Wrapped shells vs lacquered shells

[larryace]

Does anyone here hold the opinion that lacquered shells resonate more than wrapped shells? I used to think that but now I'm not so sure. I wonder what the thickness is of the coats of lacquer as compared to a wrapped finish. What are your thoughts?

[gmrakich]

There is a 4.7% difference with the wrapped at the disadvantage. The human ear can not tell the difference, and use of some heads create at least that much difference. I gig with wrapped kits (for the most part) and bring out the lacquered drums for certain show and recordings.

[rmandelbaum]

I am sure there is a difference but as stated above, will you really hear it?

I gig with a wrapped kit as well because of its durability.

I would think loosely applied wrap would kill a drum where a tightly applied wrap would have far less effect.

But for that matter does a thick gloss painted finish muffle more then a single coat of satin?

Again I would guess yes but again would you hear it?

There are many who feel very strongly about this subject. Go play some wrapped and non wrapped kits in the quality range you are thinking about. See for yourself ;-)

[trkdrmr]

Hardware and drumheads will make a pronounced difference... a wrap won't.

Given the same shells specs:

Small lugs
triple flanged or s hoops
Mounted on a stand

Will give significantly more resonance than:

Huge lugs
Die cast hoops
Mounting toms on kick drum mount

But these conditions are also desirable under certain circumstances and still, variables exist. It doesn't sound bad, for example to have toms mounted on the kick.

I would however, like to hear DW collectors drums if they used 1/4" lugs vs those huge lugs and all that extra weight.

[sabian0311]

i play a wrapped snare because it seems to kill the overtones. and i play with non wrapped toms and kick for resonence. most of it i think is tuning, heads and hardware set up than wrapped or not.

[harryconway]

There is a 4.7% difference with the wrapped at the disadvantage. The human ear can not tell the difference.......
I would believe that. If you need scientific equipment to measure the teeny, tiny, advantage a lacquer finish has over a wrap, then it's a moot point. That said, I just plain ol' love the look of natural woodgrain showing thru lacquer. So I've de-wrapped quite a few drums, and re-finished them. Never gone the other way. I can appreciate a good sparkle, though, on someone else's kit.

[larryace]

Yea I used to be a lacquer snob, but I've heard some wonderful sounding wrapped kits and am starting to come to realize that it's probably a non issue, sonically. 4.7% eh gmrakich? I'd love to know the source of your info.

[gmrakich]

Yea I used to be a lacquer snob, but I've heard some wonderful sounding wrapped kits and am starting to come to realize that it's probably a non issue, sonically. 4.7% eh gmrakich? I'd love to know the source of your info.

Center for Advanced Resonance Studies in Des Moines, IA.

[larryace]

Center for Advanced Resonance Studies in Des Moines, IA eh?

Wow what a great answer..

I would love to have been part of that experiment. Acoustics fascinate me.

[larryace]

Wait a second, are you yanking my chain? I did a Google search and found nothing even close.

[gmrakich]

Wait a second, are you yanking my chain? I did a Google search and found nothing even close.

It is where DW does all their research.

[drums32]

well i dont have to worry about wraps or laquer affecting my set i have a pdp mx in a matte finish, good thing it stays at my house, those matte finishes will get damaged easily if your not careful.

[larryace]

OK gmrakich, just checking!