First Set of Congas

[Chads the man]

I'm looking into getting my first set of congas but, i don't know what ones to get for a beginer. Also is wood better than fiberglass? I would like to only spend a couple hundred bucks. If anybody could send me in the right direction that would be great!

Thanks

[Ray]

Chads,

Everything depends what is your ultimate intention. Are you going to get serious? Do you intend to play in a group? Also, what is your budget?

If you are going serious, and to avoid other complications, I always recommend to get the best equipment you could get for your budget. Specially something in the professional or mid-level range that could be good enough and that will avoid you having to try to get a "good instrument" later on.

All the major brands, LP, Pearl, Meinl, Toca, etc, have the beginners combo that normally have two congas set, sometimes even with a stand, but that are not in the professional sizes. These are OK but again depends on your ultimate intention. The sizes here are small, the quality of the instrument is good but not the best, and worst, sometimes you will have a bad time getting replacement heads or the heads that come with the conga are bad to try to get a good sound.

These beginners' combo come in 11 inch or even 10 and something conga and a 12 "tumba". (I am assuming you know congas in professional sizes come, quinto 11, conga 11 3/4, tumbadora 12 1/2. There are some "requinto models that are 9 to 10 inches. To begin, the conga, 11 3/4 and a tumbadora 12 1/2 is the standard to have as a set).

Beginner prices, I think will range, for a set between $350 -$400. A professional size conga could be each $300 plus depending if it is a professional model or semi-professional.

Fiberglass or wood? The dilema....Wood is the original material. The tones are warm and natural. People prefer them because of that. Fiberglass will give you more volume because of the overtones. It sounds close to wood but for the trained ear, the difference will be noticed. The advantages of fiberglass is that they are made of a stronger material and is less prone to break on falls, the higher volume it provides is another reason. Be aware, fiberglass is a little bit more expensive sometimes in some models......

What is out there? As mentioned to you all the major brands, have the three ranges, beginners, midlevel/semi-pro, and professional. My recommendation, get something mid if your budget does not permit to go all the way to full pro. The mid level combo will save you around $100 to $200 or more in comparison with the professional combo of congas. Mid level sometimes differ from the professional in some features like less quality head, although playable not like the beginners, and the hardware is less sturdy than the pro but good enough and better than beginners.

The best mid-level, Pearl's Primero (check the new ones, they look great.., however, the congas are at beginner's sizes 10 and 11), LP Matador and Meinl Marathon's. If pro is just choice, the same brands are recommended, Pearl Elites, LP Classic/Other Models, Meinls Professionals. (Pearl's tend to be better priced. Some of Pearl's Elite professional models are priced at the same as LP mid level....Don't get fooled.....with Pearl you wil get a pro conga with the same features or better than an LP "Pro" model....If I were you I try to get a deal on a set of Pearl Elites that are nicely priced in some places....)

Recommend you get a set, not one. (Of course, budget permitting)...

Let us know what you get!

Saludos!

[Futnucks]

Besides sounding great, Pearl Elites look great! The artwork and paint on the shells are very nice and look great on stage.

[ROBB283DT]

I think you should get oak wood congas. I recommend either the LP aspire or Toca player series.

[Pedro]

I think that it's better if you buy wood congas.
The sound of elite congas are fabulous.
However, fiberglass congas are more powerful than wood congas.