My Custom/Home Built Bop Kit

[somedrummer]

EDIT: Pics are up now...

Howdy Y'all. It's been a while since I've really been around here much, largely because I've been working on what you're seeing below here.

Basically, around the time of Christmas break, I decided that I should build a set for myself. I had been thinking about building a little bop set for myself for some time at that point, so I decided to go ahead and purchase the materials and do it. I bought stuff from all over the web, Drum Gear online, Precision Drum, Interstate Music, Drum Foundry, Gauger Percussion, and a few other places. To keep everything straight, I even made an excel spreadsheet of all the parts I would need, where I was getting them, how many of each per drum, their cost per piece and total cost.

My basic philosophy was this: I figured that this is the only set I'll be building myself for a while, and I should make something that I will love and care for. I did not spare any expense in building this set; I bought exactly what I wanted, from the more expensive Champagne Sparkle finish to the tube lugs (with individual gaskets for each), to the snare strainer, to the mounting hardware.

So, over the course of a few months, I collected all the hardware and eventaully got around to putting it all together with the help of a few tutorials on the Drum Foundry website. The set is by no means perfect; there are some not-perfectly-straight lugs, etc. However, it sounds great, looks great, and I am supremely happy with how it has come out. So, here are the pics!

[PinkZepplin]

picture no worky

20 of dem bitches

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Ditto..........no photo........

[mind_drummer]

The link to http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/ doesn't work at all...

[PinkZepplin]

I recant my statement, this thread has now been deemed awesome. Great set man.

Since all of your drums are basically resting on your bass drum, does that affect its resonance at all?

Looks great though man.

[razorx]

we cant see all of your hardwork.

[somedrummer]

Sorry folks, they were just too big, but I was confused because the site gave me like 5 different screens telling me that they wouldn't work... a different one each time. But now I've got them resized, and they're here.

[stasz]

Well now that I can see the pictures, looks great! Drum stuff is always 10 times better when you can say that it's really yours, and this is no exception by far. You definitely put a lot of work into it. I love the finish and the lugs. Oh, and uh, specs? Are they keller shells?

Like the signature thing, too, makes everything very official.

[somedrummer]

Well now that I can see the pictures, looks great! Drum stuff is always 10 times better when you can say that it's really yours, and this is no exception by far. You definitely put a lot of work into it. I love the finish and the lugs. Oh, and uh, specs? Are they keller shells?

Like the signature thing, too, makes everything very official.


Yeah, funny you should mention the signature thing... I just noticed as I was taking that pic that I labeled it the wrong year. Should be 3-8-08. Ah well. It'll be as confusing as early Ludwigs!

Specs: 6 Ply Maple Keller Shells
12x5" Snare
10x6" Tom
13x7" Tom
16x16" Bass

[Drummer Karl]

Wow!!!!

That`s what I`d love to do: Buying some Maple Keller shells, hardware, a champagne sparkle wrap and build my own set. Is it difficult to wrap the shells and to drill the holes for the lugs?

Looks so great...

Karl

[somedrummer]

Wow!!!!

That`s what I`d love to do: Buying some Maple Keller shells, hardware, a champagne sparkle wrap and build my own set. Is it difficult to wrap the shells and to drill the holes for the lugs?

Looks so great...

Karl

Thanks, Karl.

I think the hardest part was getting over my fear of screwing it up, and even that wasn't very hard. Basically my motto was "Measure 8 times, Cut/Drill ONCE!" I can honestly say that I wouldn't have been able to do it without the help of the tutorials on Drumfoundry.com, especially for the wrapping and aligning the holes for drilling.

To answer your question, no, it's not very difficult to do the wrap. As long as you follow the directions to a "T", it will come out fine. The drilling of the holes... kinda strange. It's not difficult to do it so that it will WORK. However, if I was making this kit to sell and make a profit, it would be pretty tough. Like I said in my original post, there are a few lugs that arent perfectly straight, but they're close enough that they work.

[somedrummer]

Shameless bump. Check it out guys!

[Garvin]

Hi,

Thanks for the note back on the details. I think the choice of hardware and wrap was superb. I am totally jealous and completely inspired! Please put up some recordings if possible.

G

[GetAgrippa]

That is beautiful! Quite an accomplishment. I have been pondering such an endeavor rather than having a kit made. You can select shells, hardware, finish, everything!! What was the final tally for expenses when the dust settled? Are you inspired to build a larger kit now.

