DrumSellers.com is starting to attract drum builders who find it a great place to sell their wares. This month we focus on a maker of very unusual drums and percussion instruments, Ken Lovelett, an accomplished percussionist who is spending a lot of time these days inventing new kinds of percussion instruments.
Read moreThe Drum Engravers, Part 2: John Aldridge Custom Works
I like to think of John Aldridge as a “Drum Jedi Master”. He is an endless wellspring of drum history, wisdom, experience and creativity. In this sequel to Part 1, I wanted to share some examples of John’s unique custom works with personal insights from John about their design. Many of these drums are from my personal collection and are greatly treasured. It is my hope that drummers will not only appreciate John’s incredible versatility, but also realize that “drum art” can be truly personal. Drum engraving is not restricted to scrolls and florets!
Read moreBoris Ritscher Drum Building Video: Making Drums From Old Wine Barrels
Ritscher, drummer and drum builder from Osthofen sees himself as an "upcycler". He produces high-quality drums from old wood. He prefers to handle staves from old wine barrels.
Sam Bacco is new production manager of Craviotto Drums in new Nashville factory
Meet Sam Bacco, our new head of production.
Read moreThe Drum Engravers, Part 1: John Aldridge
The first of these is the best-known drum engraver of our time, John Aldridge. Some years ago, John Aldridge wanted a hand engraved drum. When he discovered he couldn't afford it, John learned how to do it himself, and brought this lost art form back to the drum industry.
Read moreFamous Drums 2x4 Snare
Famous Drums “2x4” Snare - available by order - contact George Lawrence
Read moreDrumWrapper machine for applying wrap finishes to shells
DrumWrapper manufactured by Famous Drums/Not So Modern Drummer
Read moreSeen At The 2018 Connecticut Vintage And Custom Drum Show
Rick Smith presented another successful vintage and custom drum show at The Sphinx Shriners Center in Newington, Connecticut. This years’ featured clinician’s were Gregg Bissonette and Richie Morales. Once again, both the clinics and dealer booths were jammed with drumming enthusiasts of all ages. It was standing room only in the auditorium for Gregg and Richie. Both of their presentations were educational, inspirational, and entertaining
Read moreChicago Drum Introduces new endorser Ken Harck and "Pretty Things" finishes.
Look for our interview with Ken Harck in the next issue of Not So Modern Drummer. Go to www.chicagodrum.com to see their beautiful snares and sets, as well as Slingerland original and replacement parts.
Read moreNot So Modern Drummer Sales acquires distribution of Eccentric Systems Drum Company products
George Lawrence of Not So Modern Drummer and Lucas Jacobson of Eccentric Systems Drum Company entered into an agreement on November 26th for Not So Modern Drummer to handle sales, marketing and U.S. manufacturing/assembly of the Eccentric Systems products. Eccentric was founded by Lucas Jacobson, engineer, and inventor of the eccentric cam for the DW5000 bass drum pedals and designer of the DW9000 bass drum pedals and hi-hat pedals. Lucas later patented and manufactured his own products. The most well known Eccentric product is the Quick Torque Cam, an add-on to bass drum pedals that increases the drummer's comfort, control and speed.
Read moreThe DrumWrapper is back. Taking orders now.
The DrumWrapper, our exclusive drum covering laminate roller and press manual machine for drum manufacturers, custom drum builders, drum repair shops, and hobbyists is back in production.
Read moreMarc Patch Drum Guide - A Guide To Drum Brands Past And Present
This is a directory of over 700 brands of drums from all over the world, past and present. Along with the brand name is the era of the brand, the country of origin, and the official or unofficial websites or book titles for a reference. It is not a reading book but a reference list.
Read moreReview: Canopus shows prototype of Zelkova drum set at Summer NAMM
The set was a four piece bebop size kit - 14 x 18 bass drum, 8 x 12 mounted tom, 14 x 14 floor tom and a Zelkova snare drum. It was tuned extremely high, in the jazz and bebop range. It sounded beautiful. Extremely clear tones.
Read moreVisual Drum Design, In A Nutshell
I was in a conversation with a jeweler, an older man, talking about taste. He said, "Let me give you a word of advice. You need to decide whether you want fashion or style."
Read more2007 Yamaha 40th Anniversary 6.5 x 13 "Phoenix" (#1 of 40)
”That anniversary snare is #1 of 40, and the year was 2007(2017 is our 50th). There were only 20 made available for sale in the US. It's a 13" x 6.5", 1.5 mm brass shell with a black lacquer finish, 3 mm aluminum die cast hoops, 20 strand snare wires. Model SD-4365PH, original MSRP was $1799. It is hand engraved by the same craftsman that did the high-end saxophones in Japan. The Phoenix bird with the tuning fork in its beak is the original logo that was registered in 1888 by Nippon Gakki, Yamaha's predecessor as their trademark. It was carved into the pump organs that were the first musical instruments built by Yamaha. At my request, my friends at Yamaha Japan reserved #1 for me.
Read moreBuilding a stave shell
From 2009 until 2013 Rob Stapleton built the website, "P.D. Good's Builder's Manual", (www.pdgood/ drumshed) which is a compilation of searches on topics important to drum builders supplemented by correspondence and conversations with various manufacturers and individual drum builders, and excerpts from related forums, such as wood worker's and ecology forums. It is STILL the #1 result in a google search for 'how to build a drum'. Rob has graciously given us permission to republish from that wealth of information. He wanted us to acknowledge the now defunct sites drumshed.org and drumtown.info, and all the drum builders out there who contributed to this treasure trove of information.
Read moreRemembering Will Tillman, well known drummer and drum craftsman
We are sorry to report that Will Tillman died December 20, 2016. Will was respected as a drummer and was known far and wide as a great builder and craftsman of drums. To see some of Will's work go to his website http://drummersdreamusa.com/. There is a gofundme account established to raise money for funeral expenses and for Will's family to keep their house. Please contribute. https://www.gofundme.com/tillmanmemorialfund
Read morePennsylvania Drum Show oct. 22, 2017
Gear Obsessed - It Starts Slowly
I know I am not the only one. I’ve been on the internet. We are many. We are unabashed. We are gearheads. Professional drummers are amazing people. We worship them, adore them, buy their signature drumsticks, learn their techniques, styles and solos…hang posters of them in our practice spaces…but a few of us yearn for more. We love the drumming, but are fascinated, captivated, no…obsessed with…THE GEAR.
Read moreTen Pro Drum Building Tools You Should Have (#7 Will Blow You Away)
This article is really geared towards the weekend warrior who builds often enough where these small investments would be of value in the long run. These ten tools can lead to saving on service up charges from vendors, common costly mistakes, and potential component issues.
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