The Birch Custom Absolute has 6-ply 6mm, shells with 45 degree bearing edges and a 1.8mm deep snare bed. Like all our shells they are manufactured by the Air-Seal System process which ensures that every drum is perfectly round and of uniform thickness. There are four sizes: 14”x6.5”, 14”x5.5”, 14”x7” and 14”x4”.

Available in further 28 custom finishes.

The 6.5” and 5.5” drums have 10 separate, sleek chrome lugs per head, while the 4” drum has 10 one-piece chrome-plated lugs. Each lug is fixed to the drum shell by a single bolt, thus allowing maximum shell vibration. This allows the characteristic controlled, attacking sound of the birch shell to open out a little more. The 2.3mm chromed steel DynaHoop rims provide pinpoint, stable tuning with cracking rim-shots.

The shells are finished on the outside with durable polyurethane in a choice of six colours. Our nine-step, seven-day finishing process provides a deep, rich lustre, the culmination of over a century of acoustic instrument manufacturing. The Vintage Natural finish is a sealed coating which will mature with age and enhances the rich natural acoustics of the birch.

The release-side strainer on the 6.5” and 5.5” models is our H-type with minimum strainer to shell contact. On the shallower 4” drum we have substituted our P-type strainer which functions in the same way but is slightly more compact. All strainers have extra smooth action, vertical adjustment and key bolt fasteners. Our standard length 20-strand hi-carbon hardened steel snare is fitted to each drum.

Nouveau Lugs
Yamaha's revolutionary Nouveau Lugs utilize a flotaing design that eliminates contact between the lug casing and shell so the shell can resonate freely. Their quick release design also provides for very quick head changes and reduces the risk of losing washers since it is no longer necessary to entirely remove the tuning bolt from the lug to remove the rim.

The Snare drum is also available with single lugs as an option.