I'm heading to Cuba in a month or so. What do you think my chances are of finding some old timbales (to buy) while I'm there (I'm supposing slim and none)?Given the economic problems the island has had for so many years I'm guessing that, like the 1950s cars, they're also hanging on to the old instruments and really, really looking after them.Have a few musicians contacts and will try and get a lesson or two while I'm there but definitely interested to hear if anyone has first hand experience on second-hand gear (the Canadians, I suppose).
First of all like to thank you all of you guys for your nice comments.
Antipodes
On you trip to Cuba yes you may find a few hand crafted and old timbales there. Now one thing that you have to be careful about is that many of the Cuban made timbales have a lot of nicks. Bad edges , add ball sizes and this can be a problem at time of replacing heads. I have had my fare share of these Cuban timbales and they can be a pain. Also the cascara has a tendency to sound canny. My advice in having a great set of timbales is to buy a good set within the states and change the heads to calf skins and you will have a great sounding timbales. The problem that today's timbales have is the plastic heads , timbales were not made to be used with plastic heads. They become canny and ring quite a bit due to plastic heads. Here you have photos of some of my sets that I have had or sit have within my collection. Some of these models many of today companies have copied from these models. LP , Prestige model, Pearl Drums and a few other company's
