Why Do The Best Players Play LP Congas

The Creation.....Conga in the Raw

After the wood is sorted and kiln-dried, it is cut into precisely measured strips called staves. The most attractive staves are reserved for the exterior of the conga.


A conga stave ready for the production process.

The width of the stave is important. Latin Percussion congas use more staves compared to other manufacturers. Using more staves does add cost to the process but the benefits are great; because the stress on each stave is reduced, creating a stronger and durable drum.

The staves are glued together using several layers of thin wood, called plies. (LP and LP Matador brand congas use three ply and LP Aspire brand use two ply.) The reason for this is it reduces the stress on each piece of wood making the drum stronger and more durable. If one was to use one thick piece of wood, and bend it to shape, it would likely break or crack. Congas are curved by design, so the wood must have the ability to be shaped without breaking or cracking.


Several (layers of thin wood) plies layered with glue for added strength.

By using plies and layering them with a specially formulated glue, LP Music Group creates a strong and durable foundation. After years of research, LP has developed a special glue for each type of wood.The glue is applied to the plies in a sandwich manner. It is then placed on a form in the shape of a conga, and a specially designed press applies tons of pressure, bending the staves. An ultrasonic tool is also used to help cure the glue.

Each stave is then finished with a precision compound mit-er edge. This guarantees that the staves will nest together snugly during the construction process. Holes are then punched on each side of the staves and steel pins are in-serted into the holes. Steels pins do two things: (1) they make the assembly of the drum easier, and (2) they add strength to the conga, eliminating the need for exterior bands and ensuring durability of the shell.

Other manufacturers use exterior metal bands rather than steel pins to strengthen their congas. A wood conga is constantly expanding and contracting, and when the wood expands it puts pressure on the metal band, and enlargens it. When the wood later contracts, the metal band becomes loose. Keep in mind you won't see a loose band, but you certainly will hear it rattle when the drum is played!

Once the staves have been cut, a skilled craftsman sorts them, carefully matching the curve of the drum. The staves are then numbered and positioned for production. Glue is applied to the sides of the staves, and the conga is assembled by hand, stave by stave.


The staves are numbered and positioned for assembly.

With the glue moist, and the staves nested together, the drum is ready for another custom press. This press applies temporary gluing rings in three different positions on the conga. The rings secure the staves in place until the glue is cured.


The conga after the gluing process

Once the gluing rings are removed, the drum is placed on a custom lathe (a machine that holds and spins the drum). While the drum is spinning, an automatic tracing tool re-fines the shape, cutting off the excess glue and wood edges, preparing the conga for the finishing processes.