Complete stave kit in Butternut

[Unix]

Hey guys,

Here is a Butternut stave kit. Size are: 10" x 8" x 3/8" tom, 12" x 9" x 3/8" tom, 14" x 12" x 7/16" floor tom, 22" x 15" x 1/2" bass drum.

Also with this kit will be free bearing edge and a free 16" x 13" floor tom (the reason is simple, there is a small knot that you can easilly hide behind a tag.

Also with the kit come a free pile of scrap recut lol...

[Ironcobra]

looks really good, lets see some more pics when you get the finish done

[Deathmetalconga]

Very cool! Anything that is not plywood automatically has my interest.

How thick are the shells? I imagine they will always be thicker than plywood, correct? My sold shells are about a half-inch thick (12-13 mm). I would think stave drums would be thicker by nature than plywood.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

DMC the sizes are listed for each drum by width, height, and thickness.

[Deathmetalconga]

Duh, okay, how I see.

But still, that sounds like the staves would be thicker than most ply shells, right? It seems like a stave shell would be more prone to breaking (especially being crushed) unless it had reinforcing rings. Maybe I am wrong on that. I have some stave ashikos and congas and the shells are VERY thick.

Alternative shell construction fascinates me.

[crazyhorse]

DMC: You'd have to be darn abusive to break a stave shell... Think about it this way.. most strain you're putting on it is against the grain. Last I checked good, well dried, wood is going to be dark strong against the grain. Especially when you figure in 1/2" thickness. No need for reinforcement rings on shells that thick.

Now... Francois DOES have a method of making thinner shells with built in reinforcement rings. Thost are darn cool.

[Deathmetalconga]

DMC: You'd have to be darn abusive to break a stave shell... Think about it this way.. most strain you're putting on it is against the grain. Last I checked good, well dried, wood is going to be dark strong against the grain. Especially when you figure in 1/2" thickness. No need for reinforcement rings on shells that thick.

Now... Francois DOES have a method of making thinner shells with built in reinforcement rings. Thost are darn cool.

I can see how they'd be strong, especially when a half-inch thick. I have a feeling, though, that plywood is the strongest wood by weight, which is why it's used in construction and building. A half-inch plywood shell would be indestructible! Consider the kind of use that a drum set gets and strength really isn't an issue anyway. Splitting and cracking are more of an issue with staves and solids.

[Action Jackson]

Hey everyone, I am new to this forum and I am thinking about getting a new kit. I have been playing pearl masters custom for the last 7 years and I loved them. I played an MMX kit and a MHX kit, both of those kits were 4ply 4.5mm thick. I thought about going with a masterworks kit but I saw something on here about stave solid shell drums and now needless to say my interest is up. As far as cracking or warping I am not afraid because they offer a life time warranty. But I have never played a solid shell before, so could those of you that have played them give me some idea of what to expect. I am looking in to Bubinga or Cocobolo any info would greatly be appreciated.

[Deathmetalconga]

Hey everyone, I am new to this forum and I am thinking about getting a new kit. I have been playing pearl masters custom for the last 7 years and I loved them. I played an MMX kit and a MHX kit, both of those kits were 4ply 4.5mm thick. I thought about going with a masterworks kit but I saw something on here about stave solid shell drums and now needless to say my interest is up. As far as cracking or warping I am not afraid because they offer a life time warranty. But I have never played a solid shell before, so could those of you that have played them give me some idea of what to expect. I am looking in to Bubinga or Cocobolo any info would greatly be appreciated.

As the only person I know of here that plays an entirely solid-shell kit, I can tell you a solid shell kit is a blast to play. However, you should know what you're getting into. They're the most exotic type of wood drum construction, they're expensive and may require a wait (like a DW set!). They are more difficult to tune and any imperfections in tuning will show up loud and clear. That's because there is no glue to dampen unwanted overtones and all the grains run in the same direction, producing incredible resonance. Every bit of energy you put into the drum, you get back out of it. That isn't always a good thing, however.

Solid shell drums have a very distinct sound: strong, powerful, controlled, warm, punchy and resonant. They sound very "drummy." They're really more closely related to hand drums, just made like trap drums. Ever go to a rock concert during the sound check and notice how the drums sound when they're correctly EQd and "beefed up"? That's how solid shells sound when correctly tuned.

They're louder than ply drums and might overpower other instruments, particularly in a setting where a more restrained sound is called for. The sound is so remarkable that the drums do draw attention to themselves.

What sort of solid shells were you considering?

[zambizzi]

DMC - hopefully I'll join you soon ;)

I, too, am trying to negotiate a price on a stave kit.

My biggest concerns are;

1. Will it overpower my guitar & bass player in my basement drum room.

2. Will anyone really know the difference once it is miked, EQ'd, and basically turned into something that sounds pretty much like any other drum kit.

