Bearing Edges- Some simple explanations?

[ZDrums24]

So, as a few of you have experienced, I am planning out a concert snare drum (14"x7" rosewood stave shell) and now I need to consider bearing edges. My tama starclassic performers have 45 degree edges, but I truely don't understand all the various aspects, nor have I really had the chance to compare drums with different edges (usually because I am not aware of what the drums I'm playing have), so I am appealing to the collective knowledge of the forum.

So far, I've heard of single cut 45, double cut 45, single cut 30, single cut 60, rounded, and the weird flat thing that phattie drums does. Any one know enough to give me some comparisons?

Thanks!

[hungrypo]

i'm not a bearing edge expert, but here's what i've gathered. the sharper the bearing edge, the more precise the tuning becomes. also you'll have longer sustain. a single cut bearing edge is cut from the interior of the shell towards the outer edge.

a double cut bearing edge is cut from both the inner and outer edges and meets somewhere in the middle. this, in essence, reduces the diametre of the shell when it makes contact with the head. this 'undersizing' also helps promote tuning accuracy and sustain.

a rounded bearing edge increases head to shell contact which brings more of the shell's contribution to the sound. you'll have less precise tuning, but a rounder tone. this is what some call the 'vintage' sound, but i may be mistaken there? the pearl reference series, and the new yamaha phoenix drums use rounded edges on the bass drums, and sharper cuts on the toms and snares...

[jayp]

Zdrums explaines it perfect, nice job.

[ZDrums24]

Thanks for the explanation.

What exactly does 'rounder' mean? Probably not what I want if I'm aiming for a more articulate, aggressive sound. This snare drum needs to have a very deep sound, while maintaining the highs necessary to articulate, ya know? I'm trying to figure out what different shaped bearing edges will do for that.

[razorx]

have you ever seen a piece of wood that has been routed with a roundover bit? it looks similar to that. its curved as aposed to slanted.

[sshu]

Here's one of the best links I've found on bearing edges and the different types. I found it when looking into building a custom snare drum.

http://www.texarkanarocks.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=11604

Steve

[ZDrums24]

Thanks, now i just need to figure out how warm and low this drum is going to be before i know what to do for bearing edges. Seeing as the schools steam bent maple has a pretty killer tone with a lot of lows, but has something like a 30 degree single cut or something like that, i might just go with that. I'm looking at a stave shell, which supposedly give you more lows than a steambent shell, though I am going for a harder wood (rosewood), which will give some nice attack. I think I'll go bug our percussion instructer up here about the exact qualities of the maple drum.