As either a professional or amateur drummer, you would know that having a large repertoire of drums that you can play is the dream of every drummer. Every drummer keeps working on adding more drums to the list of drums that they can play and Timbales make a great addition to any drummer’s CV.
With Timbale drums, you can showcase your versatility, improve your sounds and infuse new styles into your performances. Getting a Timbale is easy, only if you know where to go and what to look out for.
Related: Drum Sets
What are the Best Timbale Drums to Buy?
2) Latin Percussion LPA256 Aspire Series 13″ & 14″ Timbale
- Reputable Brand
- Powerful
- Great Value for the Money
- Adjustable Height
1) Latin Percussion LP258SLP Tito Puente Thunder Timbales
- High Quality
- Great Sound
- Extra-deep Shells
- Quality Carbon Steels
3) GP Percussion LT156 Timbale Drum Ensemble
- Affordable
- Heavy Duty
- Great for Beginners
- Comfortable Playing
Timbale drums have their Origins in Cuba and have been used in the musical world for more than a century. Timbales are single-headed shallow drums that can be played with sticks and sometimes have cowbells attached to them to spice up the sound they produce.
A lot of popular legendary musical icons have made a mark with their music using Timbale drums, and you should not be excluded from this. This is your chance to do great exploits musically with these exciting drums.
So, how do you know which Timbales you should go for? This depends on your level of skill whether beginner or amateur. If you are reading this, you are surely on the right path. If you are just starting out as a drummer, any of the below Timbales which we will be reviewing in this article will be suitable for you.
The LP series may be a great option for you are a beginner or it’s your first time playing a Timbale drum. The LP series generally have a distinct sound and excellent projection that will make your beats stand out in any band. There are some other great Timbale drums that you can go for if you are a seasoned drummer and we will discuss some of them in this article.
The truth is if you know that right type of Timbale drum for you and your level of expertise, you will effortlessly stand out in any band performance. You can play a timbale drum in a solo performance, play alongside other sets of musical instruments and create beautiful music in the process. In this article, you will have a broad view of timbales and have good information on which one to choose.
11 Best Timbale Drum Reviews and the Best Timbale Drum Brands
1) Latin Percussion LP258SLP Tito Puente Thunder Timbales, Steel with Stand
You want to tow along the path of one of the world’s most renowned percussionists, Tito Puente? Then these timbales are for you. Drum professionally and have the full experience of a professional. Built from quality carbon steels and designed with a chrome finish, this set of drums is a great sight to behold as well as a brilliant instrument to play.
The sounds it produces are clear, distinct, loud and crisp. The design is elaborate enough that the edges at the top and bottom of the drums are turned in to form a livelier cascara. Upon purchase, shipped with the drum set is a heavy, steel Timbale stand colored chrome.
The stand can either be used in a straight-stand play or tilted playing and it comes with a sleeve that prevents it from rattling. An adjustable cowbell holder comes with the drums which is made from welded steel and is assembled with the trademarked Latin Percussion superior eye-bolt assembly.
Each of the shells are extra deep and due to the fact that the shells are heavy, it comes with a sturdy, heavy stand with adjustable height and adjustable positioning (straight or tilted). Explore your professionalism and expertise while enjoying some comfort with the Latin Percussion LP258SLP Tito Puente Thunder Timbales.
2) Latin Percussion LPA256 Aspire Series 13″ & 14″ Timbale Set with Cowbell
Be the energy of the band you are playing in with this brilliant drum kit. The kit comes in two 13 and 14-inch shells with lustrous silver finishing. It featured a black cowbell and shipped alongside the drum-set package is a pair of drumming sticks, tuning rods and lugs, hoops and a stainless steel stand with double braces and adjustable height.
This drum set is capable of producing powerful and loud sounds that will make your sound stand out in an ensemble or solo performance.
Latin Percussion is a well-known brand that designs percussion instruments and for this particular product, the surface is well resonant and maintains quality projection of traditional sound and loud tunes.
Latin Percussion is a well-known, trusted brand for more than five decades so, you will surely be getting your money’s worth out of any of their products that you buy.
The Latin Percussion LPA256 Aspire Series is especially good for you if you are a beginner. With the loud projection of sounds, you can always have a great performance every time you play these drums.
3) GP Percussion LT156 Timbale Drum Ensemble
Similar to some of the earlier reviewed Timbale drums, the GP Percussion LT156 Timbale Drum Set is one that puts into consideration the convenience of anybody playing it. A pair of Timbale drums sized 13 and 14 inches each comes with a cowbell mounted right at the center of the two drums.
