Beech

[nk126]

What are your favorite beech drums?

I've only had the chance to play Teardrops and another Sonor set (mid-level, forget which line) in my day. But I really liked them, and love the sound of beech kits on various YouTube videos. People sing the praises of the original Yammy Beech Customs all the time. (EDIT: I meant Club Custom. Which is kapur, not beech.) Other favorites?

For those who've played multiple beech kits over the years, do you notice a big difference in sound between models (esp amongst the various Sonors), or is it more about hardware and finishes?

 

[Frank Godiva]

Beech was the sole material for Sonor until birch made an appearance in 1983 with the Lites. Shell thickness makes a big difference along with the bearing edge. 3ply teardrops don’t sound like 6ply teardrops and neither sound like Phonics or Signatures. The thicker you go the dryer it gets. The thicker shells also project more with less overtones making them seem louder.

The hardware definitely also makes a difference by adding mass further drying the tone. Phonics and Sigs have crazy heavy lugs and tom mounts compared to teardrops.

 

[dingaling]

Not a hard choice. Sonor 9-ply beech champion and phonic. Teardrops are amazing too.

 

[brhythm]

I've been playing 40 years, and have never owned a beech drum, nor a Sonor. I'm currently in the market for and affordable beech option. Anyone tried the Barton beech?

 

[dingaling]

These sunsets are also 9-ply beech so basically modern phonics. Not sure why they sold them so cheap compared to sq2.

 

[GretschMan61]

I've been playing 40 years, and have never owned a beech drum, nor a Sonor. I'm currently in the market for and affordable beech option. Anyone tried the Barton beech?

Keep your eye out for a used Yamaha Beech Custom kit . They can usually be had for a pretty reasonable price .

 

[nk126]

I've been playing 40 years, and have never owned a beech drum, nor a Sonor. I'm currently in the market for and affordable beech option. Anyone tried the Barton beech?

I tapped on a Barton beech in a local shop a few years ago now, and asked the owner about 'em, not knowing who Barton was. At the time, I was floored it wasn't a $2k kit - more on overall look/feel and the exotic nature of beech on a new kit than sound, as I couldn't actually play them. Shop owner said he was super impressed by them. I wish I liked their finishes more.

There are other, better produced barton vids on uTube, but I like this one bc the audio is clear and the vibe is authentic

 

[nk126]

Not a hard choice. Sonor 9-ply beech champion and phonic. Teardrops are amazing too.


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Beauty!

So champion & phonics are dryer and project more than teardrops? Going on @Frank Godiva's descriptions alone, I'd be drawn to the 3-ply teardrops. Which makes sense for a bunch of reasons.

 

[dingaling]

Throw on clear ambassadors on a phonic tom and it has plenty of resonance.

Beauty!

So champion & phonics are dryer and project more than teardrops? Going on @Frank Godiva's descriptions alone, I'd be drawn to the 3-ply teardrops. Which makes sense for a bunch of reasons.

 

[lossforgain]

I sold a beech solid snare from Summit Drums and it was a great sounding drum. I know that doesn't help with your comparison between full sets. I would be curious to play a set of beech drums, my experience with Sonor is virtually nil.

 

[Frank Godiva]

Beauty!

So champion & phonics are dryer and project more than teardrops? Going on @Frank Godiva's descriptions alone, I'd be drawn to the 3-ply teardrops. Which makes sense for a bunch of reasons.

Well don’t just take my word for it.

I’m a 2bit one trick miniature pony hauling small potatoes. Just ask my wife.

The 3 ply is very thin 3mm shells with fat rerings making for lots of shell contact. They are near field drums that sound great at low volume. Great jazzers. Common sizes are 13 16 20 but larger drums were made.

Most of them have the tom mount offset to the right; but some 1965 transition kits have a center mount. These drums are one up only as just the 13 rack and single tom mount was available. They don’t come up for sale very often in the US. The 6ply shells are more often the ones people come across and rave about. The Vintage Series is based on the 6ply version and is another more modern beech option.

Best of luck in your quest

 

[Cauldronics]

What are your favorite beech drums?

I've only had the chance to play Teardrops and another Sonor set (mid-level, forget which line) in my day. But I really liked them, and love the sound of beech kits on various YouTube videos. People sing the praises of the original Yammy Beech Customs all the time. (EDIT: I meant Club Custom. Which is kapur, not beech.) Other favorites?

For those who've played multiple beech kits over the years, do you notice a big difference in sound between models (esp amongst the various Sonors), or is it more about hardware and finishes?

My 1980 Phonics are pretty great. I went on a quest to try thinner beech shells after getting the Phonics and found a Sonor Performer, but it was too soft sounding for my ear. The Phonics don't have that problem. They can do anything you need, but I could never get enough muscle or cut out of the Performers and to my ear, there were many better sounding kits out there.

 

[Steech]

I've been playing 40 years, and have never owned a beech drum, nor a Sonor. I'm currently in the market for and affordable beech option. Anyone tried the Barton beech?

They sound awesome in the YouTube videos.

 

[Johnny Vegas]

I’d love for the OP to make the thread title “Beech, Please!”

 

[Cauldronics]

Throw on clear ambassadors on a phonic tom and it has plenty of resonance.

Yeah, I'm not sure I buy the argument that Phonics aren't that resonant or lack overtones. Even with clear CS black dot on the toms, they're very lively. I usually have to tame them if I want a drier, more focused sound.

 

[Cannons]

I recently bought a 6.5x14” Barton beech snare, and it’s an impressive drum. Fit and finish are excellent, the sound is full and rich, I even like the Aquarian heads. I’m a fan of Barton drums.

 

[dustjacket]

3ply Teardrops. Sometimes I wonder if beech is my favorite.

 

[jpalom01]

Well, if you hear Gavin Harrison he's playing SQ2 beech. And they sound amazing on his works. But part of that is how he hits also. Phenomenal, that guy....

 

[rkingston]

I've been playing 40 years, and have never owned a beech drum, nor a Sonor. I'm currently in the market for and affordable beech option. Anyone tried the Barton beech?

Full kit or snare? I have a 6"x14" Barton Beech with Rosewood snare. Absolutely wonderful drum (especially once you swap out the factory heads).

 

[DamnSingerAlsoDrums]

I'm currently enjoying very much my Sonor Vintage kit in all its fat beech-y goodness. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another beech kit, from any manufacturer if I were on the hunt for a new kit. Even better if the build quality is anywhere near Sonor's...