All About JCR Cowbells

Here is a video about the JCR cowbells I use. These bells were created in the Bronx, NYC for many years by Cali Rivera. He passed away in 2017 so the bells are no longer made. You can find them from time to time on the used market but they are becoming ridiculously expensive. There are lots of alternatives with bells made by LP, Pearl/Afro, Meinl and other companies and I show you some of those as well. In my opinion the JCR cowbells are the best bells that I have played because of several factors including purity of pitch, solid feel, volume, ring, quality build and variety of sounds available.
I hope this video answers the many questions I get about these bells. For a more extensive look at several types of cowbells including the JCR bells that I use check out this video: • All About Cowbells
You can also see the bells in action by watching many of my Afro Cuban Videos from my book. Just do a search on my you tube channel for "Afro Cuban".
The equipment I am using for the intro solo includes several JCR bells:
The other equipment is as follows:
Porkpie Drums
20"x 16" Bass Drum
Toms: 8"x 8", 10"x 8", 14"x 12"
Canopus Zelkova 14"x5" Snare Drum
Porkpie 10"x 5" Snare Drum ( to my left)
Cymbals are Sabian 20" Jack DeJohnette Signature Ride with rivets
Paiste Traditional 16" and 17" crashes and a 10" traditional splash
Sabian HH 13" Regular Hi-Hats
Sabian 12" AA Mini Hats
Wuhan 20" thin Lion Cymbal
Heads on toms are Remo Pinstripes
Bass drum is an Aquarian Power stroke 1 head.
Snare is a Remo Skyntone head
Microphones are a AKG C24 stereo overhead and an AKG D112 on the Bass drum

[@baez324]

YOU ARE FANTASTIC PLAYER..GOD BLESS YOU

[@HarryJoiner]

I'm seriously confused as to why rick dior is not listed on drummerworld.

[@nram3930]

The cowbells sound fantastic, but goddamn Rick how have I never watched your videos. Amazing playing, simply insane. I suppose you got a new fan :)

[@danrichman1]

Thanks for doing this!

[@timcwalker]

Go Rays! Great playing!

[@Groovedump]

Thanks for this video. I’ve seen them pop up on occasion. Was curious about them. Have seen they can be very pricey now. I understand they are next level special and no longer made. I appreciate your honest take on the current prices. Especially knowing you have a long history with buying & playing JCR bells long before they became “collectables” and you having spent time with their maker. That low bongo bell that he did custom to your request must be extra priceless to you?

[@rickdior]

Hi Thanks for watching. All of them are priceless to me because they sound great and because the gentleman that made them was an artist.

[@davidcurtis4478]

Very nice Rick! Keep the passion groovin'👍👍 DC

[@emericklamontagne3652]

Bad ass drumming! Aloha from Hawaii.

[@rickdior]

Thanks Emerick. Lucky you, living in gorgeous Hawaii

[@jaamabay3830]

God I just come back from a house clearance where I found some percussion instruments. I thought, okay, I will take some of the small stuff too, picked this cowbell just to get the car packed. Now I find this video and you telling me that these cowbells are really sold for 1 k, I dont believe it!!!

[@rickdior]

Is it a JCR?

[@jaamabay3830]

Yes Sir! Still dont believe it..

[@eddierivera1860]

Cali made the best bells. RIP Cali Rivera

[@franciscolapuerta2404]

I got 3 JCR cowbells. One cha cha from the early 70's and 2 bongos bells from the early 80's

[@loucontino4804]

JCR was out of the Bronx and had I known what people would have paid for them, I could have bought up alot of them when they were reasonable. That said, I never thought they sounded as good as Jopa out of Brazil from the 70’s/ 80’s. I miss them.

[@patrickberkery8854]

Cali made me a "funky cowbell", as he described it and yes, there's nothing like it at all. It's super versatile. Triangular like your timbale bells, but thinner profile. It seems deep sounding good it's shape. I love my JCR. I may have to insure it!

[@mercyconga9397]

Love it❤️ He's Got a lot of Jazz Latin Funk

[@alanduncan1980]

Jeez, what a player!

[@handidrummed]

I have one of his half moon bells. It's fantastic.

[@aguilarstringbeans]

Hi Rick! Annette A Aguilar here! A blast from the past at Manhattan School of Music! funny i have my collection as well with JCR and of course I knew Cali. Your post came up via some work with my JCR's. Anyway give a holler. You sound great and yes the bells the Steve Berrios (r.i.p)way.

[@rickdior]

Wow!!!! What a spectacular surprise. How are you? It's been almost 40 years! Please email me at [e-mail] so I can get your # and speak to you.

[@aguilarstringbeans]

@@rickdior HAA 1986? You sound great as always. I will send you an email! Thanks! Here is something I did for LP kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZa8lpxoZ9mAbrc

[@rickdior]

82 I think I will call you tomorrow

[@aguilarstringbeans]

@@rickdior Give a buz anytime. I did't get to NYC till Fall 85. However let's check in sound great as always!

[@henryroman2211]

Great job presenting cowbells options. I have a lot to learn. Really love the latin rhythm. Yes, I am getting into timbales at my old age. Thank you Rick! Any recommendations on lessons?

[@RomanPercussion]

JCR’s are considered gold now, it’s sad to see how much people are raising the prices. Cali was a very nice guy, I bought some bells directly from him when he had the shop open. Pete Lugo, Cali’s right hand man, is now keeping up the legacy making his own bells.

[@raybarrettomarrero4654]

What is the trade brand of Pete Lugo now on 2022...please...He has some web site where I can look at his cowbells ???

[@dilsan78]

Yeah I have some JCR bells I've had for years that are going for $700 that's crazy...I paid no more than $40-$60 for those bells...they are fantastic

[@larrbrown7277]

Another winner,thanks.

[@tombailey1059]

Have you ever used this setup in a musical situation? It sounds so good with the five bells and China crash. Sounds like a party but everyone has the exact same sense of feel and pocket. Earthy and uncanny at the same time.

[@Sorongo]

Great vid

[@amurphful]

I want "more".....of this cowbell content

[@rickdior]

I was wondering how long it would take for this to start....not long.

[@201_ace]

Amazing!

[@markcrawford8424]

personally I think the next best bang for your buck would be the lp "salsa" series of bells if anyone is looking for bells I think they tried to replicate that jcr sound but in their own way.

[@OriginalKryschan]

Any opinions on PJ Percussion cowbells from Denmark?

[@joeorton1218]

I can still find them

[@taylorcaton7205]

The eBay prices for JCRs are insane!

[@rickdior]

I almost gave you one for graduation!!!

[@csomi69]

Dave and Horatiio cry and go to the liquor shop...

[@IBitePrettyHardSH]

Phenomenal solo Rick! Holy cow. Are you related to Horacio?

[@rickdior]

I wish