Pete Ross and Tambo 1

Comment by Tim Twiss on November 10, 2011 at 11:18pm

Anybody remember hearing that one? Those jingles were so huge.....that was a totally different tone. Imagine hitting that thing with your fist on a stage 160 years ago. 

Comment by Bell Banjos on November 10, 2011 at 11:29pm

Like a bass drum and cymbals.

Tim, was that an oldie? Do you know the story on it. I see it's kinda warped.

Comment by Tim Twiss on November 10, 2011 at 11:33pm

I don't remember the story, but it was the real deal. Very old. 

Comment by Greg Adams on November 11, 2011 at 8:02am

Allan Hart is building reproductions of that kind of tambo. I saw it at the Banjo Collectors Gathering in Boston last week. 

Comment by Trapdoor2 on November 11, 2011 at 8:05am

As I recall, the jingles were tin-can lids. It was impressive, the ironwork (nuts and bolts, etc.) were amazingly large and heavy. Looked like it came right out of the blacksmith's. I don't recall anyone daring to actually use it...we shook it gently but really couldn't get the full effect. I have a large grain measure that is about the same size and I plan on making a banjo out of half and a tambo out of the other half...I hope it ends up very similar to this one.

Comment by John Masciale on November 11, 2011 at 10:54am

There was some speculation that the handle originally was on the outside, so that you could spin the tambourine as you were playing it.  What surprised me was the iron hoop around the outside of the instrument.  That thing was built to survive a tornado.

Comment by Strumelia on November 11, 2011 at 7:18pm

Is the iron hoop around the outside actually the stretcher band for the skin?

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