Rental
Rental
Rent historical percussion instruments and timpani
Are you looking for unique instruments for a project? I offer historical percussion instruments and timpani for rent.
Whether for a concert or a studio project, my instruments are not only musical treasures, but also a glimpse into the history of music. From tambourines and baroque timpani to straw fiddles, I have everything you need.
Take a look at the pictures of my instruments and get in touch using the form if you are interested. I look forward to assisting you with your project.
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Crank timpani Wunderlich
These crank timpani by Wunderlich are perfect for works of the classical and early romantic period. The central tuning mechanism, actuated by a crank, makes pitch changes a breeze.
Their low weight as well as the casters make them easy to transport. Available as a pair of two or all three.
Diameters: 1x64cm, 2x 59 cm
With Kalfo-heads, goat available upon request
Built by: G. Julius Wunderlich 1860-1900
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baroque timpani
These original baroque timpani have a wonderful baroque sound which is percussive enough for any ensemble. Like many baroque instruments they have a Schalltrichter in the kettle.
diameters: 51 & 53 cm/ 20 & 21 inch, 6 & 7 tuning lugs, with tuning key.
Goatskins
Built by: anonymous, 17-18. century, restored by D. Hempel, 2025
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Timpani Wunderlich
Diese Wunderlich Schraubenpauken eignen sich mit ihrem schlanken, tonalen Klang perfekt für Werke der Klassik.
diameters: 56 & 52 cm/ 22 & 20.5 inch, 6 & 5 tuning handles.
available with goat or Kalfo heads
Built by: G. Julius Wunderlich 1860-1900
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Big baroque timpani
These original Baroque timpani are exceptionally large for their time, measuring approximately 24 and 27 inches. They are perfect for large ensembles, such as Handel's Fireworks Music in its original instrumentation with three pairs of timpani. These timpani are also ideal for later literature; thanks to their size and beautiful sound, they can also be used in smaller ensembles for Romantic works.
Diameter 24 & 27 inches, 10 & 9 tuning screws, perforated Schalltrichters.
With Kalfoheads
Built by: anonymous, restored by D. Hempel, 2023.
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side drum
historically informed side drum, 39x39 cm/15x15 inch
Goat skins, gut strings
Built by: D. Hempel 2025
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big drum
The low sound of this drum (55cm diameter, 64 cm hight) is the perfect base for a renaissance ensemble. With strings it can serve as an early military drum, similar to the drums of the swiss guards at the court of Louis XIV
Batter head goat, snare head calf, with or without snares
built by: Berchtold Drums, ca. 1970-2006, rebuilt: D. Hempel, 2025
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Keyboard Glockenspiel
The glockenspiel, sometimes also called a carillon, has been used sporadically in orchestral works since the Baroque period. Handel's “Saul” and Mozart's “The Magic Flute” (where it is called strumento d'acciaio) are particularly well known, but it also shines in other works with its bell-like sound.
Range: 3½ octaves
Tuning: 440/415 Hz
Built by: K. Schertenleib, ca. 2024
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Sponge mallets/Baguettes d'éponge
These timpani mallets have natural sponge heads, perfect for romantical works from before felt mallets were a thing
Ernst Pfundt describes their making and use in his book: "Die Pauken" (1849)
Built by: H. Brückner, after Ernst Pfundt
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four-row xylophone
This xylophone, also known as straw fiddle or by its german names "Strohfiedel/Hölzernes Glächter/Holz- und Strohinstrument" is used in some orchestral works since the beginning of the 19th century. (Strauss - Salome, F. Kauer, - Variazoni)
The wooden bars are lying on bundles of straw, hence the name strawfiddle.
The four-row layout offers is advantageous for several works and offers an interesting change from the usual piano-style layout.
Comes with special mallets and a Case/table
tuned in 440 Hz
Built by: anonymous