[TheYuckyDuck]

Is anybody here a long time user of "High End" Yamaha Drums?
If so, I need some help....
After 26+ years playing Tama, I recently purchased my first ever Yamaha Kit.
It's a Maple Custom Absolute Nouveau with a 22" Kick.
It also happens to be a "One-of-a-Kind" set. The finish/color was never, and will never, be available to the public. Yamaha made 3 kits and a few snares in this finish... and insist they'll never do it again. The other 2 are smaller sets (1-Birch & 1-Oak), and both owned by Yamaha Artists. After much begging, Yamaha has reluctantly agreed to build an 18" kick drum for me, in this finish.
I'll only ever get this one shot at this. I had better make it count.

So.... Here's my question:
Should I get an 18"k to match? Or should I get one made from a different wood? I'd like as much volume, resonance, and projection as possible out of an 18"K, but while having really great musical tone.

Should I go with the Maple? Or get it in Birch, Beech, or Oak?

It must have a nice fat sound, first and foremost. Greater volume and projection is secondary. If it doesn't sound "Amazing" to begin with, then all the volume in the world won't help me a bit.

If anyone has experience with the sonic tendencies of the materials in Yamaha's "High-End" kits, I would appreciate some knowledgable advise.
Thanks.

[Der Trommler]

TYD,

I would contact the Yamaha Corp of America about what you are looking for and see what they say. Nobody knows their drums like they do and the couple of guys that run the drum section are extremely knowledgable about everything Yamaha. The number is: (714) 522-9011.

That said my personal opinion would be to get one made to match the rest of the Maple kit. As a general rule your fullness, resonance, volume and sensitivity will be dictated by the shell thickness and the tonal quality will be dictated by the wood.

Here are some graphics that might help you with your decision:

Wood Tonal Characterisitics:







Shell Thickness Characteristics:

	Yamaha Drums Shop for Yamaha Drums at Musician's Friend