Mahogany, Birch, Maple.. OH MY!!!
I've seen a couple different options for drum kit woods. How do I know which one is for me?
Drumsets are made out of several different wood types. However, the three most commom woods are mahogany, birch, and maple. Another wood that you may find on some entry level kits is basswood. Mahogany isn't usually found on many pro level kits, but can be a great-sounding wood for the intermediate player. Birch and maple are what you will find on almost all professional level kits. Mahogany and basswood have some great lows, but that is about it. Birch has some great presence and cuts through really well. Birch is usually referred to as the recording kit for this reason. Maple has great low end, it's smooth, and very full sounding. Another thing when referring to woods is how many plys the drum has. The thicker the shell is, the louder, less sensitive, and less resonant the drum will be. The thinner the shell is, the quieter, more sensitive, and more resonant the drum will get. This should help you in finding the right type of wood for you.