Toca vs LP Congas Decision. Phase II. Please Help

[Dennis]

First of all, let me thank you all very much for responding to my
message
about the congas. I have been searching and searching for information about
congas on the web and there isn't any. I have exhaust every search engine.
No reviews or anything like that what so ever

I have narrowed it down even more and am getting closer to my decision.
However, I still need some help. Any info is greatly appreciated.

Is there really that much difference between LP and Toca's?

Have you heard Toca Traditional Series or the Toca Custom Deluxe Series.
Do you have any opinion on them and tell me what you think. Are the
traditional rims on the Traditional series not as comfortable as the Easy
Play hoops on the Custom Deluxe, and Limited.

The Tocas better fit into my price range (although I can't afford these
either)
I have found the Traditional (all three) for about 690
The Custom Deluxe (all three) for about 890

I really want the LP classic models but they are a big reach for me in
money. I know alot of you really push for LP and that is what I have heard
to. I have been quoted for these at a little over 1000 for all three.

So could anyone shed some more light on this subject? Do you think the Toca
would be sufficient enough?And when you get up into the professional line of
congas is there that much difference between sound? What do you think in
general? What should I do?

I am a drum set player (for 17 years) who wants to start learning hand
percussion and am looking to study hand percussion and practice it for as
long as I live. I have a real nice Sonor Designer series drumset so I want
to get a good pair of congas also.

If anybody could help it would be appreciated..

Thank you

Dennis

[Ben Jacoby]

Dennis <d...@aol.com> spake thusly:

: So could anyone shed some more light on this subject? Do you think the Toca

: would be sufficient enough?And when you get up into the professional line of
: congas is there that much difference between sound? What do you think in
: general? What should I do?

I'm really just a conga hack, and sort of a newbie, so I can't give any
definitive professional opinions. But I can sort of pass on what people
told me when I was looking to buy. My personal opinion and the opinion
of a number of pro players was that they liked Tocas better than LP. But
the LP supporters were *very* vocal in putting Toca down. Personally, I
still like Tocas better. I do happen to own fiberglass LPs, however.
(decent price over-ruled opinons)

I haven't noticed a lot of difference in drum tone and I swear that most
of the differences that are there are due to the heads, not the drums
themselves. Of course fiberglass is the most extreme case being louder
and brighter than wood but I'd say that even that effect is not major.

I also love the comfort rims, but I rather presume that this is largely
because of my beginner status. My feeling here is that when your
technique is right, the rim plays almost no role in playing so the
traditional or comfort rim makes no difference. But as you start out,
the comfort rim does feel mucho better... expecially if your hand isn't
quite coming down perfect in a slap etc.

That's about all I know... but playing congas is a major hoot!
Good luck.

--
Benjamin Jacoby | "Some rob you with a six-gun and some with
| a fountain pen." ..........Woodie Guthrie

(SPAM GUARD! Delete the no spam letters in name to email.)

[Cary Nasatir - Jan Steinhoff]

Dennis and Ben

There must be a reason that LP has the lion's share of the
market, AND they also own Valje as well.
The truth be known....Toca, Meinl, LP, Matador, CP, Ruether,
Players and countless others are ALL made in one factory in
Thailand for economic reasons.(kinda like Pearl factory
making different brands of sets in their factories). The
reason these factories get all the business is because of
cheap SKILLED labor and they can work there factories in 2
and 3 shifts to keep up with the demand. The differences
ARE INDEED the heads and the hardware, and to some extent
the body designs. LP has long been the leader, and 20 years
from now will no doubt, still be the leader, meaning their
instruments will still be getting more money on the market.
Toca makes a good drum and have people like Pete and Sheila
Escovedo endorsing them. LP has just about everyone else in
the Afro-Cuban scene. Gon Bop is another name to look for
in your quest. Buy the best sound you can afford.Buy
individual drums and not the ones drilled to go on a single
stand in a pair (they have dead spot and response issues).
Hope that helps
Cary

[SCioppajr]

I use TOCA products exclusively and can tell you I get many comments on the
sound of my drums when I am on a gig. I recently added the REMO Mondo heads and
the sound is better than ever. TOCA has all of the Escovedos plus Wilfredo
Reyes Sr., Eugie Castillo from Arturo Sandoval's band and many others.I have
the Custom Deluxe in honey amber with the comfort rims and I love them. I'm not
sure where you live but Sam Ash stores just signed a big distribution deal with
them for "99" so they should be easy to get. If you have more questions, email
me at SCp...@aol.com.

Steve

[Calf11]

I personally think that L.P. conga drums are a very reliable drum to invest in.
They stand the test of time. However, the skins are so hard they tear up your
hands, so you have to mount untreated skins. A 40 dollar investment.

I don't like Toca because they look and sound cheap to me. And they don't have
the history or reputation that L.P. does.

However, my first choice for the very best sounding high quality conga drum in
the world is Gon Bops of California, with J.C.R. from the Bronx running a fast
second. Both of these brands kick Toca and L.P. 's butt, IMHO. Plus they
already have untreated skins that you choose to your liking--custom. And these
drums don't cost more than the more popular brands. Getting these drums won't
be as convenient, however. I waited 3 months for a Gon Bop. But it was well
worth the wait.

[Billy Hulting]

Hey,

I made the big switch from LP to Toca - simple - intelligent design and a
great sounding drum.

I travel a lot on tour and we rent everywhere - I can honestly say I
never played a Toca conga with a bad head - I can't say the same thing
about L.P.

As far as different models - I chose the custom series - because of the
traditional rims and the color - there isn't much - if any - difference
in the shape of the shell. Don't kill yourself paying for the more
expensive drums unless you want the easy-play rims (custom-delux0 or the
gold easy=play hoops (LE Edition).

I enjoy playing my congas even more when I return home from the road
after playing on other sets.

And - Toca bongos are incredible! - as is the rest of the line.

Feel free to e-mail me with more questions.

In article <7dn2u2$q9p$1...@server2.wans.net> Dennis, d...@aol.com writes:
>Is there really that much difference between LP and Toca's?Have Fun,

Billy

bi...@zerobpm.com
<http://www.zerobpm.com/billy/>

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