Steambent, Multiply or Stave?

[trkdrmr]

I have read the back and fourth reasons to buy each. I really want to hear from someone who has tried these designs side by side.

Which of the three:

1. Steambent maple/ 1 ply with re-rings
2. Thick multiply (20/30/50 ply) (it would seem there can't be much difference past 20 ply)
3. Stave

Would be the most powerful/ cutting design? I know there are variables. Is there a true definative answer or credible anecdotal evidence?

EDIT: I realize that a stave paduak or jarrah is likely louder than a maple shell just by virtue of the wood.

I am considering building one of them.

Thanks.

[Steady Freddy]

I have three steam bent snares.

1. 13 X 5.5 Craviotto/DW
2. 14 X 5.5 DW Solid
3. 14 X 6.5 Craviotto/DW

These drums bridge the gap between ply and metal shells. They are brighter than a ply drum, but not as bright as a metal drum. I find them to be versatile and have a wide tuning range. They can be quite loud and still sensitive at lower volume levels. When it comes to wood shells, these are the best I've played.

I've only had one stave snare. A Brady jarrah 13 X 7. This drum had a limited tuning range and sounded best just shy of choking. The drum was loud to be sure, but had a harsh tone. It was a little brighter sounding than the steam bent shells, but sounded brittle.

After messing with it for a few months It found a new home.

This is not to say that all stave drums will have similar characteristics. Wood type would have a bearing on the sound.Vinnie's Bubinga snare sounded great on the sound clips I've heard.

HTH

[trkdrmr]

I have three steam bent snares.

1. 13 X 5.5 Craviotto/DW
2. 14 X 5.5 DW Solid
3. 14 X 6.5 Craviotto/DW

These drums bridge the gap between ply and metal shells. They are brighter than a ply drum, but not as bright as a metal drum. I find them to be versatile and have a wide tuning range. They can be quite loud and still sensitive at lower volume levels. When it comes to wood shells, these are the best I've played.

I've only had one stave snare. A Brady jarrah 13 X 7. This drum had a limited tuning range and sounded best just shy of choking. The drum was loud to be sure, but had a harsh tone. It was a little brighter sounding than the steam bent shells, but sounded brittle.

After messing with it for a few months It found a new home.

This is not to say that all stave drums will have similar characteristics. Wood type would have a bearing on the sound.Vinnie's Bubinga snare sounded great on the sound clips I've heard.

HTH

I have heard people find jarrah harsh, like oak can be. I can pick up a vaughncraft steambent maple shell for about $200. Might be less of a one-trick pony than something 1" thick.

[Steady Freddy]

I have heard people find jarrah harsh, like oak can be. I can pick up a vaughncraft steambent maple shell for about $200. Might be less of a one-trick pony than something 1" thick.

My DW solid has a Vaughncraft shell. It sounds great! One of my favorite snares. I think that would be a good way to go.

I may try a stave drum made from another wood in the future.

[trkdrmr]

My DW solid has a Vaughncraft shell. It sounds great! One of my favorite snares. I think that would be a good way to go.

I may try a stave drum made from another wood in the future.

Unix recommended padouak. I know bubinga is a winner, based on Zambizzi's samples.

I guess it's better when a wood is hard and dense like Bubinga, vs just hard like jarrah and oak. There is body to offset the cut.

[zambizzi]

I've always wondered what "harsh" meant when describing drum tone. I've played Yamaha Oaks and they were loud...but I don't know about "harsh". Does this mean less resonant? Crappy tone?

Anyhow, I've owned a steambent Craviotto (maple), several ply snares, brass, steel, and now my Unix bubinga...and it's my favorite by far. I don't get paid in any way to say that...it's my honest opinion. I've got a padauk of the same size and thickness on the way when Frank gets the time to finish it...I'd be glad to put up some side-by-side comparisons. I haven't finished my 14x5.5 Ash shell from JTP yet...just haven't had time. I'll also post clips of that to compare when it's done.

