SPECS
WHY SOLID STAVES?
The solid stave construction method has been used in congas and Ashiko drums for many years. Each segment of wood is cut to size and carefully angled so up to 50 of these staves form a circle and create the drum shell. Our shells are then turned on a lathe and hand finished.
Solid stave shells have a much higher proportion of wood to glue than a plywood shell. Glue inhibits the ability of wood to respond naturally to vibrations. We use less than 1% of the glue that most major manufacturers use in their plywood shells. This contributes to our drums’ impressive low end, sustain and tone that is incomparable to that of a plywood drum. There is no bending or stress points in our shells and the grain direction is vertical in every stave, allowing sound vibrations to flow naturally with the grain and not against it like a plywood shell.
SHELL DESIGN
All current shells are Generation II, featuring built-in internal reinforcement rings. Shell thickness on toms and snares are 5-6mm and 8-9mm at the ring. Bass drums are proportionately thicker.
Red Rock bearing edges feature double 45 degree angles that are located to suit modern drum head shoulders perfectly. As the drum size increases, the apex of the edge is softened to balance sustain and roundness of tone.
Red Rock snare beds contribute to a tight and full bodied snare drum sound. Our snare beds are a flat cut made into multiple staves to allow optimum snare response.
WOODS & FINISHES
Red Rock stave shells are offered in two beautiful woods, each of contrasting densities, grain patterns and colours. All of our shells are hand rubbed with natural waxes then hand buffed to give a deep lustrous finish. This finish is suited for everyday use and under normal conditions and care will continue to protect for years.
Fijian Mahogany (above)
This is the least dense wood we offer. Its softness favours low tuning, gives fantastic bottom end punch and a shorter note at higher tunings. It has an approximate density of 530 kg per cubic metre.
Western Australian Jarrah (above)
The highest density wood we offer (approximately 835 kg per cubic metre). Jarrah offers more volume with less effort and its strong mid to high frequencies cut through a crowded mix making it a favourite for live settings. It also has a shorter note than Fijian Mahogany and is sensitive at all volumes.
Hybrid Drums
Red Rock drums featuring exotic veneers over our classic Mahogany and Jarrah stave shells.
Art Drums
Featuring especially dramatic woods, occasionally available as limited edition selections we consider Art pieces.
Special Builds
We will consider building drums from wood you provide on a case to case basis.
FITTINGS
Red Rock Drums are first and foremost specialist drum shell builders. Our next priority is to adorn our shells with the best fittings in the world. We have chosen the following fittings for their functionality, looks and durability.
Fittings are available as standard in chrome, also in black nickel or 23-carat gold.
Ego Industries lugs
Red Rock Drums was the first drum manufacturer to use Ego lugs in Australia. These lugs feature Ego’s patented axial alignment system. The inner cross-pin can slide horizontally and rotate toward and away from the drum shell – thus avoiding any “stiffening” of the tension rod during tuning. Tube lugs are fitted to all snare drums. Traditional or Offset lug placement available on toms and bass drums.
Trick GS007 Multi Throw-off
Feature a cam operated, helical groove design providing the smoothest, quietest, most durable and road worthy throw-off ever made. There are three stages of the “on” position, ideal for instant changes in wire tension for brush playing etc.
Hoops
2.3mm hoops are standard on all snares and floortoms, however you may also choose from die-cast, maple or single flanged with collar hooks:
2.3mm hoops (above) suitable for all playing purposes, capable of all tunings and withstanding reasonable force.
Die-cast hoops (above) offer extra crack, a more focussed drum sound, cutting cross sticks and increased strength.
Maple hoops (above) give our drums a magic openness, warmth and beautiful “woody” cross stick sound.
Single flanged hoops (above) with collar hooks for that vintage look, somewhere between 2.3mm and die-cast hoops in sound.
Rack Tom Iso-Mounts
These mounts are positioned between the hoop and lugs, the tension rods keep the mounts in position and allow the drum to be completely suspended for total resonance. Included with each rack tom is an ‘l-rod’ tom arm that can be ordered in a long length for use on cymbal stands or short length for use in a rack system.
Floor tom Iso-Mount Cradles
These ‘cradle’ mounts are also positioned between the hoop and lugs for total resonance. Each cradle is fitted with three sliding floor tom legs for optimum independence.
Please note that whilst Iso-Mounts and ‘l-rod’ tom arms are included, no mounting racks, drum stands, cymbal stands, cymbal arms or pedals are included.
Puresound Snare Wires
Red Rock snare drums are fitted with Puresound 20 strand ‘Custom’ snare wires designed and handcrafted to enhance the tone, articulation, sensitivity and projection. These wires are made from steel-alloy coils which are hand-soldered to vintage-style, polished copper end clips. They are more consistent, more durable and better sounding than conventional wires.
Remo Drumheads
Red Rock drums are fitted with Remo drumheads not just because they are the world’s leading specialist, but because we prefer their playing surface, feel and tone. Snares are fitted with a Controlled Sound X and a Snare Side Hazy Ambassador; Toms are fitted with a Coated Ambassador on the batter side and a Clear Ambassador on the resonant side; whilst Bassdrums are fitted with a Coated Powerstroke 3 on the batter side and an Ebony Powerstroke 3 on the resonant side.