3. What structural concerns are there in the shells themselves?

4. Will the sound be so dramatically different that it may turn off other players not used to the kind of raw power coming out of the shells?

5. Will I like it so much that I'll have no choice but to sell my nearly-new DW kit that I dreamed of for weeks while waiting to pay it off? Will I sit down at my ddubs and say to myself - "man, this sounds like crap in comparison!".

A lot of this has been addressed here already, somewhat. Is the glue holding the stave blocks together expect to last a "lifetime" - will my kit start falling apart in 30 years? Is it something I could pass on to my kids as an heirloom?

Unix, are your shells guaranteed for life?

[Unix]

DMC - hopefully I'll join you soon ;)

I, too, am trying to negotiate a price on a stave kit.

My biggest concerns are;

1. Will it overpower my guitar & bass player in my basement drum room.

2. Will anyone really know the difference once it is miked, EQ'd, and basically turned into something that sounds pretty much like any other drum kit.

3. What structural concerns are there in the shells themselves?

4. Will the sound be so dramatically different that it may turn off other players not used to the kind of raw power coming out of the shells?

5. Will I like it so much that I'll have no choice but to sell my nearly-new DW kit that I dreamed of for weeks while waiting to pay it off? Will I sit down at my ddubs and say to myself - "man, this sounds like crap in comparison!".

A lot of this has been addressed here already, somewhat. Is the glue holding the stave blocks together expect to last a "lifetime" - will my kit start falling apart in 30 years? Is it something I could pass on to my kids as an heirloom?

Unix, are your shells guaranteed for life?
1. Maybe that depens on how hard you hit and how soft your band members play lol...
2. No one will maybe notice, but the soundman will defenetly notice it.
3. The only concern is you dont leave your drum on places with a lot of mosture contents.
4. If someone is turn off by a pure shell sound well... you don't wanna know what I think lol...
5. you know ply shell doesn't sound worse then stave just a little different.

I personally think that you may do some more research, I would be a little worry to build you a kit right now, because you seems a little uncorfotable with stave or insecure if I may say. All the people that buy stave from me are usually use to that construction. If I have an advise to give you is start first with a snare shell like most people do, you will find almost every answer to your question.

Don't buy a kit to leave for your chirldren later but buy one because YOU enjoy playing it right now. And what make you shure that your DW will worth something in 30 years from now lol...And did you ever seen a conga fall apart (same construction as a stave).

Oh and by the way, back on this thread. Stain and sealer are apply lol...

[hawk9290]

And did you ever seen a conga fall apart (same construction as a stave).

actually yes...
but it was old and abused and I can't find any vertical seams so it may not be stave-type, though I don't know what else it would be.

[Action Jackson]

As the only person I know of here that plays an entirely solid-shell kit, I can tell you a solid shell kit is a blast to play. However, you should know what you're getting into. They're the most exotic type of wood drum construction, they're expensive and may require a wait (like a DW set!). They are more difficult to tune and any imperfections in tuning will show up loud and clear. That's because there is no glue to dampen unwanted overtones and all the grains run in the same direction, producing incredible resonance. Every bit of energy you put into the drum, you get back out of it. That isn't always a good thing, however.

Solid shell drums have a very distinct sound: strong, powerful, controlled, warm, punchy and resonant. They sound very "drummy." They're really more closely related to hand drums, just made like trap drums. Ever go to a rock concert during the sound check and notice how the drums sound when they're correctly EQd and "beefed up"? That's how solid shells sound when correctly tuned.

They're louder than ply drums and might overpower other instruments, particularly in a setting where a more restrained sound is called for. The sound is so remarkable that the drums do draw attention to themselves.

What sort of solid shells were you considering?

I am thinking about going with Cocobolo or Bubinga in 10x8 12x10 14x12 16x14 20x18 14x6.5 and I don't know about the bass drum size maybe a 24x20

[zambizzi]

1. Maybe that depens on how hard you hit and how soft your band members play lol...
2. No one will maybe notice, but the soundman will defenetly notice it.
3. The only concern is you dont leave your drum on places with a lot of mosture contents.
4. If someone is turn off by a pure shell sound well... you don't wanna know what I think lol...
5. you know ply shell doesn't sound worse then stave just a little different.


How loud they play is relevant to how loud my drums are, ha!

The rest...I dig it...loud and clear.


I personally think that you may do some more research, I would be a little worry to build you a kit right now, because you seems a little uncorfotable with stave or insecure if I may say. All the people that buy stave from me are usually use to that construction. If I have an advise to give you is start first with a snare shell like most people do, you will find almost every answer to your question.


Sorry, I suppose you'll have to excuse my ignorance...I hadn't even heard of stave drums up until a few months ago.

