Mahogany

[Clubdrums]

Hey everyone, i'm looking at kits and i came across the gretsch catalina jazz that is made out of mahogany wood and a little basswood. I know basswood is relatively cheap but whats up with mahogany? Is it a good wood choice for a semi-professional kit or is it not up to par with other woods? Let me know what you think, thanks.

[driver]

It's a great wood that has perhaps been given a bad name from cheaper products (much like B8 Bronze) It's different to Maple and Birch but no wood is better than the other its down to your personal choice. In the end if you can try a Mahogany kit and you like it then go for it!

"True mahogany from USA or Honduras will have about a 20% increase in low frequency resonance over the maple drum, mid and high frequencies will be the same from a reproduction point of view, but because the Mahogany has the 20% low end increase, the perceived tone is warmer. Certain deep red timbers from South East Asia are sold as a 'Mahogany', or 'Mahogany Finish' although they are not true Mahogany from USA or Honduras. It’s most likely called mahogany due either its common appearance (dark red) or due to the nature of the forestation being depleted and the stigma attached to it. Asian 'Philippine Mahogany' is often sourced from the endangered Dipterocarp forests of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Dependant on the source tree the timber types are often known as Meranti, Lauan and Keruing. Hence the name Philippine mahogany. The species known as Khaya Nyasica or African mahogany are more plentiful yet still endangered and therefore, not plentiful at this time."

http://home.earthlink.net/~prof.sound/id14.html

[harryconway]

Indeed, not all mahogany is created equal. Not all mahogany is even mahogany. A trip to Keller http://www.kellerproducts.com/ who make a real mahogany drum shell (vintage type) and a trip to Anderson International Trading http://www.aitwood.com/ for prices. 18x14 ($144), 12x8 ($90), 14x14 ($101). $335 just for Keller shells. No bearing edges, holes, hardware, wrap, nada. So you can pretty much guarantee that the $599 Gretsch Catalina Jazz kit is not made of the same beast as the vintage mahogany used in the 50's and 60's, that gave drums that "je ne sais quoi" so many people want today. Not that the Catalina is a bad kit. It's an awesome little kit for the money.

[Ironcobra]

I haven't played one, but I hear mahogany makes a superb bass drum. FSD on the forum here just purchased a stave mahogany kit, it's not a ply kit, but he will still be able to tell you some of the characteristics of this wood once he comes online.

Originally Posted by ironcobra

I haven't played one, but I hear mahogany makes a superb bass drum. FSD on the forum here just purchased a stave mahogany kit, it's not a ply kit, but he will still be able to tell you some of the characteristics of this wood once he comes online.

I've owned a Catalina Club jazz before and it's a great kit. But I can't really tell the characteristics of Mahogany and have it be a fair representation of the Club jazz. The reason being, my Unix is made of high grade African Mahogany and is a stave set. The Club Jazz is a ply set and is made of Phillipine Mahogany, which I believe some say isn't "real" Mahogany. Unless I'm thinking of something else, it's actually Luan.

My set has a deeper tone, that is very warm, full, with plenty of bottom end and I believe slightly less resonant than Maple. It's very vintage sounding. The Club Jazz had a slightly brighter top end, yet still retained a warm tone. It had fairly short sustain, giving almost a dry sound. But I still felt that it had an old school sound to it as well.

[Unix]

It's almost impossible to find Mahogany of Hounduras, it's an andangered spicies, most kit these day at least in stave are made from African Mahogany.

[Cymbalrider]

Gretsch Catalina kits are excellent sets. I have a Catalina Rock and a Mapex Pro M. The Catalina has a remarkably good sound. Much better than poplar or birch/basswood combos I've heard on kits like Exports or Stage Customs. They sound better than Rockstars too. A Catalina will do everything you want a set to do without costing too much.


Compared with my Mapex: the maple shells of the Pro M are more resonant and overall punchier and louder. The Catalina's mahogany gives a warmer, drier sound. The sound of a drum comes more from the construction than the wood type anyway. Ply thickness, method of putting the plies together, bearing edge, lugs, etc....

[gmrakich]

The mahogany used in the 50s-mid 70s was African Mahogany...old growth trees. Sweet.

[Matt-a-tat-tat]

I wish people didn't think Basswood is a lousy wood.

Originally Posted by Matt-a-tat-tat

I wish people didn't think Basswood is a lousy wood.

My Taye Pro-X is Birch/Basswood and I think it's great. I wouldn't want an entire Basswood set, but as a mix wood I think it can give some nice results.

[mind_drummer]

The fact is Catalina Club jazz shell are Phil. Mahogany (luan lauan merenti) wood. Sure GRETSCH just as PREMIER, TAMA and PEARL (back when TAMA & PEARL had kit made of phil. mahogany) use the highest grade of these wood species.

[Matt-a-tat-tat]

Originally Posted by fourstringdrums

My Taye Pro-X is Birch/Basswood and I think it's great. I wouldn't want an entire Basswood set, but as a mix wood I think it can give some nice results.

Yeah I got a Tama Superstar Custom. They sound great. I read that the Older Tama Starclassics or Starclassic Performers were Basswood/Birch. Now the Superstars are. Doesn't the drummers bible refer to basswood as having the same sonic characteristics as Maple?

[gmrakich]

basswood is OK if used with other wood. On its own its kinda boxy sounding. My aunt has a computer made of basswood.