Why Stave construction?

There are 3 main advantages to stave construction:

First, Stave drums use less glue. Our stave shells use around 90% less glue than a ply-constructed shell with the same measurements. Glue does not resonate well and can mute the natural tone of wood. Therefore, the less glue used in the construction process the more the shell will resonate and produce natural tones.

Second, Stave drums are not under stress due to bending. Both steam bent and ply shells are bent into a cylindrical shape. Due to this fact, they are under pressure. Over time this pressure can cause the drum to change shape and become "out of round." Stave shells use multiple pieces of wood that are glued together and then turned into a cylinder. This creates a more stable drum that is not under pressure.

Third, Stave shells have a vertical grain orientation. Vertical grain can transfer energy and vibration better for a more responsive drum with greater projection. Vertical grain also creates a stronger bearing edge that can perform better under the tension of high tuning.

How will wood selection affect the final sound of my drum?

The Janka scale measures the hardness and density of wood. Wood that is higher on this scale will be harder and produce higher tones with more projection. Softer woods will produce lower tones with less projection. Salem St. Drum Co. will be happy to assist you to match the species of wood to the unique sound and style you would like to achieve.

Can I buy a shell without the hardware?

Yes! Just let us know what you want, and we will build it for you.

Can you cut a bearing edge or snare bed in my current shell?

Yes! We install bearing edges and snare beds. Customer will be responsible for all shipping & handling charges and an additional shop fee.

How do I place an order?

Orders must be placed via email or by phone. All drums are custom made to order and require a 50% non-refundable deposit to begin production. The remaining balance, shipping, handling and insurance will be due to Salem St. Drum Co. once the drum is complete. Please visit our contact page to start your custom Drum order.

How long will it take to build my drum?

Most of our drums take 8 to 10 weeks to complete. Each drum is hand crafted to order, which includes a significant amount of labor and drying time.

If you have any additional questions, please visit our contact page and email us directly.