A: There are three main sizes - the quinto (small/high), conga (medium/middle), & tumbadora (large/low). There are two additional sizes that LP makes. One is called the requinto (9 3/4") & the other, super-tumbadora (14"). The requintos are made for the Galaxy & Tribal Accent. The super-tumbadora is made for the Palladium series congas.

Q: What is the best size conga for me?

A: When looking for a single conga many players start out with the conga (middle) size because that is the most versatile size. The conga size can be used as a bass or solo drum, whereas the quinto & tumba are more specialized.

When purchasing two drums: some players say that if you're getting two drums it's best to get two sizes next to each other, which is typically either A. conga and tumba; or B. quinto and conga. But ultimately, this is still a matter of personal choice.

If you would like to play high drum parts in some songs/jams & low drum parts in others, then a quinto & tumba combo is a great choice.

Pros often like to tune a 4th or 5th interval apart from each drum (for congas & bongos). Sizes next to each other allows this more easily than sizes that are not next to each other.

Still, it's not impossible to tune a 4th or 5th on sizes that are not next to each other. Furthermore, a 4th or a 5th are not the only enjoyable tone combinations.

I'm confident as long as each conga is well tuned, then any combination of two congas sounds great.

With that said, the important question is what tones do you like most or more, bass (deep) tones or opens and slaps (high pitched cracks)?

What do you generally enjoy hearing and playing more basses? Or do you want more slaps and opens?

If you like the slaps you definitely want to make sure one drum is a quinto or, requinto, if you're purchasing the LP Galaxy series.

If you like the bass most, then you want a tumba or super conga, if you're purchasing the Palladium series.

Conga Drums

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