Nice Looking kit and definitely in a class above Verve's earlier projects.

Pretty certain from this vantage point its not maple but Basswood. The grain is too light and does not have maple characteristics in the grain. The outer ply has been stained a cherry with lacquer. The bearing edges are very rough as well, not having been properly sanded after routering which is characteristic of Verve's shell workmanship.

I'm not trying to diss your kit. I have had two Basswood kits, one being a Verve and the other, ironically Mapex.

I love the warmth the shells provide being similar to the warmth of Mahogany.

Basswood shells are used in the interest of economy, maple being far more costly, especially in the thickness of the shells you are showing, 9-ply.

No worries....don't feel dissed. Plus, drums don't have feelings....good thing, we beat them so much. Some sing better than others, some have thicker skin than others, they are round....I guess just like people. Yeah, but unlike us, they don't get rounder/bigger with age!

Anyway....I would really like to speak to someone at Woodwind and Brasswind (or whoever it was that marketed them) or perhaps someone from Verve themselves. Even if it is basswood, I really don't care. Just look at how many non-maple kits I have...and they all sound good because I have learned about how important it is to have the edges true and all....took 13 drums to my drum builder guy last summer, and fixing to do it again in April. I timbre pitch, tune heads to the shell, then use studio rings.....so in a sense, the inherent tone of the drum (determined by wood type) is less important than if I did not use studio rings. Projection is a different story, though when you mic them, it really does not matter.....and I have NEVER had an issue playing loud enough when not mic'ed (even when using drums that do not project as well....like these MIJs.)

As a matter of fact, if they are basswood.....I believe it will be my first of that type of wood. That would be cool. I like warm.

I wonder if anyone ever got a hold of that guy selling those in Fort Wayne?????

John

John,

Basswood is under-rated. I played a Basswood kit for a year in a weekly gig. Loved the sound. Basswood has vintage vibe because it is far less dense than maple or other hardwoods. The big reason vintage mahogany sounds so warm is because the wood fibers are less dense and resonate extremely well.

My entry level Mapex kit was 9-ply Basswood. I would not be surprised to learn that the supplier to your Verve kit is the same for Mapex, the shells look so similar. I put on a single coat of Tung oil on all the shells, sanded the bearing edges smooth and that really helped with "stiffen" the projection nicely. They are very nice shells, just under-rated. Someone may shoot me, but Basswood sounds much better than Birch.

With your custom tuning methods, this kit will make you very happy.

Enjoy your kit, it looks killer!

-kellyj

Thanks kellyj,

Any advice of how to get the scratches (see in the pic) out of the clear lacquer finish without the use of a buffing wheel (don't own one). And what product, if any, to use. I try to use household items as much as I can (budget).

Yeah, my Premier XPK was very nice, but in my opinion, it had way too much attack and not enough tone. It was Birch/Eucalyptus/Birch. I suppose I will like this basswood (or maple?) much better. I will be taking it to my veteran drum builder in April and he will surely be able to nail it down as to what wood type it is. He is a 40 year veteran drum builder known for his work around the world. He will be re-cutting the edges on it for sure. It makes all the difference in the world. I played my first MIJ for 24 years before having those edges done. Shame I did not know to do it earlier as the good edges made a huge difference in how good they sound. I will be buying a router table eventually and seek to teach the local youngins about good edges (and making a little $ on the side.) I did a deal with a 20 year old last week and ended up showing him a bunch of my drums and teaching him about restoring and about MIJs and the such for about 2 hours. I may have firehosed him a bit, but point is - it's a joy to teach the younger players about this stuff. Note: I'm not implying anything when I ask your advice!! :)

BTW, one more (if I may.) What made you decide to use tung oil? There are several options out there - (paint, clear lacquer, tung oil, even Pledge.) I have not yet decided what to do with my 4 MIJs and honestly am a bit afraid to do anything....don't want to do something then regret it.

Thanks,

John

John,

I found this write up helpful for removing scratches. It takes time and patience with high gloss surfaces.

http://www.homesteadfinishingproducts.com/htdocs/rubbingout.htm

best,

kellyj

Almost.... Less dense translates into -low frequency- not 'more resonance.' Resonance only refers to vibration in the shell, how much air is being moved. Vibrations travel through dense wood much -faster- than they would through a less dense wood. Ergo, lower frequency sound from a less dense wood. Woods like mahogany are known for their low-end warmth. Many of those woods can sound a little muddy, not project very well, unless everything is working well, bearing edges hardware, etc. Maple, a much denser wood, is known for its clarity and projection.

Resonance = (Relates to/affects,) 'Rate' of vibration (fast or slow)

Density = (Relates to/affects,) The 'frequency' (high or low,) of the vibration

John

Another reason to love this forum. Better explanations...Walking

Basswood, being less dense than Maple transmits a lower frequency, therefore has low end warmth and less projection and focus than maple.

Hey drummerjohn,

I found the Verve Lacquer Finish kits with L-arms through a Google Search. This is what I thought you were talking about. Looking closer at the picture, it looks like Yamaha-style arms.

Sorry to confuse you or gum up the thread. I almost got one of these kits new when they were still available. I think they were only about $500. They had lots of cool lacquer fade finshes too. These were either all-maple or all-birch, I can't quite remember.

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b12/vyacheslav13/th_1-7.jpg[/IMG]

Where did you find it (at what site?)? Can you send me the link - very curious.

I'm sorry, but I must say again - ugly logo and ugly badge.

John

Well John, I just did a Google Search for "Verve Drum". The link took me to Musician's Friend, where they are "No longer available".

Yeah the logo/badge has a 9th grade "Design a Logo" class project look to it.

A lot of the "style" of this kit is now on the "Custom Classic" line that is sold by Sigler Music. The heart-shaped wing nuts and wing screws, and the snare stand is a direct match to a Custom Classic.