A Truly Custom Kit

[WYdrummer09]

Has anyone ever put together their own kit? Bought the shells, finishes and hardware and did all the layout and drilling? I believe that it would be quite a rewarding experience. You would have a sentimental bond with your kit b/c you are the one who took the time to put it together. It is exactly the way you want it!

*If anyone has done this and has some pictures of their finished project please post some pics!

& if you have any advice for someone who would like to do this themselves...please spill it!

Shane =]

[Garvin]

Whoa! Whats up with that weird font dude?

There are lots of threads like this. Try searching "Home Built" or "Custom" or "Project"...

In about 15 seconds I expect to see DMC in here telling you that its not really "building your own" kit unless you make the shells yourself. You are basically assembling it, not building it or something like that. He'll clear that up for you. Its a valid argument.

I've seen some awesome DIY kits on here. Lots of resources for stuff like this on ghostnote as well.

Good Luck!

[WYdrummer09]

well if you take that logic then it isn't a custom kit unless you cut down the tree and and whittle it w/ a pocket knife. lol. but thank you...I will be sure to check out those recourses.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I assembled my own snare drum. Bought the shell, had it drilled, put on the stain, put on the clear coat, put on the lugs, other hardware, but really don't feel like I built it. Drilling is tricky. Cutting bearing edges requires certain tools. Growing the tree requires an Arborist degree and lots of land,. So to the degree that you build A drum can be debated but yes it was fun. It seems in this day of saving labor costs that a drum company would pack the shells, with edges, and holes drilled and then put all of the hardware in a bag and have the buyer assemble it themselves. Its done with toys, furniture etc, why not drums.

[trkdrmr]

I am at the point now where "custom" means any kit that I ordered, had my specific touches put on it and that's it. It's pretty much any kit made to my spec, and not just a standard production model.

That can be DIY, or ordered complete.

If DW were truly custom, they'd offer smaller lug choices like Ludwig does. (That's a hint for NAMM 2010).

[IneptDrummer]

It seems in this day of saving labor costs that a drum company would pack the shells, with edges, and holes drilled and then put all of the hardware in a bag and have the buyer assemble it themselves. Its done with toys, furniture etc, why not drums.

Ever worked in a drum shop? Putting together a few of these in a day is not fun work, let me tell you.

[larryace]

I'm on that path, I decided that near the end of this year, I'm going to get Vaughncraft to make me a set of the thinnest 1 ply maple shells possible (3/16") with re rings of course. I'm pricing tube lugs, they're like 6.50 a pop and I need like 76 of them. That's over 500.00 just in lugs sheesh! I'm just going to do a natural oil finish, I want nothing inhibiting these shells, not even lacquer. I will put unmuffled single ply heads on them, suspension mount them and let them ring uninhibited in all their glorious mapleness.

[trkdrmr]

I'm on that path, I decided that near the end of this year, I'm going to get Vaughncraft to make me a set of the thinnest 1 ply maple shells possible (3/16") with re rings of course. I'm pricing tube lugs, they're like 6.50 a pop and I need like 76 of them. That's over 500.00 just in lugs sheesh! I'm just going to do a natural oil finish, I want nothing inhibiting these shells, not even lacquer. I will put unmuffled single ply heads on them, suspension mount them and let them ring uninhibited in all their glorious mapleness.

Are you going for figured, big leaf or birdseye maple? Those look far more spectacular than standard maple.

I agree... it pains me to hide a nice looking outer ply.

[Isaac Lee]

Has anyone ever put together their own kit? Bought the shells, finishes and hardware and did all the layout and drilling? I believe that it would be quite a rewarding experience. You would have a sentimental bond with your kit b/c you are the one who took the time to put it together. It is exactly the way you want it!

*If anyone has done this and has some pictures of their finished project please post some pics!

& if you have any advice for someone who would like to do this themselves...please spill it!

Shane =]

This gentlemen and fine drummer made his own kit. Check out his Youtube page for more info, vids, and a really cool guide to making your own cymbal stack.
http://www.youtube.com/user/JeffrayFiset

Heres a quote about his drums from his channel. "Drums: I had LP oak bongos, and I made my kit myself with my father and some friends of mine. I made it with 1 inch thick hardwood maple staves.

The sizes are 8*8 10*9 12*10 14*12 16*14toms, 16*5in snare, 20*20 bass drum.

It's not because I made it myself but IT SOUNDS AWESOME!!!"

[larryace]

Birdseye or curly, leaning to birdseye

[larryace]

Are you going for figured, big leaf or birdseye maple? Those look far more spectacular than standard maple.

