Latin Percussion

Latin Percussion ES-9 Salsa Deep Hand Bell

4.5 (151 reviews)

Sergio George-signature hand bell delivering the deep pitch and bright overtones essential to authentic salsa percussion.

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Overview

The Latin Percussion ES-9 Salsa Deep Hand Bell is a purpose-built percussion instrument voiced in collaboration with acclaimed New York Latin music producer Sergio George. Its defining characteristic is a deep fundamental pitch paired with bright, lively overtones—a tonal signature that has become synonymous with modern salsa and Latin dance music. Crafted from brushed steel alloy and manufactured in the USA, the ES-9 delivers a consistent, resonant strike tone whether played with a stick or by hand.

At 8 inches, the bell is sized for comfortable hand-held use during live performance, fitting naturally into a percussionist's grip without added fatigue during long sets. The brushed steel surface provides a balanced attack that projects through a full rhythm section while retaining musical warmth. For players looking to capture that specific New York salsa bell sound heard on countless recordings, the ES-9 offers an authentic, ready-to-play solution straight out of the box.

Key Features

8, Hand held, brushed steel

Deeper pitch and lively overtone associated with Latin music

Named for New York Latin music producer Sergio George

Made in the USA

Specifications

Brand
Latin Percussion
Model
ES-9
Type
Hand Bell
Material
Brushed Steel Alloy
Pitch
Deep
Size
8 inches
Origin
Made in the USA

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Deep pitch with lively overtones sits perfectly in a salsa or Latin jazz mix
  • Brushed steel construction provides durability and consistent tone over extended use
  • Compact 8-inch hand-held size allows comfortable single-hand playing during live performance
  • Made in the USA with Latin Percussion's quality control standards

👎 Cons

  • Deep tuning may not suit musical styles that call for a higher-pitched, drier cowbell sound
  • No mounting hardware is included for players who prefer bracket-mounted setups
  • Limited to one fixed pitch with no damping mechanism for tonal variation
  • Brushed steel finish can show wear marks over time from repeated mallet or stick strikes

Frequently Asked Questions

The ES-9 is tuned to a noticeably deeper pitch than a typical cowbell and produces lively, ringing overtones that cut through a full salsa ensemble without sounding harsh.
It is designed as a hand-held bell. Its size and shape are optimized for gripping and striking while playing, though some percussionists mount it using a compatible bell bracket.
Sergio George is a Grammy-winning New York-based Latin music producer and arranger. Latin Percussion collaborated with him to voice the ES-9 to match the specific bell tone he wanted for salsa recordings and performances.
The ES-9 is made from brushed steel alloy, which contributes to its deep fundamental tone and sustain.