Afro Conga set – Matam

The conga, also known as tumbadora, is a tall, narrow, single-headed drum originally from Cuba. Congas are traditionally used in pairs or threes in Afro-Cuban genres such as conga and rumba, although they are now very common in some other forms of Latin music, including descarga, Afro-Cuban jazz, salsa, songo, merengue and Latin rock.

Timber
Sourced from Guinea West Africa, Lenke (Afzelia africana) is a premium djembe timber, striking the balance between density and weight. Often referred to as the spiritual wood, lenke is typically orange or deep yellow in colour and offers great projection and the full tonal range of sound. It is well-suited to bigger drums and often produces powerful bass

Skins
We have used thick Cow skins which offer rich melodic sounds. Cranked tightly, they can really scream! Suited to experienced players with tougher hands and well-developed technique. We take care to find the best hide for the shell to maximise its dynamic range.

Conga tuning tips
These congas use a rope tensioning system (not hardware like most congas)