The Kolberg Triangles

• Posted on 23 August 2023
• 0

Kolberg makes handcrafted concert triangles from different materials and alloys. The triangles come in different shapes and sizes, and Kolberg can custom-make instruments. They also make triangle beaters, stands, mounts and accessories.

Kolberg has the world's largest selection of triangles which allow for nuanced highlights in small ensemble settings, large orchestral works as well as in music education. Visit Timpano-percussion to play and compare the individual models yourself.

(International Soloist and Kolberg Artist Marianna Bednarska)

Kolberg Percussion Germany makes the best triangles available on the market. Handcrafted concert triangles in different materials, alloys and sizes with the option for custom orders (thickness, side length, extra hammering…) can be used with a wide array of finely built triangle beaters and set up on on different options of stands and mounts.

Kolberg triangles are used by some of the world’s finest orchestras, soloists and academic institutions and are available for testing at Timpano-percussion.

The orchestral triangle offering is split into 2 major categories based on the alloy: Bell Bronze called the Exotic Natural and Stainless Steel called the Classic Concert. Each of these metals/alloys is then split into sub-categories, such as the Baroque, Baroque Hammered and specifically for the stainless steel, the Black Steel.

The 7 main models of Kolberg Concert Triangles each come in 5 different sizes all metrically measured by their side length: 14cm, 17cm, 21, cm, 25cm, 30cm. The thickness of the sides is standardized to 12.5mm but can be customized by special request.

Here you can find detailed sonic information on all of them:

Kolberg triangles of the "Exotic Natural Baroque Hammered" series are hand hammered and made of a specifically manufactured, high quality bronze bell alloy. This gives the instruments an extremely warm and soft sound character and a compact, homogeneous frequency spectrum when compared with non-hammered models. With their individually rounded, hand-crafted tips, triangles of the baroque series offer a nostalgic look and stand out because of their very unique sound and long decay.

Kolberg triangles of the "Exotic Natural Baroque" series are made of the same high-quality bell bronze alloy, giving the instruments the warm sound, soft attack and balanced, wide frequency spectrum. As part of the Baroque line, this series also sports the individually rounded, hand-crafted tips, for not only a nostalgic look but also enhanced sound spectrum and longer decay.

Kolberg triangles of the "Exotic Natural" series are made of a specifically manufactured, high-quality bell bronze alloy, giving the instruments the warm sound, soft attack and balanced, wide frequency spectrum.

Kolberg triangles of the "Classic Concert Baroque" series are made of high-quality silver steel, giving the instruments a brilliant, sparkling sound character while guaranteeing a very articulate and succinct touch. Same as for the Exotic Natural line in Baroque build, the Classic Concert line will also sport the nostalgic looks and longer decay due to the extended and hand-rounded ends.

Kolberg triangles of the "Classic Concert" series are made of high-quality silver steel, giving the instruments the brilliant, sparkling sound character as well as a very articulate and succinct play.

The “Classic Concert” line comes in 2 different finishes, namely chrome and black as well as in Baroque and Regular models. There are basically no sound differences between both finishes. The black plating is meant to cancel out potential light reflections and glares and appears more discreet.

The “Silver Virtuosity” is yet another innovation of Kolberg's, for special effects and simplified play. Thanks to the serrated surface, it is extremely easy to effortlessly roll at the softest volumes and even recreate something of an overtone glissando.

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(International Soloist and Kolberg Artist Adélaïde Ferrière)

Recommended beaters
Kolberg make triangle beaters for the most exacting of musicians. There are different shapes, thicknesses and alloys so that you can perfectly match the desired sound character. All beaters are 100% made in Germany and are used daily in the most important orchestras in the world. 

Kolberg offers 8 distinct models, which all come in 3 to 6 sizes, in stainless steel as well as in bronze. All models are also available as “Elastic”; these are brand-new with integrated rubber elements which allow the sound of the triangle to develop optimally; a much softer touch can be achieved without risking a buzz.

The classic Kolberg triangle beaters with a loop come in 6 color-coded diameters and produce a comprehensive range of sound, from most delicate and tender to extremely strong and impacting. The rustproof beaters made of stainless steel are easy to handle, their attack is rich in overtones and allow for great articulation. The grip loops at the butt end fit very well in the hand. They facilitate the play with several beaters. In addition the loop can be used to play crotales or bells.The thin rods are like knitting needles and are also excellent as cymbal sizzlers.The tips are rounded and do not damage the cymbals when you do glissando effects.

Available in 6 sizes, approx. 23 cm long, sold in pairs. Available as a set of triangle beaters (6 pairs)

The Kolberg triangle beaters with black rubber grip are a classic model. They produce a comprehensive range of sound, from most delicate and tender to extremely strong and impacting. The rustproof beaters made of stainless steel are easy to handle, their attack is rich in overtones and they offer very good possibilities of articulation. The tips are rounded and do not damage the cymbals when you do glissando effects.

Available in 6 sizes, approx. 23 cm long, sold in pairs. Also available as a set of triangle beaters (6 pairs):

Kolberg triangle beaters Cylindric with their cylindrical tip made of stainless steel, provide very balanced and voluminous, powerful possibilities of play. The cylindrical rod is made of rustproof stainless steel. The coloured grip sleeves clearly define the different sizes also in poor lighting conditions (e.g. orchestra pit) and they provide a pleasant grip.

