As a long-time collector, I have a fascination with the unusual, the bizarre, and often the ultimately impractical. These drums fall into all three categories. This kit is the “DIXI” model made by DERI around 1956. DERI is not a widely known manufacturer especially in the U.S. The company was founded around 1949 in Germany by Karl Rimmel and Max Deibel and lasted until the early 1960’s. DERI was responsible for creating a number of unusual designs including a bass drum that opened into two pieces and acted as a case for other drums and hardware. They also produced a huge kidney-shaped drum as well as several models of oval snare drums.
The DIXI was their flagship kit and sports a number of distinctive features. The kit consists of an oval bass drum, four concert toms, and a rather large floor tom. The finish is a very unique red, gray, and silver snake skin pattern wrap. The oval bass drum is 20 inches tall, 29 inches wide, and 16 inches deep. The snare drum is 5 x 14. The floor tom is 17 inches deep with a 19-inch diameter. The concert toms are metric sizes that are approximately 7x6, 8x6, 10x7, and 11x7. All four concert toms are mounted on the bass drum, making their placement a bit awkward for actual playing. The toms and the snare all have period plastic heads while the bass drum is equipped with calfskin.
The kit is in very good condition and sounds as unique as it looks. Despite its unusual shape, the bass drum sounds very good. The drums appear to be made of beech and have thin shells similar to Trixon drums of the same era. The kit is super fun to play, and while it is totally impractical for gigging it has made an appearance in a video by my band, Magnum Dopus.
Over the years, I have run across a few DERI drums and some miscellaneous parts, but I have not seen another complete kit. I believe the “DIXI” kit is a very rare find indeed. I’m delighted to have this funky kit as part of my collection; it is definitely a conversation starter.