8" Cuica, galvanised steel plate shell, standard modell

You want a compact cuica but don´t want to miss the sound of a big one? An 8" cuica is a handy size with which you can still go and play in a strong bateria. The head is all ready to play, it might be useful to rub down the dry gambito stick with some sand paper until it is a bit thinner. Like this the head will react more easily to the vibration, but the stick of course will become more fragile. The body is made of steel sheet, a resonance-strong and quite oldschool material. In times where many instruments are built of aluminium or inox, this material is still very popular mainly because of its unique sound. Steel sheet is very affordable, produces an authentic and dry sound and develops a rich patina as time goes by - the surface loses its gloss and turns matt, a typical reaction of steel sheet. Artcelsior is one the oldest traditional Samba drum maker of Rio, over the last decades they have strongly specialised in building great cuicas. The hardware is also zinc-plated, rustical, well elaborated, the goatskin heads are well chosen. The cuicas are Artcelsior's signboard. They build cuicas in many different styles, sizes, metall types and optical details. The cuica is an extraordinary instrument, fearly difficult to play well but great fun.
A very diverse, original instrument an in any case a great enrichment for any Samba school!