• Sonic characteristics of the wood.
• Music type the wood is best suited for
• Who is using it?
• Who makes it and what it is called
• Prices.

Some of the wood types we will cover:

• Maple
• Birch
• Oak
• Beech
• Synthetic materials

MAPLE

Sonic Characteristics: Maple offers a warm full tone sound with full sustain and outstanding projection.
Music type best suited for: Can and is used in all types of music and is the most sought after wood type for a drum set second to none!
Who is using it?: Lars Ulrich (Metallica), John Blackwell (Prince), Will Champion (Coldplay), Antonio Sanchez (Pat Metheny), and many, many more.
Who makes it and what is it called?: Tama Starclassic maple, Pearl masters custom, Yamaha maple custom & the maple custom absolute, Mapex Orion & Saturn series, Pacific CX and LX series, Premier maple artist series.
Prices: Maple kits are the most expensive drum sets available.

BIRCH

Sonic Characteristics: Birch offers a darker tone than maple and also projects better than maple, not as warm as maple.
Music type best suited for: Birch is also a versatile wood and found in many different music styles.
Who is using it: Morgan Rose (Sevendust), Shannon Larkin (Godsmack), Oscar Seaton (George Benson), David Garibaldi (Tower of Power) and Matt Cameron (Pearl jam).
Who makes it and what is it called? Tama Starclassic performer, Pearl masters' studio, Yamaha Recording custom, Birch Custom Absolute, Premier Artist Birch and the Pacific FS range.
Prices: Birch drum sets are slightly less expensive than maple, but still in the upper price brackets

RARE WOODS: BEECH

Sonic Characteristics: Sharp and well centered tone, with a quick decay, and the projection of maple.
Music type best suited for: Rock, pop and R 'n B
Who is using it? Gerry Brown (Stevie Wonder)
Who makes it and what is it called? Yamaha beech custom. There is no other Beech kit that I am aware of.
Prices: Expensive

RARE WOODS: OAK

Sonic Characteristics; Razor sharp attack & resonating lows.
Music type best suited for; Rock and jazz.
Who makes it and what is it called? Yamaha Oak custom
Pricing: Expensive

SYNTHETIC MATERIALS

Crystallite; made by Fibes.
Acrylic: made by Wahan.
Vistalite: made by Ludwig