Here are some tips on and about buying a used conga drum.
First of all, do you want one, two or three conga drums. If it is your first time to buy a drum or you can only buy one drum, I recommend a segundo (second) aka conga drum. The three sizes are quinto the smallest in diameter and highest pitched (for soloing), conga (or second ) and tumba or tumbao the largest in diameter and lowest pitched. There is also sometimes a “super” tumba, even larger then a tumba.
4 Used Oak LP conga drums
What is your budget? If your budget is slim, you may want to try Craigslist or even a pawn shop if you live near a big city. Know the drum you want to buy first, however. You can look on line at the models. I am posting photos of my favorite drums here as well.
I do not recommend the lower line models such as the LP Aspire congas (see photo).
What you get in a higher end conga drum is better hardware and rim, usually a better and heavier shell and possibly a nicer skin. Hardware is the metal clamps and bracket that pull or hold won the skin and or attached to the sides of the conga. Generaly the cheaper “budget” models are smaller and lighter. However, I have never heard a cheaper drum sound as good as the proven larger models.
Aspire conga drum (low end budget model) by LP
Skins are always a personal preference. I enjoy medium thickness on my conga and tuba and medium thin on my quint. If a skin is too thin the sound is ringy and not full. It does help the slap project more however if the skin is thin. If you find a used conga and the skin looks like the photo here it may be time for a new skin.
You can get used congas at or around the same price as the bottom of the line new drums. There are also great deals on ebay but you can not see the drum first unfortunately unless it is in your area of course. So buyer beware.
Since drums are made of wood or fiberglass, there is not much that can be hidden in terms of damage if you are buying a used drum. If it is wood, check for cracks. Turn the drum upside down and put it on top of a towel or soft object to protect the skin.
Look inside and feel around with your hand. Use a flashlight. It is pretty easy to see if there is damage or not.
LP Galaxy® Giovanni Series™ 11\
Many used drums can use a new skin which is easy to put on if you are a little bit handy. If you are looking at fiberglass drums make sure there is no indentation in the fiberglass or sagging anywhere especially by the hardware. This happens on older fiberglass drums tht have been left in a heated situation such as a trunk of a car.
Speaking of hardware check for rust, and bring a wrench with you and test each bolt by turning as you would normally do tune a drum. Many used drums have not been tuned in ages.There are many different oils that can be used, and you may be able to bring old nuts and bolts back to life, but don’t count on it and new hardware replacement parts can be expensive.
What brand to buy? Again personal preference. I come from the era of LP’s, Val Jay, Gon Bops and Skin on Skin. I have owned Toca drums in Thailand and I think they are also a fine choice in the higher end line. You generally can not go wrong with any of these brands in there upscale models. Some people like the Meinel. I am not a big fan, however. I live in Thailand part of the year and interestingly enough, most of the new drums are made in Thailand. Some of them at the same factory!
Raymond Rausch plays 2 Toca fiberglass congas at Khao San Road drum jam
I currently own and play LP Galaxy Giovanni Series Congas as well as LP original short fiberglass drums . I also have a set of 4 Skin on Skin congas as well. I do find myself playing the LP Giovanni the most, though. The Skin on Skin were hand made in New York by a man named Jay for many years but now I hear they are not individual made by him anymore. There was also another hand made company in New York called “Jr.’s congas” but they are almost impossible to find. If you do find them, grab them! The prettiest congas for many years were the Fat Congas. They stopped making them a while back, though. Jesse Seymour, the conga player in Barabajaba plays Kona brand cogas, bongo and bata. They are beautiful, light and made from exotic hardwoods butch fetch a pretty penny!
sending...
Nice. All good advice. I’ve just been playing a bit over a year. Still a very beginner, but love the LP Galaxy Giovanni. A very melodic drum. Thanks again. Bear/Darryl Taylor
Thanks very helpful I’m buying a quinto and a tumba the brand is toca players choice. The guy I’m buying the congas from says one needs a new head and he’s selling them for 100 plus whatever the head is.. Sound like a good deal if drum is in good condition?
hey i was wondering if you could give some advice to a total beginner? i was going to buy some LP aspire bongos to learn on but i much prefer the sound of congas, so was thinking of buying just 1 LP aspire conga for now, then maybe buying another later if i find it fun & get better… firstly are the LP aspire congas that bad? (cheapest/decent brand ones i can find) also if i do just buy one conga, would buying a tumba be a silly idea? (i prefer the bass sound) or should i get a quinto/conga first?
thanks!
Sounds like a good choice to start with and “get your feet wet” .
so to speak. A tumba is an excellent choice as you can get all the sounds out of it easier then the quinto which is primariy a solo drum, at least in a traditional drumming context.. You can also find drums on Craigslist much cheaper then new..and better models as well. If you buy a better model used on CL you would also have a higher reslae value as the Aspires do not hold their value at all. Or you could also buy an Aspire cheap on line/CL. Good luck!
thanks a lot admin! ill have a look for second hand congas of higher quality (tumba if possible) most second hand deals seem to be a cllection of 2-3 congas though & higher priced…
i was also looking at the “pearl travel conga” range, they do a 12.5″ tumba version which is fairly well priced & the size of it would be a HUGE advantage to me (can play on my lap or take it anywhere easily), from the youtube videos ive seen the sound is pretty good! do you think its worth getting one of those instead?
