"BSP tambourines provide both the professional and student with beautiful vintage sounds and industry-leading playability; when it comes to performance, anything is possible with a Black Swamp tambourine in your hands."
John W. Parks IV - Florida State University
SoundArt Series Tambourines
The SoundArt Series tambourines reinvented and revived the true orchestral tambourine sound by returning to the superior tone that is produced only with a steam-bent, single ply shell. Our shell is complemented by jingles made from tonally rich metal alloys and quality calfskin to create the de facto standard of tambourines throughout the world.
The core of our SoundArt Series™ tambourines is a solid, steambent Ash shell. We use skilled hand craftsmanship and precise, advanced machinery to showcase the natural beauty of the wood. Our rigorous quality standards and superior quality lumber means that we don't have to hide anything. Every SoundArt Series tambourine ever produced has been made with a single ply Ash shell. No compromises - ever.
Our jingles are hammered in such a way to produce a full sonority while balancing different characteristics such as attack, tessitura, sustain, projection, and tone. For example, some jingle types emphasize bite, while others emphasize ring. See the timbre chart and listen to the sound samples below to find your sound.
All SoundArt tambourines are available with either premium translucent calfskin, or Remo Renaissance synthetic heads. Calf is the true traditional skin of choice for tambourines, and the synthetic offers more resistance to pitch changes while still producing a professional sound.
Double and Single Row SoundArt Tambourines
Chromium 25
TD1 ~ Double Row 10"
TS1 ~ Single Row 10"
T12-1 ~ Single Row 12"
Listen
Chromium 25™ is very bright, cutting, articulate, and crunchy. As the tambourine is "played in," it will be an extremely articulate sound that is surprisingly full bodied.
Phosphor Bronze
TD2 ~ Double Row 10"
(no single row 10" model)
(no single row 12" model)
Listen
The TD2 is a dark sound that will become more wet (aka ring longer) over time. It has a ringing quality that produces beautiful rolls.
German Silver
TD3 ~ Double Row 10"
TS3 ~ Single Row 10"
T12-3 ~ Single Row 12"
Listen
German Silver (aka nickel silver), has been used in musical instruments for centuries. It has a musical ringing quality that is bright and pure.
Beryllium Copper
TD4 ~ Double Row 10"
TS4 ~ Single Row 10"
T12-4 ~ Single Row 12"
Listen
Beryllium Copper jingles have a complex sonority that is a nice balance between lushness and zing.
Chromium/Bronze
TC1 ~ Double Row 10"
(no single row 10" model)
TC12-1 ~ Single Row 12"
Listen
The TC1 is a Chromium/Bronze jingle mix. This is one of our most popular tambourines, prized for its crunchy bite, full sonority, and excellent projection.
Chromium/Silver
TC2 ~ Double Row 10"
(no single row 10" model)
(no single row 12" model)
Listen
The TC2 is a Chromium/Silver jingle mix. While still more on the crunch side, the German Silver (in place of the Phosphor Bronze) has a higher tessitura.
PRECISE CRAfting
precise performance
"Black Swamp instruments produce truly musical sounds: rich, full and articulate. Every BSP instrument I pick up feels comfortable in my hands, and therefore helps me achieve the sound I wish to add to an ensemble."
Mark Carson - Freelance/Former USAF Band Wash. D.C.
Included with every BSP tambourine!
A plush padded
tambourine bag
Super turbocharged
thumb roll beeswax
click image for larger view
The timbre chart shows shows the relationship between tambourine jingles. Click for a larger view.
