I think JW said it was a metal shell. But from the pictures here, I can't find a shadow under the metal bearing edge, so. I haven't read the original ad on Reverb though.Shouldn’t they have cut the bearing edge after the powder coat?
No, on a metal shell they generally do all the shaping, then apply whatever finish to the shell, including the bearing edges.Shouldn’t they have cut the bearing edge after the powder coat?
Hmm. Deal breaker. I want my heads touching bare metal, not a powder coat that can have large variations in thickness if not done correctly.No, on a metal shell they generally do all the shaping, then apply whatever finish to the shell, including the bearing edges.
- The shell is 3mm or 1/8″ aluminum, it has machined double 45 degree bearing edges (not rolled) and laser cut snare beds. Does not have a center bead.
Hmm. Deal breaker. I want my heads touching bare metal, not a powder coat that can have large variations in thickness if not done correctly.
Besides, they “laser” the snare bed. Why would they do that when they’re gonna bake paint onto it and create variances as thick or thicker than the drumhead?
From the web site:
Do you think it was the coating that dried up the overall sound of the snare, or the bumpiness on the snare bed, or both?View attachment 99085View attachment 99086
Here is the supra I was referring to. I can say without question that the texture on this shell affected sound, a lot.
The finish on the op drum has a more subtle texture, so I'm not sure how much affect it will have.
It's impossible to quantify without experimentation, but my feeling was that the bumpiness on the bearing edges, both top and bottom, affected the sound.Do you think it was the coating that dried up the overall sound of the snare, or the bumpiness on the snare bed, or both?
It's great to see that kind of customer service!It's one thing if you bought the drum and it's shoddy but to start a thread based on speculation from a picture is not really fair to WFLIII. I just received a brand new 6.5x14 WFLIII mahogany snare I purchased from them direct and it is flawless and sounds fantastic. If there was anything not to my satisfaction they wanted me to let them know. This is what they said in an email.
"Great News! Our craftsmen are finished, our inspectors have gone over every inch, and your new WFLIII drum is on the way to you.
We’ve had so much fun building your drum and hope you will receive a lifetime of joy and satisfaction knowing you now own the very best!
Please take pictures and let us know your reaction when you open your package, hear the sound and feel the quality of your new WFLIII Drum for the first time. You can tag us on Instagram or Facebook. You are now part of the WFLIII Family, and we hope you will stay in touch and let us know about your playing experiences and any future needs you might have.
If for some unfortunate reason your drum does not arrive to you in absolutely perfect condition, let us know immediately so we can remedy any issues. You can contact us at [email protected] or call us directly at 773.459.2678.
Thank you again for choosing WFLIII Drums!"
Lol motorcycle, car, and power tool forums?!Besides if we can't critique a percussion product on a drummer forum, where can we do it?
Did you ask the seller? They might clear this up instead of possibly harmful speculation.
It's one thing if you bought the drum and it's shoddy but to start a thread based on speculation from a picture is not really fair to WFLIII. I just received a brand new 6.5x14 WFLIII mahogany snare I purchased from them direct and it is flawless and sounds fantastic. If there was anything not to my satisfaction they wanted me to let them know. This is what they said in an email.
"Great News! Our craftsmen are finished, our inspectors have gone over every inch, and your new WFLIII drum is on the way to you.
We’ve had so much fun building your drum and hope you will receive a lifetime of joy and satisfaction knowing you now own the very best!
Please take pictures and let us know your reaction when you open your package, hear the sound and feel the quality of your new WFLIII Drum for the first time. You can tag us on Instagram or Facebook. You are now part of the WFLIII Family, and we hope you will stay in touch and let us know about your playing experiences and any future needs you might have.
If for some unfortunate reason your drum does not arrive to you in absolutely perfect condition, let us know immediately so we can remedy any issues. You can contact us at [email protected] or call us directly at 773.459.2678.
Thank you again for choosing WFLIII Drums!"
I'm wondering if it really has any impact on sound. The head conforms to the bearing edge with enough tension on it. And reso heads on snares are cranked pretty tight more often than not.While we're on the subject, I just found this DW cast Aluminum snare with a "wrinkled" finish. Check out that bearing edge. It has the same problem that I am suspicious (but inconclusive) about with the WFLIII. If any of you can't see the bumpiness on that bearing edge, there's no hope for you, lol.
I'm still undecided about the WFLIII snare, but this DW is much easier to see. Bearing edges need to be baby's butt smooth, period. That bearing edge looks like a jagged mess. There is no doubt it will negatively influence the sound.
I'm sorry if some of you find this thread "harmful" or "troublemaking"...but I believe this is an incredibly valid concern. If we can't ask questions like this here, then where? As one of you suggested, I have messaged the seller about the WFLIII snare. Hopefully I'll get a reply, and I'll post any updates.
Here's the DW listing...
https://reverb.com/item/37839710-dw...m-snare-2000s-flat-black-dw-calls-it-wrinkled
Bearing edges are one of the most critical aspects of a drum's sound. Without a good bearing edge the drum can sound boxy, be lacking in body, have bad overtones, or be difficult to tune. Sometimes all of the above. No amount of tension would completely fix it IMHO.I'm wondering if it really has any impact on sound. The head conforms to the bearing edge with enough tension on it. And reso heads on snares are cranked pretty tight more often than not.