Lignum Drums?

[RobertM]

Does anyone know anything about Lignum Drums? I believe they are based in Belgium, and they claim to make stave-shelled drums but with a different approach to stave construction.

Their drums look beautiful. Just wondering if anyone has heard or owns a kit or snare, and possibly knows ballpark figures for cost (no prices listed via their website).

Thanks!

[Deathmetalconga]

Really nice drums. Their site is www.lignumdrums.com.

Unix, what do you think of these fellows?

Description

Although most drums are made using plywood shells, it has long been recognised that ‘solid wood’ drums are far superior. Quality guitars and basses use solid wood bodies and major drum manufacturers only use plywood shells for reasons of economy and ease.

For this reason, I started Lignum Drums in 1999 to make drums out of stave shells. Stave shells use very little glue (less than 10% of plywood) and will stay ‘in round’ (steam-bent shells have a tendency to want to go ‘out of round’, hence the need for support or ‘glue’ rings).

Lignum Drums offers the finest quality stave shell drums in many hardwoods (Maple, Birch, Walnut, Sycamore…), so if you are looking for the ultimate drumset that gives you the truest possible sound, in sizes that you choose, then talk to me – I’ll try and make your dreams come true.

Importantly, I have no desire to become a big name brand, so you will always be assured of personal attention and the highest dedication to quality possible.

Please check out more details on this website, contact me directly or maybe visit my workshop to see and hear the difference for yourself.

[Unix]

Very proffessional, very well made, fine product, very reliable company.

[contemplativedrummer]

From the site:

"Lignum drums are made using a unique approach to the ‘stave construction’ method. Whilst most stave shells are made by gluing solid wood blocks together, Lignum uses a special interlocking joint design that creates a very strong bond between each stave and results in a shell that is very much like those created by lathing out a solid one-piece shell from a tree.

Lignum uses this method on all drums and customers can choose from our ‘standard’ range using Rock Maple, Birch, Oak and Ash or you could opt for the ultimate in premium woods like Mahogany, Olive Ash, Birds Eye Maple, Rosewood, Teak, Walnut and many others. Whatever wood is used, Lignum drums offer exceptional sounding drums and we will work with you to find the ‘sound’ you desire by choosing the right wood to suit your needs.

Whether you choose the more common woods or go for the absolute ultimate, certain key design features are common to all our drums. Important factors in maintaining the premium sound characteristics include the use of our own solid brass lugs (no cavities or springs) each with two small fixing points to reduce shell stress. the unique Lignum solid brass lugs are also available in chrome, brushed chrome or Ice chrome finishes to offer you, the customer, another special touch to complete your exclusive drum or drum set.

the finest bearing edges (different options available) and finishes that enhance the sound of drums, not ‘choke’ the shell as can be the case with manufacturers who use many layers of polyester lacquer.


All our drums are available in a vast range of colours and a variety of finishes, including oiled, waxed, satin and high-gloss. The fittings and hardware are all premium quality (not generic parts as so often used by so-called custom builders) sourced specifically to support the Lignum goal of ‘the ultimate sound’ whilst providing true durability. For example all hoops are 2.3mm which are much better suited to stave-shell drums and so die-cast are not offered. Bass drum spurs, tom and floor tom brackets are Pearl as these have proved exceptionally durable time and time again."



They have a pic of their stave joints on the site. Just wondering, Unix, how do these joints compare to the joints you use?

[Unix]

I will tell you this.

A glue joint when perfectly made is always stronger then the wood itself. The main reason for the shape they do is when assembling the shell it's easier like this, and if the angle are not totally accurate, the spline type will old the shell togheter.

Altho it's a nice feature, we don't see the need for that kind of joint.

[sacco]

A glue joint when perfectly made is always stronger then the wood itself. The main reason for the shape they do is when assembling the shell it's easier like this, and if the angle are not totally accurate, the spline type will old the shell togheter.

Since you have a great experience what you say is certainly true. Nevertheless, I ask myself if this has anything to do with the shell thickness. In other words: despite the fact that glue joints are extremely strong, if you have thin staves - say about 5 mm - could the stability of the shell be compromised without a "male - female" joint?

On my old Tamburo set all the drums are very thin and the 8" tom has no reinforcement ring: I do not know how it would react without a "male - female" joint, and this despite the quality of the glue. I noticed that also Le Soprano use the same type of joint (they were probably inspired by Tamburo), and they also build quite thin shells.

Your opinion would be very welcome, since I am thinking to try to build some stave drums together with a cousin who has better technical capabilities than me ...

Please forgive me for taking the discussion a little away from Lignum drums, which actually look beautiful (and, by the way: Unix, your sets look absolutely awesome!).

[Unix]

As I dont like my thread to be Hijack, I wont hijack others. Pm me, I will tell you.

[Jake[BE]]

Does anyone know anything about Lignum Drums? I believe they are based in Belgium, and they claim to make stave-shelled drums but with a different approach to stave construction.

Their drums look beautiful. Just wondering if anyone has heard or owns a kit or snare, and possibly knows ballpark figures for cost (no prices listed via their website).

Thanks!

I've played on a Lignum a few times, (unfortunately) I don't own one however. Most pure sounding, resonating drums I have ever heard. To my ears, they sound a lot "cleaner" than traditional ply drums, and their tuning range is amazing. Gert from Lignum is really passionate about drums,and literally took years to develop his product. The craftmanship and attention to detail are also stunning.
They are expensive though. The site has prices for the maplecraft series. If you want an exact estimate I suggest you contact Gert.