SGT_Drummer
Senior Member
So if anyone has noticed anything I've said in the past few months, you already know I'm looking at getting a second set. I've been debating between Gretsch, DW, Pearl, Tama, Ludwig, DDrum, and on and on. Well, thanks to a post in this thread a few days ago I have been non-stop educating myself on the world of building your own drums. I didn't even think to consider beyond he main brands before now, so I'm trying to absorb as much information as possible. Somone linked the ghostnote.net drum building forums and hey are amazing. I did some price checking between ordering everything from the amdrumparts.com website and buying a Pearl Masters or Reference set. The Pearl sets were looking at running me between 5 and 7 grand. The EXACT same set up, custom ordered, and bought from amdrumparts was just below 1500. Well, not exact, I went considerably bigger on the custom bass drum. But 1500!! and that's using Keller shells! This whole new world I've stumbled on is fascinating.
But here is where my problems and questions begin. First, I couldn't find anything really on lug count per drum so I guesstimated. (I intentionally OVER estimated to prove the to myself how much cheaper it actually was) So does anyone have a reference to lug counts for drums? (Keep in mind I'm in Iraq so I can't just walk over to my set and count the lugs lol) Second, what tools am I going to need? Third, would it be better to let the shell vendor drill holes and do the bearing edges for me? Fourth, is it ill-advised to play drums with no wrap, paint, or anything other than a clearcoat on the shells? How many of you have actually built your own drums? Are they worth it in the end? And finally, on the greedy end of it, after this initial investments and learning to build these drums are done, is it possible to make this profitable? (since I'll be getting out of the army soon and don't want a 9 to 5 job doing something I hate)
I have a lifetime of experience with drum PLAYING, but now looking into drum BUILDING I'm realizing how much I actually don't know. (it's been said that a wise man is not smart based on what he knows, rather than an understanding of what he doesn't know. I don't consider myself wise or smart lol, so where does that leave me?) I know I'm rambling (again) but like I said, I'm completely fascinated. But I'm completely stumped at the same time. Any help is appreciated! Thanks peeps!
But here is where my problems and questions begin. First, I couldn't find anything really on lug count per drum so I guesstimated. (I intentionally OVER estimated to prove the to myself how much cheaper it actually was) So does anyone have a reference to lug counts for drums? (Keep in mind I'm in Iraq so I can't just walk over to my set and count the lugs lol) Second, what tools am I going to need? Third, would it be better to let the shell vendor drill holes and do the bearing edges for me? Fourth, is it ill-advised to play drums with no wrap, paint, or anything other than a clearcoat on the shells? How many of you have actually built your own drums? Are they worth it in the end? And finally, on the greedy end of it, after this initial investments and learning to build these drums are done, is it possible to make this profitable? (since I'll be getting out of the army soon and don't want a 9 to 5 job doing something I hate)
I have a lifetime of experience with drum PLAYING, but now looking into drum BUILDING I'm realizing how much I actually don't know. (it's been said that a wise man is not smart based on what he knows, rather than an understanding of what he doesn't know. I don't consider myself wise or smart lol, so where does that leave me?) I know I'm rambling (again) but like I said, I'm completely fascinated. But I'm completely stumped at the same time. Any help is appreciated! Thanks peeps!