Drum Shell Wood Types — Do They Really Matter?

Wood Drum Shell Types - Do They Really Matter?

Ahh yes, the million dollar question . . . "What is the optimal wood selection for drum sound?" Let me make this very simple . . don't worry about the type of drum wood when it comes to sound. And before I get any deeper into this, I want you to keep in mind that the key word here is sound and not visual appeal. I concede that wood types definitely play a part in the visual appeal of drums.

Anyway, I know that saying "don't worry about the type of drum wood" sounds controversial, but it's the truth: That $6,000 shell pack made from exotic wood isn't exactly what it seems or what you are being led to believe regarding sound. So if you splurged on $6,000 for drum shells thinking you were getting better sounding drums, I'm sorry.

Sure, well-crafted (and pricey) drum shells can indeed produce fantastic sounds. However, so can an $800 shell pack. So, in the larger picture, the specific type of wood used for drums actually doesn't hold much significance when it comes to sound. Believe it or not, or whether you want to accept it, numerous other factors carry far more weight in the overall drum sound than the type of wood, and by the end of this article you'll grasp why (hopefully that is — if you don't assess what I am going to tell you with a closed mind).

The first rule of thumb when it comes to this topic is don't invest in a drum set based solely on the marketing aspects related to wood types, nor the opinions of compensated endorsers. Compensated endorsers say whatever the manufacturer wants them to say. While the words may be the endorsers own concoction, the message to be conveyed has been well-established within the marketing twist to be expressed by the manufacturer. And please don't get tangled up in any debates over "which wood types sound best", or "which wood type reigns supreme." Based on my 57-plus years of drumming, 38-plus of those years in the recording industry, I'm here to tell you that you need to disregard drum wood types entirely when it comes to the sound quality factor when purchasing a shell pack.

When was the last time you listened to a song and thought, "The drummer should have used Bubinga shells instead of Cherry", or "Ohh, those Birdseye Maple drums sound amazing"" You never have. No one else has either. The fervor surrounding "the sound characteristics of wood types" is nothing more than a marketing strategy created by manufacturers to sell more expensive shell packs. Such brainwashing overshadows the myriad of other factors that significantly impact a drum's sound. It's important to acknowledge that while wood characteristics do possess slight sonic differences, this pales in comparison to the multitude of other elements influencing a drum's sound. In fact, numerous far more critical factors overshadow any significance of drum wood type in determining a drum's sound.

However, for many drummers, especially novices, the perceived superiority of specific drum wood sounds always seems to be one of their primary concerns, and thats' thanks to manufacturer marketing, endorser rhetoric, and other amateur drummers that boast about drum shell wood types being a game changer. Sadly, novice drummers often waste their money with needless and unjustified overspending due to such erroneous widespread propaganda.

Before I continue on . . as I mentioned earlier, I am only talking about sound impact, NOT visual appeal. There are some truly amazing looking wood types. And if you want to make a purchase choice base on aesthetics appeal, then I completely understand spending more for that. I have done that myself many times over the years.

Now, can anyone differentiate between drum woods by sound alone? No. And if they tell you they can then they're simply promoting their own self-importance. Don't just take my word for it. You can discern this for yourself without any interference by watching & listening to plenty of YouTube videos out there comparing drum kit sound based solely on wood shell type. These video compare 5+ kits with different wood types played back-to-back. Same drummer, same heads, same mics, same sticks, same tuning, same room, same everything . . except for the different drum shell wood. However, they all sound remarkably similar. Sure there might be some slight nuances, but it's not a staggering difference by any means. Here's just one of those videos comparing 6 different wood & wood combinations:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ1c4aQc2To

This serves as an excellent comparison of drum woods and what I am talking about. While there is a slight variance in sound across these recordings, it's minuscule, often undetectable unless you pay utmost attention. However, if I were to listen to audio tracks of each one of these played back-to-back without pause, I think I would struggle to notice differences, if any that would really capture my attention. While there is some slight discernible difference in sound among a couple of the woods, it's so marginal that it's pretty much negligible. Also, please consider that these recordings solely capture the drum sounds. Now, imagine mixing those sounds with cymbals and a full band. Additionally, contemplate the impact of employing different microphones and mixing techniques for recording, as well as the diverse acoustic environments in which the recording might take place. In light of these considerations, can you grasp how insignificant the microscopic differences in drum wood becomes in the end?