Hi there – thanks for all the info!
I found a pair of congas for sale but they have no brand name on them anywhere! What does this mean? There’s no label or stamping anywhere. they are wooden, metal bolts (none of them rusty).
Curious if there is such a thing as an unbranded conga drum….
Bec
That choice is entirely up to you and really the question is how much traveling you are going to do.
I am different then most people in that I carry a full weight djembe with me in a heavy case wherever I go and on top of that a large camera with extra lenses! If it is HUGE advantage for you it sounds like it is the drum for you!
ALoha
MP
Hey …purchasing conga drums…absolute novice…read your review just a couple of questions looking your recommendation IE LP galaxy giovanni….so are they fibreglass… is that right….The sound between fibreglass and wood is there much of a difference…I have been looking around sydney for drums for the last couple months..have asked local musicians….they say as novice just go for the basics…..but concerned I am getting incorrect advise….looking at what you recommended and I am happy to purchase them thru usa over internet do you recommend any one outlets. Thanks for your assistance.
I play the old toca 3000 series, which are 3-ply. Now toca has renamed those, their “players series” and they are 2-ply along with the 2600 series.
I agree that you get what you pay for. I always recommend that my students buy as much drum as they can afford. This way, you can always sell it if you choose to (and still get something for it) and more importantly, you won’t need to upgrade if you decide to continue to a professional level.
Thanks for your input! Nice to see you here.
Aha! Interesting. Good info to know.
I do my purchasing through Amazon. I think they will send you through Musicians Friend.
I’m hoping you can give me a little assistance on determining the value of a set of 1998 Valje bongos & congas? 11.75″ & 12.5″ conga and tumba. The congas have a few nicks from drum chatter. The bongos are in mint condition. No cracks. Cherrywood.
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
The congas to me personally (if I was in the market..which I am not…) are probably worth at least $300-350 each. $250 each would be a great deal. Bongos I am not sure about. They tend to go for less on the market then congas do. I would say $200-225 is what I would want to pay, but $150 would def. be a good deal. Having said that it all just depends on condition and how much you love Valje. Valje went through a few different phases. I liked them when Akbar had the company (pre LP ownership). Anyway, good luck and let me know how it goes for you!
Caio
mp
I have had a wooden Conga drum that I bought in Brazil over 20 years ago. It’s 12 1/2″W at top. It has a sticker that says Waltson. I haven’t heard anything about this type of drum and instead of a skin top, it’s clear. Can you tell me anything about it? I can send pictures if someone wants to leave an email address. Thanks so much.
Hello there,
I need to sell two lp giovannis. The quinto is in mint condition, the conga lovingly used – beautiful really. What prices do you think I should settle for? I appreciate your kind assistance. Regards -
I suggest you check prices that people have sold them for on eBaye.
You can go to the section called ” completed listings” (or something like that) under the item section you are looking in. Asking price is one thing but selling price is another. You can also check Craigs list.
I recently sold a set for about $400 each in excellent condition. If there is scratches expect less and also the condition of the skin would def. effect the selling price as well.
Hope this helps!
Hi i found two lp matadors with two new extra skins and stand with some ware for two hundred fifty.deal or no deal?
Sounds like a great deal to me. You can also cross check on eBaye and Craigs List.
I need some congas, what are the best of the best?
Hi, that is a big question Mick. Like saying, “what is the best car”? It depends on your budget, if you want wood or fiberglass, your playing level, what situations you will be playing in and many other factors as well. I can tell you the brands I like best. If I had the money I would buy the top of the line LP Ash wood Giovanni Galaxy model or Volcano hand made drums from Big Isalnd of Hawaii. Another strong contender for “best” would be Skin on Skin congas made by Jay in New York.
Thank you. You have been lots of help.
hi ,
i want to give a surprize to my boy friend by buying him 2 of the lp giovanni series congas .he already own a pair of congas i don t wan t to replace his pair i just want to give him a nice pair . he plays on an 11″ and 10″ .do i buy the same size from lp collection ?? thans
Wow!! I wish I had a girlfriend like you! You can buy the same or similar size. But size is always a personal choice.
Hi there. I’m wondering if you’ve ever heard of or played the Latin Rhythm Traders brand of congas. They have three levels: the beginner Club series, the intermediate Mambo series, both made of Siam oak, and finally the Master series ash congas. I can buy a set of three for $899. This seems to be a great deal, since I know the Giovani Galaxies from Lp have recieved high praise by many, but they are quite pricy compared to these ones. Thank you.
I have seen them on their site but do not know anything about them nor do I know anyone who has them. I am very curious though!
Hi there, I have never played the congas before but have always wanted to…what type of conga features do I look for in new or secondhand congas. This is for hobby and therapeutical purposes!!
Sarah
Hi Sarah, I think I covered all the details in the article on “how to buy a used conga drum”
If the drum is going to be moved around a lot then weight is important. Lift it and make sure it is not too heavy. If it is used you want to make sure that the skin is in good condition. You can see if it is dirty when you rub your hand across it perhaps.The rim (the metal ring that pulls the skin down) should be balanced all the way around the drum, not at different heights. The drum (if it is used) should not be out of round or oval shaped on the top. Check for cracks in the wood. Make sure that you can turn the tuning lugs with a wrench and they turn easily, play it and see how it sounds..stuff like that