Meinl Artist Series Diego Camacho Timbales - 14" + 15"

Historical Context and Positioning in the Range

Rooted in the tradition of Afro-Cuban and Latin percussion, timbales have established themselves as a central instrument for articulating the clave, montunos, and breaks, notably through the cascara playing on the shell. This Artist Series version designed with Diego Camacho follows a "touring and studio" logic: an instrument conceived for stability, repeatability of settings, and direct response, while maintaining the liveliness essential to salsa, timba, and Latin urban music styles.

Who This Drum/Instrument Is For

These timbales are aimed at intermediate to expert percussionists seeking a robust set that is immediately usable in percussion ensembles, Latin orchestras, or within a drum kit (hybrid setup). They are particularly suited to styles where rhythmic definition is paramount: salsa, timba, cumbia, Latin jazz, as well as pop and funk whenever sharp cowbell patterns and fills are desired. Thanks to the included equipment (stand, cowbell mount), they also meet the needs of gigs requiring quick setup and teardown and uncompromising playability.

Features and Innovations

The core of the instrument relies on steel shells with double rims, a construction designed to withstand strong strikes while maintaining a firm feel under the sticks. The black synthetic heads provide a consistent playing sensation, useful when temperature or humidity vary between rehearsal rooms and stages. The Black Nickel hardware enhances the aesthetic and contributes to an overall impression of solidity, while the robust mounts secure the setup, even when working on cascara and high-volume rimshot accents.

On the practical side, everything is performance-oriented: professional timbale stand, cowbell mount, L-shaped tuning key, and tuning oil are included to fine-tune tension, improve lug fluidity, and maintain stable settings. The result: quick setup and an instrument ready to meet the demands of modern, dynamic playing.

Sound

With steel shells, you get a typical modern timbale sound signature: fast attack, high projection, and a bright character that highlights sharp accents and cowbell phrases. Steel favors an immediate and clear response, highly appreciated when you need to "carry" the time within a busy ensemble (horns, bass, piano, vocals) or stand out alongside an acoustic drum kit.

The cascara playing particularly benefits from this construction: the shell delivers a precise and articulated snap, allowing for regular patterns without the sound collapsing. The black synthetic heads contribute to stable tension and even rebound, helping maintain a consistent feel between center hits, edges, and rimshots. By adjusting the tuning, you can easily switch from a tight and nervous sound (ideal for fast patterns) to a more open tension offering greater breadth on calls and breaks.

Technical specifications

Category	timbales	Color	Black
Type	timbales	Finishing	Nickel-plated
Material	steel	Hardware	Black
Skin type	Synthetic	Diameter	14 "
Accessories included	Stand, With attachment / Stand, Tuning key

Diameters	14 inches + 15 inches	Hardware finish	Black Nickel
Construction	double rims	Mounts	robust
Finish	black	Cowbell mount	included