[SOLVED!] Learn the powerful differences Birch vs Maple drums

Aside from the human voice, drums have been one of the oldest musical instruments which have been in use. Humans have made drums from virtually every hard object that has existed on the surface of the earth. Birch vs Maple drums has also existed for quite some time but with different innovations. No one really knows why humans are easily attracted to the flair of drumming. This day’s drums are still made from a range of materials such as wood or metal. However, wood has been the preferred material for quite some time. There are a variety of materials used for drums such as birch, maple, mahogany, basswood and so on.  A lot of drummers consider birch to a high-end material used in the production of these instruments.

Birch and Maple are common materials used for the production of these favorite instruments. They are some of the most popular raw materials used. Both of them have their distinct qualities which they offer the drum in question. For every drummer, you must have experienced the debate of either purchasing a birch or maple at least once. And this question is very important to the type of sound that you want to produce. It could also depend on the type of event that you will be performing. The quality of the wood which you make use of will very much determine the sound that will be produced by the drum. Making the choice between either choice of material isn’t an easy one.

Each type of wood is known to have it’s distinct qualities that affect the sound which is produced. They drum’s timbre and sustain are determined by the type of wood used. Taken. A close look at each type of wood and understanding their properties will help you identify any differences in sound.

Birch Drums

This material is popular and only second to maple. Birch drums are usually found at entry-level. Don’t hug it so quickly and think that it’s not a quality drum. It’s just known to be quite cheaper than others and easier to construct or shape. We all know that the quality of a drum’s sound is determined by the number of plays used in its construction and the thickness of the ply. It is believed that a birch drum will give you a bright sound with less sustain. It is known to be useful for jazz music and other styles of play. It suits any style of music that requires the sound from the drum to cut through a lot of noise.

However, this material is relatively cheaper because it is gotten from fast-growth trees and offers a brighter tone. Birch is a blond and tough wood which is very durable to use. After processing, it becomes even harder and is tone is bright. The tight grains of Burch is one of the reasons why the wood responds well to finish. It is an attractive choice to be used as an outer ply because of the strength of the wood.

Typical uses of Birch Drums

Musicians make use of birch drums because they are known to naturally equalize. It’s timbre hits quickly and dies off similarly. Musicians also love to take these drums on tour because of their durability. When on tours, they also look good on stage and with strong overtones. The use of birch drums on tours became quite popular during the 60s and 70s. It was such that the attack portion was popularly used for recordings.

Maple Drums

When looking at maple, you’re taking a look at an entirely different type of wood. Its features are a contrast to that of Birch. Yes, Maple is also a dense type of wood but it is known to have a warmer tone. The tone from maple resonates for a long period at a lower frequency. This wood is popularly used in Hard Rock and R&B. This genre can’t just get enough of its powerful resonance. A lot of manufacturers make use of maple because it offers a rich tone.

Also, don’t judge it because of its price. Its expensive price doesn’t make it any better or worse. It has its own special tone and can be a first-choice material for any drummer.

Typical uses of Maple Drums

There are a lot of top manufacturers which offer high-quality male drums to drummers. The drums are useful in performances which require a lot of resonance. A number of other people also make use of it because of the warmness of its tone.

Differences between Birch vs Maple Drums

Yes, both types of wood are known to share a few similarities but they couldn’t be more different. Birch drums are known to have a brighter tone while maple offers warm tones. You get a bright tone with less sustain from a birch drum. A maple drum will give you a warm tone for a long period.

As a drummer, it should always be a question of choosing between both types of drums. Some professionals prefer to mix it up. They don’t stick to one manufacturer and they have a hybrid-kit. Some kits make use of both kinds of wood in a shell. Some people prefer to make use of birch for their high toms while making use of maple for lows and kicks. This type of combination will offer a dynamic sound that has a crispy tone just like birch and the extra sustain offered by the maple.

It’s important that you keep in mind that no wood choice is right or wrong. Birch and maple drums are a popular choice and it all depends on what you would like to use the drum for.

If you’ll be making use of it at a jazz concert, you may well go with your birch drums. They’ll offer a high enough tone to be heard through all the noise. Maple is preferred for use in Hard Rock and R&B because of its warm tone.