Care & handling of new conga/bongo heads

[Chip Gregory]

I just purchased fiberglass Elite bongo and Primero Conga sets. I am new to this. I know from forum searches that the "goop" that comes with the sets is for the tuning lugs. While looking around for a teacher I have been watching videos/reading music books. One recommends using hand lotion to condition (re-add moisture) new heads. Anything I should know/do along these lines? Also, the sounds out of the box are pretty good. Does Perl do a basic tune? Bottom line, anything I should do while I am learning so I don't screw up my drums??? THANKS

[Ray]

Is not recommended that to a natural head to add anything. Heard about some thing to clean them but normally I have not seen anybody doing anything about it.

Very important do not get them wet or leave them tuned after a gig. If you leave them tuned for a long time you run the risk that the head becomes what we call "deaf" and its sound will never be good again. (Also, if you leave them tuned overnight might find the heads broken....)

Natural heads require some break in before they reach their "peak sound". Therefore, play them so you get your break in sound.

Just play, play, play, play and break in those heads...

Good drumming!

[Chip Gregory]

Wow! So you're saying when you are done playing, on a daily basis, loosen the head. Before you play the next time, tune. Is this true for conga and bongo drums? I wondered why the thread stuff was provided. I guess if you are constantly working the tuning lugs it makes sense. Thanks!!!

[Ray]

Yes, to maintain your natural heads it is recommended that you tune and untune your heads everytime you use your drums and/or end playing. Yes, it is true for congas and bongos. There must be a technical (scientific) answer, but the fact is that with natural heads if you keep them tuned all the time the head loses their sound and the sound of the drum becomes "opaque". (There is something about keeping sking tigthen all the time that affects the head and with it the sound).

An alternative is synthethic heads. One of the advantages of synthethic heads is that they do not lose their sound when they are kept "stretched" for long periods. Also, the sound of the drum(head) is not affected by the weather conditions like it is with natural heads. (Natural heads when is hot they "tuned themselves"up. When is cold, they "untune" themselves. So, sometimes you have to keep on tuning them with the change of temperatures).

Leaving the heads tuned once in awhile will not do damage the head immediately . In some way at the beginning it will help you with the break in that I mentioned. Nevertheless, eventually, if you do it often you will overstretched the head and the sound will be affected. Also, if you leave a conga tuned and for some reason while handling you drop it or if you leave it tuned in a high temperature place , the head could break all by itself. Also, with fiberglass congas if you leave the congas tuned in high temperature the fiberglass could start "giving up" at the hardware next to the lugs.

Again...good drumming....

[Chip Gregory]

Thanks [again]. Really good, timely info/advice. R&R

[tamboricua]

Hi Chip, hope all is well! A little bit of "manteca de corojo" which is palm oil, will help the heads in that breaking period "curar". Like Ray mentioned, make sure and detune those natural heads after playing. By doing so, you will extend the heads life, plus detuning'em will reduce the tension on those shells, therefore less risk of shells cracking. Hope this helps!


All the best,

Jorge Ginorio

http://www.congaplace.com/musician/jorgeginorio

[Chip Gregory]

Jorge - All the help I can get is greatly appreciated. - Chip