well ive been playin the drums since i was 2 which would be about 13 years. im 15 now. this is not my first time tuning drums, ive tuned probably like 25 sets by now. and they usually come out very good. ive tuned my churches set about 4 times and ive never had this problem with heads. im not totally sure but i wanna say its birch. its a very light wood color, and i think maple is darker?