Backed by us. Trusted by you.
Victory isn't given. It's earned.
We build our own instruments and carry the pro audio and video brands we trust, for everyone from first-timers to working pros, from your garage to the big stage. Started in 2017.
TVW-8 8 Inch Hardwood Claves is a pair of 8 inch hardwood claves, the two solid sticks that state the clave, the rhythmic pattern the whole of Afro-Cuban and much of Latin music is organised around. Dense hardwood and the 8 inch length give a bright, penetrating crack with almost no sustain, which is what lets a single pair cut cleanly through a full percussion section without amplification.
The pattern every other instrument in the room is counting against.
Clave is not an ornament, it is the organising principle. In son, rumba, salsa and most Afro-Cuban forms, every other part is written and felt in relation to the clave pattern, and the claves themselves are the instrument that states it. Getting the sound right matters more than the price of the sticks, because a dull pair simply disappears under congas and horns.
Sound comes from wood density and from how the sticks are held. One clave rests loosely cupped in the palm so the hand acts as a resonating chamber, and the other strikes it. Grip the resting clave too tightly and the tone dies. Held correctly, a dense hardwood pair like this produces a sharp, high crack that carries across a room. At 8 inches these sit in the standard range and suit players moving from a school program into working Latin percussion.
At a Glance
| Brand | Tycoon Percussion |
|---|---|
| Model | TVW-8 |
| Instrument type | Claves, pair |
| Length | 8 inch |
| Material | Hardwood |
| Character | Bright, cutting, short decay |
| Playing method | One held cupped, struck with the other |
What Are Claves Used For?
Claves state the clave pattern, the rhythmic key that organises Afro-Cuban and Latin music. In son, rumba and salsa, every other instrument is felt in relation to the pattern the claves are playing.
How Do You Hold Claves Correctly?
Rest one clave loosely across the cupped fingers of one hand so the palm forms a resonating chamber underneath. Do not grip it. Hold the second clave in the other hand and strike the resting one near its centre. A tight grip on the resting clave kills the tone.
Who Is the TVW-8 For?
Latin percussionists, salsa and Afro-Cuban players, worship percussion teams, school and university percussion programs, and studio players who need a bright clave sound that reads on close mics.
Why Tycoon Percussion
Tycoon Percussion has built hand percussion in Thailand since 1985, using regional hardwoods and hand assembly across a range that runs from student cajons to professional congas and timbales. The company supplies school programs, working percussionists and studio players, and the hand percussion line is priced to be bought and played rather than admired.
Frequently Asked Questions
What length are these claves?
They are 8 inches, which is the standard general-purpose length. Longer claves sound lower and fuller, shorter ones sound higher and tighter.
Why do my claves sound dull?
Almost always the grip. The resting clave must sit loosely on cupped fingers so the palm underneath acts as a resonating chamber. Squeezing it damps the wood and kills the crack.
Does this include both sticks?
Yes. Claves are sold and shipped as a matched pair.
Is it genuine?
Victory is a veteran owned dealer in Miami and units ship new in original packaging.
Does it include a warranty?
Yes. Tycoon Percussion provides a limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship for the original purchaser. Contact Tycoon Percussion directly for warranty service.
Why Victory Musical Instruments
Victory Musical Instruments is a musical instrument and pro audio dealer in Miami, Florida. Orders ship free, local pickup is available in Miami, and financing is offered at checkout. Call 844-687-4208 to check stock or ask a question before you order.