30 Degree "Gretsch Edge" Services: Success!!!!!

 Just thought I'd share this -- I finished and delivered an edge project on a customer's Gretsch Renown Maples.

Wow, Steve! I had a chance to set them up and tune them the way I like them today. I don't know if it's that particular edge or just a better quality edge in general but the first thing i noticed was more attack and more sound of stick impact! I don't know if they are resonating more but i perceive that the resonance is more pure so less weird overtones. They are definitely warm and mellow and classic gretsch sounding, or at least as close as they'll come! they remind me of the drum sound on Jeff Beck's Official Bootleg '06 which has got to be my favorite drum sound! lol oh and I forgot to mention the kick! dat s*** is off da hook! I was gonna put new heads on but I think they sound awesome just the way they are! Thanks! Totally worth every penny!

All set to do 60 degree edges

Howdy Campers,
Doing a job for a customer wanting me to refurbish edges on a Gretsch kit. So, had to do a few mods to my router table. Ready to go.

Checking customer DW/Craviotto

Checking this beautiful steam-bent maple drum for edge/bed defects, and general trueness (is that a word?). Looks very good. Here, the drum is sitting on my black granite machinist's surface plate, which is certified flat to +/-.000050.

This drum has a very wide tuning range. Sounds great tuned low or high. Very lively, punchy drum, with tons of throttle. Just a little moon gel needed to dry it up ever so slightly. 

If you need any help with bearing edges, give me a shout!

Still here!

Howdy Folks,
I'm still kicking. Have been busy with life's other demands, but still fielding any and all drum building, restoration, and general services requests!

Oak Stave Snare -- DONE!

Well, the day has finally arrived.
After a long wait for a certain batch of parts, this drum has finally come together. Let's review the specs, shall we?...
-7x14
-30 segment quarter-sawn red oak
-tongue and groove jointed
-lathe turned to 1/2 inch thick
-inside 45/outside 1/8 inch countercut bearing edges
-Ego tube lugs
-Trick throw and butt
-Fat Cat 20 strand wires
-die cast hoops
-nitrocellulose lacquer finish

I'd like to thank my customer, Paul Petsu, for being so patient with me on this project. It was a pleasure to build this for you!

Dream Cymbals = great stuff

Birdseye maple snare build complete

This one's ready to go. Just have to add my NDC badge, and ship this to Nashville. Great sounding drum...
-5.5x14 6ply maple with 8ply reinforcement rings and an outer ply of birdseye maple
-DW mag throw and butt
-FatCat wires
-2.3mm triple flanged hoops
-45 degree/1/8" outer countercut edges
Lots of sensitivity and character.

30 Stave Red Oak build continues

Weather and equipment are finally cooperating, so back to the spray booth with me.
Here's a 30 stave red oak 7x14 shell with a coat of vinyl sealer. On the way.

Birdseye maple snare build

Back to build mode.
Got my new compressor installed, the weather is warming up -- time to start shooting shells. This one's for a good bud down in Nashville.
5x14 10x6 ply maple with an outer ply of birdseye maple. Gonna wear some clear lacquer. Here she is with one coat of vinyl sealer to start.

Onward.

Stave snare

It's coming along.
7x14 red oak. 30 staves. 1/2" thick. 45 degree inside/1/8" outside countercut edges.
Gonna shoot some clear on it in a few days, then buff, then final assembly. Stoked.

New service: Rogers Bread and Butter lug casing repair

If you've got some old Rogers drums with the old "bread and butter" lugs, you probably already know that the lug casings tend to split at the mounting tabs.
Give us a call if you have some sick B&Bs.

Kudos for Kong

Sounds like he likes the drum!!!!

HI Steve,

I haven't used Sling Kong on a recording yet, but my friend did last night and I'll try to get you a copy. I expected to compromise the sound I had in my head, but I have to say: you nailed it. It is a fabulous fabulous drum and I thank you. I'm going to be posting stuff about it on various forums and I'm happy to spread the word about your work. I leave on Sunday for a tour and I'll start posting stuff after June 1, when I get back.

"Sling Kong" done!

Sling Kong lives! Sounds great. Very big, thick, open snare sound. Big backbeats from this baby. Did I mention this sucker's 8x16?

big snare

converting a late 50's Slingerland floor tom into a snare drum. mahogany/poplar shell with maple re-rings. Now wrapped in burgundy sparkle.
Looking forward to hear what this bruiser sounds like.

Still kickin'

The economy has caused things to slow down a bit. But, we're still here, ready to build your next drum(s), re-edge your old faithfuls, and much more.

NDC on Facebook

Homegrown Cherry Staves, coming soon

So I had some beautiful cherry trees growing out back. So beautiful that I chopped 'em down . Got some sweet trunk sections drying now. Once they're to the right moisture content, they'll get quartersawn and transformed into stave snare drum shells.
Stay tuned.

Drum Road Trip '09: Great time!

Spent all day Saturday at Drum Road Trip. Saw lots of familiar faces, talked drums and stuff with lots of great folks, met some awesome drummers -- Rod Morgenstein, Johnny Rabb, Zorro. Looking forward to DRT '10.

Drum Road Trip 2009

2nd annual DRT coming up. Looking forward to seeing the crew from UGW.com forum, as well as the great lineup of clinicians and vendors.
Stop out! I think I'll be running a bit of a parts clearance -- shells, assorted hardware, and some other odds and ends.
If you're thinking about a new custom kit, snare, or restoring a drum, I'd be glad to talk to you.

Cocktail kick pedal

Ahoy DrumFans...
Here's a slick little cocktail kit pedal rig. If you need help with a special setup like this, shoot me an email!