It also comes with a sturdy, heavy-duty stand with double braces that can effortlessly hold the two drums. The stand also has an adjustable height to suit the height of the player. So, no matter what your height is, it is certain that you can adjust the stand to your comfort level.
Shipped alongside the drums are a pair of drumsticks and a tuning key. Getting acquainted with a drum set like this can go a long way in helping you perfect your skillfulness and professionalism. You can learn with these Timbale drums and have the experience of a professional drummer.
Even if you are playing in a band, there is a high tendency that your sound will stand out and really, that is the goal of every percussionist – to stand out. Get you one of these and you won’t regret it.
4) Latin Percussion John Dolmayan Mini Timbales with Cowbell and Mount Pack
Not many drum makers can produce nickel-made drums capable of producing excellent and loud sounds. For an impressive tempo and beating performance, the John Dolmayan Mini Timbales are suitable for you.
The shells are black-coated, measure 6 inches and 8 inches and are have depths of 3 ¼ inches. To add more flavor to the sound the drums produce, a 5.7-inch cowbell is included in the set. The metal brackets mounted on the drums are also coated with black powder.
You can play a wide variety of sounds with the drums, from Latin beats to fills and the modulated tones are quite impressive. We sure did not expect anything less in a Signature John Dolmayan timbales and coupled with the fact that it is designed by Latin Percussion, it is worth a try and the money spent on it.
These drums are available in stunning black color and weigh a total of 6.6 pounds. With an overall size of 16.7 x 10.4 x 7.1 inches, we don’t think you should think twice before buying this drum if you already love the aesthetics.
5) Latin Percussion LP Matador 14″ & 15″ Timbales
Get started with your expert training by getting a well-made, chrome-plated timbale drum set. You can do a simple setup even in your living room and you can easily practice different rock genres. This set of timbales has a 14-inch shell and a 15-inch shell which are 6.5-inch deep.
The sound produced by these drum is quite unique and depending on your preference, you can change the melody and tempo of the sound while playing. You can also play any genre of music with this drum and you’d be surprised at how excellent the quality of sound is. Once you purchase this drum set, it comes with a pearly-white cowbell plus a pair of drum sticks to get you started.
In terms of appearance, this is a well-designed and perfectly finished timbale drum. It has a chrome finish and even though it is quite heavy, it comes with an equally heavy and sturdy adjustable stand that can be adjusted and tilted to your comfort. This set of timbale drums are perfect for you as either a beginner or a professional who wants to play quality sounds.
6) Latin Percussion Lp845-K Mini Timbale Set with Clamp
Have this duo drum in your drum set and enjoy a lifetime of standout performances. With a sturdy stainless steel stand that helps hold the timbales, you can adjust the drums to your height. It comes with a tuning key, a manual to guide you with setting up and a pair of wooden drumsticks to provide you with a brilliant performance.
This pair of mini timbales weigh 9.15 pounds and measure 10.4 by 17.7 by 6.4 inches. It is a great instrument for expert percussionists and even beginners. You can perfect your training lessons and practice with this pair of drums.
To get well-modulated sounds and properly tuned sounds, you should consider getting this pair of timbale drums for yourself. You can use it for a wide range of musical styles and performances such as slow or fast tempo music.
If you are a sucker for good looking musical instruments, you will be impressed with the shiny-mirror finish on the body of these timbales. With the mounting bracket, you can attach them to any 3/8″ rod. The LP845 mini timbale set with clamp offers you just about enough to get you started on your percussionist journey.
7) Meinl Percussion MIT810CH 8-Inch and 10-Inch Mountable Steel Mini Timbales, Chrome Finish
Meinl Percussion created this set of timbale drums in 8″ and 10″ to fit into any drum set arrangement. So, for your drum performances, to create that strong, clear and crisp projection that cuts pierces through the soul of any band performance, the Meinl Percussion MIT810CH 8-Inch and 10-Inch Timbales are the best option for you.
Made from steel with chrome finish and it comes with a mounting clamp that makes it easy to attach to any stand. The only catch is to make sure that whatever stand you will be attaching them to is sturdy enough because these timbales are quite heavy.
With the 8 and 10-inch shells, you can get started with jamming and practicing your different drumming skills. It is a valuable addition to your drum-set and this particular product offers great tones with deep bass and gives off well-projected sounds. It is available in Chrome color and almost would not require any further tuning after the first tuning when you unbox them.
8) Latin Percussion LP Karl Perazzo Timbales
You want to have a great professional musical experience or performance? These musical accessories are the best for you. Built from premium carbon steel and finished with antique bronze, this set of timbale drums were designed to look in the most attractive way possible.
