I don't know. Those 3 ply shells are indeed warmer.

May I offer...

... the plies DO have something to do with it Mike. The 3 ply models sound "warmer" because their inherent fundamental is LOWER. The 5 ply model is going to immediately have a HIGHER fundamental which many interpret as "sharper" as you have mentioned. More wood/plies, HIGHER fundamental... every time. Add to the fact that the Cleveland model is "older growth" wood .. ( and there are arguments for and against on this! ) .. but, it does contribute too! All of this are just the facts of "generated vibration", and how the amount of plies/thickness does indeed give a shell it's voice ... timbre ... etc. You are also correct that the bearing edges are most certainly a factor... but not by themselves. Otherwise, I love it Mike! Channel LB!!! You can't go wrong there!

Tommyp

I'm of the belief that the bearing edges have a lot more to do with tone of a wood drum than what wood or amount of plies the drum is made up of. I don't own any Rogers drums from the B&B era, but it is my understanding that early on the edges are significantly rounder and more of the edge makes contact with the head on the B&B era drums, hence the warmer tone...

I would venture to guess that a 3 ply Rogers from the B&B era with rounder edges will sound warmer than a 3 ply Rogers from the short period that Rogers produced 3 ply again during the 72 tag era.

SC

The two work in concert SC! More plies, higher pitch, period. That is fact! However, agreed!... as I wrote, the bearing edges play an equal role, but not an exclusive role. A discussion with a true drum builder/designer .. not an assembler, as there is a big difference .. will bear this out. Again, both work in concert to achieve the end result!

Tommyp

Pitch and warmth to me are two completely different aspects of a drum. I know everything that goes into the production of a drum plays a role in the final tone, but IMO, when you're talking about the tone of wood drums,nothing plays more of a roll than the edges.

SC

There's only one way to definitively know what the ratio might be between amount of plies vs. edge profile and how each contributes to the "sound" of the drum, and that is...

... experiment time! A very good friend of mine is a master drum designer/builder, and it's through all my discussions with him that I pick up a lot of this type information, but regardless of that... I just might be able to set up a test and try this. Let me see what I can do, and I shall report back!

Tommyp

That would be wonderful! If possible, it would be interesting to hear about how the experiment was conducted.

Oh and Mike, I neglected to comment on your set which I think is stunning! Everything in your drum room looks like fun to play. Nice work.

SC

Mike looks like great fun Bellson style! Beautiful drums you have. And a nice family behind those too. Glad you found a purpose for the Cleve bass. I remember when you got that. Interesting facts on the sound too. I picked up a 2nd 16" for my kit and it's a later B&B era drum 24xxx IIRC. Looks like a Keller (?) shell with sharper edges. Smaller B&B lugs which I didn't know were made....surprise!! LOL. Was curious now different it'll sound? Still in repair-resto stage here. Anyhooo have fun and thanks for the update!

Here is a little trick you might want to try McChair..

I have found that the HEAVY WEIGHT Cleve lugs make the drum sound better..so..maybe go re do the Cleve BD in heavy lugs..THEN do your experiment again....

Get rid of those Fullerton lugs!