SONIC EFFECTS OF DRUMSHELL DESIGN -

The Drumshell is responsible for roughly 10-20% of the overall drum sound.

The Hoop is responsible for roughly 20-30% of the overall drum sound.

The Head is responsible for roughly 50-70% of the overall drum sound.

A number of factors influence the sonic characteristics that a particular drumshell will produce.

Types of wood-

All wooden drumshells are made from hardwoods or deciduous trees.

The ‘hardness’ of the wood influences the sound. Hardness can be measured by it’s average dried weight in pounds per cubic foot.

The grain structure also has an influence based on it’s porousness. The more porous, the shorter the sustain and the lower the fundamental.

Maple- 46lb/ft cubed  = longer sustain, higher fundamental

Birch- 39lb/ft cubed  = shorter sustain, lower fundamental

Generally, harder wood = more resonance, higher fundamental.

Shell Thickness-

Thicker shell = higher fundamental, more projection & volume, less resonance.

Shell Depth-

Deeper drum = shorter sustain, lower pitch.

Other factors-

The finish on the inside of the shell can affect the sound. A rougher sanded and raw inside finish can give more warmth and woodiness to the tone, with a slightly reduced resonance.

Bearing edges-

-45 degree, single, sharp edge = strong attack to the sound

-45 degree, single, rounded = warmer, mellower sound

-30 degree, single, sharp = reduces attack, adds sensitivity

-60 degree, single, sharp = more attack

-Double bearing edge = greater head movement at the bearing edge

Shell Construction-

Ply drums-

Ply drums are the strongest design per weight and use a large amount of glue in the processing. The combination of greater strength and more glue means ply drums will generally project well, impart less wood character into the sound and have medium resonance.

Block drums-

Block drums are created by gluing brick like pieces of wood together to form the shell. The side grain often forms the bearing edge and this plus the reduction in glue needed (to that of regular ply drums) generally creates warmer, slightly dryer sounding drums.

Stave shell-

Stave drums are constructed like a barrel. Less glue is needed and the end grain forms the bearing edge. These drums impart more of the wood character into the overall sound and have increased resonance.

Solid shell-

Solid as in cut from a solid section of tree and not steam bent. These drums use no glue in the construction of the drum and the end grain forms the bearing edge. Such drums impart the greatest amount of wood character into the overall drum sound.   

This beautiful drum-kit features hand-made stave shell drums from recycled native Australian timbers (eucalyptus obliqua with jarrah inlays). They’re beautifully crafted by DeeJay Drums.