Over the years, I’ve changed more heads and tuned more congas then one could imagine. The mechanical tuning system that has been used on congas for as long as anyone can remember is not the most efficient. Most artists are so used to it that they don’t think ...

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Tuning a conga using traditional tuning system

Over the years, I’ve changed more heads and tuned more congas then one could imagine. The mechanical tuning system that has been used on congas for as long as anyone can remember is not the most efficient. Most artists are so used to it that they don’t think twice about the design.

If you play seated, you can’t adjust the tuning unless the drum is spun around, or if mounted on a stand, the drum has to be removed to get all the tuning points. During a performance you don’t have the time to adjust all the tuning points.

If a head isn’t evenly tuned the drum will not produce a good fundamental pitch and overtones. When using natural heads, the head will adjust to a degree, a synthetic head is less forgiving.

LP Top Tuning Conga System

The Top Tuning Conga is very similar to the tuning system used on traditional drums. The tuning can be accomplished all from the top using a keyed folding wrench. If the wrench is lost a 7/16” hex socket will work as well, making it quick and easy to adjust the tension at all tuning points.

The challenge, was keeping the tuning hardware low enough to be out of the way of the players hands while still using our Comfort Curve rim design. Replacing the traditional “curved hooks” with straight rods made the tuning more efficient. Our factory came up with a “floating self centering threaded insert” that resides in the side plate to replace the traditional nuts.

Replacing the Head on an LP Top Tuning Conga

Another advantage I like is, that to replace a head, all you have to do is unscrew the rods and lift the rim. No longer do you have to deal with unhooking the lugs, the washers and the nuts. It is very easy.

Thanks for reading this post. I look forward to reading your comments.

-Ray Enhoffer, LP Director of Research and Development