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Additional Information
SPECIFICATIONS
The GMS Grand Master Series Drum Line was the first produced by the GMS Drum Co. in 1987.
We will describe in detail, the materials and processes that go into the GMS Grand Master Series drums.
:: SHELLS
Our GMS drums are made up of select 8-ply North American Maple. We do not graduate the thickness of the shell as the diameter gets larger. Through extensive research, we've decided that 8-ply shells performed best all around the kit. Thinner shells (without reinforcement rings) have a tendency to be too thin to handle the vibrations in all dynamic situations. They can distort at higher volume levels, and also are weak, because of the thinness of the body. Some companies use thin shells in conjunction with reinforcement hoops, to stabilize the shell. Reinforcement hoops give a shell thicker tops and bottoms. The result is that the thicker edges resonate at different frequencies than the body of the shell. Through our testing, we found that we prefer the resonance of the straight shell, where the whole shell resonates as one. We've found that the 8-ply shell offered all the properties we were looking for: thin enough for wide tonal ranges; strong enough to not need reinforcement hoops, but not too thick to raise the frequency to a higher pitch. If the shell is too thick, you raise the pitch (just as thicker cymbals have a higher pitch). So, if you make your floor toms and bass drum thicker, and you raise the pitch of the shell.
Also, all GMS 8ply maple shells are cross laminated for strength. We use a staggered seam constuction so none of the ply seams line up on each other. This produces the best shell available today.
GMS bearing edges utilize a 45 degree cut on the inside of the shell and a shallow 45 degree counter cut on the outside. Our drum kits feature a "graduated bearing edge" around the set. In essence, the edges are shaper on smaller diameter toms and get rounder as the diameter gets larger. This exclusive process enhances the drums attack and sustain while offering larger drums more low end and punch.
:: FINISHING
All drums go through an intense finishing process, to become Grand Master and Special Edition high gloss drums.
All raw shells are hand sanded to give the paint a good surface to adhere to. If the drums are to be stained, it is done at this point. If not, they are primed with a clear primer and allowed to dry. They are then sanded flat and smooth, and are ready for color. The color or sparkle is then applied to the drum, followed by the clear coat. The drums are then set aside in our drying area for 10-14 days, until they are thoroughly dry. At this point, they go to the sanding area, where they are sanded, by hand, with no less than 6 different grades of sand paper. When they are done they are smooth as glass, but do not have a high luster. They then go to be buffed, using two different grades of imported European compounds. The result is a mirror finish, unequaled in the industry today.
The wide range of finishes we offer cannot be described here. Painted sparkles, including vintage Champagne, Blue, Red, Green, Turquoise, Purple, Violet, Gold, Silver, Bursted Sparkles, Faded Sparkles, and just about any color you can think of, can be achieved in sparkle. A wide variety of stains, in just about any color, can also be had. Fades, Bursts, and even graphics can all be had. GMS also specializes in custom paint work. Contact GMS with your custom color ideas.
:: HARDWARE
The lugs on the Grand Master Series drums, are hand made of solid brass. They are not cast. Every lug starts out as a piece of brass bar stock. The bar is then cut and machined into the parts needed to make each lug. Each drum size has its own size lug. Brass has been used for years to make musical instruments. It has a musical quality and resonates with the shell. Ever see a saxophone cast? Or made of steel?
Now, the design of the lug is the true story here. On conventional drums (meaning drums with separate lugs on each end of the drum), there is a natural tendency for the lug casing to pull away from the drum under tension. The lug then in turn puts stress on the shell, restricting the shells' vibrations. The Grand Master lug was designed to put as little stress as possible on the shell. The end blocks are attached by a vertical rod, this rod prevents the lug ends from pulling up and stressing the shell. The result is more vibration, more tone, more sound.
The throw-off and butt system on all GMS snares, is made from the same materials (brass) as our lugs. This system was designed to be simple, trouble free, and effective. It is totally designed and manufactured by GMS. We do not believe in "buying" a critical and integral part of a snare drum from outside suppliers. We have been highly acclaimed for this system. Our unique nylon locknut, prevents the throw-off adjusting knob from loosening. All snare drums feature 20 strand heat treated high carbon steel snare wire.
Hoops on all drums are 2.3mm steel triple flanged. Die-cast hoops are available on 14" snares.
:: HEADS
All toms feature Evans coated G1 top, and G1 clear bottoms. All bass drums feature the Evans EQ system. All snares have coated G1 top, and 300 gauge snare bottoms.
:: GMS SUSPENSION SYSTEM
>> Rack toms
The GMS Suspension System is designed to securely mount your toms, and give you maximum resonance at the same time. The system secures itself to two tension rods on the top side and stabilizes itself with a clip on the bottom hoop. The rubber bumper mounted bottom clip housing, lets the drum "hang", so it will not choke the drum with rigidity. The profile of the mount is very sleek, making it almost invisible to the eye. The actual tom bracket that is on the mount, is a solid piece, again, made by us.
>> Floor toms
All floor toms employ the GMS Floor Tom Mounting System. What the system does, is basically space all the mounting hardware off the drum shell. Due to the wider circumference of the leg pattern, the drum shell is now allowed to resonate without the restriction of mounting hardware against the shell. All of the GMS mounting brackets are made here in our factory.
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