Ajax will be the first company anywhere in the world to offer Schnellar design pedal timpani. Conceived by Hans Schnellar around 1900, the original instruments are still in use today by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in pedal and machine versions respectively. Schnellar was himself the timpanist of both these orchestras. But it is only now thanks to further research and design by the Ajax team that this remarkable tradition can be revived for modern timpanists.

Hans Schnellar, former timpanist of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, playing his own manufactured Schnellar timpani (+/- 1900)	The original Schnellar pedal timpani	Jan Labordus, former timpanist of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, playing on his authentic Schnellar timpani manufactured by Hans Schnellar (+/- 1900)

Why?

There are so many models on the market today based essentially on Ringer designs that differences in character are very hard to spot. By contrast, the Schnellar design sounds quite distinctive and full of character.

So, how do the timpani work and why are they unsurpassed?

A newly-designed mechanism brings the skin to bear against the kettle. In fact, the kettle does not hang on a heavy supporting ring at all; instead, it floats on a small scale. The kettle is therefore free to project much more sound, particularly as it has also been designed with the experience of the Vienna models in mind which are noteworthy in this respect.

Dear colleagues, these timpani really will give you the sound you have been looking for. We will be offering them with extremely clear and easy to read tuning gauges, super Kalfo timpani heads, pedals using the Dresden system and an effective fine tuner. The set will be available in sizes 23", 26", 29" and 32". The kettles are being specially designed to ensure they have the necessary strength required to maintain upward pressure on the head. The kettles are not machine-hammered, but made just like the Vienna prototypes to achieve the best sound.

The Ajax Schnellar model will be available in two versions. The first model consists of calfheads with a clamp-system or calfheads with counterhoops, and a Dresden pedal with a ratchet pedal system. The second model also consists of the calfheads with a clamp-system or calfheads with counterhoops, but with a ratchet-free Dresden pedal. The ratchet-free Dresden pedal features an incredibly smooth action activated by an adjustable servo-spring mechanism which gives an equal pedal pressure throughout the entire range.

If you are interested in prices and delivery time, please contact us by e-mail or give us a phonecall at +31 (0) 20 659 50 38.

Koos Terpstra

President Ajax Timpani & Concert Percussion

Our Schnellar models with counterhoops