With these drums,
Ken has developed some new and exciting techniques in the art of drum making.
Sound rings that protrude from the drum are the
first noticeable feature. Extending out from the side of the drum like ledges, they
accept the lug screws that hold the drum head in place. Vibrations from the head and
rim are transferred back into the drum via the lug screws into the sound ring, which
creates a more resonant drum shell. The rings eliminate the need for conventional
metal lugs - with their noisy internal springs. They also reduce stress on the rest
of the drum. These features result in a much cleaner and purer sound than is
possible in a conventional drum.
 Another innovation is found in the bearing
edge of the drum - where the head passes over the rim of the shell. Ken has found
that with a variety of bearing edge shapes, different sound characteristics can be
achieved.
Multi-annular ring construction is another patented feature, giving the drum its unique
appearance and strength. The shell is built up by laminating rings of solid wood on
top of one another, rather than the tradition method with multiple wraps of thin, bent
plywood. In short, its the strongest wood drum shell made - extremely durable and
virtually impervious to stress. It will never lose its cylindrical shape, whether a
head is mounted or not.
The drums come in a large variety of sizes and
depths - from a "pancake" drum only 2 inches deep, to a large drum measuring 48
inches or more. Many different finishes are available, such as opaque shellacs, wood
varnishes, and a special solid paint that will buff out scratches. Because of the
many variations, its difficult to list models and pricing. Please call for details
and availability. |
