tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220776857889400231.post5108746852100706724..comments2024-02-14T18:43:39.233-08:00Comments on Tony's Conga Adventures: LP Valje congas - a devolutionCongaDrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17101459855157944185noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220776857889400231.post-35729608566519428062020-08-16T15:52:33.412-07:002020-08-16T15:52:33.412-07:00I can speak from personal experience that it was a...I can speak from personal experience that it was a devolution. I had two Lp Valje quintos crack on me upon purchase from the drum shop. They were made from Siam Oak which is not very condusive to the Michigan climate. Also the elimination of the interior scoring that Tom did probably was also a factor. The cherry drums and maybe the beech were probably better being domestic woods.Laurence Gerard Cousins (Seneferu C.M. Khepera)http://www.besmusicgroup.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220776857889400231.post-17510093194909343792020-08-16T15:46:30.638-07:002020-08-16T15:46:30.638-07:00I can speak from personal experience. It was a de...I can speak from personal experience. It was a devolution. I had two siam oak Valje quintos crack on me. It was probably due to two factors: the elimination of the interior scoring which prevents cracks and the type of wood, Siam oak which is not very condusive to Michigan climate. Seneferu<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01418285556115858700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220776857889400231.post-51071796348868187262019-10-04T16:47:34.380-07:002019-10-04T16:47:34.380-07:00I bought two Lp Valje quintos. The Siam Oak would...I bought two Lp Valje quintos. The Siam Oak would crack.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01418285556115858700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220776857889400231.post-14568361987335098832019-06-24T22:37:33.901-07:002019-06-24T22:37:33.901-07:00I bought a set of Valje bongos back in 1960s they ...I bought a set of Valje bongos back in 1960s they are walnut. With kip shin heads. I paid $125.00 for them . I met a guy name Jack Costanza who played for Stan Kenton turn me on to these drums . Still have them and they sound good as the day I bought themAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13654494739682548824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220776857889400231.post-4624050779025100612011-11-28T20:30:47.858-08:002011-11-28T20:30:47.858-08:00I have a set of Jack Costanzo bongoes that I bough...I have a set of Jack Costanzo bongoes that I bought from Tom Flores at his shop on Sunset Blvd.That was in 1963. I also have a quinto, conga and tumba from that era. They're kind of fragile compared with mass produced version, and have a more angular profile.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07820497762710797253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220776857889400231.post-59669464110127173802010-12-10T16:14:38.641-08:002010-12-10T16:14:38.641-08:00Anon,
LP improved the hardware, and the glue.. a...Anon, <br /><br />LP improved the hardware, and the glue.. added a nice rubber bottom. LP went with a thicker shell and used Siam Oak from asia, initially.. the devolution was, is, in the sound of the drum.. the older shells made by Tom Flores were better sounding drums, without question. ..probably a matter of the kind of oak they used and the thinner shell. Devolving from a hand made instrument made by a player, to mass produced drums made by assembly line workers.. and you can hear it!<br /><br />TonyCongaDrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17101459855157944185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220776857889400231.post-46592382123422353862010-07-28T08:39:53.052-07:002010-07-28T08:39:53.052-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220776857889400231.post-73033897170140319502010-04-05T07:16:16.470-07:002010-04-05T07:16:16.470-07:00Certainly Crafted drums will exceed mass produced....Certainly Crafted drums will exceed mass produced. But both versions of Valjes had design flaws in hardwares ~ lugs that had riveted saddles that bend out of alignment, & hole locations in line w/ the wood grain which is sometimes a problem in oak shells do to the grain patterns & the soft grain tended to crack. Ultimately...all things being equal, the heads made a difference, and the only true up grade to Valjes design was a simple rubber base that added resonance & offered protection to floors...thats a small evolution of a devolved drum :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220776857889400231.post-4435253441071391172009-12-20T05:38:01.359-08:002009-12-20T05:38:01.359-08:00Well, It was a transition from hand made instrumen...Well, It was a transition from hand made instruments to mass produced. <br /><br />The LP Valje are very fine mass produced drums.<br /><br />But Tom and Akbar had serious drum making chops that came through the instrument and gave the sound a character that you wont find in a mass produced drum.<br /><br />Hope that helps,<br /><br />TonyCongaDrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17101459855157944185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220776857889400231.post-49931029234603233662009-12-18T15:03:34.176-08:002009-12-18T15:03:34.176-08:00In what way is is a devolution?
Has the wood quali...In what way is is a devolution?<br />Has the wood quality decreased over the years<br />or is it the sound that has become less brilliant?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220776857889400231.post-10458793822733393742009-12-15T19:14:56.065-08:002009-12-15T19:14:56.065-08:00I have a pair of cherry LP valje anf i AM FOREVER ...I have a pair of cherry LP valje anf i AM FOREVER GETTING COMPLIMENTS ON THE SOUND AND LOOKSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com