Pearl Elite & Primero Timbales

Elite Timbales

Pearl already offer the Elite Timbales individually, but now have also made available the Elite Timbales Set comprising the ETB-14 14” timbale, the ETB-15 15” timbale and the PTY-900W tilting stand.

The Elite timbales have fantastic looking brass shells, which are 7.5” deep with rolled bearing edges and powder coated steel hoops with 6 good, solid-looking tuning bolts. The “Elite” badge on the side also looks very classy. It may be the brass shells, or the increased depth of those shells over conventional timbales, (or maybe a combination of both) but the sound produced is truly excellent both in clarity of tone and volume – these are loud! The cascara sound achieved by playing on the side of the shells is also sharp and cutting.

The PTY-900W stand is the ideal piece of kit to support these beauties and does so with aplomb. I am not sure if the cowbell post that came with this review package is actually part of the official package because the Pearl documentation does not even mention it. However, you should hope it does, because it is one of the best and most innovative I have seen featuring a "sympathetic sound-dampening sleeve" which prevents the cowbell from ringing through the stand, and is very sturdy and telescopically extendable. If you don’t get one when you buy this package then insist that the vendor includes one. You have to get the best deal you can in this “credit crunch” environment.

Primero Timbales

The Primero timbales on the other hand are essentially budget instruments and the difference in quality is obvious. Not that they actually sound bad. The sound they produce from the skins and when playing cascara is very acceptable, just not

as rich or voluminous as that produced by the Elite timbales.

These timbales are 13” and 14” in diameter made from smooth steel. The package includes the PTS-800 stand and the PCB-5 cowbell and stand, and it is here that the quality difference is apparent. The timbales don’t actually sit on the stands that well and are only secured in the correct position once the cowbell post is fitted and bolted down. The stand is useable but again, not as sturdy as the PTY-900W, and the cowbell sound is acceptable but not exceptional.

Also, I had to smile when I saw the timbale sticks that are also included in this package. They are so small and lightweight I wouldn’t eat a good Chinese meal with them let alone play timbales with them!

Having said that, when you consider the price of this Primero package you have to say it is actually very good value, and a fine place to begin for the budding timbalero.

Pearl Elite Timbale Package
Upbeats:
Very classy looking
Excellent sound quality
Great stand included

Downbeats:
Quite expensive

Price:
ETB-1415 Elite Timbales Set with PT-900W Tilting Timbale Stand - £443.00

Pearl Primero Timbale Package
Upbeats:
Good price for a budget package

Downbeats:
The supplied sticks

Price: (Feb. 2009)
PTS-5134 Timbale Set with PTS-800 Stand, PCB-5 Cowbell and sticks - £250.00

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