The conga drums (also known as “tumbadora”) are a fairly popular Cuban percussion instrument, mainly used in conga and rumba ensembles, though also present in salsa, jazz, pop, and Latin musical genres.
When it comes to choosing the best congas, there are plenty of options. In this article, we’ll consider the top 9 best conga drum brands in the world today.
Though obviously subjective and prone to biases, I’ve done my best to list out these brands based on the following metrics (in no particular order):
- Company reputation
- Variety of congas
- Performance of the congas
- Longevity of the congas
- The company/brand must currently be in operation
With all that being said, let’s list out the brands.
The top 9 best conga drum brands in the world are:
Let’s get into each of these brands in greater detail and explain why they belong in the top 9 best conga drum brands. I’ll share their country of origin, a bit of history, an example of notable congas, and a link to their official website.
Be sure to check out the other top percussion brands at My New Microphone:
• Top 9 Best Tambourine Brands On The Market
• Top 9 Best Bongo Drum Brands On The Market
• Top 9 Best Cajón Brands On The Market
• Top 11 Best Timpani Brands On The Market
Click here to return to My New Microphone’s articles on musical equipment brands/manufacturers.
Meinl
Despite what most people think, Meinl not only uses German precision to make some of the best cymbals in the world, but it also manufactures all kinds of percussion instruments with the same surgical-like approach. As a result, Meinl congas are among the best-crafted, best-sounding, and most durable on the market. Indeed, they represent the perfect blend of state-of-the-art machinery and artisan sensitivity to bring the groove to every party.
If you haven’t already, try Meinl congas today and feel the difference with your fingers.
Notable conga: Meinl Woodcraft Series WCO Conga (link to check the price at Guitar Center)
Made of 3-ply American White Ash and finished in vintage red, this conga by Meinl looks just as amazing as it sounds. Also, the true-skin buffalo heads give it the quintessential conga tone. Furthermore, the 10mm strong tuning lugs and 4mm rounded SSR rims make it utterly comfortable to play as well. Finally, it ships with an L-shaped tuning key, tune-up oil, and a complete accessory pouch.
Official website: meinlpercussion.com
Meinl Percussion was founded by Roland Meinl in 1951. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Gutenstetten, Germany.
Meinl is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
Latin Percussion
LP is the common way to address this brand that has been on the most prestigious stages around the world, helping elite-level players engage the groove of the music and making people dance. This quality LP oozes is not an overnight phenomenon but the outcome of the relentless commitment to excellence Martin Cohen has encouraged from day one.
Such is the case that, by 2001, he was awarded the International Latin Music Hall of Fame Special Recognition Award because of his invaluable contributions to Latin music.
Notable conga: LP Africa Speaks Conga (link to check the price at Music & Arts)
Latin Percussion and Carlos Santana have had a relationship for decades, and this outstanding conga is not only a homage to that friendship but also a musical celebration of that encounter. It is based on LP’s classic series and finished in vibrant yellow lacquer with Africa Speaks graphic art on its side. One of the finest Latin musicians met with one of the finest Latin percussion brands in the world to give birth to an uncanny instrument oozing quintessential tone and rhythm.
Official website: lpmusic.com
Martin Cohen founded Latin Percussion in 1964. The company’s headquarters are currently in Garfield, New Jersey, USA.
Latin Percussion is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
Gon Bops
Being the go-to repairman for Los Angeles’ elite-level percussion players allowed him to open and work on some of the best percussion instruments in the world. This first-hand experience taught Mariano what it was that made top players choose those instruments above all others.
Thus, by the time he began making congas under the Gon Bops brand, his creations were several steps ahead of all competition. Hence, nowadays, it is common to find them on the biggest stages around the world. For example, he provided the congas for the now-legendary Woodstock ’69 concert.
Notable conga: Gon Bops Mariano Series (link to check the price at Sam Ash)
Bearing the name of the brand’s owner and founder is not an easy endeavour, yet, this professional conga series oozes enough tone and craftsmanship to do it effortlessly. Indeed, the Durian wood, vintage counter hoops, and cowhide heads allow for solid palm sounds, crisp slaps, and beefy open tones. This is a great candidate if you are after a classy conga that can deliver classic tones.
Official website: gonbops.com
Mariano Bobadilla founded The Gon Bops in 1954. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Houlton, Maine, USA.
Gon Bops is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
Toca
The Latin music explosion of the 1990s was so sudden and huge that no company could supply enough instruments to meet the sky-rocketing demand. At that moment, KMC Music decided to invest in creating Toca to outdo all competition and provide new, avid players with good-sounding, affordable percussion instruments.
Nowadays, after 3 decades of relentless innovation and a thorough commitment to excellence, the company is still the go-to option for percussion players around the world.
Notable conga: Toca Custom Deluxe Congas (link to check the price at Woodwind Brasswind)
The 30” tall Asian Oak shells are finished in mesmerizing, almost 3-D, high-gloss golden finish. Moreover, they are made following the Afro-Cuban heritage, which gives them added resonance and volume. Also, the top-grade natural bison heads, EasyPlay hoop, and 6 lugs give it the tuning precision and ease of use you would expect from an instrument of this calibre. Finally, the high-lustre, mirror-like black hardware makes the perfect contrast for an instrument that plays as amazingly as it looks.
