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Latin Percussion ES-17 Big Band Salsa Cowbell — main product image
Latin Percussion

Latin Percussion ES-17 Big Band Salsa Cowbell

★★★★★5.0 (4 reviews)

The LP ES-17 Big Band Salsa Cowbell delivers a wide-open cutting sound with deep pitch, designed with Joe Madera for authentic salsa tone.

$60.00*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 04, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Latin Percussion ES-17 Big Band Salsa Cowbell is a purpose-built percussion instrument designed in collaboration with renowned percussionist Joe Madera. At 8.25 inches, this brushed steel bell is sized to cut through a full band mix while delivering a deep fundamental pitch that stays clean and free of distracting overtones. The tonal design offers clear definition between strikes at the mouth and the closed end, giving players expressive control over their rhythmic patterns without needing to switch instruments.

Built for working musicians, the ES-17 features a standard eyebolt mount compatible with 3/8-inch diameter rods, making it straightforward to integrate into most existing percussion setups. The brushed steel construction provides both the tonal characteristics and the physical durability needed for regular performance use. Whether you're anchoring a salsa ensemble or adding Latin flavor to a big band arrangement, the ES-17 is designed to deliver a consistently powerful and articulate cowbell voice.

Key Features

8.25" Mountable Brushed Steel

Wide open cutting sound

Deep fundamental pitch without overtones

Great definition between mouth and closed end of bell

Designed in collaboration with Joe Madera

Specifications

Size
8.25"
Material
Brushed Steel
Mount Type
Eyebolt mount (fits 3/8" diameter rods)
Sound Character
Wide open cutting sound
Pitch
Deep fundamental pitch without overtones
Tone
Great definition between mouth and closed end
Model
ES-17

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Deep fundamental pitch without unwanted overtones provides a clean, focused sound
  • Distinct tonal difference between mouth and closed end gives players expressive range
  • Brushed steel construction offers durability for regular gigging and practice
  • Standard eyebolt mount fits common 3/8-inch rods for easy setup
  • 8.25-inch size projects well in big band and ensemble settings

👎 Cons

  • Eyebolt mount limits mounting options compared to models with clamp-style mounts
  • Brushed steel is heavier than some thinner-gauge cowbells, adding weight to your setup
  • The wide-open tone may be too loud or cutting for smaller acoustic ensembles
  • Single-size offering means no option for a higher-pitched version in the same line

Frequently Asked Questions

The ES-17 measures 8.25 inches in length, placing it in the larger cowbell category suited for big band salsa playing.
It uses an eyebolt mount that fits standard 3/8-inch diameter rods, making it compatible with most common percussion mounting hardware.
The bell is constructed from brushed steel, which contributes to its deep fundamental pitch and cutting tone.
The ES-17 produces a wide-open cutting sound with a deep fundamental pitch and minimal overtones, plus clear tonal definition between the mouth and closed end of the bell.
The ES-17 was designed in collaboration with percussionist Joe Madera, specifically to achieve an authentic big band salsa sound.

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