[somedrummer]

That is beautiful! Quite an accomplishment. I have been pondering such an endeavor rather than having a kit made. You can select shells, hardware, finish, everything!! What was the final tally for expenses when the dust settled? Are you inspired to build a larger kit now.

Total cost: Somewhere above $2000. Not far above, but up there.

As far as a bigger kit goes: No. I'm thinking I'll probably start building some snares for myself or anyone else who wants to pay me to make them one. But a bigger kit is out of my price range and besides, I have all the other kits I need for other jobs.

It has been fun, though. I never found myself bored because I knew that the kit was always there, waiting to be worked on. That's why I think I'll build some snares. Not only is it something to do, it'll add to my sonic palette.

Now if only I could build cymbals...

[Tuxido]

Looks very nice, but 2000$ seems like way too much ?

[somedrummer]

Looks very nice, but 2000$ seems like way too much ?

It would seem that way, but when you look at the price of sets like the Yamaha Hipgig and similar types of things, and factor in that I got EXACTLY what I wanted, and a set that was built EXACTLY to my specs, you can see that it is VERY much worth it.

[volvoguy]

Sweet!

I built a floor tom from Precision Drum a looooong time ago... though somehow I bodged up the wrap and the drum just sounded dead. I'd love to do it again someday. Got any more "in progress" photo's?

What was the most costly part of the project? Did anything in particular ratchet the price over $2,000?

Cheers,
-Ryan

[somedrummer]

Sweet!

I built a floor tom from Precision Drum a looooong time ago... though somehow I bodged up the wrap and the drum just sounded dead. I'd love to do it again someday. Got any more "in progress" photo's?

What was the most costly part of the project? Did anything in particular ratchet the price over $2,000?

Cheers,
-Ryan

Sorry about the lack of "in progress" stuff... My girlfriend had my camera and it was hell trying to get it back from her.

As far as the cost of things, I'd say that just generally my wanting to have high wuality components was the major factor. The wrap was also the most expensive one on Precision Drum's list ($300 for the kit, although I have enough left to do another snare in it). The tube lugs were also expensive. I think, though, that it's just the fact that I only bought THE highest quality components ALL AROUND. The snare strainer, wires, etc. All the mounting hardware, it's all the best I know of. And that just simply comes with a price.

[somedrummer]

Videos now uploaded on Youtube at:

Me fooling around:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z07yvpmh0ZM

And talking about the set:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsNiFOzqPUo

[drumbandit]

What a build, most practical setup I've seen. Great use of space as well.

Tom

[Drummer Karl]

Videos now uploaded on Youtube at:

Me fooling around:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z07yvpmh0ZM

And talking about the set:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsNiFOzqPUo

Sounds really great! The snare drum seems to be very sensitive and the toms/bass sound very percussive. Love this sound!!

Thanks for the videos!

Karl

[fourstringdrums]

Videos now uploaded on Youtube at:

Me fooling around:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z07yvpmh0ZM

And talking about the set:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsNiFOzqPUo

Sounds very nice. I might prefer a coated head on the bass drum, but the whole kit sounds great none the less :)

[stasz]

Videos now uploaded on Youtube at:

Me fooling around:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z07yvpmh0ZM

And talking about the set:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsNiFOzqPUo

Sounds like it was definitely worth it to get all high-end parts, it's a very nice-sounding kit. Awesome stuff.

[ethanos]

Dude! Why put all that uneccesary stress on your bass drum shell?! I mean don't get me wrong, it looks like you did a great job building this kit, but if you want my honest opinion, I suggest buying some light brace cymbal stands and some legs for your floor tom (something about a small floor tom on legs is oddly appealing) and just having your smallest tom mounted on your bass drum, believe me, your bass drum shell will thank you. Neverthless, nice kit man!

ethanos

[baz]

...Those are some drums somedrummer.

They get my vote for the coolest home build of 2008.

I like to tinker and play around with my stuff, but I have never built a from the ground up kit like that, and likely never will. If I do, I will use your kit as an inspiration.

Very very nice.

Barry

[somedrummer]

Sounds very nice. I might prefer a coated head on the bass drum, but the whole kit sounds great none the less :)

Thanks, Rob. I realized once I had it all together that it was kind of odd to have all coated heads except for the bass drum, so where I replace it I most likely will go with a coated batter.