The hardware itself has a gold-tone, and it has a traditional tuning system. The shells are sized 14 and 15 inches and 6.5-inch deep. The whole set comes with a tuning wrench, cowbell brackets, a heavy and sturdy stand and a pair of timbale sticks.
The stand is adjustable in height and positioning. This means that you can adjust the stand to suit your height or tilt it to the comfiest playing angle for you.
With a comfortable size and weight, you can be sure of getting a highly durable timbale drum-set. The drums also feature newly designed hoops to have a better rimshot. To have brighter cascara sounds, it comes with a specially designed rib casing.
9) Meinl Percussion MTT1415BK Marathon Series Turbo 14 and 15-Inch Deep Shell Timbales, Black
Another impressive offering from Meinl Percussion, the MTT1415BK Deep Shell Timbales are designed to have deeper shells than other Timbale drums. The extra depth in the shells is to produce better-projected sounds and impressive bass tones.
When playing, a crisp, warm response is produced from the shells, and this is because of the black powder coating used to cover the shells. The shells have sizes of 14 and 15 inches which are held by a stainless steel modifiable stand.
Alongside the drum-set when purchased is a pair of sticks. This drum-set is great for your training and professional performances, and it gives you value for your money. With a chrome finish, the design of this Timbale set is impressive just as much as its performance.
The Timbales weigh 10 pounds and have an overall size of 32 x 16 x 33 inches. Meinl is an experienced maker of percussion instrument so as far as trust in a brand goes, any product made by Meinl will deliver as much as is promised.
10) Pearl PBTM1516/C 15 x 10 Inches and 16 x 10 Inches Banda Timbales
It is surprising that such quality beating and high level tempo performance is gotten from these Pearl Banda Timbales. A pair of 15″ x 10″ and 16″ x 10″ timbales with extra deep shells to provide additional low end. The shells are made of steel so as to make sure the sound given off is loud and full.
Even with the steel shells, the timbales have a chrome finish. This timbale set comes with a cowbell mount and a timbale stand with double braces. The cowbell that comes with the Pearl PBTM1516/C Banda Timbales help accentuate the sound normally produced by the Timbales.
You can adjust the stand to suit your height so. The makers of this set of Timbales considered ease of use and comfort when designing it. Regarding how brilliant the sound of this musical instrument is, you can play a couple of musical sounds on it and the beating performance is quite impressive.
The modulated tones have an impressive impact and in every sense of the word, whatever amount you splash on this set of Timbale drums, it is worth the money.
11) Toca Pro Line Timbales
One look at this set of timbale drums and anybody will be drooling over them. Made with hammering technique that is peculiar to Toca, these drum-sets deliver a full range of quality Afro-Cuban tones. The shells are made of steel and have sizes of 14 inches and 15 inches with a depth of 6 inches.
Each shell has 5 lugs on it which allow for the cascara sound. It features an adjustable tripod stand and also an adjustable cowbell mounting bracket. With a lovely black copper finish, you will be astonished that it plays just as beautifully as it looks. It weighs 33.6 pounds and this weight is fully supported by the tripod stand that comes with the drums. The product dimensions are 34.4 x 26.3 x 8.7 inches.
The Toca Pro Line Timbales produce great rock sounds, and they help you showcase the professional side of you. You can put out a range of rim shots and musical strokes when you play this timbale. The Toca brand is an impressive brand, and we wouldn’t expect any less in this product.
Choosing the Best Timbale Drum from the Best Timbale Drum Brands
Drums make an important part of every musical makeup, and every band would like to have Timbales as part of their band set. Some people who buy drums to relax while others buy them to play professionally.
2) Latin Percussion LPA256 Aspire Series 13″ & 14″ Timbale
- Reputable Brand
- Powerful
- Great Value for the Money
- Adjustable Height
1) Latin Percussion LP258SLP Tito Puente Thunder Timbales
- High Quality
- Great Sound
- Extra-deep Shells
- Quality Carbon Steels
3) GP Percussion LT156 Timbale Drum Ensemble
- Affordable
- Heavy Duty
- Great for Beginners
- Comfortable Playing
Whatever reason you may have for buying yourself a Timbale set, you should consider a few factors such as specifications, features that match your playing style, skillset, and genre of music. The things you need to check include but are not limited to the following;
- The tuning system and sound produced by the Timbales.
- The overall appearance of the Timbale (colors and aesthetics)
- Accompaniments and accessories
- Your budget.
The above factors are some of the key factors that you need to consider when buying your Timbale drums. By following this articles and the suggestions we made above, whichever one you choose out of the listed Timbales, you will be making a great choice.