HOLLYWOOD Multisound Jazz 14"x14", 1960s.

Wonderful 14"x14" floor tom in very good condition; only the oxidation of part of the resonating rim is to be noted, and some on the internal mechanism and screws, but the drum is intact in all its parts, from the wrap to the tension mechanism of the batter head and the pedal, to the lugs, the tension screws and the clips. It dates back to the early 70s, the shell is made of beech and the covered finish was called "Perla Grigia Spinata". Very nice yellow and red badge...

It is part of the President series, the flagship line of the Hollywood catalog, and is one of the first products, judging by the hoops with clips and the plastic timpani pedal. The upper part of the shell has a rather large reinforcement hoop, and inside we can see a signature with the date 1965, Milan. We could fly with our imagination, but could the signature be that of Franco Caldironi, the famous designer and deus ex machina of the Meazzi, Hollywood and HiPercussion brands?...

The Multisound "tunable" timpani was inspired by symphonic timpani, and its mechanism allows for pitch variations, glissando and blocking on any intermediate key. It was available in the "Jazz" (14"x14") and "Concerto" (16"x16") versions. They are not very rare to find, and were also produced by HiPercussion, but in this version at the moment (March 2025) I do not see any others for sale online. They are obviously highly sought-after instruments by enthusiasts and collectors all over the world.

A beautiful and rare drum that could enrich any set, not just Hollywood.