by Raymond » Mon Mar 10, 2003 12:39 am
I recommend get the top of the line. (If you can afford them, if not there is some alternatives which are pretty good).
Also, the kind of sound you want will determine the material of the timbales, stainless steel and steel will give you more volume and their sound and cascara is sharp. Brass has a warmer sound. Stainless steel is a great material and do not require as much maintenance as brass or steel which eventually rusts.
Personally, I have LP Tito Puentes in Stainless Steel and Meinl Luis Conte in Brass. The LPs are easier to handle and I love their sound. Their easy to clean and maintain. Parts for LP timbales are easier to get than any other brand. The Luis Conte have a great set up but their stand is bulkier than LP. Their cascara is dry. Very old-fashioned sounding. My only complaint with the Meinl is their cowbell holder set up which is hard to keep tight. Be aware that brass timbales have to be constantly been cleaned in the cascara area and overall because they lose their "gold lacquer" quick. LP Timbales factory mounted heads are more reliable than Luis Conte
s factory mounted heads. (I've seen some Meinl models coming already with Evans G1s but they are still models with the cheap heads).
In the budget area, the best timbales are Meinl Marathon Timbales, they are in steel (although there is a brass looking model). The (LP) Matador timbales have a bad set up for their cowbell and they have a cascara that sounds cheap. (If you buy budget line you will have to get new heads)
Cannot say too much about Pearls or Toca's or even Remo. The only problem I see with Pearl Elite model is that they only have a brass model and they are sold separate. (Pailas, stands, holders, etc, separate. Not like the other companies. Pearl's Primero I believe come together with everything but they are the budget line).
Best size for timbales to get the 14 and 15 combinantion.