Tuning your Pedal Timpani

88 SERIES TIMPANI
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Head

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.
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

Master Wheel

Main Wheel

Pedal

Base
Sub Wheel

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

Action Bar

4. When you have found the bolt with the highest pitch,
tighten the other bolts to match the "Home Tone" pitch
in the sequence shown above. Do not strike the heads
too hard, and make sure that you strike lightly so that
you can distinguish the sound of each tuning bolt.

With 88M(26"),88S(23") and

88SS(20") turn the tuning bolts
in the sequence as shown.

Tuning point

Center

Spring

5. When every bolt has been tuned, the lowest note has
been fixed. Next press and depress the pedal a few
times to have the head fix to the kettle. Tighten the bolt
with care when the head stretches during this procedure.

Master Wheel
Center Shaft
Spring
Pedal

Action Bar

With 88LL(32") and 88L(29"),

turn the tuning bolts in the
sequence as shown.

3. Lightly strike the head with a mallet approximately 5cm

from the edge at each tuning bolt, and find the tuning
bolt with the highest pitch ("Home Tone").

Spring Tension
Adjustment Bolt

Balance Spring Action Pedal System

2. By using the provided tuning key, turn the tuning bolts following the sequence shown below.
At this time, do not fully tighten.

CAUTION
Do not put your hands or your feet under
the pedal to avoid injury.

6. After the lowest note has been fixed, press the pedal and
check the highest note. Make adjustments if neccesary.
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
Adjustment

Replacing the Head

1. Place your foot on the pedal and loosen the
tuning bolts in the sequence previously
mentioned. Do not turn the bolts at once
and loosen by 1/2 or 1/4 of a turn.
CAUTION
When you loosen the
tuning bolts, the pedal
will suddenly be pulled
down. Place a tennis
ball under the pedal to
prevent injury.

NOTE
Place a
Tennis Ball

2. When you have all the tension rods

unscrewed, remove the head off with the hoop.
3. Place the new head to
the kettle. Make sure
that the head is in the
center of the kettle.

4.Put the hoop back on and turn the tuning

bolts. Follow the procedures previously
mentioned in "Tuning your Pedal Timpani"
and have your timpani fine-tuned

It is recommended that the heads should be

replaced at least once in two years.
The head size should be 2" larger than the
kettle size.
For example, 88M (26") should have 28"
heads

This system is not to fix the position of the

pedal. Do not force to turn the screw over
an extent.

After using the instrument, press the pedal so

that the pointer comes to the middle of the
gauge. When you are not using the
instrument for a long time, press the pedal
fully on the heel side to be tuned at the lowest
note.

Spring Tension Adjustment Bolt

Action Bar

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.
The Pointer is adjusted at the factory. Make
sure that it moves from the highest tone to the
lowest tone, and make adjustments on the
position of the Tone Marks if neccesary.
If the Pointer does not move in the correct
radius, adjust by loosening the Adjustment
Screw with the provided Allen wrench. Make
sure to retighten after adjustment.
If the Pointer moves out of the radius, loosen
the nut on the Link Ball, and move the Tuning
Rod to the right

Pointer
Tone Mark

Link Ball
Adjustment
Screw

Adjustment
Arm
Tuning Rod

The kettle is very fragile. Take extra caution

and prevent any damage or harm to the
kettle.
Use soft cloth to wipe off any dirt. Use extra
care and do not wipe with strength.

Wrong position;
head off center

Tuning Gauge (TG-50)

Kettle

CAUTION
The pedal is adjusted at the lightest feel at
the factory. Do not turn anti clockwise.
Forcing the screw to turn with tools other
than provided will cause damage.

Torque
Adjustment
Screw

Kettle

Correct position;
head in center

The pedal is adjusted at the factory, but can

be adjusted for lighter or heavier feel. Turn
the Torque Adjustment Screw clock wise
with the provided Allen wrench.

Maintenance

Spring Tension
Adjustment
The pedal spring tension can be adjusted
by turning the Spring Tension Adjustment
Bolt. Turn the bolt clockwise for stronger
tension when the toe part of the pedal rises.
Turn the bolt anti clockwise for weaker
tension when the heel part of the pedal
rises.

Head

Make sure to wipe the head after use,

especially where you hands have touched.
Do not forget to place the head protection
cover included to protect the heads.