Stanbridge Drum has built its reputation on handcrafting snare drums from some of the most exotic and beautiful timbers in the world. I have used too many species to list, but some of my favorites are illustrated in the following slideshow.
Wood Species
Cherry is a warm, low to mid-range sounding wood which takes on a deep reddish-brown color over time.
This Cherry shell has begun to darken, but will become a little bit closer in color to its Pau Ferro stripes in a month.
Our African Blackwood stock is material which is deemed unsuitable for Clarinet and Oboe manufacturing.
I can cut around defects such as pin knots thanks to the small blocks required by our segment shell construction.
Nothing polishes up on the lathe like African Blackwood. Here I have sanded to 1500 grit with no finish applied.
These Black Walnut shotgun stocks sat in a warehouse for almost 60 years before our supplier rescued them.
From the left we have figured Walnut, Pau Amarello, Padauk, Bubinga, Jarrah and Paela wood.
Walnut drums have a darkness and warmth to their tone which make them a favorite of mine.
Our Cocobolo stock is a true Rosewood that comes from Mexico.
The wild grain and vibrant color of Cocobolo are only matched by its wonderfully rich and musical voice.
We have a good supply of exotic and domestic timbers on hand...
...and when I find something really special like this Curly Pink Ivory wood I snap it up.
A pair of insanely expensive Snakewood planks.
And a massively heavy chunk of Lignum Vitae with cream colored sapwood.
Here’s a nice tight Birdseye Maple board... Do you get that I love wood?