Marc Quinones Signature Timbales Set |
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OK let's cut to the chase. These timbales look great, sound great, and have many excellent features that make them possibly the best you can buy. Marc Quinones is one of today's premier percussionists, plying his trade with the Allman Brothers Band and as a session musician in New York, and this timbale set was designed in conjunction with him and bears his signature on the shells. Timbales are historically related to timpani or kettledrums and are traditionally part of the rhythm section of the conventional Latin American dance orchestra. They are also evocative of many larger open-ended African drums. Today of course, their distinctive sound can be heard in many forms of music including rock, pop and dance as well as Salsa and Latin American grooves. |
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| What we have here are standard
14" and 15" drums fitted with Remo Clear Ambassador heads, which provide
excellent sound and response. The polished steel shells look very classy
and have two inverse beads that not only add strength, but also produce
a cutting "cascara" sound. "Cascara" playing is where the shells of the
drums are struck with the sticks to provide a rhythm, and that style of
playing can be hindered by outward facing beads. Also, to increase the
"cascara" striking area, these drums feature a 5-lug design, which is
proportioned to leave maximum shell space and less lug interference.
Tuning the Quinones timbales is easier than many other timbales on the market due to a top tuning lug design and an included socket wrench. This reduces the time it takes to change the head, and there are no nuts and washers to fall the floor. The cowbell post features a "sympathetic sound dampening sleeve" which prevents your cowbells and blocks from ringing through the stand, and the whole unit can be mounted in seconds using a one wing-nut design. A sturdy, double braced tilting stand, and Pearl's PBL-20 Clave Block are also included in the price. It is the attention to detail, and the inclusion of many excellent features not found on other timbales, that make the Marc Quinones timbale set visually appealing and a joy to play.
Upbeats: Downbeats: Price (correct as of Jan 2005): Web Links: |
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The practice of striking the side of
the timbales actually originated from the strange Latin American 
Orchestra
instrument the paila, which was a metal instrument in the form of a
bucket that was struck with a stick or sticks. When a paila player was
not available for any reason the timbale player obtained the same effect
by striking a piece of metal fixed to the shell of the drum (if made
of wood) or the shell itself (if made of metal). And no, I'm not making
this up!