Inspiration for a build...

[latzanimal]

I don't know how many of you have read my request for a quote to have some wood pieces CNC'd, but this is the inspiration for the pieces, which will hopefully become a drum. Dennis built this kit years ago and was one of, if not the first in the drum world to use a cnc to cut and piece together drum wrap on drums. I'm hoping to do this with only wood.

Anyway, here's the pic...

[latzanimal]

So I have been talking to Harry about cutting the pieces for this and my first thought was to use different exotic woods that had different colors like the above pic of drums.

However, my CAD buddy colored the pieces in an example pic in only 2 colors and I like it. So now I am at a loss on what woods to use.

Should I use 2 woods like Walnut or Wenge (Dark brown) and maple (light blond) or should I use a multiple of woods and imitate the original kit that inspired this?

Feel free to tell me I'm whacked as well...

Example pic:

[Harry]

I vote for two... it will just be more care needed on my part if it is more than two though in making sure I cut the right parts in the right material. But in defense of my vote I think the two contrasting colors will really make the pieces pop where multiple shades might let one start blending into another.

[Rocco]

I vote for three different woods, I agree with Harry that too many colours would muddy the effect however only two colours would give too regular a look whereas three would allow for a somewhat random pattern which I think would be pleasing to the eye.

[latzanimal]

I certainly want to make this as easy as possible.

In order to do multiple, I would have to plan the pieces out before I even send them to Harry. then perhaps just put a number on them and an arrow to direct the grain. That way you could run all of the #1s together, #2s etc....

I hadn't given 2 woods a thought until I saw Tate's rendering of the pieces together, so I blame him....

[Harry]

A thought I just had that I think would just the the finishing touch for this, make two sticks for it with one being of each wood. I suppose they would have to be woods that are proper for this and weighted equally for actually using but for display at least I think it would be pretty cool.

[latzanimal]

Actually Harry, I could use veneer to make 2 small blocks and then turn the sticks from the blocks. They would be pinstriped....

[Harry]

That would look good too and possibly be more functional in terms of being able to use them re equal weight/balance. I still think the picture I get in my head of two different colored sticks looks Make Ebony and Ivory go through my head

[F.C.]

The "more" different woods you use will have "more" different reactions to relative humidity. If you can keep the woods to a very similar density, wood grain size and weight you stand a better chance at keeping the instrument "in tune". Also, the harmonics of vibrations will carry the sound produced more proficiently than having some deadend areas of the shell that won't transfer the vibrations equally. I'm guessing this is the reason all instruments that involve sound vibrations are made of all one type of material (for the main box, at least). Also consider thickness... less is more in terms of sound produced. Too thick and you end up hearing mostly the sound produced by the vibration of the skin being struck and not amplified due the echoing within the box it's stretched over. Just a thought....

[latzanimal]

Yes Frank, you have hit the nail on the head. While the shell will be finished, it will still have a slight movement. This also the reason I want to run the all of the grain in the same direction..

Spot on on the thickness, too! I will turn this down to somewhere between .375" - .25". At some point stability and strength become a factor.

While also true on the vibration and harmonics of the shell, it is just a drum. Most people, including drummers, don't know the difference or can hear the difference. It's a drum, it goes "boom" is the mentality.

Thanks again for the input...

Harry and I have decided on only using 2 wood types. Since it is the first for both of us for this type of drum (cnc'd pieces) it will be easier on manufacturing and save me the trouble of having to lay out the pieces on paper and decide what goes where, label and hope they all come out. With only 2 woods, I can have Harry make a few extra and not have to worry. Also, this colored wood goes this way, that color goes that way.