Tone woods

[Whopbamboom]

Here are a few possible reasons why some woods AREN'T used:

1) tendency to crack/split during drying process, making it impossible to get crack-free wood in large enough pieces
2) tendency tocrack/split during stave-bending process (brittle wood)
3) tendency to crack/split or to shrink over time, after drum is made
4) trees don't grow large enough to get quality pieces that are large enough
5) wood won't hold glue
6) wood bleeds resins
7) wood is full of knots or inclusions
wood is too soft
9) wood is photosensitive (changes colors in the sun)

The above short list might also be helpful to those who wish to hand-select the wood for their custom drums.

Add to that list two more factors that also might come into consideration for some folks:

10) wood is too heavy, making for very heavy drums that the individual might not want to have to carry around
11) wood is far too expensive



Edited By Whopbamboom on 1182197259

[Whopbamboom]

Not to parade on this great thread but,
I think the hands and skin has more effect in the tone of drums more than anything.
With that said, I do not disagree that to an exent the drum shell's wood characteritic does partake in the overall sound from the drum. I also think that the belly shape and hardware come in second to the skin used-mainly type and thickness.
Lets not forget the room that its played in also.

Now back to the scheduled program.

T

Tonio, all of those things affect the sound. They have to. It would be illogical for anyone to think that they didn't.

But regarding wood, here's what Fredrico told me about his bubinga conga's:
"I think bubinga is deeper and warmer ( a fuller sound)than African Mahogany but still has the cut and highs."

And, this is what Volcano has to say about Koa wood:
"The sound of Koa is warm and brilliant at the same time."

I'm pretty sure that two congas made of different woods, but otherwise virtually identical, and played by the same player, will sound fairly different from each other.

Oh, and Volcano has some sound clips on their site-- keep your sound on when browsing that site. Those congas sound gooooood....



Edited By Whopbamboom on 1182281130