Official website: tocapercussion.com
Parent company: KMC Music
Toca was introduced by KMC Music in 1993. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
Toca is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
Tycoon
While pursuing a very profitable career trading commodities, Stephen Yu was always thinking about his unfulfilled dream: founding his own musical instrument company. Being a passionate man, he decided to chase his dreams, and, soon after, Tycoon was born.
Many years later, his brand has become a synonym for high-quality percussion instruments at competitive prices that sound, look, and play like a much pricier piece. You have to give Tycoon a chance if you want to take your first steps in the percussion world or need an affordable second instrument to add to your collection.
Notable conga: Tycoon Master Terra-Cotta Series Congas (link to check the price at Flam7)
The Master Series by Tycoon is made with hand-picked, aged Siam Oak wood, which gives them unmatched durability and a unique sound. Also, the 30”-tall body features a wide belly that creates an extended bass response. Finally, the antique copper deluxe hoops and reinforced side plates feature 3/8” diameter tuning lugs.
Official website: tycoonpercussion.com
Stephen Yu founded Tycoon Percussion in 1983. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Bangkok, Thailand.
Tycoon is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
Pearl
Pearl is one of the biggest percussion brands in the world and has held that status since the 50s. Indeed, the logo can be seen on some of the planet's biggest stages, providing the groove for the biggest artists in every music genre.
Still, that is not the entire story for Pearl since the company has branched out to manufacturing percussion instruments in every shape possible, building a top-notch catalogue along the way.
Notable conga: Pearl Elite Series Oak Congas (link to check the price at Sweetwater)
Made entirely of top-grade Thai Oak and utilizing heads made of premium natural cow skin, these satin-black congas feature golden hardware, which gives them an unbeatable classy look. Also, the 30”-tall body provides enough low-end to make people dance wherever you play them. Plus, the special contour crown rims designed for the model virtually disappear under your hands, delivering a level of comfort you’ll find nowhere else. Finally, every instrument in the series is handcrafted by master craftsmen taking care of every detail before shipping them out to the world to make history.
Official website: pearldrum.com
Katsumi Yanagisawa founded Pearl in 1946. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Chiba, Japan.
Pearl is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
Manito Percussion
It is safe to say that Manito Percussion is just another love declaration from this man to percussive instruments. Indeed, he has studied and performed with the greatest masters in some of the most important cities in the world, such as La Habana. Plus, he is also a Berklee graduate and a sought-after performer.
After joining forces with long-time friend and fellow percussion lover Swen Froemke, who handles the skins of the instruments, they launched some of the best-sounding, best-looking, most innovative bongos, congas, and tumbadoras in the market.
Notable conga: Manito Percussion Black Walnut Tumba (link to check it out at Manito Percussion)
Made with 3-D quality black walnut sourced locally in Athens, Georgia, this tumbadora is a great example of this brand's craftsmanship excellence. Also, the 2.3mm amber steer skin is the perfect combination for the body material to create the quintessential tumbadora tones you would expect from a brand like Manito. Finally, the hardware features a 6-lug half-round Moderna crown with heavy-duty 3/8” tuning lugs that are guaranteed for life.
Official website: manitopercussion.com
Ryan ‘Manito' Wendel founded the company in 2010. Currently, the headquarters are in Athens, Georgia, USA.
Moperc
Morperc is a company born as a crazy one-man dream of making state-of-the-art African and Afro-Cuban percussion instruments in Canada, where the market for them was non-existent. That being said, such was Michael’s passion and talent that he not only created a market for his creations in his home country but has also sold them around the world to huge acclaim.
Nowadays, Moperc has become the best-kept secret among Latin music percussionists around the planet. In case you haven’t already, try one of their congas and feel the difference.
Notable conga: Moperc Custom Cubano Series Congas (link to check prices at Moperc)
Every time a conguero sits down on Moperc congas, the slaps crack, the low-end rumbles, and the opens punch. Indeed, the slightly larger bellies of the design, the hand-tucked natural cowhide heads (Remo synthetic available too), and the comfort curve rims make the playing experience as unique and perfect as the sound itself. Finally, if you are after pure, no-frills, quintessential conga sounds, this is a great option to check out.
Official website: moperc.com
Michel Ouellet founded Moperc in 1990. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Quebec, Canada.
Moperc is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
Sonor
Sonor is one of the oldest percussion manufacturers in the world and has served as inspiration for younger brands like Ludwig. This is because they are responsible for many of the innovations that now seem natural, like the screw thread drum construction, the metal snare, and the acrylic drum sets.
The same bold innovational spirit fuels every decision made by the brand to this day. Thus, what you can expect are congas that sound incredible and solve problems other manufacturers have been carrying along for decades.
Notable conga: Sonor CC 1175 NHG (link to check the price at Thomann)
With a height of 28” and shells made of hevea wood, this is a serious instrument for the youngest to start learning the art of rhythm. Moreover, the chrome-plated comfort rim and buffalo head make it sound as good as it plays. Finally, the included height-adjustable single stand helps the player find the perfect height for optimum comfort.
Official website: sonor.com
Johannes Link founded Sonor in 1875. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Bad Berleburg, Germany.
Sonor is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!
This article has been approved in accordance with the My New Microphone Editorial Policy.
