Standard Shells

When considering shell type and shell size, it is important to first figure out what kind of music you are playing and where you are playing them. Different woods and materials have their own characteristics and properties that offer different benefits, which is why we carry four main shell types – Maple, Birch, Mahogany and Acrylic.

Maple shells have very warm properties and produce mid tones, which offer an overall great sound ideal for most playing situations specifically live.

Standard configuration: 100% VSS (Vibrating Sound Source) Northern Hard Rock Maple Keller Shells

• 6ply maple toms
• 8ply maple bass drum
• 10ply maple snare drum

Birch shells are not as warm as maple shells but have brighter properties and produce higher tones, which work great in a recording setting.

Standard Configuration: 100% VSS Birch Keller Shells

• 6ply birch toms
• 8ply birch bass drum
• 10ply birch snare drum

Mahogany shells produce an extremely warm low end sound that makes it the deepest of the three wood drum shell types. Mahogany offers a vintage sound reminiscent of the drum kits manufactured in the 60’s and 70’s.

Standard Configuration: 6ply Vintage Mahogany Keller Shells w/ maple re-rings

Acrylic Shells are more noted for their aesthetic look over sound quality but they offer a lot of sustain and range with a much clearer sound than most wood drums.

Standard Configuration: 1/4″ RCI Acrylic shells available in many different colors

Domestic and Exotic Steam-bent Snare Drum Shells

Steam-bent drums use no ply wood, which means less glue in the construction. These drums are steamed, shaped in to a drum and naturally finished to bring out the fine wood quality. All steam-bent drums come with re-rings.

Some of the wood that we offer in our steam-bent line are: please inquire about what is in stock and lead times

• African Mahogany
• Cherry
• Hickory
• Bubinga
• Cocobolo
• Purpleheart
• Walnut
• Zebrawood
• Maple
• Birch

Brass Snare drums are also available. Please inquire within.

Bearing Edges

All of our drums are given a standard inside 45º bearing edge with a slight outside round over. Our bearing edges are hand sanded, leveled to make sure the edge is completely flat and polished with a fine wax to seal the wood and to give it a nice smooth finish.

Interior Shell Finish

The interior of all our shells from the standard maple to our steam-bent snare drums are fine sanded and polished to completely seal and finish the wood. This process helps add years to the life of the drum.