Now that Gretsch has announced the recreation of their famous 3 ply shells with the new Broadkaster series, we should take some time to discuss the differences between these 3 ply drums and the standard Gretsch USA 6 ply.

How thick is a drum ply?

There is no standard ply thickness. Some drums with 6 ply shells are half as thick as some 3 ply shells.

What is drum ply?

Drum shells are made from birch, beech, maple, and oak, among other types of wood and materials. They use two-ply and three-ply plywood. Two-ply plywood uses two sheets, and drum shells are made with anything from six-ply to ten-ply plywood. The outer ply is commonly set with the grain running horizontally.

Who makes Gretsch drum shells?

Gretsch DrumsProduct typeDrum kits and hardwareOwnerGretschCountryUnited StatesIntroduced1883MarketsWorldwide2 more rows

What are cheap drums made of?

Cheaper drum kits are often made from softer, easier-to-process woods such as poplar and Asian mahogany (not to be confused with the much more expensive African mahogany), which tend to have a slightly less powerful tone compared to the high-end series.

Does drum shell material really matter?

The ply count and the thickness of each ply are extremely important to your drum sound: Thinner shells give more sustain, theyre more sensitive to lighter playing, and theyre also quieter. Thick drum shells need to be hit harder to create a full sound, and the thickness can reduce the drums sustain.

Is Birch a good wood for drums?

Birch wood is especially known for its tonal qualities, with peaks in the high and low end frequencies. Birch drums tend to sound full and round, with plenty of projection. As a standard for wood drum sets, going with birch drum shells is a sound choice.