Campana: why is it nearly always made of steel ?
Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2020 11:21 am
Looking recently at a timbales catalogue, I saw that one could get them with a shell made of steel, stainless steel, bronze, brass, even aluminum.
But then as far as I know, bongo cowbells ( and generally cowbells) seem to be almost always made of steel. The only difference being the finish (black paint, clear coat, chrome plating, etc.).
I was wondering: is steel required in the cowbell manufacturing process ?
Or is it that the mechanical strength of steel is required to sustain the blows of the beater ?
Or is it that steel's musical tone, resonance, timbre are just perfectly fitting for cowbells and salsa music cowbells ?
I know that for centuries church bells, carillons (and occasionally even the bells for grazing animals !), have been made of copper alloys (bronze, brass), rather than the cheaper steel. So it would seem that copper alloys would or might offer some acoustical advantages as far as musical cowbells.
But then as far as I know, bongo cowbells ( and generally cowbells) seem to be almost always made of steel. The only difference being the finish (black paint, clear coat, chrome plating, etc.).
I was wondering: is steel required in the cowbell manufacturing process ?
Or is it that the mechanical strength of steel is required to sustain the blows of the beater ?
Or is it that steel's musical tone, resonance, timbre are just perfectly fitting for cowbells and salsa music cowbells ?
I know that for centuries church bells, carillons (and occasionally even the bells for grazing animals !), have been made of copper alloys (bronze, brass), rather than the cheaper steel. So it would seem that copper alloys would or might offer some acoustical advantages as far as musical cowbells.