Is a stave shell more fragile then a plywood shell?
If dropped on the floor naked (no hardware), yes it is. It would be a lie to say it's not. But if an accident should happen and the shell cracks you can repair it most of the time - and quite easily, actually. With a plywood shell you are lost. Thickness, of course, is key in this story. A one inch thick shell is not easily cracked!

Why stave over plywood?
We don't say stave is better than plywood. It is different. Many times reference is made to the glue to wood ratio. A stave shell contains a fraction of the glue compared with a plywood shell. Glue is not known for its tonal qualities. With a stave shell there is no bending tension on the wood, so the wood can resonate freely. Stave gives you different design opportunities, but can't be wrapped.

Why does Signature Drums only do stave shells?
It is what I can do best.

Is there a plan of the Stave Drum Without a Lathe Jig?
No. It has been asked many times, but I really can't draw it better than the pictures tell at Drum Shed. The measurements are unique to my tools and materials. It is the principle it is based on that makes it work. If you follow that principle, you can come up with your own measurements unique to your tools and materials.

How long does it take to build a Signature shell?
That's hard to say in general. From scratch it may take as much as 3 months. If some work was done in advance, then it would be less. I prefer to leave a rough shell resting for a while, then cut it close to specs and leave it to rest again. Wood is always prone to humidity factors and the thicker it is, the longer it takes to dry. With all the cutting being made to a shell in the process, I prefer to go in steps.

What woods can I choose from?
My wood supplier has 120 species in stock. If he has got it, I can build your stave drum with it. That doesn't mean it's always wise to do so. Some wood species simply lack tonal qualities or are too fragile or brittle for a stave drum. Some species are very hard on tools and blunt saw blades and router bits fast. You might see an extra charge for that.

If you have a question please feel free to contact us!