Alright, by now, you likely recognize that a drum kit's wood is not the deciding factor in determining your sound. Numerous other critical aspects wield far more influence. Pay heed to these factors, and you're well on your way to achieving an exceptional drum sound without breaking the bank on hefty-priced wood shells. Let's explore some of these other crucial determining factors.

Manufacturing & Quality

First and foremost, quality of manufacturing is paramount. And all major drum manufacturers provide this — shells with no glaring deficiencies that could irrevocably tarnish the sound. And by this, I mean shells should be round, smooth, devoid of cracks, knots, etc., as well as featuring well-crafted bearing edges (more on this in a moment).

This also includes assembly and the components utilized in that assembly of a drum. Drum construction and the components used significantly impact its sound, irrespective of the wood employed. A poorly constructed drum, even fashioned from the finest wood, can yield less-than-pleasing results.

What do I mean by "construction and the components used?" Things such as, the lugs should not rattle when you tap the shell with no heads installed. The lugs should be isolated from the shell by a gasket (and I always pack my lugs with foam). Tom mounting arms should not protrude inside the shell, as this can act as a tuning fork. The tension rods should maintain a perfect snug fit into the threaded fittings of the lugs. The same goes for any other component attached, or connected in some way, to the shells. Bearing Edges

Bearing edges, while seemingly innocuous, affect your drum's sound. These edges interface with drumheads, facilitating optimal head seating. A well-executed bearing edge ensures consistent head contact, promoting superior resonance and sustain within the shell. Conversely, poorly crafted edges yield undesirable results, hampering your drum's sound.

Moreover, bearing edge profiles influence your drum's attack, sustain, and overall tonality. Round-over edges offer warmth and vintage vibes, while sharper edges provide clarity and projection.

Furthermore, the precise angle of bearing edges significantly affects your drum's sound. A slight alteration can produce profound sonic differences, dwarfing the subtle nuances associated with the shell. Counterhoops

Counterhoops affect your drum's sound, influencing attack, sustain, and overall tonality. Maybe you've never really given drum hoops any thought. You may not even know what type of hoops you have on your kit at the moment. And really, that's totally fine.

There are quite a few different types of counterhoops. No-flange hoops, Single-flanged hoops. Double-flanged hoops, Triple-flanged hoops, S-hoops, Die-cast hoops, Wood hoops and quick-release hoops. Each has it's own particular attributes that appeal to different drummers. But that's a topic for another discussion that I cover elsewhere on my site. Drumheads

Drumheads serve as the primary interface between you and your drum shell, exerting a profound influence on your sound.

There are a multitude of different types and styles of drumheads. Single-ply, double-ply, thick, thin, resonant, dampened, calf skin, mylar, coated, uncoated, clear, perforated, oil-filled, synthetic, Kevlar, textured, smooth, and so on.

Ultimately, aside from tuning and a drummer's playing style, drumheads play the most crucial role in shaping a drum's sound, eclipsing the significance of drum wood type. Tuning

Aside from the way you strike your drums, tuning serves as the final frontier in crafting your drum's sound. Beyond pitch, the tension of the drumhead has a large effect on sound based on attack, resonance, projection, articulation, sustain, sensitivity, responsiveness and overall tonal quality.

Ultimately, tuning plays probably the most crucial role in crafting your drum's sound, and therefore greatly eclipsing the significance of drum shell wood type.

In conclusion, while drum shell wood undoubtedly influences a drum's sound, it pales in comparison to the myriad of other factors shaping that sound. And again, reflect on the mixture of cymbals and the drum kit being played as a whole, as well as along with other instruments. Then there's the impact of employing different microphones and mixing techniques for recording or live playing situations, as well as other factor within diverse acoustic environments.

In light of everything that I have covered here, I hope that you can you grasp how insignificant the minute differences in drum shell wood actually are in the scheme of things. By understanding all of these critical factors, you're well on your way to achieving an exceptional drum sound without breaking the bank on shell pack cost.

So, don't invest in a drum set or shell pack based solely on its wood when it comes to sound. And don't get tangled up in the debate over what drum shell wood sound best. Other than visual appeal, disregard drum wood entirely. It's not the wood when it comes to sound — it's everything else! For more detailed information, understanding, and in-depth examples, please see my Guidance PDF entitled, "All About Shells".

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