Tuning your Pedal Timpani

88 SERIES TIMPANI
INSTRUCTION MANUAL Pearl timpani are carefully adjusted with appropriate tuning at the factory, but new heads tend to
stretch during shipment and storage, and would need to be retuned before using. Please follow
the below steps to readjust your instrument.

Head Tuning Gauge

1. Tuning is adjusted on the lowest note of the timpani.
Fully depress the pedal as shown right.
Hoop
Support Ring
Tuning Rod

Kettle Standard Tonal Ranges

Post

2. By using the provided tuning key, turn the tuning bolts following the sequence shown below.
At this time, do not fully tighten.
Master Wheel
With 88LL(32") and 88L(29"), With 88M(26"),88S(23") and
turn the tuning bolts in the 88SS(20") turn the tuning bolts
sequence as shown. in the sequence as shown.
Pedal Main Wheel

Base
3. Lightly strike the head with a mallet approximately 5cm Tuning point
Sub Wheel Spring Tension from the edge at each tuning bolt, and find the tuning
Adjustment Bolt bolt with the highest pitch ("Home Tone").

Balance Spring Action Pedal System
By keeping the appropriate balance of the
spring tension and the head tension, this
system allows swift and smooth pedal action
as well as achieving accurate tuning.
Pedal Torque Control
4. When you have found the bolt with the highest pitch, Center
tighten the other bolts to match the "Home Tone" pitch
in the sequence shown above. Do not strike the heads
Action Bar too hard, and make sure that you strike lightly so that
you can distinguish the sound of each tuning bolt.
Spring

5. When every bolt has been tuned, the lowest note has
been fixed. Next press and depress the pedal a few
Master Wheel times to have the head fix to the kettle. Tighten the bolt
with care when the head stretches during this procedure.
Center Shaft
Spring
Pedal
6. After the lowest note has been fixed, press the pedal and
check the highest note. Make adjustments if neccesary.
CAUTION
Do not put your hands or your feet under
Action Bar the pedal to avoid injury. Repeat the above process a few times, and you can tune the timpani from the lowest note to the
highest note by pressing and depressing the pedal smoothly.
 Pedal Torque
Replacing the Head Maintenance
Adjustment
1. Place your foot on the pedal and loosen the 4.Put the hoop back on and turn the tuning The pedal is adjusted at the factory, but can Kettle
tuning bolts in the sequence previously bolts. Follow the procedures previously be adjusted for lighter or heavier feel. Turn
The kettle is very fragile. Take extra caution
mentioned. Do not turn the bolts at once mentioned in "Tuning your Pedal Timpani" the Torque Adjustment Screw clock wise
and prevent any damage or harm to the
and loosen by 1/2 or 1/4 of a turn. and have your timpani fine-tuned with the provided Allen wrench.
kettle.
CAUTION
NOTE CAUTION Use soft cloth to wipe off any dirt. Use extra
When you loosen the The pedal is adjusted at the lightest feel at
Place a It is recommended that the heads should be care and do not wipe with strength.
tuning bolts, the pedal the factory. Do not turn anti clockwise.
will suddenly be pulled Tennis Ball replaced at least once in two years.
Forcing the screw to turn with tools other
down. Place a tennis The head size should be 2" larger than the than provided will cause damage.
ball under the pedal to kettle size. Head
prevent injury. For example, 88M (26") should have 28" After using the instrument, press the pedal so
This system is not to fix the position of the
heads pedal. Do not force to turn the screw over that the pointer comes to the middle of the
2. When you have all the tension rods an extent. gauge. When you are not using the
unscrewed, remove the head off with the hoop. instrument for a long time, press the pedal
fully on the heel side to be tuned at the lowest
3. Place the new head to Torque Spring Tension Adjustment Bolt
Kettle note.
the kettle. Make sure Adjustment
that the head is in the Screw
Make sure to wipe the head after use,
center of the kettle.
especially where you hands have touched.
Correct position; Wrong position;
Do not forget to place the head protection
head in center head off center cover included to protect the heads.

Action Bar

Tuning Gauge (TG-50)

The Tuning Gauge equipped on the 88 series
timpani shows where to set the pedal for each
note.
The Tone Mark is set depending on the
timapni size and the position can be adjusted
to match the position of the Pointer. Spring Tension
Adjustment
The Pointer is adjusted at the factory. Make Pointer
sure that it moves from the highest tone to the Tone Mark
lowest tone, and make adjustments on the
position of the Tone Marks if neccesary. The pedal spring tension can be adjusted
If the Pointer does not move in the correct by turning the Spring Tension Adjustment
radius, adjust by loosening the Adjustment Bolt. Turn the bolt clockwise for stronger
Screw with the provided Allen wrench. Make tension when the toe part of the pedal rises.
Link Ball
sure to retighten after adjustment. Turn the bolt anti clockwise for weaker
If the Pointer moves out of the radius, loosen Adjustment tension when the heel part of the pedal
Adjustment Arm
the nut on the Link Ball, and move the Tuning rises.
Rod to the right Screw
Tuning Rod