Australian Drum Timber Tone & Hardness Guide

Australian Made Stave Drums: Timber Tone & Hardness Chart

Choosing the right timber is critical when customizing Australian made stave drums. The density and Janka hardness of native and select exotic hardwoods directly influence the fundamental pitch, bite, and resonance of your stave snare drum or shell pack.

Timber Species Janka Hardness Density (Air-Dry) Tonal Character Acoustic Sound Profile
Tasmanian Blackwood 5.5 kN (Medium) 640 kg/m³ Warm & Musical Rich, complex low-to-mid presence with open sustain and smooth, singing overtones. Perfect for studio recording.
Marri 7.1 kN (Medium-Hard) 850 kg/m³ Solid & Grounded Thick, powerful woody attack backed by an incredibly warm, deep outback low-end rumble.
Sheoak (Western) 7.7 kN (Medium-Hard) 730 kg/m³ Bright & Articulate Lively, focused attack with a bright, crisp high-end "chirp" paired with highly responsive mids.
Jarrah 8.5 kN (Hard) 820 kg/m³ Punchy & Balanced Massive projection with a deep, full-bodied fundamental note. Offers classic hardwood warmth with excellent mix cutting power.
Blackbutt 9.1 kN (Hard) 900 kg/m³ Vibrant & Inviting A highly resonant, honey-warm tone with an even frequency distribution and a smooth, natural decay.
Tuart 11.0 kN (Very Hard) 1030 kg/m³ Dry & Aggressive Extremely dense shell results in a rapid, controlled decay, powerful rimshot projection, and hyper-focused stick definition.
Spotted Gum 10.1 kN (Very Hard) 950 kg/m³ Sharp & Versatile A sharp, whip-like crack with great structural resonance. High velocity projection that sits perfectly across all musical genres.
Lemon Scented Gum 11.0 kN (Very Hard) 950 kg/m³ Bright & Piercing Outstanding high-mid presence with a crisp, slicing rim crack and immediate shell response under high-tension tuning.
Wandoo 15.0 kN (Extreme Hardness) 1100 kg/m³ Articulate & Colossal Maximum energy transfer. Delivers an incredibly tight, crisp crackle with intense high-end clarity that slices through loud mixes effortlessly.
Camphor Laurel 4.4 kN (Soft-Medium) 520 kg/m³ Mellow & Open Full frequency response with highly expressive, clear mid-to-high overtones. Sounds beautiful when recorded in acoustic or jazz setups.
Purpleheart 11.1 kN (Very Hard) 905 kg/m³ Projective & Sustained Exotic centerpiece offering an explosive attack, bright top-end projection, and an surprisingly long, clear singing sustain tail.
Goldfields Blackbutt 12.0 kN (Very Hard) 1050 kg/m³ Dry & Controlled Extremely dense arid-region eucalypt. Produces a high-pitched, precise fundamental with shortened, naturally gated sustain and extreme volume capacity.
Blackbutt snare shell

Hardness 9.1kN

Blackbutt

Blackbutt: Imagine a sound that's warm and inviting,
like sun-drenched honey. This moderately dense wood delivers a balanced
frequency response with a pronounced mid-range focus, offering a rich, woody
tone that resonates beautifully. Compared to Mahogany, Blackbutt leans slightly
drier, providing excellent articulation for crisp rimshots and ghost notes. Its
strong midrange presence cuts through the mix but retains warmth.

Jarrah stave shell

Hardness 8.5kN

Jarrah

Jarrah: Picture the deep rumble of thunder rolling
across the outback. Jarrah, a dense and heavy hardwood, produces a warm,
resonant sound with a powerful low-end presence. Think Mahogany taken up a
notch - its full and rounded tone boasts a balanced midrange that sits well in
the mix without muddying up the sound. This wood excels in slower, more melodic
styles like blues and roots rock, adding a rich and deep foundation to your
grooves.

Marri_Stave_snare_drum

Hardness 7.1kN 

Marri

Marri: Think solid and powerful, like a rock carved
from the earth. Marri, while similar to Jarrah, offers a slightly different
tonal character. This moderately dense wood produces a warm and deep sound with
a thick and punchy attack. Its strong low-end presence and balanced mid-range
provide a solid foundation for heavier styles like rock and metal, delivering a
cutting sound that won't get lost in the mix. While comparable to Birch in
attack, Marri adds a touch of warmth and depth, making it ideal for drummers who
want power with character.

Sheoak_stave_snare_shell

Hardness 7.7kN 

Sheoak

Sheoak: Imagine the bright chirp of a kookaburra
echoing through the trees. Sheoak, a moderately dense wood, is known for its
bright and lively sound. Its clear and articulate response shines through
intricate rhythms, offering excellent sensitivity for fast playing styles like
funk and fusion. Compared to Maple, Sheoak has a slightly warmer character,
offering a well-rounded tonal palette without sacrificing brightness or attack.

River_red_Gum_stave_snare_shell

Hardness 9.6kN 

River Red Gum

River Red Gum: Imagine the deep, resonant heartbeat of the Australian outback echoing through an ancient riverbed. River Red Gum, a dense and heavily figured hardwood, is renowned for its immense warmth and profound low-end authority. Its powerful, full-bodied attack delivers a rich, commanding punch that anchors any musical mix effortlessly, making it ideal for deep backbeats and slow, soulful grooves. Its massive projection and smooth, musical sustain are reminiscent of African Padauk but with a distinctively earthy character and a complex mid-range growl. Drummers who crave raw power and a thick, historic tone will find River Red Gum to be a perfect match.

Sotted gum stave snare drum

Hardness 11kN 

Spotted Gum

Spotted Gum: Picture the sharp crack of a whip
snapping in the air. Spotted Gum, a dense and hard wood, shares Sheoak's
brightness and liveliness but with a distinct punch. Its clear and articulate
sound, with a good amount of high-end presence, cuts through the mix perfectly.
Its exceptional sensitivity and response make it ideal for fast and intricate
rhythms, similar to Sheoak but with a touch more bite.

Wandoo stave snare shell

Hardness 15kN 

Wandoo

Wandoo: Imagine the crisp crackle of a campfire under
a starry sky. Wandoo, a dense and hard hardwood, is known for its tight,
focused sound with exceptional clarity. Its bright attack and pronounced
high-end cut through the mix perfectly, making it ideal for intricate patterns
and fast tempos. Its excellent response and dry sustain are reminiscent of
Bubinga but with a touch more warmth and complexity. Drummers who crave
precision and speed will find Wandoo to be a perfect match.

Fiddleback jarrah stave snare drum

Fiddleback

Jarrah