Ayotte drums

[2bsticks]

Hi, anyone here play Ayotte drums? Pros,cons. Your imput is greatly appreciated.

Thx

[bojangleman]

ive never had the privalige to play one..but i know they are very finely made. been around a while too

Alex

[Deathmetalconga]

I don't think anyone here is an Ayotte player. Do they make their own shells, or are they a Keller finisher/customizer?

[Ozzy Biz]

I don't think anyone here is an Ayotte player. Do they make their own shells, or are they a Keller finisher/customizer?

Ploughman has an Ayotte set. I think they make their own shells

[The Ploughman]

In my opinion, you are never going to play anything nicer, hold anything made to a higher standard, come closer to absolute perfection, or that will tune as easily, and sound as beautifully as Ayotte Custom Drums. The craftsmanship on these drums is flawless. The finish looks liquid. Right now, my set is 12 years old. They have been very well cared for since they came into my possession, and the previous owner took very good care of them as well. I honestly dont think you can buy anything finer from any boutique custom shop, or any production line drum companys top of the line gear. Some that may approach their equal, but none that excell beyond the basic standard Ayotte Custom Drums have established for themselves.

All that said, the price is killer. If you can pick up a well cared for set on the used market, you will probably save yourself thousands of dollars. The drums are worth it.

http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/21121/2983698770028342110S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/33484/2689972250028342110S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/24763/2189323030028342110S600x600Q85.jpg

[2bsticks]

Looks great. I appreciate the feedback Ploughman.

[criz p. critter]

There is a common perception that the drums they make now don't quite equal the quality of those made when Ray Ayotte actually ran the company. (He lost control of it in 1999, I think, then went on to found Taye...) So maybe looking for a used kit from back then would be better that buying new?

[Mendozart]

There is a common perception that the drums they make now don't quite equal the quality of those made when Ray Ayotte actually ran the company. (He lost control of it in 1999, I think, then went on to found Taye...) So maybe looking for a used kit from back then would be better that buying new?

You hit that on the nose. Either look for an older Ayotte, or check out the Taye drums since Ray took over.

[stasz]

Jon Fishman of Phish uses them, and his drums always sound fantastic.

[criz p. critter]

By the way, I've read a couple of things on the web saying that Ray Ayotte has also lost control of Taye drums now. Anyone know what's going on with him?

[Pete Stoltman]

I've never owned a set of Ayotte but have had the opportunity of playing on a set from the original builder. I have to echo that they were absolutely fantastic sounding and looking drums. I suspect any drummer would be absolutely thrilled to own a set of those.

[Numberonefan]

He did not loose control. I believe he felt ripped off over the design of some products and left. From what I can gather his name did not appear anywhere in any of the patents for his design work @ Taye.

As for his old custom shop I understand he had investors that wanted him to mass produce. He objected wanting to keep it small and as high quality as possible. I guess he lost.


A statment from Taye:

22th April 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


TAYE Drums terminates all its associations with Mr. Ray Ayotte


We, at TAYE Drums, are very regretful to make this announcement. Effective immediately, all associations between TAYE Drums (including TAYE Company) and Mr. Ray Ayotte are hereby terminated due to conflicts of financial interests and other irreconcilable differences.

From now on, TAYE Drums will no longer use or authorize the use of the "Ray Ayotte" name and references thereof. This covers every and all instances of marketing and publication in all available formats and domains with any specific reference to Mr. Ray Ayotte's association with TAYE brand.

It is always true that your participation and feedback is key to our success. Same as usual, TAYE will continue its persistent development of new products. In a few short weeks, the highly anticipated TAYE METALWORKS XP1 will be in stock and available for sale through TAYE Drums Authorized Dealers across North America and Canada. It has been spotlighted in Modern Drummer and Drum! Magazine and hailed to be one of the most innovative percussion products at the 2007 Winter NAMM Show. Supplies will be limited, so get you order in early!

In the last few weeks, we have also added a few new artists to our roster as well. We would like to welcome Andols Herrick from Chimaira and Mark Castillo from Bury Your Dead as TAYE Drum endorsers and Marcie Chapa with Beyonce as a TAYE Hardware endorser. We would also like to congratulate TAYE Drum endorser, Mike Bennett, on picking up the percussion gig with Hilary Duff.

There are lots of new and exciting things going on here at TAYE Drums. We feel fortunate to be able to share our passion for excellence with our dealers, artists and customers. We invite you to contact us if you have any question or our further assistance is needed. Please visit www.tayedrums.com, email info@tayedrums.com, or call 909-628-9589 for more information.

