How to buy a set of timbales
1) Know how are you going to use them example timbales come in numerous sizes. They also come in different metals examples Brass, steel and Bronze, You also have to be on look out due to that many companies make them of steel and plate them in Brass,bronze,copper and a few other colors. Any drum that is plated is made of steel.
The best sounding timbales are made of Brass they give you a warm sound.
Timbales made of steel give you a higher pitch when playing what is called Cascara.
Bronze timbales is a mid range timbales the cascara is a bit lower in tone than the steel, but not as warm as the brass. Stay away from Japanese models they sound very tinny.
How to pick a great sounding timbales; Heads factor very much in sound of your cascara so to get an appropriate sound out of the cascara, I recommend us a raw hide maraca the tone of you cascara should sound a bit lower in pitch than the maraca. If its to high then change skins to accommodate that sound.
Wooden timbales; True Name ( Tarolas ) STAY AWAY! The sound is great. The problem if you play them in the proper way of playing them they will crack. This is what lead to make metal timbales back 1920's. In order for these timbales to produce a perfect cascara you must use 1/2 sticks at all times causing the the wood to UN glue and at time crack. These timbales also have a thud sound and not the tradicional sound of the timbales so-posed to be. They are designed to be played with Half inch sticks to produce it proper sound of a gua gua. They are in reality made to play folkloric music. such as the Guaguanco , Columbia , The Bomba and a few other rhythms.
How to determined what size you need.
10/12 Designed to be used as tom toms on a drum kit and not as regular timbales
13/14 Best for any band that consist of 8-10 musicians. Traditional size
14/15 Best for large bands that consist of 12-18 musicians. Designed for volume
15/16 Deep shell timbales ( paila Charangeras) made for what is called charangas these drums sound deeper and were designed to play Rhythms Like Danzon and pachanga Rhythms. They are also used in mexican Band music due to it deep sounding drums.
9/10 What is call timbalitos or Paila those drums are made with two purpose in mind. 1) as a soloing Drum 2) the original way as a metal bongo.
John Dolmayan Timbale and similar type sets are made for affects sizes 6/8 do not produce a true timbale sound. You only get minor affects of a timbales rim shots and muffle sounds
Pan timbales these come in numerous sizes 13,14,and 15, these are designed for the Use with drum Kits to give the affect of a timbales drum set.
Hand Made timbales: Those of you looking into hand crafted timbales LOOK OUT if person making them does not know his metals you may land with a timbale that sounds lousy. Some will make them to tick and need thick sticks to play them and they will sound distorted, others use metals that are to thin and they will ring. It is better to buy factory made sets you have the options to choose a good made set.
When buying used Vintage timbales make sure they come with stands. Many of vintage sets if you are not handy or have someone to make stand for you, it Can become expensive. timbales with to many holes leave them alone, will sound distorted. If need welding make sure you have someone that know how to weld proper not every welder know how to weld.
Make sure your vintage timbales has no cracks. Brass has a tendency of cracking. Steel sets rot out and rust and pitting sets in.
How to select a set of timbales that sounds good, take a rawhide Maraca shake, you timbales cascara should sound alike or a bite higher if steel.
Calf heads; Very important part of the sound in a set of timbales . If you use Plastic heads they ring quite a bit also the cascara of the timbales sound distorted due to the plastic , select a good plastic skin for a close to perfect sound. My recommendation is to use the Remo Fiber Skins apposed to the Ambassadors the give you a better sound on the timbales or some thing equivalent. But the first choice will always be calf skins.
Stick; Depending on the material that shell are made and music you are playing size will give you a good sound. Use of thick sticks can produce a distorted sound if shell are not made proper.
Hope this help those of you looking to buy a set and those that already have sets of timbales. This applies when buying any other instrument.
