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 Sales 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. It is very popular with speed metal double bass pedal players and is manufactured in Taiwan. Other products include the Eccentric single and double bass drum pedals, the Shonga shaker and the Shonguiro, the BuzzKill vibration dampener for snare wires, and the FlatHeadz tuning hoops, all which did not exist before Jacobson thought of and developed them. George Lawrence, owner of Not So Modern Drummer, will be handling sales of the products to wholesale distributors, to storefront and online retailers and direct to consumers as well as handling artist relations. Distributors and retailers include Big Bang, Guitar Center, Sam Ash and Sweetwater. Jacobson will continue to administer the company, design and develop new products, and share customer relations duties with Lawrence. Products are being moved to the Not So Modern Drummer location in Nashville for fulfillment. The supply and distribution to all buyers will be uninterrupted.
Lawrence and Jacobson met in 2014 at the Nashville Drum Show where Lawrence had the Quick Torque Cams installed on his bass drum pedals. "The cam solved a serious physical problem I was having with pain and fatigue in my foot from playing long gigs. The cam made the pedal more comfortable and easier to push down. It solved my pain problem on the first gig. It reduced the resistance of the spring and also brought the footboard back faster. It's simple physics; a lever on the spring. When Lucas called me about getting involved it was a no-brainer because I already believed in the product and I know other drummers who have experienced the comfort and speed benefits of this gizmo too."
Lawrence will be revamping the company's website and social media, and leverage sales of the product with the sales and promotion of the other products that his company distributes and sells, including the new, improved and lower priced DrumWrapper, a manual roller machine for installing plastic wrap on drum shells. Not So Modern Drummer has developed a world wide audience for its publications and products such as hard to find and esoteric instruments and accessories for working drummers, and tools and parts for drum builders and drum repairmen. Lawrence says, " I believe that the products we choose have been successful because we know our niche market of boutique customers and they trust our opinions and advice. We never recommend or sell anything we would not use ourselves and we test every product we sell. Our wholesale, retail and consumer customers know this and trust us. We have a long history of satisfied drummers". Lawrence has been in business since 1985 when he opened George's Drum Shops in Jackson MS and Akron Ohio. He acquired Not So Modern Drummer in 2009 from Bill Ludwig III. That publication has been in business since 1988.
Mr. Lawrence can be reached at george@notsomoderndrummer.com and 330 338 6035 in Nashville.