Genuine Veneer vs. ALPI Reconstituted woods...

[Jules]

In my insomnia, I decided to look for videos on ALPI. Here are is one with general information about the company founded in 1919.

Considering shifts that the German Sonor has had to make over the years with regard to environmental issues, I think that the history and heritage of ALPI likely heavily appealed to the company. Having watched a few videos and seen some pf the places that ALPI products are used has given me a different insight into the concept of engineered veneers.

Here their YouTube channel with some pretty interesting information: https://www.youtube.com/@alpispa674

I was in the online Sonor world when it became known that Sonor had secretly replaced the fine coffee they usually serve with dark, sparkling Folgers Crystals. Oops, "fast one". If you were around in the mid 80's in the US, you remember those Folgers commercials where the guests were so surprised that they were drinking instant coffee. See below for one of those commercials, for context, if you aren't already familiar.

There is actually a point to me going off topic, and that is that people seemed to feel like the transition from some of the (endangered, or otherwise) veneers with engineered veneers without some sort of public declaration (other than a general website disclaimer) was not be open and honest with the consumers. That's old news, and a tired old argument and not the scope of what my point is here.

Sonor having had the ALPI veneers in their production for a couple of decades now if memory serves, it seems that the expectation that the engineered veneers would remain consistent, and retain their beauty has become reality. And really, look at the gorgeous finish options available that would have never been possible with out some creative people developing them!

So, to get to the point of all of this. Are you a purist and would only order a genuine veneer, or are you open to beauty and consistency of the engineered veneers?

Me personally, when I ordered my SQ2, I went with Fiery Red. As much of a purist as I thought I was, I just really though this thing looked gorgeous in the pictures I had seen, and seriously, how often is someone going to come up and ask you where the Fiery Red tree forest is?

1985 coffee commercial:

[krusher74]

I find shops and dealers are the ones who dont put in descriptions that they are faux rosewood etc. And i see used sets just saying "rosewood" i think sometimes the owners dont even know its alpi, and the store assistant that sold it did not know either.

"Are you a purist and would only order a genuine veneer,"

For me yes. I just could not stomach buying the top of the line and it having a "faux" finish.

[SonorBart]

i just bought a Rosewood Vintage Series kit and knew that I was getting Alpi. I wish the real Rosewood was still available, but it's not and if it was, would be so expensive that I could not have afforded the kit. I had Rosewood Lites from '15 - '20 and love that slightly ligher shade and more natural look, but am happy with the look of the Alpi Rosewood. I know many on the old Sonormuseum Board were upset that Sonor hadn't been more detailed in publicizing the switch, but they did offer a general statement regarding environmental friendliness starting with the '94 Designer catalog. To me, it was pretty obvious that the Designer Stain finishes in the '94 and '97 catalogs and the Bubinga in the '97 catalog were not the real thing. Sonor is now very upfront about using Alpi and we just need to accept the reality of the situation. The environment is important and there are new regulations. I've had Scandinavian Birch Lites since '84 and African Marble SQ2s since '17 and both are obviously the real thing, although I'm curious what actual species African Marble is. I also had Bubinga Sigs from '05 - '15, so I'm thankful for my good fortune in having had some of the best real wood veneer Sonors ever.

[krusher74]

The issues people had are still alive. look at this and tell me if you think this is advertising a kit with a rosewood finish or an faux/alpi rosewood finish. https://www.grahamrusselldrums.com/sono ... i-glo.html
Even if not putting it in the title they could at least disclose the alpi finish in this part

Features:
Hand Selected Premium Beech Drum Shells
Vintage Rounded Bearing Edges
SONOR’s Exclusive Tunesafe™ System
Redesigned Superprofile Triple Flanged Hoops
Timeless SONOR Badge
Rosewood Semi Gloss

If you got home with that and were unhappy with finding it not be be rosewood then you would have a case of false advertising.

I tried to look on Sonor own website but find it impossible to find anywhere where they show the various vintage kits finish options, if any one find it and can supply a link that would be great.

[SonorBart]

I agree that it needs to be disclosed to the buyer and in my opinion, that responsibility falls on the dealer. I assumed that it was fairly well known at this point. We Sonor geeks know, but apparently others don't. If the Alpi brand name isn't specified, then "Engineered Rosewood veneer" vs. "Genuine Rosewood veneer" would suffice.

[Frank Godiva]

How about the reissue rosewood phonic snare currently in production?

It’s ALPI and the badge says Genuine Veneer cause ALPI is still poplar wood. The original said Genuine Rosewood on the badge.

False advertising?

[SonorBart]

Because it's a reissue, they've made the badge look very close to the original, but it is false advertising. Geniune Veneer should be removed from the badge.

[James Fullier III]

How about the reissue rosewood phonic snare currently in production?

It’s ALPI and the badge says Genuine Veneer cause ALPI is still poplar wood. The original said Genuine Rosewood on the badge.

False advertising?

IMG_2132.jpeg

How do you know it is Alpi Frank ?

[_spelman_]

Is it a fact that Alpi is cheaper than using real veneer? Is it a "poplar slurry"?

Or is there something to be said for the point that Sonor can easily offer their customers matching add-ons?

[Jules]

I watched several videos of the production process and didn't see anything remotely related to a slurry. I have been told the same thing about the slurry, which piqued my interests is seeing how that is done, but I can't find anything credible information that supports that.

As to which is more expense; I don't have that information, but watching the process of making the Alpi doesn't lead me to believe it is a very economical alternative. I think the other factors at play are the real influence. Things like restrictions on harvesting and use of increasing rare and endangered wood species, inconsistencies in some available species, etc.

If anyone finds any credible videos or documentation of Alpi's "slurry" process, please post it so we can see and understand what seems to me like a myth.