LP Tito Puente Thunder Timbs with a Cymbal: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

This timbale set was made by Latin Percussion Inc. in Garfield, New Jersey, in 1999. They are “Tito Puente Thunder Tims,” with two brass drums (15” and 16” diameters), a metal stand for drums, and metal bracket with two metal cow bells and one blue “Jam Block,” and a brass cymbal with a stand.

As indicated in an LP brochure from the period, “When LP Music Group was founded in the 1960's, timbales were only heard in Latin music. Today, more than three decades later, all genres of music have embraced this versatile percussion instrument. LP's experience in building timbales has resulted in a distinctive, modern shell, that uses a ribbed design with both top and bottom edges turned in, to create a livelier, more cutting "cascara" (the sound produced when striking the side of the shell). LP's timbale construction has been tested on world tours from Japan to South America to ensure it withstands the rigors of the road. All LP Tito Puente Timbales, Thunder Timbs, and Timbalitos are sold complete with a chrome plated, heavy duty, steel Timbale Stand. The stand has a die cast, geared tilter that locks in tight for either straight or tilted playing. The height adjustment mechanism ensures absolute, non-slip, positive positioning, with only hand tightening needed, and also has an anti-rattle sleeve. It comes complete with an adjustable cowbell holder made from welded steel and features LP's superior eye-bolt assembly. LP Timbale Shells are available in either genuine stainless steel or solid brass; each possessing its own distinct sound. The genuine stainless-steel shells produce very bright and crisp loud sounds, while the solid brass shells produce warmer, sounds. LP offers three different styles. They are standard Timbales, deeper Thunder Timbs, and small diameter Timbalitos.”

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date made: 1999
• maker: Latin Percussion
• Object Name: timbale set
• Physical Description: wood (overall material)
• Physical Description: metal (overall material)
• Physical Description: animal skin (overall material)
• Physical Description: rubber (overall material)
• Physical Description: plastic (overall material)
• Measurements: overall: 47.5 cm x 21.5 cm; 18 11/16 in x 8 7/16 in
• Measurements: drum small: 10 1/2 in x 17 1/4 in; 26.67 cm x 43.815 cm
• Measurements: cymbal on stand: 5 in x 12 3/16 in x 42 1/2 in; 12.7 cm x 30.95625 cm x 107.95 cm
• place made: United States: New Jersey, Garfield
• ID Number: 2000.3039.03
• catalog number: 2000.3039.03
• nonaccession number: 2000.3039
• Credit Line: Transfer from Smithsonian Institution Center for Latino Initiatives (through: Dr.Refugio l. Rochin,Director)
• Data Source: National Museum of American History

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of American History through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed.