Oh, I see u really want to build from scratch? Can I assume u have a kick A$$ wood shop and some pretty good skill? Cause it will most definitely take that to make a drum kit from scratch.
Staves, i have own played, and built one w a buddy. First, have you played Staves, not typical sound and having owned Brady and many other Staves, I can say it is a taste for a smaller number of people than ply drums. I ask this because, it is not trivial building a Stave snare with exacting measurements. I don't have a wood shop that meets any pro stds, but used to build guitars in conjunction with some other shops in another life. He has built about 70+ solid shell steam bent snares with great success, as he was a builder for a company before this.
Scratch what do u mean scratch? drum shell machining is not something you can do on your own with any semblance of good results, unless you are really versed in it and most of all have proper equipment. I won;t go into detail here as u can find a lot of information on shell manufacturing. There is a reason Gretsch, DW, Ludwig, etc..... buy Keller shells, no?
If you are even thinking of somehow scratch building or buying some shells to cut your own bearing edges, please do practice on about 1000 or more samples with your fine router bench on scrap wood and eventually something similar to a drum shell before even thinking of putting the bit next to a new shell. Along with lots go good information on the web, you can find many many pics of DIY bearing edges, lug mounting and tension rods with dramatic splay. Trust me, if you are not already experienced and knowledgeable about crafting drum shells, don;t waste your time and money until you have done next to someone who knows and does it regularly, or do it as many times as possible and not with real solid woods, some cheap cheap ply or even wood pallets or something. I won't even mention finishing.
And, I would as mentioned if I needed to, I would buy keller shells or even better some NOS Jasper shells or the Kellers with the similar play layout, with bearing edges, lug mounts drilled and probably even finished or wrapped and I would basically add the hardware.
What have I learned building that Stave and watching 3-4 other people build traditional ply ad steam bent snares in dedicated wood shops? i am not going to venture into drum making in this life. Just too much investment and experiential skill involved to ale it worthwhile as a player.
If u want to venture into becoming or having the skill to do it, I would however highly encourage that!
I have great respect for those who make it their craft. I live close to Eames, Noble & Cooley, and I think SJC etc... here in MA. Have a visit to a drum maker, some can be very generous with their time and knowledge.
