bass)player in a rather good
> Latin band. We have three guys who are pretty good on congas. I play bongos
> a bit (working through Trevor's book) but I am beginning to feel that I need
> a solid knowledge of congas to really advance my playing.
Learning conga won't advance your bongo playing any more than any
musically lateral expansion helps all others. They are played so very
very differently, both in approach and in perspective.
> One additional thing- are the Gon Bops congas as good as their bongos?
Most definitely. I'm sure they are out there but I've never played any
Gon Bop congas that didn't make me want to buy them. I could never
afford them, but I was always impressed. Additionally getting them
now, while you still can get a set from time to time, is also worthy of
consideration.
Since it turns out everybody here plays bass as well as hand
percussion, I'm slowly wending my way through the new Sher book: "The
Latin Bass Book" Oscar Stagnaro & Chuck Sher. It seems an excellent
book on the topic and is worth addition to the (now-burgeoning) library
on Latin bass which includes Sher's publication: "The True Cuban Bass"
by Carlos del Puerto, and the Cachao Master Sessions Volume 1 published
by Warner Brothers.
--
The storm starts when the drops start dropping. When the drops stop dropping
the storm starts stopping.
Bongolation
>> One additional thing- are the Gon Bops congas as good as
>> their bongos?
> Most definitely. I'm sure they are out there but I've
> never played any Gon Bop congas that didn't make me want to
> buy them. I could never afford them, but I was always impressed.
> Additionally getting them now, while you still can get a set
> from time to time, is also worthy of consideration.
Someone had a 1977 set in the _San Francisco Chronicle_ want ads for $950
recently.
Seems mighty pricey...but I suppose they are "collector's items" now.
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