On this page you will find some of the most common wood types that we use at Artisan Drumworks.  However, they do not represent all of what is available. There are as many as 100 or more species from which to choose. We can discuss types not covered on this page per your request via email or phone.

In an attempt to describe each wood species tonally, we use Maple as our base standard, since it is probably the most popular wood used today in drum manufacturing. Please understand that what we hear from our instruments is based on our experience and the experience of those who play our drums.   The Sound produced can be a very subjective term. Therefore, the following descriptions in terms of “Tonal Quality” are in a general sense. Please contact us with any questions you may have regarding your selection.

Glossary of Terms:

Specific Gravity: this refers to the ratio of the wood’s density to the density of water as a standard when both densities are obtained by weighing in air.

Category: This is a weight classification relative to other wood types.

Wood Type: American Ash (White Ash)
Origin: U.S.A.
Specific Gravity: .66
Category: Heavy
Tonal Quality: Similar to Maple with less sustain. Punchy, warm, controlled tone. A popular selection!

Wood Type: European Beech
Origin: Central Europe, UK, and West Asia
Specific Gravity: .72
Category: Heavy
Tonal Quality: Cross between Maple and Birch. Snappier than Maple, more low-end frequency than Birch.

Wood Type: American Cherry (Black Cherry)
Origin: U.S.A. and Canada
Specific Gravity: .58
Category: Medium
Tonal Quality: Well balanced EQ, good attack and sustain, very warm tone. Like a good Zildjian K Custom cymbal.

Wood Type: Bubinga (African rosewood)
Origin: Cameroon, Gabon, and Zaire
Specific Gravity: .88
Category: Very Heavy
Tonal Quality: Huge low end frequency, crisp attack, clear mids, round tone, very warm and musical. An Artisan favorite!

Wood Type: Cocobolo
Origin: West Coast of Central America
Specific Gravity: 1.10
Category: Exceptionally Heavy
Tonal Quality: Of the Rosewood Family. Crisp and warm. Exquisite tonal center. Very well suited for orchestral playing. Considered by some to be the most beautiful of all wood species.

Wood Type: Lacewood ((European Plane)
Origin: Europe, UK, West Asia
Specific Gravity: .62
Category: Medium
Tonal Quality: Similar to maple, cleaner high-mids, slightly darker. Shimmering highs.

Wood Type: Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry)
Origin: Central and South America, West Indies
Specific Gravity: .91
Category: Very Heavy
Tonal Quality: Natural EQ. Bright attack, very round and robust mids, clear low-end frequency. Epitomizes our desire in a snare drum sound.

Wood Type: African Mahogany
Origin: Tropical West, Central, and East Africa
Specific Gravity: .54-.59
Category: Medium
Tonal Quality: Very warm, dark, and buttery. Classic vintage sound.

Wood Type: American Walnut (Black Walnut)
Origin: Eastern U.S.A. and Ontario, Canada
Specific Gravity: .64
Category: Medium
Tonal Quality: Similar to Maple but drier in tone. Nice overall balance.

Wood Type: Granadillo (a Rosewood substitute)
Origin: Central America
Specific Gravity: 1.10
Category: Exceptionally Heavy
Tonal Quality: This wood is often substituted for Rosewoods. It exhibits a brightness and clarity similar to Cocobolo with sharper high- mid range. A very beautiful species.

Wood Type: Koa
Origin: Hawaiian Islands
Specific Gravity: .67
Category: Heavy
Tonal Quality: Dark, very warm, smoky, and a little dry. Think of a large, medium thin, swish cymbal.

Wood Type: Pomele Sapele (Sapele)
Origin: West and East Africa
Specific Gravity: .62
Category: Medium
Tonal Quality: this sample is a veneer over Beech. Used for decorative purposes.

Wood Type: Zebrano (Zebrawood)
Origin: West Africa, chiefly Gabon and Cameroon Republic
Specific Gravity: .74
Category: Heavy
Tonal Quality: Similar to Maple but with more lower mid-range frequency. Very striking in appearance.

Wood Type: Wenge
Origin: Mainly Zaire, also Cameroon republic
Specific Gravity: .88
Category: Very Heavy
Tonal Quality: This is a very interesting wood in appearance, but particularly interesting in sound. It has the warmth of a wood drum, but the tonal character of a metal drum. Big, loud, and clear. We call this the “Blacksmith” species.

Wood Type: Padauk (African Padauk)
Origin: Central and West Tropical Africa
Specific Gravity: .72
Category: Heavy
Tonal Quality: Crisp and clean. A little brighter than maple.

Wood Type: White Oak
Origin: Eastern U.S.A. and South Eastern Canada
Specific Gravity: .76
Category: Heavy
Tonal Quality: Punchy and bright. Good sustain. Very lively.

Wood Type: Birch (Yellow Birch)
Origin: Canada and U.S.A.
Specific Gravity: .71
Category: Heavy
Tonal Quality: Crisper with shorter decay compared to Maple. An Industry Standard.

Wood Type: Maple (Rock Maple)
Origin: Canada and Eastern U.S.A.
Specific Gravity: .72
Category: Heavy
Tonal Quality: Industry Standard. Other woods contrasted according to this species.

Wood Type: Goncalo Alves (Tigerwood)
Origin: Brazil
Specific Gravity: .95
Category: Very Heavy
Tonal Quality: Big, warm, fat sound. Exhibits some of the same qualities we have found in Bubinga. Very organic in appearance.