The bubinga snare is very loud, very sensitive, and very warm. The only snare I might compare it to is a Ludwig BB. The Bubinga is a bit warmer and louder and equally as sensitive. It's got more low-end for sure. It rings quite a bit more than a plywood drum would but not as much as a wide-open BB would.

Hope that helps in some way!

[trkdrmr]

I've always wondered what "harsh" meant when describing drum tone. I've played Yamaha Oaks and they were loud...but I don't know about "harsh". Does this mean less resonant? Crappy tone?

Anyhow, I've owned a steambent Craviotto (maple), several ply snares, brass, steel, and now my Unix bubinga...and it's my favorite by far. I don't get paid in any way to say that...it's my honest opinion. I've got a padauk of the same size and thickness on the way when Frank gets the time to finish it...I'd be glad to put up some side-by-side comparisons. I haven't finished my 14x5.5 Ash shell from JTP yet...just haven't had time. I'll also post clips of that to compare when it's done.

The bubinga snare is very loud, very sensitive, and very warm. The only snare I might compare it to is a Ludwig BB. The Bubinga is a bit warmer and louder and equally as sensitive. It's got more low-end for sure. It rings quite a bit more than a plywood drum would but not as much as a wide-open BB would.

Hope that helps in some way!

It does. I am thinking of a 14x8 bubinga stave snare right now. -However- I really would like a report on how bubinga compares to padoak.

[zambizzi]

It does. I am thinking of a 14x8 bubinga stave snare right now. -However- I really would like a report on how bubinga compares to padoak.

Wow, that'd have some cojones, for sure!

I heard from Frank and the padauk should come soon. It will be padauk staves with thin maple stripes. I doubt it'd sound much different than solid padauk, the maple is for aesthetics, I'm guessing.

I've been asked more than a few times now if my bubinga snare is a metal snare. Frank asked that on my kit thread here and my guitarist asked me the same thing last night. I'm playing it wide-open - I never muffle my snare. It rings like crazy (and I love it) - yet it has so much depth and body. Ghost notes are as clear as a bell, no matter how soft. It really has a tone unlike any snare I've played so far.

I don't know how padauk would be any better...probably just slightly different. Frank described it as "as close to a metal snare as you can get in wood". I guess we'll see?

[Steady Freddy]

I've always wondered what "harsh" meant when describing drum tone. I've played Yamaha Oaks and they were loud...but I don't know about "harsh". Does this mean less resonant? Crappy tone?



The drum seemed to generate some nasty mid range over tones. There was plenty of resonance, but a lack of warmth. When it was cranked way up it sounded best, but it was kind of a hollow pop sound. Not what I would expect from a deep drum and the head response was like playing on a piece of metal.

I tried a number of heads and tunings , but the drum just wasn't what I was looking for. Others may love the sound.

[trkdrmr]

I don't know how padauk would be any better...probably just slightly different. Frank described it as "as close to a metal snare as you can get in wood". I guess we'll see?

HMMM.. That makes me lean toward bubinga. I have two aluminum snares that do great things without sounding harsh. In addition to the 14x8 profile, I'd want something as wood sounding as possible.

[zambizzi]

HMMM.. That makes me lean toward bubinga. I have two aluminum snares that do great things without sounding harsh. In addition to the 14x8 profile, I'd want something as wood sounding as possible.

Well, I'm not the wood expert and I obviously can't anticipate the sound that you're imagining...but I doubt you'd be disappointed w/ bubinga, if that's the case.

I'd talk it through w/ Frank (if you're going that route) and really try to articulate the sound you want. Meanwhile, if I get that padauk snare before you make a decision, I'll get you some detailed, raw recordings of both so you can compare.

[trkdrmr]

Well, I'm not the wood expert and I obviously can't anticipate the sound that you're imagining...but I doubt you'd be disappointed w/ bubinga, if that's the case.

I'd talk it through w/ Frank (if you're going that route) and really try to articulate the sound you want. Meanwhile, if I get that padauk snare before you make a decision, I'll get you some detailed, raw recordings of both so you can compare.

I still have to wait a week before I have physical custody of my side snare, and then do recordings as well. No hurry, I'd rather wait and make the right choice. It's between bubinga and paduoak.