Only the finest Sugar Maple from North Eastern USA and Canada is used to make Taye StudioMaple drums. Their master shellmaker cross-laminates the thinnest rotary-cut veneer panels. These bend easily and offer no resistance when formed into cylinders. Skilled TAYE craftsmen form StudioMaple shells in specially designed heated molds, under high and even pressure. Their goal is a rigid thin shell - rigid enough to resist distortion under heavy tension, and thin enough to promote sweet low resonant sound. You can hear and feel all the magic of maple in the StudioMaple shell - strong attack combined with rich, warm bottom end.