This shell fits within CVL's approach, an Italian manufacturer recognized for shells intended for instrument making and restoration. The goal is to offer a high-quality, consistent, and reliable base designed for "custom" projects: you start with a carefully crafted shell, then choose your hardware, drilling locations, finish, and assembly. The CVL manufacturing process, developed in-house, emphasizes reduced glue quantity compared to traditional methods to preserve the wood's vibration and achieve a more organic response.
This shell is primarily aimed at DIY drummers, technicians, luthiers, and customization workshops who want to create or upgrade an instrument from a solid base. Being un-drilled makes it particularly interesting for those who want to control the placement of lugs, throw-off, butt plate, and vent, but it also requires a minimum of experience in measuring and drilling. Style-wise, beech, with its midrange and high-frequency balance, is well suited to contexts where definition and projection are sought: rock, pop, funk, contemporary music, and more broadly any situation where attack precision and play clarity are priorities.
The key feature of this model is its delivery as a non-drilled shell: holes for lugs, throw-off, butt plate, and relief vent are to be made after you validate your assembly plan. To assist with placement, you can use a Sparedrum LO16 or LO26 template to correctly position future drillings. For a clean result, using "hardwood" drill bits is recommended, taking care to measure and verify the exact diameters required by the chosen hardware beforehand. The CVL approach, aiming to use less glue, results in a shell that feels more "alive," with a more direct response and natural sonic behavior, especially appreciable on a carefully assembled instrument.
Beech is a medium-density wood distinguished by a clear attack and very good precision, with a natural emphasis on midrange and high frequencies. Practically, this helps the shell "speak" quickly: strokes are well defined, ghost notes remain audible, and the sound maintains a strong presence in the mix without needing to push volume. The character is both powerful and articulated, suitable for medium to tight tunings, as well as drumheads that offer control without muffling resonance.
The 6-ply construction and 5.4 mm thickness contribute to a balance between responsiveness and sustain: the shell retains good projection while remaining sensitive to nuances. The 45-degree internal bearing edges promote quick drumhead vibration and a sharp attack, enhancing precision and dynamics. Finally, the CVL manufacturing process, which uses reduced glue, tends to preserve the wood's breathability, resulting in a sound often perceived as more natural and open, provided drilling and assembly are flawless.