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Q: How do I measure & determine the size for bongo & conga heads?
A. Measure the diameter of the top of the bongo or conga shell. Note: The top of the shell is called the bearing edge. The bearing edge is about 1/4" thick. So, measure the shell diameter from middle of the bearing edge to the middle of the bearing edge. (This is how Toca & LP conga & bongos measure their drums; other companies may measure slightly differently, such as from the outside edge of the shell to the outside edge.)
Sometimes bongo & conga shells are cut a little short from the advertised size. For instance, a so-called 11.75" conga may actually measure 11.25". This is normal.
Click thumbnail to see a measurement of the head; in this pic the conga head measures 11.5":