Thank you for your continued support in TAYE Drums.

[demian79]

Ploughman has an Ayotte set. I think they make their own shells

Hahaha! Ray has his own maple tree plantation forest in Canada! They are very well stationed and I think They have the best maple out there..

[drumbum1977]

Made in Canada with pride baby!

[Unix]

Ok time for a reality check, Ayotte = Keller shell. I had an Ayotte for 8 years. They sounded really good, but never as good as my Pearl Mastercustom. And the finish was way under the Pearl quality.

Since Ray Ayotte left the company, Ayotte never stopped going down, just check their website, didn't been updated for at lest 1 1/2 years. They have the same shitty hardware for the past 15 years, never made any improvements or inovation since.

I had a problem with one of their tom, it went so bad with their customer services, that I finally sold the kit for almost nothing. It is very sad because it's the only Canadian company that was almost a major player, but because of bad business choice they are killing the name.

[Auger]

I have an Ayotte set that I bought new around '99 that I like very much. Yeah, I remember asking and they didn't make their own shells back then, so I'd assume it's still the same. Mine have the wood hoops all around and l Iike the sound (especially the snare) and the look. I don't know what the stuff they make today is like in comparison, but this is not the first place I've heard about their quality declining.

The one thing I flat out dislike about the drumset is the rack and pinion snare tensioner. I don't know if they're still using these, but the thing is that, while you can easily flip the snares off, it's tricky to quickly flip them back on in mid song if required. You kind of have to 'tune' the snare tension briefly, which is a pain.

[mont_man22]

In my opinion, you are never going to play anything nicer, hold anything made to a higher standard, come closer to absolute perfection, or that will tune as easily, and sound as beautifully as Ayotte Custom Drums. The craftsmanship on these drums is flawless. The finish looks liquid. Right now, my set is 12 years old. They have been very well cared for since they came into my possession, and the previous owner took very good care of them as well. I honestly dont think you can buy anything finer from any boutique custom shop, or any production line drum companys top of the line gear. Some that may approach their equal, but none that excell beyond the basic standard Ayotte Custom Drums have established for themselves.

All that said, the price is killer. If you can pick up a well cared for set on the used market, you will probably save yourself thousands of dollars. The drums are worth it.

http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/21121/2983698770028342110S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/33484/2689972250028342110S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/24763/2189323030028342110S600x600Q85.jpg

No wood hoops?!?! Ive been dying to play an Ayotte!

[gwbaker]

There was indeed a falling out between Ray and Taye. I spoke to someone who lived down the street from Ray some time back, and he said that it was a pretty gritty separation. There were a series of Taye drums that he did the design work on that look remarkably like his old Ayottes. I've seen some come up for sell from time to time and do not have any personal experience with them, but you have to wonder if they might be a 'diamond in a goat track'.

[zambizzi]

My drum teacher plays an Ayotte kit and it sounds great...but it's certainly not mind-blowing by any means. He has the maple hoops on his toms which look pretty cool. I had an Ayotte Keplinger steel snare and I hated it. Not only did I *not* care for the sound but the hardware absolutely sucked. I don't care for the lugs at all.

Personally, I think there are better choices out there, considering the price tag on these drums.

[eamesuser]

I played one ayotte kit in a large shop probably 1998,wood hoops,which gave it a unique sound,the finish was really nice,and the 20x15 kick was the hughest most cavernous 20 I have ever heard,it blew away most of the 16 and 18 x 22 kicks in that shop,and they had top line sonors, ludwigs ,premier, fibes and noble and cooley in there.

[jjmason777]

This info is from another thread: Ray is building drums again and his new drum brand is RAYA.

Here's a link:
http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58350

[Artstar]

I played one ayotte kit in a large shop probably 1998,wood hoops,which gave it a unique sound,the finish was really nice,and the 20x15 kick was the hughest most cavernous 20 I have ever heard,it blew away most of the 16 and 18 x 22 kicks in that shop,and they had top line sonors, ludwigs ,premier, fibes and noble and cooley in there.

That is why it "blew them away". It was a 20" in a drum shop. Almost every time I play a 20" in a shop, of ANY make, it usually sounds better than all the 22"s in the shop.

[Ayotteted]

Ok time for a reality check, Ayotte = Keller shell. I had an Ayotte for 8 years. They sounded really good, but never as good as my Pearl Mastercustom. And the finish was way under the Pearl quality.

Since Ray Ayotte left the company, Ayotte never stopped going down, just check their website, didn't been updated for at lest 1 1/2 years. They have the same shitty hardware for the past 15 years, never made any improvements or inovation since.

