Raymond Massey
08-12-2003, 02:42 PM
The great thing about Masterworks is the ability to create a totally custom kit that’s unique as you are a person from a one of a kind finish to most importantly - shell configurations and sizes that meet and exceed your musical desires.
Gene Okamoto and I have giving Masterworks Seminars all over the world and one question that comes up time aftertime is, "how does shell thickness affects the sound?"
In general, the number of plies determines how readily energy is transferred from the heads to the shell which has a profound affect on the tonal characteristics and projection of the drum.
To help explain let's look at the two extremes - thin (4-ply 5mm) VS thick (10 ply 12.5mm)
Because thin shells are "thin" vibration is transferred from the heads to the shell relatively easy and imparts a very rich "warm wood" tone. This overall sound that can be most appreciated in near-field applications - meaning it sounds great up-close but will not "project" or carry as far as its thicker shell siblings- simply due to the lack of shell mass.
Comparably speaking , a thicker shell is played at the same intensity offers a "cooler-wood " tone with added presence, projection and volume. This makes the shell extremely "efficient" allowing most of the player's energy to be focused to the audience over a greater distance. It can also be "felt" as pressure against your body when the kit while it's being played. These shells are ideal for coliseum-type venues and other applications where production is minimum and stage volume is high.
With Masterworks you can configure 8 ply 10mm, and 10 ply 12.5mm, shell thickness' which are becoming more popular today than ever as perfect choices for snare drums , bass drums and floor toms.
I have to tell you that snare drums made in this thickness rival cast metal drums in intensity, tone and sheer cutting force!
Plus with Masterworks you also have the option of blending different woods together at these thickness' to maximize the benefits of wood sound/tone characteristics with volume and projection- truly giving you the best of both worlds!
A really popular example of this is adding inner plies of African Mahogany to thicker shelled bass drums and floor toms for an incredible combination of power and warmth, put this together with a 10 ply 12.5mm 100% Maple snare and your sound will stand head and shoulders above the competition.
For more Masterworks information please see: http://www.pearldrum.com/masterworks.asp
Show from left to right:
4-ply 5mm with 4-ply 5mm reinforcement rings, 6-ply 7.5mm
8-ply 10mm, 10-ply 12.5mm
Gene Okamoto and I have giving Masterworks Seminars all over the world and one question that comes up time aftertime is, "how does shell thickness affects the sound?"
In general, the number of plies determines how readily energy is transferred from the heads to the shell which has a profound affect on the tonal characteristics and projection of the drum.
To help explain let's look at the two extremes - thin (4-ply 5mm) VS thick (10 ply 12.5mm)
Because thin shells are "thin" vibration is transferred from the heads to the shell relatively easy and imparts a very rich "warm wood" tone. This overall sound that can be most appreciated in near-field applications - meaning it sounds great up-close but will not "project" or carry as far as its thicker shell siblings- simply due to the lack of shell mass.
Comparably speaking , a thicker shell is played at the same intensity offers a "cooler-wood " tone with added presence, projection and volume. This makes the shell extremely "efficient" allowing most of the player's energy to be focused to the audience over a greater distance. It can also be "felt" as pressure against your body when the kit while it's being played. These shells are ideal for coliseum-type venues and other applications where production is minimum and stage volume is high.
With Masterworks you can configure 8 ply 10mm, and 10 ply 12.5mm, shell thickness' which are becoming more popular today than ever as perfect choices for snare drums , bass drums and floor toms.
I have to tell you that snare drums made in this thickness rival cast metal drums in intensity, tone and sheer cutting force!
Plus with Masterworks you also have the option of blending different woods together at these thickness' to maximize the benefits of wood sound/tone characteristics with volume and projection- truly giving you the best of both worlds!
A really popular example of this is adding inner plies of African Mahogany to thicker shelled bass drums and floor toms for an incredible combination of power and warmth, put this together with a 10 ply 12.5mm 100% Maple snare and your sound will stand head and shoulders above the competition.
For more Masterworks information please see: http://www.pearldrum.com/masterworks.asp
Show from left to right:
4-ply 5mm with 4-ply 5mm reinforcement rings, 6-ply 7.5mm
8-ply 10mm, 10-ply 12.5mm