Makedrums.com - How to Make Custom Drums

Drum Building Profile:

My name is Brandon Blevins, I live in Lebanon, VA and I’m 27 years old. I work as an environmental scientist / professional to semi professional drummer/bass player.

I’ve been personalizing my drums since I first started playing around 16 years ago. I have the desire to personalize almost everything I own, so naturally that translated to my drums. I always saw and heard drums that I loved, so I would try to emulate those sights and sounds on my drums. I am currently in the process of getting my work space in order to begin the drum building process. Specifically, I’m painting my first set for donation.

Drum Building Challenges:

The first challenge was figuring out what tools would be needed. MakeDrums.com made that a lot easier. My next challenge will be fine tuning my craft to make my drum company and my drums stand out.

As of now, my brother Chris and I are playing my drums. We have been featured on a few records here and there. My drums and my drumming can be heard on a record called “Juxtaposed” from a Seattle, WA artist named Ben Gilmer.

How to Stand Out in a Crowd

I hope to be able to recommend sizes and bearing edge styles to meet the drummers specific needs. I tend to lean towards sound quality over looks. It is always a battle for both on drums. I also hope to be able to help local churches and/or schools with drum related questions. These seem to be overlooked quite a bit. I feel that if the drums ain’t right, the music ain’t right.

I almost hate to admit that drums are on my mind 24/7. The desire to create is so consuming and overpowering I can’t stop thinking of things to do. After work, that’s where I am. I lose all sense of time.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about building drums but just isn’t sure if they can do it?

It can be done. There really isn’t anything to lose. If you love playing drums, it’s only a natural progression to start making them your own. The personal satisfaction of knowing you did it is 2nd to none.

Check out Brandon’s work space and custom drum set!

Drum Building Supplies Parts and Terms Explained

May 9, 2013 — Leave a comment

If you know absolutely nothing about drums or drum making then you may refer to these definitions.

Drum shell – This is the body of the drum. Drum shell material can be wood, metal, acrylic and even stone. The material you select for your drums will greatly affect the sound of your drums.

Wood Shells - The most common shell for drums is made of wood. Drum shells can be made out of any wood that is hard enough to hold its round shape. Maple and birch seem to be most popular in the “custom” drum market.

Metal Shells – Metal shells are mostly used for snare drums, but some companies such as Tama and Trick have started making full drum sets out of metal.

Acrylic Shells – Acrylic shells open up a whole new world of visual possibilities. They can be transparent (clear), translucent (frosted), or multiple colors. To spice up an acrylic drum even more you can put LED lights inside of it! (And even trigger the lights to come on when you hit the drum!)

In Drum Building 101, Drum Building Resources custom drums, Drum building, drum building products, drum building supplies, drum parts, drums

What drum building ideas did you pick up on from Pearl in this video? Leave a comment!

Posted on May 1, 2013 In Video custom drum building, Drum building, drum making

2 Comments

What is Different in the 3.0 Version?

April 23, 2013 — Leave a comment

I’ve just announced that I’ve updated my eBook, but you may be wondering… what makes it better than the 2.0 version?

Allow me to explain…

Updated Drum Building Processes

Since writing the 2.0 version almost 3 years ago, I’ve learned a lot to say the least. I’ve continued to make mistakes as I’ve developed and honed new drum building processes so that you won’t ever have to make them. You need to know some of the mistakes I’ve made so you won’t make them.

New Finishing Techniques

Become a master in all areas of drum finishing. I’ve added newer techniques for finishing your drums.

I’m Holding Nothing Back

I reveal all of my suppliers, tips, tools, and ideas for starting a custom drum company that I had previously kept to myself for fear of giving you too much…I mean this is really good stuff that will help you become successful in much less time.

New and Improved Snare Bed Tutorial

Installing snare beds can be intimidating. I’ve included a much better tutorial on how to create snare beds so that you’ll be able to install your snare beds perfectly every time.

Marketing Tips and Tools For Selling Drums

I’ve included some extremely valuable tools for marketing your custom drum company, tools that I use personally to help grow my business. These are things that will help you sell the drums that you make.

If you want to learn more about what all you’ll get when you by my eBook just click on the link below for more information:

Tell me more about the eBook!

Remember you only have 5 more days until the price of the eBook goes up to $50!

In Drums custom drums, drum builder, Drum building, drum making, how to make drums

Check out this incredible tutorial for how to build a ply shell mold!

paperbackbookstandingmakedrumsebookcover

I Can’t Believe I’m Giving You This…

March 29, 2013 — 2 Comments

It’s been almost 3 years since the last update to my eBook “How to Make Custom Drums”.

That all changes very soon.

When I wrote the original version of the eBook in 2009 I was making some pretty standard looking drums that sounded incredible:

However, to truly give you the ability to make a custom drum set or even start a profitable drum company, I need to tell you everything I have learned. I actually can’t believe some of the stuff that I’ve decided to include in this update.

I want you to be able to build drums like these:

I’m not exactly sure when I’ll be posting the site wide re-branding to reflect the 3.0 upgrade to the eBook because I’m creating more tutorials to add to the eBook almost everyday.

With all this said, you should know that price of the eBook will most likely not stay $30.

However, until the update happens I am offering my eBook to you for $18.

If you buy now this basically means you get “grandfathered” in when the 3.0 version is released. One of the benefits of buying my eBook at any point in time is that you get updates to the eBook for life.

Until the update is available, you may use the discount code “3pointzero” at checkout to receive $12 off of your order.

If you have any questions or comments you may ask/leave them in the comments area. Here’s to starting your drum company in 2013!

In Drums custom drums, discount code, diy, Drum building, drum making, how to make drums, tutorials, update

How to Make A Drum Hardware Layout Mat

March 23, 2013 — Leave a comment

Download Drum Layout Mat

Download the Makedrums.com Layout Mat .pdf file for $2.99. (Instant File Download)

Print the file at a local copy/fax/print store.

I took my file to Fedex. I had the option to print the file in color for $7.75/sqft or I could print it in black and white for .75/sqft. The files dimensions are about 28×28, so you’ll save lots of money by printing it in black and white. My total print cost was $4.06. Tell your printer to print the actual file size

Glue the drum hardware layout mat to a flat surface.