So, you're saying you'd rather not build one for me? Really? I'd rather have the whole kit, honestly - per the list I sent you today. BUT...I guess I could settle for less, if you'd rather not. :(


Don't buy a kit to leave for your chirldren later but buy one because YOU enjoy playing it right now.

Well sure, obviously that's first and foremost. I'm just curious what the life expectancy is in comparison to ply shells - after reading DMC's comments. You know, I'LL still be playing the drums in 30 yrs....unless someone throws me under a bus before then. ;)

I'm done hijacking your thread now...beautiful finish on those shells! Shoot a reply to my email about the 4pc, if you get a chance. Thanks!

[Unix]

In no way I wanna insult you or saying that you are ignorant, all I'm saying is that stave are very different then plyshell, and if you dont have a lil background of what to expect from a stave, I would not like you to buy something from me and not be satisfied about your choice.

The life expectancy will depens all from the care you will give to your drums.

[Deathmetalconga]

In no way I wanna insult you or saying that you are ignorant, all I'm saying is that stave are very different then plyshell, and if you dont have a lil background of what to expect from a stave, I would not like you to buy something from me and not be satisfied about your choice.

The life expectancy will depens all from the care you will give to your drums.

Zambizzi, there is wisdom in these words. I got my ironwood snare about six months before the whole set. Some of that was financial, but some was that I just wanted to try out the snare first. Solid and stave are closely related in sound properties and they're not for everyone.

Regarding your questions:

1. Will it overpower my guitar & bass player in my basement drum room.
You say that like it's a bad thing! ;-[) Like a Lamborghini, they can be soft and gentle or ferocious. It depends on your style and sticks. When I get wailing, my band mates step away from the set because it is so loud.

2. Will anyone really know the difference once it is miked, EQ'd, and basically turned into something that sounds pretty much like any other drum kit.
Often times not. That's just what sound guys do to drums. On the other hand, this is the sound most of them are trying to get so they may do very little processing. But most of my gigs are without amplification anyway

3. What structural concerns are there in the shells themselves?
Staves are plenty strong. As long as the wood has been correctly seasoned, treated and assembled, and they are not subjected to any insult, they should last hundreds of years - indefinitely, really. Warping is more of a concern of a solid shell, but then again, if the wood has been dried and treated correctly the drum will remain as it was made indefinitely.

4. Will the sound be so dramatically different that it may turn off other players not used to the kind of raw power coming out of the shells?
Again, it depends on your volume. While staves sound more powerful than ply drums, they're also warmer, not at all harsh when correctly tuned.Take all of the best, most prized qualities of a drum and amplify them. They might sound out of place in bebop, where the drums have a traditionally thin sound, but even then you could get it to work with the right technique.

5. Will I like it so much that I'll have no choice but to sell my nearly-new DW kit that I dreamed of for weeks while waiting to pay it off? Will I sit down at my ddubs and say to myself - "man, this sounds like crap in comparison!".
DWs are very fine drums and you could be happy with them. How many drum sets a man may own is up to him - and his wife!

A lot of this has been addressed here already, somewhat. Is the glue holding the stave blocks together expect to last a "lifetime" - will my kit start falling apart in 30 years? Is it something I could pass on to my kids as an heirloom?
Yes, you will be able to pass this on. I view myself only as the first in a long line of people who will lovingly care for and play this set over the next few hundred years and longer - kind of like a Stadivarius. There are about a dozen sets like mine in the world and the tree my drums are made from started growing sometime between 1650 and 1700. The drums should last at least that long. Long after the glue cracks and evaporates out of today's ply sets, my ironwood Spirit set will endure.

[Unix]

Deathmetalconga if you ever looking for a job you are my man. Honestly I will never answer again you do it way way better then me . Thanks.

[zambizzi]

Deathmetalconga if you ever looking for a job you are my man. Honestly I will never answer again you do it way way better then me . Thanks.

Ha! Yes, he's most certainly in marketing...if not, he should be!

Anyhow, Frank, I think something may have been lost in context - I was proclaiming ignorance on the subject...I wasn't claiming that you were, so I'm not insulted. No worries!

What I meant to convey was; I know I ask a lot of questions and some may seem off-the-wall...it's only due to my admitted ignorance on the subject and my desire to understand it better.

I'm sure I'd be quite pleased with a stave kit, no doubt about it - especially hearing DMCs sermon! :D

[Deathmetalconga]

Deathmetalconga if you ever looking for a job you are my man. Honestly I will never answer again you do it way way better then me . Thanks.

As a matter of fact, my career is public relations and I write professionally. If you ever need Web site text and writing, I would be very honored to do it and we could trade services even.

[Colonel Bat Guano]

The stain looks incredible! Unix, what kind of overall sound characteristic do you anticipate? I read that Butternut is a type of walnut, so will they have (lots?) more bottom end combined with the projection of the stave shell? They'll have to sound absolutely huge!

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