All drums on this page are examples of our work, and have been sold. Manito Percussion congas can be purchased through the website from our Drums Available page. We also maintain a wait list for potential customers with specific requirements or desires. Please contact us via info@manitopercussion.com to get on the wait list.

Manito Percussion is an independent custom hand drum workshop located in lush Athens, Georgia. We specialize in solid shell congas, bongos, bata, bombas, djembes and other drums. We unite art and science to create instruments that speak to the ears, eyes and hands.

Each solid shell drum is precision handcrafted from sustainably harvested, local hardwood logs. Our designs marry art, physics of sound creation, environmental responsibility and the natural beauty that only solid shells can offer. We believe beautiful music should exist in harmony with nature.

Manito Percussion Solid Shell Congas represent the union of artistry, technology and eco-friendly practices. Our congas are designed to produce maximum pure tonal sustain with minimal overtone ring. Each drum is cut from a solid log and shaped into a conga shell according to the principles of harmonic ratios in order to produce the longest sustaining and clearest open tones, deepest bass, and crispest slaps possible.

Every measurement and shape is considered an important variable in the creation of a truly resonant drum. From the diameter of the playing surface to the thickness of the shell, every dimension is tailored to the individual drum’s resonant range. In this way, each drum is tuned first to itself, and then to the other drums in the set to which it belongs. Sets of congas can be crafted from the same tree to ensure continuity in the density of the wood and resonant qualities of the drums.

The unique design of Manito Percussion Solid Shell Congas maximizes the resonance of the wood resulting in a rich and dynamic tone that is unsurpassed.

The shape and proportions of the solid hardwood shells are uniquely engineered to produce the clearest and most lustrous open tones, effortlessly crisp slaps, and soul-shaking bass.  Each roughed shell is kiln dried to below 8% moisture content before finish turning on the lathe.  They are then sealed using water based finishes that are classified as Ultra-Low VOC and Environmentally Friendly.

Manito Percussion Solid Shell Congas are crafted using a sustainable process. Each drum is cut from logs cut by local tree services, which means that no trees are felled for the purpose of making drums. The logs would ordinarily be used for firewood or chipped up for mulch.

One of the most crucial parts of any drum is the bearing edge. The shape of the bearing edge acts in determining the amount of vibration which is transferred to the solid shell resonator. Our custom bearing edge design is engineered to provide the perfect amount of contact with the solid shell while providing an extremely comfortable playing surface.

Manito Percussion Congas can be made of Tulip Poplar, also known as Canoe Wood. This medium density tone wood resonates perfectly for congas and other drums. Its tone is clear and pure, with very little overtone ring. We like to refer to it as Rainbow Poplar because of the many colors and patterns that arise from mineral streaks in the wood.

Many other hardwood choices are also available, however, building drums with sustainably harvested wood means that all woods are not always available on demand. Manito has built drums from  Sycamore, Black Cherry, Black Walnut, Persimmon, Ash, Maple, Osage Orange, Box Elder, White Oak, Red Oak, and others…

Manito Percussion Congas are designed to last for many lifetimes.  All our hardware is handmade in our shop from high strength 304 stainless steel.  Even our lugs are made from stainless steel and feature rolled threads for smooth, easy tuning.  All of our lugs are then lubricated with specially designed oil formulated to stick to metal.