brass vs. bronze - how does the cascara sound compare?

[mco]

Can anyone describe the difference in the sound quality of the cascara when played on brass versus bronze timbales? Thanks.

[Raymond]

Easy but not easy to explain...

Brass has a "warmer" sound in the cascara compare with bronze. Compared with steel or staineless steel, steel will have the higher tone or sharper sounding cascara, bronze is in the middle, and then brass... Stainless steel compared with steel, stainless steel has the sharpest sounding cascara.

Beware that most new designs of timbales have thinner shells that have more overtones. (Overtones in the cascara you will hear them with the "ummmm" that projects when you standing next to them). For example, if you compare the three generation of LP timbales, you will notice the difference between the first two generations and the current one...The current one has a thinner shell that "projects more due to overtones. The first two generations have thicker shell that sound more solid but their volume projection is not that good...

My understanding is that timbales used to be made of brass and/or bronze until LP came up with the stainless steel / steel versions.

Saludos!

[mco]

Thank you for the reply, Raymond.

BTW, my local music dealer got a pair of the Pearl Marc Quinones Signature timbales in. As you described, they sounded great, are well built, and are priced right. The cascara sounded very solid. They deserve serious consideration from anyone looking for a good 14/15" set of timbales.

mco

[Raymond]

MCO,

Glad you liked the Pearl MQ timbales....Been using them for over 6 months and like them much better than the other famous brand....Cascara is much louder and solid than with the other brand....

I believe someone looking for a good set of timbales with quality, great sound and very good price, these are timbales to get...

Saludos!

[franc]

raymond,
isn't it the sticks, technics and the applying of the ''golpe'' what makes a great cascara sound no matter the thickness of the shells??? your friend, franc

[Raymond]

True, that the thickness of the stick and your technique influences your sound. However, the paila will have an original sound because of the material and/or thickness. A thinner stick will give you a sharper sound cascara. Thicker the other way around. Some timbales have a "sweeter" spot to get a better cascara than others....

Saludos!

[lurigancho]

Hello Can anyone describe the cascara sound from the LP brass tito puentes, 14" 15" ,music stores do not have them on stock. Thanks.

[zaragenca]

I do agree with Raymond,...Lurigancho,remember something, trying to compare the sound of these instrument through recording is a nightmare,(which is how people listen the other musicians usully), that sound could be modified according with the parameters set up for the Production/Team...Also one thing is what the musicians are listening in the stage from the instrument,and something else is what the audience could hear through the PA System...a bad PA System is not going to help a good instrument,(neither a bad recording),try to get something which you could be comfortable with..Dr. Zaragemca



Edited By zaragenca on 1154548640

[caballoballo]

Differents metals have differents grain structures,densities and sound travels form one molecule to another at differents velocities.That is the reason you get a brighter sound or a dull one comparing one metal to another because of the slower or faster path of the vibrations. Kind of scientific but this a fact.

[zaragenca]

Yes it is the ductability and composition of the Alloy,(mix of the metals),the Bronze is one of the ancient metals used by the african,and chinese becouse it was stronger than simple Copper,(Bronze is create with the adding of Copper to the alloy which gives the 'yellowish color' to the metal),but putting more Chrome,Silver,Litinium,etc., in the alloy, the composition Brass,is created,then it is all about the dosification,(%),of each individual metal which would gives to the product the brightness,sustain,durability,and capacity of projection..More Copper,(warmer sound),...more Chrome,Silver,etc,(more brightness and overtones).Dr. Zaragemca



Edited By zaragenca on 1154620591

[Diceman]

Easy Pilgrims,
You are right, it is all about the composition of the material used, although there are somewhat dubious descripions of the constituents of brass and bronze, but what is also as important is the thickness of the material, how it is treated afterwards, annealed or hardened, the surface treatment polished or dull (sound waves eminate from the surface) what you hit it with, and how and who hits it.
Have you ever wondered why cymbals are so expensive?
If it was that easy, we would all be making great sounding timbales.
Diceman

[zaragenca]

Well Diceman,even when the subject was the timbales shelves,not the Cymbals,( I did an articles a few years ago in relation to the Cymbals),however...we don't want to leave anybody in the dark,so what is causing you a dubious concern in relation to what I said about the alloys?,(Bronze and Brass).Dr. Zaragemca



Edited By zaragenca on 1155063603