Best Seattle Drum Shops?

Up2Speed

Up2Speed

Senior Member
I'm making a trip to Seattle next week and would like to know which shops are worth the time and effort to visit. I will not have time to visit more that 2 to 4 shops. I'll go to Guitar Center for sure simply for large inventory and selection. Thanks!!
 
American Music - is just a couple miles north of downtown in the Fremont neighborhood, isn't huge like guitar center, but has a wider selection of cymbals, usually. I was just there two days ago and was floored by some Istanbuls that you'll never see in a GC. They also have some Sonor kits in stock, which you never see at GC. Also a 16" Brady snare drum (monster!) and one of those jazz DWs with a 14x24 kick, 13,16 toms (maple/gum/maple I think).

Donn Bennett Drum Studios - Over in Bellevue, which is other side of Lake Washington, but well worth the trip. Widest selection of cymbals and drums you'll find in the greater Seattle area. The porn shop of drum stores, for sure.
 
MikeM said:
American Music - is just a couple miles north of downtown in the Fremont neighborhood, isn't huge like guitar center, but has a wider selection of cymbals, usually. I was just there two days ago and was floored by some Istanbuls that you'll never see in a GC. They also have some Sonor kits in stock, which you never see at GC. Also a 16" Brady snare drum (monster!) and one of those jazz DWs with a 14x24 kick, 13,16 toms (maple/gum/maple I think).

Donn Bennett Drum Studios - Over in Bellevue, which is other side of Lake Washington, but well worth the trip. Widest selection of cymbals and drums you'll find in the greater Seattle area. The porn shop of drum stores, for sure.
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I second these two stores....Great shops....Great people.

D.
 
Those shops sound great. I found Don Bennet's site a couple of days ago but didn't know if we'd make it over to Bellevue but after looking the site over and your recommendations I'll have to see if I can get the Brother-In-Law to take me. He lives in Ballard so it's bit of a trip but he's probably willing. I really am looking for shops with great Cymbal selections because I'm in the market for a new ride cymbal and maybe another crash. Any others? I live in a rural area so I don't get the opportunity to get to stores with much of a selection. I don't get to stores much at all for that matter.....

Thank you!!
 
Nope, that's pretty much it without going to the brass/woodwind shops which may or may not have cymbals. There's always pawn shops...

Fremont is right next door to Ballard and you'll be driving right by it to get to the freeway anyway, so you can't really avoid American Music.

GC is right downtown and is easy to get to. There are a couple other GCs in the suburbs but downtown has the most stuff.

Donn Bennett is actually not as far as it sounds. Once you map it, you'll see that it's pretty much a straight shot across the floating bridge and you're there. 20 minutes from Ballard? But of these three, it should be your highest priority.

Any idea of what you're looking for in a ride or crash?
 
Donn Bennett is a must visit. Loads of cymbals and drums plus lots of collectible kits to oogle over from Elvin, Buddy, Ringo to name just a few. It is always my first choice when looking for any new or used gear.
 
mrmike said:
Donn Bennett is a must visit. Loads of cymbals and drums plus lots of collectible kits to oogle over from Elvin, Buddy, Ringo to name just a few. It is always my first choice when looking for any new or used gear.
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Last time I was there, he was carrying some Gregg Keplinger stainless steel cymbals! Those are a trip! And Gregg seems to be in there about half the time I walk in. Matt Chamberlain, too, for that matter.
 
You must check out Donn Bennett's place!!!
I used to live in Bellevue and Donn's place was my second home. The shop has some of the best teachers in the area too. Their customer service is the best I have ever experienced in a music store. If they don't have it, you don't need it. But seriously, they will get it for you. A few months back I ordered a brick of drumsticks from Donn because I couldn't find that particular model around here (Omaha).
By the way...Mike, I think that Kepplinger snare was the one signed by Steve Smith, right?
Man, I miss the toys in that place...
 
brady said:
By the way...Mike, I think that Kepplinger snare was the one signed by Steve Smith, right?
Man, I miss the toys in that place...
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There's so much signed stuff in that place, I couldn't begin to keep track of it all, including Steve Smith's entire Journey drumkit from the Escape tour.

The Keplinger I was referring to was stainless steel cymbals. Really something else, those things!
 
MikeM said:
There's so much signed stuff in that place, I couldn't begin to keep track of it all, including Steve Smith's entire Journey drumkit from the Escape tour.

The Keplinger I was referring to was stainless steel cymbals. Really something else, those things!
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Oh, right... I should have read that better. Yeah, I remember those cymbals. Mr Keplinger is a genuis in my book.
 
It sounds like I'll be able to visit Guitar Center, American Music and Donn's shop. I'll make Donn's a priority and also let whoever comes along know that it won't be quick stop.
As far as what I'm looking for in a ride cymbal I want one without alot wash and a nice rock ping. Also a great bell sound. Maybe a rock ride, but I'll just have to spend the time to find the right one. I think picking a ride is the toughest. Any suggestions are appreciated. I have Zildjians now and one Sabian crash so I'll focus on those brands but I'm open to anything.
 
American Music currently has a 21" AAX Raw Bell Dry Ride and a 21" AAX Stage Ride, which is much less washy than most Stage Rides I've heard in the past. Either of these two may suit your purposes. Give 'em a listen.

I was just there yesterday and almost pulled the trigger on an 18" Istanbul Agop Traditional Medium-Thin Crash. That's a gem, that one.
 
hey thanks. ive been wondering the same thing. my band is playing in seattle on the 21st. my band is called Come On Go With Us and were playing at the Jewelbox Theater if any of you guys could make it.
 
Sorry, leaving on the 21st.

I'll definately check out those two cymbals. I would like to hear some Paragons as well.
 
Just made it back. Both Donn's and American Music are great shops. I imagined both to be bigger stores but they have quite a bit of inventory, especially Donn's. Both have friendly staff. Donn's had more cymbals but both have great selections. Man, that bird's eye Drum Worksohop set at Donn's is incredible. All of the signed heads, snares and artist kits are very cool. I ended up buying a 22" Paragon ride cymbal at Donn's(on sale too!!!) every cymbal in the store is on sale at the moment. Also a Firefly drum key that is very cool. I tried out that 21" AAX Dry Ride at American Music yesterday and would have bought that as well but pulled the trigger Friday at Donn's. Great sounding cymbal. Must have both.........Picked up a Protection Racket stick bag at Am Music and some moon gel pads.
Thank you for the recommendations!
 
Cool, sounds like you had a blast! It's always a treat to go into either store, which is why I do so often! Unfortunately, GC is still more convenient for me most of the time since it's right downtown near where I practice. You may have noticed that the traffic around here is a real pain...

Enjoy your new ride!
 
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