Buyer's Guide for Congas - Musician's Hut

Guide to Buying Congas

Conga drums (or just congas) are about 28" to 31" tall and somewhat narrow. They are played with the palms of the hand and fingers. They can be purchased and played individually, in pairs, or in larger combinations of 3 or 4 drums for more experienced players.

Congas are available in several sizes (widths), with the size determining the overall sound and pitch of the drum. Larger congas are used to play the lower rhythms, while smaller congas have a higher pitch more suitable for playing the melody or for soloing. The smallest conga drum is referred to as the "Requinto" and is usually 9 3/4" or 10" in diameter. Next is the "Quinto", typically 11" in diameter, followed by the Conga at 11 3/4" across. The next larger conga drum is the "Tumbadora" or just "Tumba" at 12" or 12 1/2" across. The largest is the "Supertumba", which can be up to 14" in diameter. When they are played together, or in pairs or more, congas will normally be tuned to a particular chord, such as a perfect fourth, depending on the requirements of the music or the taste of the player.

Conga drums are traditionally made from wood, but fiberglass models are becoming more popular due to their durability and generally lower price. Professional players tend to prefer the richer, warmer sound of wood. Wooden conga drums are typically made from Oak or Ash, although Beech wood can also be used. Ash congas are very resonant, while Oak provides a warm tone and reduced overtones. Conga heads are traditionally made from rawhide (cow or buffalo), although synthetic heads can also be found.

Conga drums are common in many types of music including Jazz, Latin Jazz, Salsa, Rumba, Merengue, Mambo, Reggae, Soul, Funk, and even Rock-n-Roll. Some of the world's best congas are made by Latin Percussion (better known as LP), Tycoon Percussion, and Toca Percussion.