👉 Timbales are a type of stringed instrument that originated in the Caribbean, specifically in Grenada and Martinique. They have been played by musicians for centuries, and their unique sound is characterized by its distinctive tone and rhythm. Timbales typically consist of a set of 12 strings (usually made of wood or bamboo) with an open-end or "tambourine" at the end. The strings are strung together in a pattern called a "fretboard," which