To Matt's knowledge, he is the only drum-maker currently using this technique, which, he says, produces stronger and smoother threads. The rods are 12-24 American standard thread allen head type that must be tightened with a standard hex wrench. Each drum is sold with six wrenches, including three that are yellow rubber-coated for high visibility and that have cord loops to hang on a tension rod. So I believe that Matt is right to be concerned that drummers may initially fear breaking this long-standing tradition. Then again, his willingness to risk a negative reaction for the sake of improved quality and reliability suggests to me that his values and priorities are in the right place.
Diecast hoops are available at additional cost.
Matt Gaither has an opinion about snare beds and bearing edges, too. The beds are also quite narrow to allow the bearing edge to resume its full depth at adjacent lugs. This eliminates the need to over-tighten tension rods adjacent to the snare beds to equalize bottom head tension, which, at worst, may bend the hoop, and at best, will result in uneven stress on the shell. Matt decided on a 45 degree bearing edge angle as being sharp enough for good sensitivity, yet not so sharp as to cause the head to bind and complicate tuning. Its outer edge is slightly rounded again, to prevent binding, and also to optimize contact with the drumhead collar.