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Specialised Shell Configuration, or SSC, is a process which mixes DW's various Collector's Series shell options to create the ideal kit. By exploiting the differences in construction methods across individual drums, DW claims to be able to maximise sonic qualities.

This particular kit - the first SSC kit to reach the UK - was assembled by DW's master drum designer John Good.

Build

To fully appreciate the SSC concept, some familiarity with DW's shell designs is required. The standard Collector's Series shell consists of seven plies, each 1/36" thick, with the plies cross-laminated in the usual manner. The outer layer of ply runs horizontally around the shell.

After much experimenting, John Good came up with the VLT or Vertical Low Timbre shell. VLT shells include another layer of ply, making a total of eight, with the plies arranged so that the grain of the inner and outer plies runs vertically. This encourages the shell to vibrate more freely, resulting in a lowered fundamental tone.

John Good's research continued and in 2008 DW's revolutionary X-Shell made its debut. Again based on an 8-ply sandwich, here the grain of each ply runs at 45 degrees with the plies cross-laminated at 90 degrees to one another. Sonically, X-Shells have a lower fundamental than VLT shells.

Then in 2009 DW announced the arrival of the VLX shell. Similar to the X-Shell design, VLX shells are 8-ply with a 45 degrees grain for six of the plies. The other two plies feature vertical grain and are strategically placed for maximum effect. VLX shells take another step down in terms of fundamental tone, making for an even lower note.

As with the standard Collector's Series shells, 3-ply reinforcement hoops are optional across all the different shells. Drummers ordering a Collector's Series kit have been able to specify from the various shell configurations before now; what's new about SSC kits is that DW now recommends the optimum shell for each drum.

John Good is confident that DW's expertise in this area will create kits in which the component drums are in complete tonal and dynamic balance: 8" toms, for instance, through the nature of their size can sound tinny and slight alongside larger drums. By making the 8" tom an X-Shell, its fundamental tone would be lower, giving it a richer, throatier response with which to compete with the rest of the kit.