Do acrylic shells cost more than wood shells?
Yes they do. Acrylic is a more expensive material than wood. Since wood shells are made of several plies of wood (technically speaking, that’s plywood), we’ll use plywood as a comparison. Go down to your local building supply and you’ll find that 1/4″ sheet of plywood is about $12, even really expensive veneered plywood is usually less than $50. Now get a price on the the same size sheet in 1/4″ (6 mm) high grade cast acrylic, and you’ll find it’s well over $100 and often as much as $180. But let’s face it, quality shells, regardless of material, always cost more. A fine musical instrument is an investment in your craft, not an expense. Your instrument represents you and your individuality. And, remember, there’s a much greater degree of hand crafting that is used to make our drums than you’ll find in the vast majority of drums on the market today. No amount of automated machinery can replace skill, craftsmanship, and individual attention.
