Latin Percussion

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This article is about a brand of musical instruments. For the generic percussion instruments used in latin music, see latin percussion.

Latin Percussion, also known as LP, is a brand of percussion instruments, specialising in items based on ethnic instruments but chosen and in need engineered and manufactured so as to withstand the rigors of use in a drum kit, orchestral percussion section, and similar applications.

This re-engineering often involves not only greater and consistent durability, but also changes to the sound, to enable the instrument to be played at a suitable volume without losing the distinctive "feel" of its sound.

LP was founded in New York in 1964 by Martin Cohen, following his experience of the difficulty of obtaining instruments for his own use. This was partly because of the restrictions then in place on imports of instruments (and everything else) from Cuba following the Cuban missile crisis of 1962. Unable to buy congas, bongos and similar instruments of the quality he saw other performers using, he manufactured his own. After much trial and error he produced acceptable results, and then found that there was a ready market for such locally produced instruments. As the company expanded, it added imported lines to its catalog, and also became an exporter.

LP pioneered the use of many ethnic-based instruments for wider musical uses, and continues to be a leading innovator in this area. They are particularly known for their revolutionary plastic wood blocks and their cowbells, and their catalog is extensive and continually changing. Some of their discontinued china cymbals are now highly sought after.