Black Onyx

[Jeremy Bender]

The kit I owned were really nice drums, they spoke with clarity and power. The finish was nice.

[Jack]

Still got mine. Have used the 14x6 snare extensively over the years both live and recording - a great drum! Also black onyx...

[DaveInNZ]

These were the predecessor to the SQ1 is that correct? Is there much difference between them?

[Jack]

These were the predecessor to the SQ1 is that correct? Is there much difference between them?

I'm not sure if it was an official replacement, but the SQ1 is close to the Birch infinite spec wise and with the black and natural hoops made it look super close. Maybe SQ1 is a line introduced off the back of the Birch Infinite. The Birch Infinite was a limited run - 75 sets of each 3 colours I believe, Black Onyx, Vintage Azure and Vintage Amber, and was sized 22x18, 10x8, 12x9, 16x16 with the 14x14 optional as well as the 14x6 snare. The shells are medium birch with a heavy birch bass drum. All the same hardware as Prolite. The SQ1 is slightly shorter sizes - 22x17.5, 10x7, 12x8, 14x13 etc. The shells are slightly thicker on the SQ1, though still listed as 'medium' for the toms and 'heavy' for bass drum, they are 7mm and 10mm respectively rather than 6mm and 8mm for the Birch Infinite. The SQ1 has the sound sustainer system mount on all toms.

[Jack]

I should add, the SQ1 uses 'European birch' rather than Scandinavian (I believe) birch of the Birch Infinite, same as is used on SQ2 birch drums - premium birch. How much tonal difference it equates, I'm not sure. Apparently the scandinavian is more dense.