Members Gremson Posted May 11, 2013 Members Share Posted May 11, 2013 Let me start this off by saying I am by no means a conga player, I don't know anything about their construction, or the proper technique in playing them. But I've been getting steady gigs with a friend of mine playing congas in an acoustic duo. I've been doing it for a few months now, and I'm using my dad's old congas that he left me. All through winter they've sounded fine, but this last gig they were totally lifeless. I may as well have been slapping cardboard boxes. I assume the problem lies in the heads since they're older than I am. I'm just not sure if I should replace original calfskin heads with some synthetic knockoff that's out there today. What do you guys think I can do with these? Is there anything I need to know before I try tightening them up, or should I just swap out the old heads for something fresh? I'd love some advice from some folks that have experience with congas... Because I have none! And for the hell of it, here's some conga porn... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cdawg Posted May 11, 2013 Members Share Posted May 11, 2013 those are dope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jimtyler Posted May 11, 2013 Members Share Posted May 11, 2013 Congas that classy need calf skin. If not that, at least fibreskin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members keric Posted May 13, 2013 Members Share Posted May 13, 2013 DW is right. Any natural skin head is going to be affected by the climate. When I was in college my proffesor told me stories of trying to keep the heads on his timpani in tune during outdoor summer concerts. If it's humid, or raining the natural skin is going to absorb some of that moisture and the tone will change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Gremson Posted May 13, 2013 Author Members Share Posted May 13, 2013 Cool. Sounds like I need to lube up my heads and spend some quality time with a wrench.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Gremson Posted May 13, 2013 Author Members Share Posted May 13, 2013 Cool. Sounds like I need to lube up my heads and spend some quality time with a wrench.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agogobill Posted May 13, 2013 Members Share Posted May 13, 2013 to rehab calfskin heads, take the heads off and rub any hand cream with lanolin, palm oil, or shea butter into them ... NO petroleum just barely enough to coat them ... let them dry http://www.mycongaplace.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fusionfunk Posted May 13, 2013 Members Share Posted May 13, 2013 Yep, as previously stated, apply a lanolin based skin cream. Always worked for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members coyote-1 Posted May 21, 2013 Members Share Posted May 21, 2013 If the heads are very old, revival using creams or oils is futile. Purchase flat skins, and make new heads using the metal rings within your existing heads. It's a great way to learn a bit more about your instrument. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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