You almost never see one of these but they are the holy grail of drum shells. They are made from a tree trunk which is hollowed out and made into the shape of a drum - so there is no joint of any kind, and therefore, no glue. The picture on the left shows a unique attempt to get many sizes of shells from one tree trunk. Basic description:Begin with a large piece of a tree trunk and hollow it. Paint the cut ends so that it dries evenly and doesn't crack. Store or kiln dry until the proper moisture content is achieved, then lathe inside and outside into finished shape.​

This is the method most commonly used by custom builders. Built similarly to a barrel, the wood pieces are vertical with bevelled edges arranged to form a circle. The staves are glued and clamped. When the glue is dry, the outside and inside are lathed to achieve a smooth, round shell. ​ Router or table saw to bevel the staves (router also needed for bearing edges). Lathe needed for rounding the edges of the staves. (Or special jig can be made with a router​If you use a router, you'll need a bit with the correct angle. If you use a table saw a gadget like this will come in very handy.​

This is not a very common method of building although it makes a perfectly fine shell. They are built almost exclusively by custom builders. They are similar to staves in a lot of ways - in fact, they can be thought of as many rings of smaller staves. The advantages and disadvantages are also somewhat similar to staves. Basic description:Small horizontal pieces are cut with beveled edges to form a circle which is glued and clamped. Several rings are made this way. The rings are then placed on top of each other (with joints offset) and glued and clamped. When the glue is dry the outside and inside are lathed or routed to achieve a smooth, round shell. Router or table saw or miter saw to bevel the staves (router also needed for bearing edges). Lathe needed for rounding the edges of the staves.

Steam bent shells are considered among the most desireable because of their acoustic properties and simplicity of design. However, they are not easy to build, and as a result, most builders choose a different method. Because of this, there is far less information on how to build them than other methods. Basic description:Also sometimes called 1 ply shells, steam bent shells are made from a single piece of wood. A special box is made to produce and control moisture and the piece of wood is placed inside and carefully monitored. After the right amount of moisture is achieved, the wood is removed from the box and wrapped around a mold. They generally have a scarf joint which is glued together to complete the circle.

Basic description:Hybrid drums can be made from many things but are most commonly made as a combination of wood and acryli, or wood by woods.The visual effect is #1. They look very different and are eye-catching.They are a little bit advanced for the first time builder. (Unless you buy the shells and are just assembling them.) The sound never seems to be the reason they are built. Not to say it's terrible, I've just never heard anyone say, "Man, I really want that hybrid sound."

This is the method most commonly used by the big drum companies. You build a mold (usually a female) that is to the size of the outside diameter. Order thin sheets of wood known as plies, glue them and place them inside the mold. Apply pressure. When dry, release the mold. Advanced builders will make their ​​​​​​​​​​​​own plies from very thin sheets of laminate. The plies a beginner should build from will have several ​​​​​​​​​​​layers of laminate even though they are quite thin.​​​​​​​​​​​

Acrylic drums are harder and smoother than wood drums, and therefore a bit more vibrant or "alive" with more energy bouncing around within the shell rather than being absorbed by the softer wood; they are also just a hair louder. The difference is subtle. Pull your shirt up over your head so as to cover your ears, and play your drums. that's "wood". Now pull your shirt back down and play...that's acrylic. A little more high-end and shimmer. The difference is lost once any other instruments are involved... and when headed and tuned accordingly...acrylic drums are perfectly usable in "jazz".