Dude! Why put all that uneccesary stress on your bass drum shell?! I mean don't get me wrong, it looks like you did a great job building this kit, but if you want my honest opinion, I suggest buying some light brace cymbal stands and some legs for your floor tom (something about a small floor tom on legs is oddly appealing) and just having your smallest tom mounted on your bass drum, believe me, your bass drum shell will thank you. Neverthless, nice kit man!

ethanos

Well, the way I figure is that if Yamaha can do it, so can I. (Note, they also have the snare drum mounted off the bass).
http://www.interstatemusic.com/wcsstore/InterstateMusic/ims/ipf/DRSHG6T46RMWMP.jpg

[NIMBY]

wow...thats honestly amazing.

you've inspired me to try something like this,
although im thinking maybe just a little 18" kick or something.

congrats on making such a sweet little kit,
definetly the coolest kit if seen in a long time!

[drumr0]

Looks and sounds great!! When you turned the snares off in the video I was amazed how much tone that snare has. All of the drums sound really good with a great tone.

I would be very proud of this kit!! You have done a fantastic job!!

I really like how everything is mounted off of the bass drum, it keeps the setup nice and clean looking!!

[Big_Philly]

That is pretty awesome, nice work! And you play good too.

[rmandelbaum]

Wow,

you should be very proud of yourself ! Great job!

Very cool.

[skaliwag66]

Those toms sound great.

[Deathmetalconga]

Great idea and execution. This looks like a Hipgig, but cost a bit less and you made it to your specs. You obviously used only top-of-the-line components and planned this out with great care. I do not much care for the high jumpy tuning of jazz drums but these drums sound terrific for what they are intended to do (good playing too on the YouTube clips).

I love virgin bass shells but I disagree that you should put more stuff on stands. If you're going to use your bass shell for mounting anything, might as well go whole-hog and use it for everything. If you had used conventional stands with this, you would have a conventional set. Instead you have something very high on the cool scale, functional, fun and great-sounding.

[somedrummer]

Thanks for all the latest replies guys. You all say I should be really proud of myself, and while I am, I have this longing to do it again, and do it better the next time. Thanks again for the compliments, especially you, DMC. It all means a lot.

[somedrummer]

I've since completing this set decided that it should have some cymbals "of it's own", so I picked up a couple of "Dream" cymbals, an 18" and a 20" from the Bliss series. Frankly, they are a dream. They are the perfect compliment to this set. I've been using them along with my 13" Paiste Dimensions Light hats and a 19" vintage Zildjian with 3 Rivets (on a separate stand) lately, and been having lots of fun.

Any more comments, folks?

[Grooverider]

I'm very impressed! I've been thinking of doing the same but really don't have the space to do it in. Live in a small studio apartment so there no room for drilling wood really. :) But this inspires me to find somewhere I can do it anyways. Thanks for sharing!

[crlujan]

Hey Somedrummer,
I'm gonna be building my own little kit pretty darn soon. Doing it a piece at a time though. Starting with the floor tom.
One question: How difficult was it to cut the wrap? Did you order it in full sheets? I assume you ordered your shells with the bearing edges already cut?
Thanks.

[YoSoyMilk]

Looks sweet man.
Well done.

[somedrummer]

Hey Somedrummer,
I'm gonna be building my own little kit pretty darn soon. Doing it a piece at a time though. Starting with the floor tom.
One question: How difficult was it to cut the wrap? Did you order it in full sheets? I assume you ordered your shells with the bearing edges already cut?
Thanks.

Sounds cool man! Firstly, yes, I ordered the wrap in full sheets and the bearing edges already done. As for the wrap, I just went looking around for all sorts of tutorials and advice. The basic idea I got was to cut it -with scissors- about an inch too big on both sides (so, 2 inches wider than the depth of your shell) so that you have some room for error, versus cutting it exactly to where you need it and risking having it be too small. So once you have it affixed and throughly dried, you can cut most of that inch off, save for a little bit. Then, you take a file and file the rest of the wrap off, following the contour of the bearing edge and only making strokes in an upward motion. I believe the whole tutorial is on drumfoundry.com. They basically have tutorials for everything you need to do to build your drums. I highly suggest reading them all at least twice. I read the one on installing a wrap about 10 times before I actually did it.

Good luck! Hit me back if you have any other questions.

[Ekim]

Impressive work, sir! Well done.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I think you did a great job and the set looks great..I would only comment that with shorter tension screws on the one tom, the lugs could have been spaced the same as on the other tom. BUt still a marvelous job.