I’ll admit that I was skeptical when I first read about wood which had been unearthed in a remote location in Northern New Zealand and which was said to have been dated to 50,000 years in age. As I discovered however, these logs had lain undisturbed in a peat bog since before the last ice age, and their age had been undeniably verified through a number of independent Radio Carbon dating labs. I was hooked, and set about to import enough material for a Limited Edition Series of 25 snare drums.

 

Launched in 2006, the Stanbridge Drum Company Limited Edition Ancient Kauri Snare Drum Series understandably garnered a lot of attention for the antiquity of the shell material, but the true beauty of these drums needs to be heard to be appreciated. Ancient Kauri is a very soft wood which has a characteristic warmth of tone, although these drums are very versatile and respond equally well to brushwork and rimshots.

 

The 14 by 5.5 and 14 by 6.5 inch edition have been sold out for some time, and I currently have only two of the 13 by 5.5 inch drums remaining (which is my favorite size, personally).

 

These drums may be ordered with satin or high gloss lacquer finishes with Pau Ferro or Bubinga Hardwood Hoops. Each drum is signed and numbered and includes certificates of authenticity and radio carbon dating, along with an embroidered Stanbridge Drum Co. T-shirt. The 13 by 5.5 inch drum is priced at $1,425 USD plus shipping and any applicable taxes.