by Raymond » Mon Mar 17, 2003 3:26 pm
Unless there is a particular situation with a specific type or brand of timbales, you should not have a problem mounting any of the drumheads in your timbales. (I have not seen anything except some of the very cheap kind outther that sometimes thicker heads like Remo Pinstripes could be very hard to tune because of the cheap material of their tuning lugs). However, yes, depending on the size and the material of the paila you will get a different sound, although sometimes only noticeable to the trained ear in some cases and in some cases is obvious.
Top of the line timbales will give you a better chance of getting a good sound because their materials tend to be of better quality, i.e., stainless steel or brass and now phosporous bronze. Most of the budget timbales are made of just steel and not thick enough for a good sound. Some are of better quality some are not. Also, how big the "paila" is will affect the sound. A bigger taller paila, aka, thunderthimbs" will give a "fatter sound". A smaller paila will give you a "sharper" sound. (A JCR timbale tends to have a "taller" paila and in comparison with LP Tito Puentes, their sound is going to be "fatter" than the LPs. You could have them sound the same with combinations of heads and tuning, etc, etc. Is a matter of playing with the tuning, heads, etc. Another good example, LP prevous generation timbales, their cascara is drier and their sound fatter because the stainless steel and the brass in the pailas was thicker. Now, in their new Timbales for sake of getting more projection in their sound, the materials are not as thick as before. You notice the difference right away when you play both "generations" of timbales. LP has had three generations of timbales. The latest has been out there since the late 80s)
The drumsticks you use could make a difference also in the sound. A thicker drumstick will give a "fatter" sound and depending on your tuning will give more bouncing in the head. That is another factor
There is one thing you have to be aware regarding heads sold outhere. Remo, Evans and the other have series of heads that their sound differs in their series. Some will give you more overtones, rings, they are quieter, etc etc. I am more familiarized with Remo heads than with Evans although they have equivalents.
Weatherkings is Remo's most popular because of their projection and they are recommended for a "generic" sound. However, they are two kinds coated and clear. Coated with take some of the projection out and have less overtones. Clears are louder and have more ring and overtones. Then, they have all heads in three thickness, Diplomat, Ambassador and Emperor. I believe Remo Diplomats are their thinnest heads. (I confuse Diplomats with Emperor types. I think Emperor are the thicker film head. Ambassador is in the middle of them). Personally, since I like my tuning just a little big high, with Diplomats the timbales sound like a tin box of "crackers". I've seen people using them and getting a great sound with them. I guess they do something to their tuning that I cannot get.
Like I mentioned before Remo has different classifications for the thickness of their heads and then they have "series" of heads. Weatherkings are the most used. Renaissance is a series of the head. Powerstroke 3 and 4 is another that their thing is that they take away the overtones and some people prefer it for recordings but they are not good for volume. In all series of heads, the difference is the projection of the sound. They have other types like Pinstripes, Suede, Soft White, etc, etc. In some way, what series will you get depends on where are you going to play or what sound you like. Everything is a combination of the thickness and the series of head. I recommend visit remo's site and get and idea of their series. I've seen all combinations used by people out there. Some combinations been more popular than others
The series and thickness of the head and how you tune them will determine how your sound is going to be together with the material and type of timbale. The combinations are endless in some way. Therefore, there is your big decision. You have to experiment or listen to others to see what you like. Some people like "old school" sound and they go for thicker heads because when thicker heads are tune low they give you that "old school" fat sound. You have lots of choices and possible combination on heads. Personally, I am an Remo Weatherkings Ambassador Clear or Evans G1 type of guy. (Most people are by the way. Like I mentioned before is the most common heads on timbales today).
You could have a budget line timbales and make them sound great when you use the correct tuning, heads, etc. The other way, bad sound, could be obtained from a top of the line timbales but that everything else is not done right. Like I mentioned you have to work with your set by getting the best sound out of them.
Good luck in founding the sound you like!
Edited By Raymond on Mar. 17 2003 at 15:48