DRUMANDSTAGE FORUM

Which shell type would you order or currently have and do you like it?

Vintage -Thin - Medium or Heavy?

How would describe the drum tone, playing response and projection?

Thanks!

For me, it would be Heavy Birch. I based this off of the two part videos that DCP did a few years ago comparing every shell layup Sonor offers in SQ2. As to describing the aspects you mentioned, let me come back to that later.

I‘d also pick heavy birch. I like the lows and highs of birch. Played maple for the longest time, but birch is just a bit more interesting. My second pick would be heavy maple though.

For a long time I thought only beech would be a suitable option because of Sonors heritage, but now I‘d pick beech only for snares.

My opionion changed after DCP put up their video comparison.

Joe´s Drumgear wrote: Sat Sep 20, 2025 8:35 am

I‘d also pick heavy birch. I like the lows and highs of birch. Played maple for the longest time, but birch is just a bit more interesting. My second pick would be heavy maple though.

For a long time I thought only beech would be a suitable option because of Sonors heritage, but now I‘d pick beech only for snares.

My opionion changed after DCP put up their video comparison.

If I was a Sonor dealer these days, as odd as this will seem, I think I would recommend that people check out that video before deciding on a wood type. I know that sounds counterintuitive, referring someone to a competitor video and there would be a chance of losing the customer, but someone who surfs the net much is going to find those videos eventually. Better to get it over with and get them a rig they will like than have them order something just to figure in the interim that they aren't going to be happy with the purchase.

That is EXACTLY what happened to me. I ordered my "dream kit" in Medium Beech, only to find out later (or maybe they hand't published it yet) that it really was NOT my dream kit after all. Luckily, with a 20% ass whipping (I had paid way more than that so there was actually a store credit with that particular retailer) I was able to get out of it. While working with DCP (in between ordering and cancelling the Beech shell set), I spec'd out a new kit and submitted it for pricing with the Heavy Birch shells. Before getting things in motion, I had realized that I wasn't sure that the position was going to be a long term fit, and so I didn't complete the order.

I was also very very close to ordering my dream SQ2 kit a few weeks back, but I figured that it would be way harder to sell a yellow heavy birch kit with a 20“ kick and 15“ floor tom, than a basic SQ1.

Me being me, I know I won‘t play one kit forever since I buy and sell relative frequently.

Joe´s Drumgear wrote: Sat Sep 20, 2025 9:06 am

I was also very very close to ordering my dream SQ2 kit a few weeks back, but I figured that it would be way harder to sell a yellow heavy birch kit with a 20“ kick and 15“ floor tom, than a basic SQ1.

Me being me, I know I won‘t play one kit forever since I buy and sell relative frequently.

I can't tell you how many time I have bought my "forever" whatever. For me, there is no such thing. I have what at this point in time is my ULTIMATE snare drum. There is no snare drum on the planet I would rather have! I may have this thing for the next 5 years, or I could be trying to flip it by the end of the month. Just depends on what new gear comes across the radar. I have finally let myself off the hook when it comes to thinking I need to keep something to justify buying it. I don't have a single regret for anything I have bought and sold over the years. My mind just doesn't work that way.

All that said, I DO try not to buy the same thing twice; but did with the ProLite Brass with Hellas!

Jules wrote: Sat Sep 20, 2025 9:14 am

Joe´s Drumgear wrote: Sat Sep 20, 2025 9:06 am

I was also very very close to ordering my dream SQ2 kit a few weeks back, but I figured that it would be way harder to sell a yellow heavy birch kit with a 20“ kick and 15“ floor tom, than a basic SQ1.

Me being me, I know I won‘t play one kit forever since I buy and sell relative frequently.

I can't tell you home many time I have bought my "forever" whatever. For me, there is no such thing. I have what at this point in time is my ULTIMATE snare drum. There is no snare drum on the planet I would rather have? I may have this thing for the next 5 years, or I could be trying to flip it by the end of the month. Just depends on what new gear comes across the radar. I have finally let myself off the hook when it comes to thinking I need to keep something to justify buying it. I don't have a single regret for anything I have bought and sold over the years. My mind just doesn't work that way.

All that said, I DO try not to buy the same thing twice; but did with the ProLite Brass with Hellas!

Almost the same for me, I bought some stuff twice (but regretted it all the time).

I‘m collecting a few things, mostly snares and rides, but I sold most of my Tama Starphonic Collection by now. I like having some snares though.

My 8 year old African Marble outside SQ2 is 8x7, 10x8, 12x9, 14x14, and 16x16 medium beech with a heavy beech 22x18, I have Sonorlite and Orphan Maple Light Designer kits, so that's why I went with beech. I had a Bubinga Signature kit in early 2000's and loved the bass drum, but the toms were too dry for my taste. When I ordered my SQ2, I assumed that heavy beech would be the same thickness as the Sigs, so I went medium on the toms and heavy on the BD. I didn't reallize until later that heavy beech would've been thinner than the Sigs and more like Phonics. However, I'm happy the medium beech toms. The only thing I would do differently is go 16 deep on the BD instead of 18. I bought a Rosewood Vintage Series a few months ago and am really enjoying how different it's sound, look, and feel are. I've got all the bases covered with my 4 kits.

How would describe the drum tone, playing response and projection?

I chose a thin Scandinavian Birch build and love it. 8x7, 10x8, 12x8, 14x12, 16x14 (5.5x14 medium maple snare drum - love this one woweeee!).

Drum Tone
The tone is very full and resonant as it's a 5mm Scandinavian Birch shell, a fabulous strong, bright attack with a full, warm but quick bloom.

Playing Response | Liveliness
Very sensitive and responsive, with a faster vibratory pattern and a wide tuning range. They just jump out into the room and the clarity and purity of the fundamental is truly incredible.

Projection

Not on par with my Starclassic Maple, but with the strong attack (this draws the audience's ears) and added brightness (strong lows and highs = clarity of sound) it is more than enough. Any more and you need mics. Bright and punchy, clear and clean.

Uniqueness

The tympanic effect of undersized shells provides as close as perfect decay rate as possible. It gives a killer !POP! sound from snare drums.

I absolutely love this thin birch build.

Yup--medium (or thick) birch rack toms, and thin birch floor toms. Basically, I think I might just do what Aaron Holler did on his birch SQ2 kit. Those things sound AMAZING!

Ironically, maple is the wood I like the least anymore, lol...