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Whats' the rage nowadays for timbales bells? I have the old LP timbale bell with the large opening that sounds like its hollow, and a chrome cha cha bell.
I do like the Salsa series bongo bell, how is the Salsa timbale bell?

Seems like most bells are getting flatter?

Any opinions?

T

LP has a new timbale bell in the market.
http://lpmusic.com/Product_Showcase/Wha ... wbell.html

There are bells galore to choose from.

Tell me about it. With competing mfr's it could take forever I'm just tired of the big opening-mambo ish bell I have, the surface is too rounded and gives a different attack tone depending on where it is struck LP does call it the mambo bell though.

EDIT: Actually I have the timbale bell, the mambo bell is flatter.

Pearl seems to be popular.

T

I have some JCR's that I bought at Guitar Center and they sound good to me.
All depends what sound are you looking for. I have one of those Pearl "Horacio
Hernandez" where one side is rounded (half moon) and the other side is flat
to give you completely different sounds in one bell. I think is ok but to me is
more like a bell to add colors than your main bell to ride. It can be tweaked a
little bit by taping the mouth to control the overtones and make it little dryer.
Yeah go to a place like Guitar Center that normally carry JCR take your stick
and bang some bells. Personally I like those flatten JCR's a lot.

The JCR cha-cha bell at Guitar Center is a must have ($16)!
Best percussion value ever.

LP's "Uptown" Timbale Bell has a great sound.
I preferred it to the salsa model.

RitmoBoricua wrote: I have one of those Pearl "Horacio
Hernandez" where one side is rounded (half moon) and the other side is flat
to give you completely different sounds in one bell. I think is ok but to me is
more like a bell to add colors than your main bell to ride. .

I was checking those out. A trip to GC is probably needed to know for sure.

T

congamyk wrote:The JCR cha-cha bell at Guitar Center is a must have ($16)!
Best percussion value ever.

LP's "Uptown" Timbale Bell has a great sound.
I preferred it to the salsa model.

I'm good with the chacha bell. Also have a tapon bell to. Nice and cutting.

Mike, The LP Salsa series has the uptown, downtown and timbale bells available. I was considering the uptown one based on LP's hear it function which helps alot. I have ES3 Salsa bongo hand held bell which I like alot. Maybe keeping it the family would work out. I forgot to mention I have an old LP timbale mambo bell (made prior to the premounted style) that's OK, but kinda clunky. So that will negate getting that model. I also have the prestige model, but I thinks tis too low and ringy.

JCR's are great too, just need to play with them before making any decisions since they are " customs". I have a bongo bell thats a killer. They seem to have overtones, but some tape or foam padding helps.
T

LP bells are a pretty good choice too. I preferred LP bells over Pearl, Toca, Gon Bops etc.
JCR's bells at Guitar Center are very affordable and a must buy.

RitmoBoricua wrote:LP bells are a pretty good choice too .

I second that, without having experienced (m)any other timbale bells
as a part-time, wannabe, just-playing-for-fun timbalero.

What I do like is the Salsa series, the rustier, the better
For me it is the dry Chacha bell and the mountable Sergio Bongo Bell I like most
with my setup.

<<I second that, without having experienced (m)any other timbale bells
as a part-time, wannabe, just-playing-for-fun timbalero.>>

That applies to me too. I just love this stuff. Love to play it and collect it. Part time restorer too.
One thing for sure there is always something new to learn or master in this field of latin percussion.

<<What I do like is the Salsa series, the rustier, the better For me it is the dry Chacha bell and the mountable Sergio Bongo Bell I like most with my setup.>>

I think have (2) of those LP Cha Cha Bells (one black, one polished metal) and completely love them. That's the one I have mounted on my timbales right now. I even have one of those old LP Prestige original brass-clad bells with the rivets on the sides and the wide mouth. This thread is tempting me to go by Guitar Center and look at bells.

, without having experienced (m)any other timbale bells
as a part-time, wannabe, just-playing-for-fun timbalero.

What I do like is the Salsa series, the rustier, the better
For me it is the dry Chacha bell and the mountable Sergio Bongo Bell I like most
with my setup.

LOL,
I'm in that category too, not enough time to master the timbales. Agree Salsa series are better once they start to rust.


Ha , the Prestige bell is killer as a bongo bell, nice w/ timbales too but I tend to tape it up some.

You know there are so many LP bells, that it can get confusing. especially when their own description can say they are mounting type, yet the picture shows its not

T

Here is a link to Pearl New Yorker bells. I guess to compete with JCR's and LP ES series.

http://www.pearldrum.com/Products/Percu ... orker.aspx

At the NAMM show LP had a new Big Band Timbale bell. I has real nice contrasting sound between the front and back of the bell. From what I heard Jose Madera helped with the design.

I ended up getting the LP Salsa uptown bell (ES6). Sounds great and its a good time for rust to settle in to make it sound better

Thanks for all the suggestions!

T

<<I ended up getting the LP Salsa uptown bell (ES6). Sounds great and its a good time for rust to settle in to make it sound better>>

So is time to mambo on the bell and break it in.