I agree... it pains me to hide a nice looking outer ply.


Big leaf? Explanation please?

[trkdrmr]

Birdseye or curly, leaning to birdseye

Either one has a spectacular grain pattern. They look great under oil. Of course, nothing wrong with a protective clearcoat either.

[trkdrmr]

Big leaf? Explanation please?

Maple has a variety of types.
- Birdseye
http://www.dev.doogeveneers.com/imaging/specifying/birdseye_maple_optweb.jpg
- Curly
http://www.woodwriteltd.com/images/woods/Lg19.jpg
- Figured
http://www.jx3hardwoods.com/catalog/images/Instrument%20Wood%20-%20Figured%20Maple.JPG
- Big Leaf
http://www.hearnehardwoods.com/hardwoods/exotic_hardwoods/domestic_wood/big_leaf_maple_lumber/big_leaf_maple_title.jpg
and others.

[larryace]

Wow man thanks, you rock. They're all so beautiful, I don't know which I like better, the big leaf is stunning...hey I just got a price quote from Vaughncraft, for the shells below, in 1 ply birdseye 3/16" thick for the racks and 1/4" thick for the floor toms and kick, (as per their recommendation) all w/re rings...he wants $1950 USD (includes a double 45 bearing edge and bass drum counter hoops)
(diameter x depth)
10 x 9
12 x 10
14 x 14
16 x 16
22 x 20

I'm gonna do it! Just have to decide which particular wood.
Do you know if there are any sonic differences to the different varieties of maple?

[trkdrmr]

I'm gonna do it! Just have to decide which particular wood.
Do you know if there are any sonic differences to the different varieties of maple?

It would be subtle, so I'd just go for the most pleasing looking maple. Standard "maple" looks very bland compared to those pictured above.

$1950 is very reasonable. Price those from Sonor or DW and you'll see what I mean.

[larryace]

Yeah, I figure 1950 for the drums, 500 in lugs, then there are 76 tension screws, 2 rims mounts, bass drum spurs, 8 triple flanged hoops, 6 floor tom legs, 6 floor tom leg brackets, a double tom stand for the racks, heads all around, should come to about $3500.00 or so. Compare that to the $5800 I just spent on DW exotics, same sizes.
I can't wait to start the pictorial thread where I finish and assemble them...

[rmandelbaum]

I did a 5 piece back in 1988, I have done a few snares since then. it ivery rewarding.

Here are some resources for you.

Drum Parts:

http://www.amdrumparts.com/ (they also build complete kits)

http://www.precisiondrum.com/index.html (they also build complete kits)

http://www.vintagedrum.com/category/Hardware-New-Hardware-Drum-Parts

http://www.drummaker.com/

http://www.drumfoundry.com/ (This site has great tutorials and building tools as well)

http://www.percussiononline.com/drumbuilderssupplies.html

http://www.jp2creations.com/ (vintage Rogers parts)


Paint Supplies

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supplies/Colors,_tints,_and_stains.html

Drum Wrapping

http://jamminsam.com/


Drum Shells

This is the largest Keller dealer in the US

http://www.aitwood.com/


Drum Building Forums

http://www.drumsmith.com/

http://www.drumshed.org/forum/index.php

http://ghostnote.net/vbforum/index.php

http://www.drumrap.com/

[larryace]

Thanks for the resources Mr. Mandelbaum, you saved me a lot of time. I will be trolling their sites licking my chops ha ha

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I'm not sure what you are after but just a note. If you buy the shells and all of the hardware from www.amdrumparts.com they will drill all of the holes and cut the bearing edges for free. Saves time and money but of course not as much fun.

[larryace]

Thanks GruntersDad.... I'm kinda sold on the Vaughncraft shells. 1 ply birdseye maple w/ re rings. They do the edges (however you want), and drilling holes is something I do on a daily basis anyway, so that's not an issue. Now getting a nice oil finish on it, that will be the part that I will have to research a bit.

[trkdrmr]

I had to swipe this Vaughcraft maple from one of Bilkay's posts:

Spalted coral maple...
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d5/bilkay/CoralMaple7x14.jpg

[bilkay]

I had t5o swipe this Vaughcraft maple from one of Bilkay's posts:

Spalted coral maple...
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d5/bilkay/CoralMaple7x14.jpg

Can you imagine an entire kit?

[trkdrmr]

Can you imagine an entire kit?

Solid shells....mmmmm.....that would be amazing!

[larryace]

Bill are you making an entire kit from that Spalted Coral maple? OMFG, that's THE nicest maple grain I've...ever...OMG I feel my eyes wellin' up....Excuse me...