I receive many requests to feature custom drum builders’ instruments. I have to decline many of them because their products or their process or their sound is not unusual or different. Michael Carlito’s drums are very unique. I am impressed by his woodworking expertise, the original concept of the build, and his artistry in the appearance of the instruments. But, most importantly, the sound of his drums is superior. His marketing presentation on his website is impressive and worth checking out. I’ll let Michael tell his story:
“My name is Michael Carlito, and I create custom, one-of-a-kind snare drums through my company, Transnare Drum (www.transnaredrum.com). Since the early 1990s, I've been building drums and have developed a unique technique that allows drummers to transform the sound of their drums into distinct timbres. My Transnare drums feature an innovative design with interchangeable solid wood inserts, crafted from both native and exotic woods, giving you the ability to change the drum’s tone and appearance with ease.
This article highlights a 6.5" x 14" snare drum featuring two sets of interchangeable wooden inserts. One set is made from Hard Rock Maple, and the other from African Mahogany. I used a hot iron wood bending technique, commonly employed by luthiers, to shape the inserts. Each insert goes through specific machining processes depending on its design. For this particular drum, I added a marquetry design to one set of Maple inserts, which are 0.5" thick. The African Mahogany inserts are 0.25" thick, providing a contrasting thickness and sound.
The creation of a Transnare drum involves a combination of traditional luthier techniques and modern equipment, such as CNC machines. The entire process, from initial design to the final product, takes several months to complete. In many cases, I build custom jigs and fixtures to perform specific tasks during the drum’s construction. The accompanying photos illustrate the progression and various techniques I used in building the drum featured in this article.
For a more detailed explanation and a closer look at other custom drums I’ve built, along with testimonials from Transnare drum owners, visit www.transnaredrum.com.”