Tour Timps are quick and easy to assemble and dismantle. Once folded a pair of them can be transported in the boot or trunk of an average car; a set of five have been carried in an estate car together with a double-bass and its player! When not in use they require considerably less storage space.

For practice purposes a thin sheet of material (e.g. a towel or thin card) can easily be inserted into the drum shell, on top of the tuning mechanism. This procedure, impracticle with conventional timpani, substantially reduces the volume of sound produced, while still providing a reasonable level of response and tone.

Prototypes were extensively tested and evaluated for several years by leading percussionists and various orchestras and bands.

Tour Timps have been made in sizes from 18 inches to 40 inches. Custom sizes can be considered, but currently 4 sizes are in production: 32", 29", 26" and 23".

The tone of a Tour Timp is more resonant than regular timpani and has a fundamental note one octave lower than convetional timpani.

In many school and amatuer ensembles this is a positive bonus as it adds richness to the bass frequencies of the ensemble, who often do not have a full complement of large bas instruments. Generally, I advise using mallets one or two grades harder than conventional timpani to give better definition.

The discs can be slid up and down the stand at will.

From about 3" and more from the bottom of the drum the sound remains similar. However, if the discs are moved closer, or touching, the fundamental tone will be eliminated, the resonance reduced, the response quickened and a sharper tone will be produced making it remarkably similar to regular copper timpani.

In fact in Scientific American, Professors Fystrom and Rossing described that they had quarter, then half, then three-quarter filled a copper timpani with water and found no significant change in tone. This corresponds closely to a 6" deep Tour Timp with the bottom sealed by a sound disc.

The sound discs give a significant and useful choice of tones, which will please most conductors and bandmasters! no other timpani has this versatile facility. A further benefit is that the sound discs do double duty as head protectors during storage and transport.

A valuable addition to the ever-increasing range of percussion instruments. True tone, swift and positive foot-pedal action. Speedily assembled and dismantled for ease of conveyance. Ideal for Orchestral or Educational purposes.

Professor James Blades, O/B.E.

I am the conductor of Trinity Sinfonia and we have been using Marcus de Mowbray's new design of timpani for the past six months.
The tone and dynamic range of these timpani is remarkably similar to conventional instruments and I am very satisfied with them.
The fact that they are easily collapsible and transportable makes them ideal for many musical and educational situations.

David Paul Cathcart, Trinity Sinfonia.

Many congratulations on the success you are having with your timpani...a great contribution to the percussion world.

Evelyn Glennie, G.R.S.M.(Hons), L.R.A.M, A.R.A.M.

The most successful attempt at producing an instrument of this type that I have ever seen. The drums, while being light and portable do not appear to suffer tonally for the lack of a full copper bowl.

Nigel Shipway, "Cats", London, West End.

The extensive research and development carried out by Marcus and his meticulous attention to detail has produced a high quality product which the South London Innovation Centre ius proud to be associated with.

Paul Lehmans. Technical & Business Advisor, S.L.I.C. Management.

...his design brief: To tackle that most unassailably traditional instrument, the timpani, that sounds superb, can be fitted in a mini and which does not cost the equivalent of a timeshare chalet in Ibiza.

Simon Braund, Editor, Rythym Magazine.

Phenomenal

Lloyd Duff, Cleveland Symphony Orchestra (ret'd)[PASIC '94]

Very practical timps for many areas

Joe Porcaro

A fantastic idea who's time has come

Fred Wickstrom, University of Miami.