Extensive research and unsurpassed craftsmanship.

Shells
GMS Special Edition drums are made up of select 8-ply North American maple. GMS does not graduate the thickness of the shell as the diameter gets larger. Diiverging from drum industry trends, GMS is convinced that 8-ply shells unencumbered by reinforcement rings perform 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 testing, GMS found that they prefer the resonance of the straight shell, where the whole shell resonates as one. They found that the 8-ply shell offered all the properties the company was looking for: thin enough for wide tonal ranges and 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, it raises the pitch (just as thicker cymbals have a higher pitch). So, when floor toms and bass drums are made thicker, the pitch of the shell is raised.

Also, all Special Edition 8-ply maple shells are cross-laminated for strength. GMS uses a staggered-seam construction so none of the ply seams line up on each other. This produces one of the best shells available today.

GMS bearing edges utilize a 45° cut on the inside of the shell and a shallow 45° counter-cut on the outside. GMS drum kits feature a graduated bearing edge around the set. In essence, the edges are sharper on smaller diameter toms and get rounder as the diameters get larger. This exclusive process enhances the drums' attack and sustain, while offering larger drums more low end and punch.

Finishing
All GMS drums go through an intense finishing process, to become 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 the GMS 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 that excels in the industry today.

Hardware
The Special Edition lug was designed to utilize the Grand Master philosophy in a split-lug design. GMS found that some drummers prefer the split-lug look. They also like to see more of the shell's finish. GMS achieved both goals with the SE lug. By adjusting the hole pattern, and moving the area where the receiver nut sits, GMS was able to produce a single lug that relieves tension and stress from the shell. This eliminates the need for the rod that goes between the lug casings. This lug is not only visually appealing but functional. Another GMS accomplishment.

The throw-off and butt system on all GMS snares is machined from brass. This system was designed to be simple, trouble free, and effective. It is totally designed and manufactured by GMS. GMS does not believe in buying a critical and integral part of a snare drum from outside suppliers. GMS' 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 heads, and G1 clear bottoms heads. All bass drums feature the Evans EQ system. All snares have coated G1 top heads, and 300-gauge snare bottom heads.

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 GMS.

Floor toms
All floor toms employ the GMS Floor Tom Mounting System. What the system does, basically, is space all the mounting hardware off the drum shell. Due to the wider circumference of the leg pattern, the drum shell is allowed to resonate without the restriction of mounting hardware against the shell. All of the GMS mounting brackets are made by GMS in its factory.

Cymbals and hardware not included.

GMS SE 8-Piece Double Bass Standard Shell Pack Features:

• Drum sizes:
• 12" x 9", 10" x 8", and 8" x 7" mounted toms
• 16" x 16" and 14" x 14" floor toms
• Two 22" x 18" bass drums
• 14" X 5-1/2" snare drum
• Hardware not included
  
  Select 8-ply North American maple shells without frequency-distorting reinforcement rings or reinforcement hoops
• Shells are cross-laminated for strength with a staggered-seam construction so none of the ply seams line up on each other
• 45° bearing edges cut on the inside of the shell with a shallow 45° counter-cut on the outside
• Graduated bearing edge around the set-sharper edges on smaller-diameter toms; rounder as the diameters get larger to enhance the drums' attack and sustain while offering larger drums more low end and punch.
• High-gloss mirror finishes
• Special Edition lug for a split-lug look: a single lug that relieves tension and stress from the shell, eliminating the need for the rod that goes between the lug casings
• Brass-machined snare throw-off and butt system
• Nylon locknut prevents throw-off adjusting knob from loosening
• 20-strand heat-treated high-carbon steel snare wires
• 2.3mm-steel triple-flanged hoops
• Die-cast hoops available on 14" snares
• Toms have Evans coated G1 top heads and G1 clear bottom heads
• Bass drum has the Evans EQ system
• Snare has coated G1 top head and 300-gauge snare bottom head
• GMS Suspension System securely mounts toms allowing maximum resonance
• Floor toms employ GMS Floor Tom Mounting System with mounting hardware spaced off the drum shell so they can resonate without the restriction of mounting hardware against the shells

Try the result of GMS' fanatical pursuit of perfection. Order today.