Available in 3 sizes, approx. 20 cm long, sold in pairs, also as a set of triangle beaters Cylindric (3 pairs)

Sound: Full, succinct
For triangles made of silver steel, we recommend the triangle beaters Cylindric with stainless steel tip, that best bring out the brilliant sound character rich in overtones of these instruments, and enable very well articulated and succinct play.

The Cylindric line is also available in bronze, which offers powerful, balanced and voluminous sounds. The cylindrical rod is made of rustproof stainless steel. The colored grip sleeves clearly define the different sizes also in poor lighting conditions (e.g. orchestra pit) and they provide a pleasant grip.

Available in 3 sizes, approx. 20 cm long, sold in pairs, also as a set of triangle beaters Cylindric (3 pairs)

Sound: Solid, soft attack
For triangles made of bronze, we recommend triangle beaters Cylindric with bronze tip, that best bring out  the homogenous sound character and the low frequencies of the instruments, with their full sounding and very soft attack.

Also available are the Ellipse with their tip of stainless steel, which provide very flexible and differentiated possibilities of play and sound. The elliptic shape of the tip widens the range from very delicate at the very tip to full and strong on the wide, central part of the tip. The cylindrical rod and the tip are made of stainless steel. The colored grip sleeves clearly define the different sizes also in poor lighting conditions (e.g. orchestra pit) and they provide a pleasant grip.

Available in 3 sizes, approx. 20 cm long, sold in pairs, also as a set of triangle beaters Ellipse (3 pairs)

Sound: very brilliant
For triangles made of silver steel, we recommend the triangle beaters Ellipse with a stainless steel tip, that best bring out the brilliant sound character rich in overtones of these instruments and enable very articulated and succinct play.

The Ellipse also comes with a bronze tip. Bronze provides a warmer, deeper tone but stays highly flexible thanks to the special elliptical form of the tip - from delicate to voluminous and powerful sound. The cylindrical rod and the tip are made of stainless steel. The colored grip sleeves clearly define the different sizes also in poor lighting conditions (e.g. orchestra pit) and they provide a pleasant grip.

Available in 3 sizes, approx. 20 cm long, sold in pairs, also as a set of triangle beaters Ellipse (3 pairs)

Sound: Warm, soft attack
For triangles made of bronze, we recommend the triangle beaters Ellipse with bronze tip, that bring out optimally the homogeneous sound character and the low frequencies of the instruments, with their full sounding and very soft attack.

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Kolberg offers all of their base models in the Elastic line. Kolberg's new freely vibrating triangle beater series Elastic maximizes the sound projection of a triangle. Thanks to an innovative manufacturing technique a vibrating element has been integrated into the beater. This minimizes the noises that may arise when trying to play very softly with a rigid triangle beater. The added elasticity allows for the sound of the instrument to unfold in an optimal fashion. The triangle beaters of the Elastic series rest free in the hand and are perfectly suitable for individual, solo hits and for beautifully sounding rolls at all dynamic levels.

Such as:

Kolberg Triangle Beaters Elastic Elliptical Stainless Steel Tip:

Kolberg Triangle Beaters Elastic Elliptical Bronze Tip:

Kolberg Triangle Beaters Elastic Cylindric Bronze Tip :

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Here is a little comparison video:

So that you can store and protect your triangles, Kolberg makes 2 triangle bags.

The 2121T is made for two Kolberg triangles from 14 to 21cm.

The 2130T is made for a set of 5 Kolberg triangles and 3 pairs of beaters. This bag will hold triangles from 14 to 30cm.

They also make the 881 triangle beater bag that can hold 3-6 pairs of beaters.

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But it’s not just the bags and beaters that make Kolberg stand out, it’s also the world famous Kolberg combination stand system and more particularly their combination stand system for triangles.

Device for playing the triangle (249)
This device allows for play with excellent sound even when fast multi-percussion passages make it impossible to change beaters. The instrument is played indirectly by hand or with any other mallet or stick by means of hitting the felt ring mounted to the spring-back triangle beater.

The 249 contains:
1 triangle beater 888EED with felt ring
2 x U-shaped adjusting ring 115U
triangle holder 242
supporting bar with rubber mounting piece 248
(transverse tube not included)
All combination stand parts are made of high-quality steel and high-gloss chrome-plated.

In terms of clips/holders Kolberg makes:
246 clamp-on triangle holder for any music stand
247 triangle holder with leather cover for finger, music stand or combination stand
247FS same as above but with a rubber insert so as to recreate a "free suspended" feel, thus there is no vibration loss between the instrument and the stand.

Stand
The unique Kolberg combination stand system provides multiple and multi-functional possibilities for mounting instruments with optimum sound results. We would be glad to provide advice and help you assemble combination stands according to your specifications. Timpano-percussion has Kolberg combination stands in stock, and all set up.

(pictured l. to r.):

combination stand for 1 triangle, classic 2110K1

combination stand for 1 triangle, multi-purpose 2110KM (hand-held and attached)

combination stand for cymbal or triangle, free suspension 2110KS

combination stand for 5 triangles, classic 2110K

combination stand for 5 triangles, modern 2110K2

Here's an extensive video showcasing certain triangles and accessories (in German):