I had a problem with one of their tom, it went so bad with their customer services, that I finally sold the kit for almost nothing. It is very sad because it's the only Canadian company that was almost a major player, but because of bad business choice they are killing the name.

WHAT ??????

You must be deaf to actually say that you peril sounds better than an Ayotte, I have had mine since 2000 and it was one of the last one's made under the realms of Ray,Buff,Randy etc.

11 years later it is still sounding GREAT and the finish still looks as good as the day I received it.

Pearl do not even come close to these drums

Since the where taken over or Ray was booted out they have gone down hill fast and all the guys that worked there (who where all drummers)have left because they could not get on with the NEW management (Non of which where drummers ....All where accountants)

I had issues with my gold hardware and it took my 2 years to sort it out ....It was sorted after I threatening them with legal action, That is no way to run a business that was making the best drums in the World.

They have gone to the dogs and it is there own fault in the end ....Ray is now making new range of drums and they look stunning ...All the best to him ...He deserves it

[Douglas Kennedy]

2bsticks;
I registered with Drummerworld just to show you "The Best Damn Drum Set in the World"!
I cannot explain the live brite vibrant tone these Sugar Maple Wooden Hooped Drums produce...
Custom made during Larry Ayotte's Tenure especially by and for me. I went to Canada and had them made after testing a set @ "DrummerWorld's showroom floor!

[Doctor Dirt]

Keller is keller if a drum company uses keller shells their "assemblers" not makers(builders)!!!
That said some of Kellers stuff is good and other shells are terrible. Now if a company orders shells to their specs and the finished product sounds good thats all that counts but when you assemble parts made by other companies your not a drum "Maker"!! Give credit were its due even if you don't like a product from a builder atleast their name has alot more meaning than someone who assembles components. Theres a few companies that are legit from start to finish and those are true hand made custom drums. The best in the USA in my opion is Eames from Mass. I've played Mac's drums for over 25 years and his gear is top of the line in every way. Only birch is used so he has restrictions on what a client can get but thats what hes known for. If you can get your hands on a 6 ply finetone birch Eames kit you will be one happy drummer, for sure!
Maybe I'll order some shells from Keller (with edges done and predrilled ofcourse) and some hardware from World Max. Slap that stuff together and call them the ................................the Dictor Dirt Dragon Drums!!! { DDD } nice badge?? yeah.

So there ya go another Drum Company set up in minutes and soon to be taking orders.
Sorry were Closed today!!!! Doc

[paistepower92]

Keller is keller if a drum company uses keller shells their "assemblers" not makers(builders)!!!
That said some of Kellers stuff is good and other shells are terrible. Now if a company orders shells to their specs and the finished product sounds good thats all that counts but when you assemble parts made by other companies your not a drum "Maker"!! Give credit were its due even if you don't like a product from a builder atleast their name has alot more meaning than someone who assembles components. Theres a few companies that are legit from start to finish and those are true hand made custom drums. The best in the USA in my opion is Eames from Mass. I've played Mac's drums for over 25 years and his gear is top of the line in every way. Only birch is used so he has restrictions on what a client can get but thats what hes known for. If you can get your hands on a 6 ply finetone birch Eames kit you will be one happy drummer, for sure!
Maybe I'll order some shells from Keller (with edges done and predrilled ofcourse) and some hardware from World Max. Slap that stuff together and call them the ................................the Dictor Dirt Dragon Drums!!! { DDD } nice badge?? yeah.

So there ya go another Drum Company set up in minutes and soon to be taking orders.
Sorry were Closed today!!!! Doc
My favorite is C&C, they use their own shells too. Keller's aren't bad, its all the companies that use the same shells and edges and charge you $5000 for a 5 piece.

[Doctor Dirt]

Thats what I'm talking about!! I have a Keller african mahogany 5x14 snare shell, its nice and clean but who ever designed (keller or not) this thing should be shot its has 1 1/4 rerings???? That leaves 3 inches of exposed shell material, who designed this thing?? It sounds muted no matter what application heads are on it. So I brought it to friend whos a master carpenter and we frankensteined the poor lil thng up. I shaved the rerings down (not the bearing edge but the inner side) and doing so removed alot of material its helped the lil thing alot. Thickness of shell has proven to be the most prolific advancedment in drum making. The thick klunkie 8 & 10 plie maple shells from the 70s and 80s were so dead of sound they were like cement. Everyone thought that the thicker the shell the more bottom end would be produced, not!!!! As I said Keller makes a good shell but the sound comes from the designer, if the designers is missinformed the drum sound suffers. Doc