Where can I find tambora drumsticks / beaters?

[Miguel7]

If you're into merengue you know what adding a tambora can do for your set-up, but those cose like $400 easy and they're so conga-like I thought I'd start out by adapting the rhythm for congas. I'm sure the sticks they use for tamboras are fairly inexpensive, and it would probably create a more similar effect to have the right kind (also when I save up the extra $$$ for "the real thing" I'll have a spare set and some practice under my belt).

So does anyone know where I can get the sticks / beaters / whatever they're called for playing the tambora? Thanks in advance

[Anonimo]

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

[msb501clave]

Let me know what you are looking for ive got some wood that may work for you.
Michael
(908) 419-7364
www.landhpercussion.com

[DJBakan]

Yes, I use a thick drum stick (Regal Tip 7000) I use the rear part. But as I said in another post I do not have a Tambora teacher yet so I use that one it seems fine to me.

DJBakan

[Miguel7]

So basicaly tambora beaters are like half a drumstick? If that's the case I have a couple drumsticks someone gave me that I could probably use like DJ Bakan. Last nite I had found some here:

http://www.drumsonsale.com/lp-wood-rim- ... -3013.html

And thought maybe that would be the best move, now not so sure (lol). They do look a lot like half-drumsticks or timbal sticks. Anyway like I said thanks 4 the info.

[caballoballo]

Saludos, I use the same phenolic cowbell beater to play the tambora. It won't hurt the skins .

[Isaac]

Hi Miguel, Here's some Tambora Youtubes for you. Good to see some attention given here to this under-appreciated instrument.
I think the Merengue traditions go a lot deeper than given credit for. It's hyper speed, can be annoying at times,
but it started out much slower, elegant and stately in an earlier era. Perhaps we can put the Tambora into it's own category?

You'll need only one stick to play on the thicker lower side of the tambora.
The other higher pitched side is played with the hand. You might find some low cost tamboras like in this first youtube video. It's made in Asia and costs about $139. The drum is good but not the best skins. Or try looking for a better used one on eBay. You might pay around $225.
This does not have to be an expensive instrument. ~ Isaac

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUnZJ1oLuYY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-1wSbRdVYs&feature=fvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE4IYxou ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSAwzg6dE98

GUIRA:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orICW7Z6 ... 8B&index=8

ps. They also play the tambora ( along with the bagpipes ) in Oman. Being mostly desert, Oman looked out to the ocean, and made it's fortune in shipping. They borrowed most of their instruments from the peoples they encountered (and bought) in trade.
These drums became popular in the Indian Ocean and East African shipping routes and were played especially for ocean faring music, to send off ships or welcome them back home, or to hoist the sails. It became Oman's main style, and incorporated
a lot of influence from Africa. Today many of the top musicians in Oman are of African descent. It's no wonder,
Oman based their trading headquarters in Zanzibar, off the coast of Tanzania from 1698-1856.
They overthrew the earlier Portuguese traders, and controlled some of the slave trading headed toward the Caribbean
from Zanzibar and Mozambique. ( I'll move this to a new thread under OTHER INSTRUMENTS )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tl1tAQN ... re=related

[Miguel7]

The tambora is such a versatile instrument that it deserves a place of its own, at least on some forum somewhere (and I haven't found many lol). I've seen it used in both modern and traditional merengue, used with timbales, and even used in parrandas. So it probably would do well if given its own category. Another good one may be a category for the other "minor" hand percussion (btw I have a nice guira like that and merengue is one of my favorites lol).

Also thanks for the youtube vids and the info. about playing. Now I have to ask, what's the difference between the drum in the first and second video? They seem exactly the same (both lug-tuned instead of rope-tuned, both played the same way etc). Also what's the difference in sound between the rope-tuned tamboras and the others? This drum is new to me so it's good to know Thanks again

[Isaac]

The tambora in the first youtube is a budget model ( no name brand ) from Asia.
Sometimes they're called "Mano" or whatever... With better skins they're quite decent.
The 2nd tambora is an LP with their newer wood rim covering up the metal crown.
It's good for using that rim to create that unique click sound that's part of the rhythm.
Some prefer to mount a jam block for this purpose.

The Rope tied are not only different in their method of tension, but have the
correct type of skins. Often the higher pitch (side played by hand) has two layers (sandwiched together)
of thin goat skin for an extra dry crackling slap. If they use this skin, they're very loud.
Of course, in a humid climate you'd have to keep
them very tight, just like a rope tuned djembe.

Keep your eye out for some deals.
Happy New Year..

Isaac

[MedinaNYC]

Yeah, you can get some deals if you keep your eyes open. I got mine from DR while i was there, but i saw one of craigslist the other day, looked official, for like $200. I spoke with the guy selling it but about a guira he had. If you'd like i could see if he still has it.

[Miguel7]

But isn't Craig's List only for local (pick-up only or whatever) salses? I saw a nice one on there once but not in my area (then again in my area nobody knows what one is lol). Thanks for the idea tho.

[Miguel7]

Saludos, I use the same phenolic cowbell beater to play the tambora. It won't hurt the skins .

Hi, sorry I didn't see this before. I looked up the beater u mentioned and the only difference I see between it and mine is that one is synthetic... do u think my wooden cowbell beater would hurt the skins (remember at this point I'm still using a conga for my tambora sound lol). Thanks

Edit: I just did a little recording using the cowbell beater and hand to do the tambora rhythm, and it sounds great! Much better sound than the timbal stick I was using before and also easier to use. BTW what kind of jam block do ppl mount on their drums? Just out of curiosity (esp. considering the conga has a nearly identical sound and even with a real tambora ppl use jam blocks for the "clicking" sound lol). Thanks again every1

[Ernesto Pediangco]

I make beaters from medium hard woods like maple, bought from wood shop specialty stores. Buy a long dowel of the diameter you prefer, cut to length and bevel the ends on the concrete side walk ! I do my tambora & cow bell beaters this way. Asian beaters are soft junk woods and the design ( mini base ball bat shape) slides out of the hands . Lp's oak sticks are stupid because they will split at the softer grain after a few hours. What a rip off that is ! Go to a restaurant / bar supply store and get the longer stick they use for crushiing sugar cubes and making mojitos with. The shape amd the woods are very good for hand bells. If I am in a emergency, i will buy the stick from the bar tender ! lol

[Ernesto Pediangco]

Saludos, I use the same phenolic cowbell beater to play the tambora. It won't hurt the skins .

Hi, sorry I didn't see this before. I looked up the beater u mentioned and the only difference I see between it and mine is that one is synthetic... do u think my wooden cowbell beater would hurt the skins (remember at this point I'm still using a conga for my tambora sound lol). Thanks

Edit: I just did a little recording using the cowbell beater and hand to do the tambora rhythm, and it sounds great! Much better sound than the timbal stick I was using before and also easier to use. BTW what kind of jam block do ppl mount on their drums? Just out of curiosity (esp. considering the conga has a nearly identical sound and even with a real tambora ppl use jam blocks for the "clicking" sound lol). Thanks again every1

Never beat a conga like that ! , at least add a over laid piece of wood like Tarolas use as a sounding block ! Never play the drum edge or it will hammer down and crack as well. Merengues wont pay for a new drum or extensive drum repair ! Ave Maria !