Favorite Session Studio finish

[BP]

Hey everyone-
I’m looking to purchase a second kit and have decided on a session studio with the 20” kick for a number of reasons.

It’s come time to choose a finish and can’t decide between the Black Halo or the Antique Crimson. I’d love to see these side by side somewhere but they are hard to come by. Anyone go through a similar decision? Any users of either finish care to throw their opinions out there? I’m also a fan of the Ice Blue wrap but I’m not a fan of wraps in general.

Thanks
Brian

[AL PERCIVAL]

315 Antique Crimson Burst
316 Black Halo glitter

[AL PERCIVAL]

316 w/o flash

[AL PERCIVAL]

another of 315 Antique Crimson burst (a real winner) IMHO.

[AL PERCIVAL]

STS 414 Ice Blue Oyster wrap (is really appealing)

[AL PERCIVAL]

But so is STS 405 Nicotine white marine Pearl

[AL PERCIVAL]

STS birch / african mahogany shell - beautiful!

[BP]

Thanks Al- not sure if you’ve made this an easier decision or harder, haha. But none the less, I appreciate the pics. The Crimson lets the grain come through perfectly while the glitter pops. And those pics of the wraps may just change my opinion too haha

[MW_Runpali]

But so is STS 405 Nicotine white marine Pearl

Gong drum from that angle looks sick. Definitely made the right decision with the finish and sizes.

What comes to the debate between Antique Crimson Burst and Black Halo Glitter, my vote goes to the Antique Crimson. Having owned a set of Masterworks in Comet Sparkle, which is pretty much the same as Black Halo Glitter, I would never choose that finish again. I got bored with it so quick cause it popped too much and was more tacky than classy. Just my two cents.

[AL PERCIVAL]

Even color 314 Gloss Barnwood Brown burst shows the wood grains well. There really isn't a bad finish in the STS Session Studio Select line-up.

[MW_Runpali]

I'm supposed to be bias, but I have to admit I like the way the wood grain shows through the Antique Crimson Burst lacquer.

It really looks beautiful! To be honest, I’m a bit jealous for you Americans for having so many more beautiful finish options.

[Josh Conover]

Oh man... this is exactly the internal debate I've had going on since the introduction of the Session Studio Select line. I currently play the Session Studio Classic line in piano black (with Masters series satin hardware), but even when those came out I waited a year to see if they'd add a black sparkle finish. I've always wanted that halo flake with satin hardware. I had just enough satin hardware to cover a kick, 12" rack, and 14"&16" floor toms (and also the ten satin tube lugs and Mastercast hoops for my black brass snare).

My ideal and "go-to" set up is 20" kick, 10" rack, and 16" floor Tom. But I love the classic 22",12",16" as well. So I decided I wanted a shell bank and its way easier to find drums with chrome hardware and nearly impossible to find Pearl's satin hardware anymore. So Crimson burst is what I decided on for my next kit!

I already had the 14"x8" snare that I purchased for my snare collection just to see the finish in person. Then I found a steal of a deal on a lone 20" kick on eBay. And most recently I picked up an 8" Tom. Now I'm only a few hundred dollars away from ordering the 22,10,12,14,16 shell pack(!). I've also (slowly) been collecting chrome Mastercast hoops for all the toms. I have everything covered except for the 14" floor which is just not a priority since I never use one. I'm excited to have a red kit!
The finish is amazing in person. The depth of the wood grain looks awesome as you move light or change your viewing angle.

[Josh Conover]

Funny thing is, I had given up completely on finding a 10" Tom with satin hardware and I found one two weeks ago after I had made all these other purchases. I'm essentially locked in to the Crimson red burst but might pick up another halo flake kit in the future and put all my satin hardware on it!

[Jonah Hex]

For your consideration - #314 in all it's glory:



More pics in the link in my sig....setup has changed slightly and as soon as Al gets me mah parts the rack design starts to evolve.... ;-)

[BP]

While I take comfort in the fact that I’m not alone here, I can tell you I’m not any closer to deciding haha.