I have been a drummer since I was 16, and now I would like to get into Afro-Cuban percussion, and I want to invest in congas, specifically the Pearl travel congas. In 2007 there were 2, and the latest one has just been born! I watched videos on these great products, and I tried them in a drum store, I am convinced, I want that! And all 3 with the stands! They sound like real congas, it's really great, all that in a smaller footprint! Bravo PEARL! Now I have to break the piggy bank! I play in a marching band drum set, where percussion is very present, and sometimes we travel far, we take our 3 LP congas that sound amazing, they take up space, so the travel congas will do the job, and I think it will please the conga player who plays wonderfully to hit them! Can't wait for Christmas 2009! Meanwhile, I have to save money!!