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
Lathing (Photo by DrumShed member kerry8319
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.
Read moreBuying Custom - part 3: Designing your drums
How are you going to use these drums? Think about whether you’re going to be playing primarily live acoustic, live amplified, or in the studio. Maybe it’s a combination of these, but you should have an idea of primary uses and priorities. Some uses call for more emphasis on tone, others require more projection, and where that balance falls will have a lot of influence on your design.
Read moreHow to Vacuum Veneer Drum Shells
Many years ago, I began the quest for a consistent and easily repeatable method for veneering pre made drum shells. I needed a method that did not limit me to costly backed or wide sheet veneer. One that did not involve contact cement so I could use high gloss lacquer. One that would not give me welts from a hot iron. One that yielded tight almost invisible seams. One that allowed me to create intricate patterns with a hard and machinable glue line. What I needed was a vacuum press and after a lot of trial and error I finally achieved it. I have been using and teaching the following method for the past eight years with great success. With a little practice and attention to detail you can achieve amazing results.
Read moreJohnny Craviotto, world renown drum craftsman, passes.
This was posted on the Craviotto site:
It is with very heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Master Craftsman, mentor, and friend, Johnny Craviotto. Johnny left us on July 15th, 2016.
Johnny was, and always will be, the world’s finest drum craftsman. No one had his knowledge, his skill, and his passion for his craft. He created instruments of incredible sonic and visual beauty, and those instruments have graced stages, recording studios, and collections worldwide. His contribution to the world of drum building has been without equal.
We are truly fortunate that as the heart and soul of the Craviotto Drum Company it was vitally important to Johnny to pass along his skills, honed over a lifetime, and his innovations in the art and craft of drum building to his trusted colleagues and protégés at Craviotto, so that the "Craviotto-way" could carry on for the next generation. This living art is his legacy. Please celebrate it with us"
Please read about the life and times of Johnny in this wonderful article that Bob Campbell wrote. (click on picture)
2016 Chicago Drum Show Pictorial
See over 200 of Bob Campbell's beautiful show pictures at the Not So Modern Drummer Facebook Page and at our Vintage and Custom Drums Forum Facebook Page
Read moreThe 2016 Connecticut Vintage and Custom Drum Show
Danny Seraphine
Once again, Rick Smith’s annual vintage and custom drum show at The Sphinx Shriners Center in Newington, Connecticut was a huge success.
Read more2005 Craviotto Drums 6.5x14 solid maple abalone/gold plated special order snare
The 6.5 x 14 solid maple shell is finished in real (un-endangered) abalone shells. Johnny Craviotto used another builder that supplied the abalone finish. The abalone shells are glued to the shell, sanded to a smooth, shiny finish and then sealed. I was told that during the sanding stage you have to wear a respirator in order to protect your lungs from all of that calcium flying around. Only a few snare drums were made because Johnny and the abalone supplier were consumed with other projects as their businesses grew.
Read more200- Drum Workshop 5x14 Solid Aluminum/Titanium Electroplated Prototype (#778626)
This drum was born on June 25, 2009. The hardware was chrome plated but could have been brushed nickel. A gentleman approached DW with an idea about a new type of plating called titanium electroplating. I have seen photos of this type of electroplating on custom cars.
Read moreReview: Canopus's new Alphonse Mouzon Signature Snare Drum
“My Signature snare drum series has a fat, deep, crisp and powerful sound that is great for all styles of music : Rock, Jazz, Funk and Fusion and more!”
Read moreA&F Drums All Brass, Wild Rose engraved snare drum
Ramy Antoun, the designer of this wonderful drum, is a well-known drummer (Seal, Black Eyed Peas, Alexi Murdoc…), songwriter, producer and entrepreneur. Given this combination, it is no wonder that he applied his creative talents to drum design.
Read moreNew Drum Wrap Manufacturer in Canada
Although the folks operating Walopus Drum Wrap have been producing drum wrap for the better part of a decade, it has been on a very limited scale. Before 2015 production was limited to a few designs in small quantities for a handful of drum enthusiasts local to the Greater Toronto area.
During the course of the last five years the folks at Walopus have perfected their formula to produce the most flexible, durable, gleaming and lustrous drum wrap possible
Bello Drums for sale
Bello drums announces the sale of their boutique Fiberglass drum co. We are looking for a serious buyer to purchase our name, Bello Drums, our custom molds to make our shells, any and all other assets and inventory, and to retain our artist roster. Product training is available. The price is $20,000.00. Please, only serious applicants. Call 724-588-8193 ask for Bill Haller
Buying Custom, Part 2: Choosing a builder
If you’ve decided that custom drums are right for your needs (see my previous article) it’s time for a critical next step: selecting the builder to work with. It’s not always easy. There are a lot of custom builders out there, with new ones entering – and other leaving – the marketplace every year. So making wise choices means doing your homework.
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A Night of the Snare
Seven snare drums were recorded by some real pro Chicago drummers, David Moss and Larry Beers. Tools recorded the sound on his rare Neve 8078 console
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