Touhgts on building your own kit???

BigBelly · #1 08-21-2009, 06:14 PM

I am new to drumming but am seriously addicted. I've apent hours on this site looking at all the nice kits you folks have and am wishing I had a better kit myself.

Santa brought my 6 years old son a Sound Percussion 5 piece kit this past Christmas and it has since turned to my addiction. I have replaced all the heads to Evans G2's but as I progress I am learning quick that there is a reason this kit was less than $400.00!

I was surfing the web and found a few custom drum building site's and was just wondering if any of you have built your own kit, if you are happy with it and was it all worth it?

I found a nice video from Guerilla Drum Making (no affiliation) and they make it look fairly easy to do and it seems like you might just save a grip of money but also realize the headache might be more than I can handle.

Anyone have any advice or experiences to share?

Thanks.

volvoguy · #2 08-21-2009, 09:22 PM

It's a bit of a gamble, as the bits are expensive. Depending on your ability, it's totally doable. If this is your first time doing carpentry kinds of stuff, definitely order the shells drilled and wrapped.... or you can stain them.

http://www.amdrumparts.com/

http://www.precisiondrum.com/index.html

-Ryan

MikeM · #3 08-21-2009, 09:30 PM

Here's yet another link:

www.drummaker.com/

You can order the Keller maple shells online with bearing edges already cut on them. Hardware and wraps (or stains) are on there as well. One of volvoguy's links has hole drilling too.

I haven't priced out what a complete kit would cost, but I imagine it's cheaper than buying a Yamaha or DW or whatever.

I had a local drum guy make my kit with Keller shells and I love it. In fact, it's my second one. And it was much cheaper than the same configuration DW I priced.

thelimpingtoad · #4 08-21-2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeM

I haven't priced out what a complete kit would cost, but I imagine it's cheaper than buying a Yamaha or DW or whatever.
.

I've been looking into this recently myself... and i have priced out the full kit from a few different suppliers... it looks like a lot of it comes down to how much you pay for the lugs and hardware stuff... I like http://www.egodrumsupply.com/ lugs... those are the coolest lugs i've ever seen and if/when i build my own kit i will definately use those.
They are a little costly though... you can get much cheaper lugs but they won't look as sharp.
It all depends on what you want to do as to how much cheaper it would be, but building anything for yourself is always so much more satsifying in the long run IMO.

GRUNTERSDAD · #5 08-21-2009, 09:47 PM

I assembled my own snare after staining the shell. If you go to www.amdrumparts.com you can order shells, rims, lugs, screws, all of the good stuff, and if you buy it all there they will do all drilling for you. I would suggest trying one drum and if you find it to your liking, go for an entire set. And if you need help the site to visit is www.ghostnote.com. there are some great drum builders on that site.

Mikecore · #6 08-21-2009, 10:08 PM

The thing about building your own drums from the ground up is that you should invest in the right tools up front. A table saw, router table, orbital sander and a drill press are a few of the main tools employed by pro drum makers. Also, each of these tools have some tendencies from a woodworking standpoint that can cause you problems if you are inexperienced. I would suggest finding some old shells and try some experimentation first, that way you can teach yourself how to cut a bearing edge, drill evenly spaced lug holes or apply a nice finish.

Guerilla Drum Making is a good resource, as is Ghostnote.net. Beyond that, it's a matter of patience and practice, and knowing that (like brewing beer or or restoring a classic car) there is a process that will ensure a quality result. Impatience and shortcuts are the enemy. I know this from experience.

Some other tips I can offer include:

-Use grain filler or sealer for painted/clear finishes or you will get wood texture under your paint and it's a PHENOMENAL pain to get it smooth after that.

-A floor sanding disc is a great way to get a true bearing edge before you cut your angles (thank you Kenny Hoffman).

-Backing the other side of the shell from where you are drilling helps prevent splintering the inside of the shell.

-Finish the shell first, then drill holes. I use low tack masking tape to mark locations on, and the counterhoop is a pretty good guide for getting the lug locations on whatever shell you're attacking that day. Bass drums will still require the use of some kind of "marking mat" that has all of the correct locations for the given number of lugs.

-APPLYING WRAPPED FINISHES WITH DOUBLE SIDED TAPE IS EVIL! A hallmark of cheapo drums, this is something we should know better than to do.

-See what you can find from from professional drum makers that describes some of their process, like the promo stuff from DW. Even if you hate DW drums, they do know a thing or two. So does Pearl.

Anyway, I hope this helps.

Critter · #7 11-07-2009, 02:10 AM

hey gruntersdad will that website build a set for you? and if so how much would a four piece range assembled?

GRUNTERSDAD · #8 11-07-2009, 04:54 AM

Here is what they say on the site...

We offer FREE HOLE DRILLING, BEARING EDGES, and SNARE BEDS with any of our DRUM SHELLS when you purchase your parts from us. We can supply you with parts to build your own or we can take your project to almost any state of completion and supply you with an easy to assemble DRUM.

I don't see anything about the actual complete build.

MicahFlores · #9 11-07-2009, 07:32 AM

Save yourself time, money, and trouble. Just buy one.

harryconway · #10 11-07-2009, 10:53 AM

I'd say, shop for a gently used pro level kit. In the $800-1400 dollar range, you'll find an amazing range of drums. A full blown "build your own kit" project is a lot of commitment. I'd start slow, if you want to try working on drums, with a re-finish "one drum" project. Move up, from there, if it seems like "your thing".

Fox622003 · #11 11-07-2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harryconway

I'd say, shop for a gently used pro level kit. In the $800-1400 dollar range, you'll find an amazing range of drums. A full blown "build your own kit" project is a lot of commitment. I'd start slow, if you want to try working on drums, with a re-finish "one drum" project. Move up, from there, if it seems like "your thing".

Seriously. Not to offend any people here who have built their own drums or anything, but I think it's not the most clever of ideas. Drum companies might charge you slightly (and that's a big slightly if you actually buy quality stuff to make your own drums) more for their kits, but the technology applied to them is unbeatable, every aspect of the intermediate/pro level kits is near perfect, they have reliable lugs, rims, mounts, perfectly cut wood, a wide range of very cool finishes to choose from, etc. Also, keep in mind they won't take you hours of work and trial and error to make (which might actually make this kit more expensive than a good intermediate or used pro one.)
Well, those are my thoughts on custom made drums, or even drums made by smaller companies, hope they help.

Fox.

GRUNTERSDAD · #12 11-07-2009, 09:19 PM

I think the fact that most companies use Keller shells, and most of what is available to the public is Keller, that the end product can be very good. If you have the time and patience and general mechanical skills, the end result can be very rewarding. If you go to www.ghostnote.com and see some of the drums that those folks have made you will be very impressed. You can pick the exact size, color, etc that you want rather than be forced to buy what configuration the drum companies feel like offering. Try to find these at Ludwig or Gretsch.