Kenny Aronoff On Birch vs. Maple
"Starclassic Maple is the best kit Tama's ever made—that's why I own six of them. Even with six kits , I couldn't get one in time for a couple of San Franciso recording sessions. The studio did have a birch Performer kit. I figured the Performer kit would do 'alright,' but I was immediately blown away. The drums sounded phenomenal. They just jumped right out at you. I felt like I was right there; the response was so quick…with a very centered tone and a lot of attack. But a lot of warmth, too. Anyway, they recorded superbly, That's the main thing.
"So I ordered a kit. I use the birch Performer for sessions where I want a more controlled sound and for stuff that's more expressive in the softer dynamics. Or when I want a tighter kick drum sound that's big and ballsy, but not boomy.
"It's not maple is better than birch or birch
is better than maple. They're just different in sound."