Drum Building Resources/
The Best Gifts for Drummers and Drum Builders
I've been putting together a Christmas gift list for drummers since 2011. Over the years those lists multiplied, a lot of the products on them went out of stock, and the ideas worth keeping ended up scattered across separate posts. So this is all of them in one place: the gifts I'd still recommend, with every link checked and the dead ones cleared out.
Everything here is something I own, have used, or had a reader recommend in the comments. The first section is for people who build drums; the rest is for people who play them.
Heads up: most product links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through one, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Full FTC disclosure here.
Jump to: For drum builders · Upgrades for the kit · Electronics · Cases, carts and bags · Practice, recording and live · Books and videos · Stocking stuffers
Gifts for drum builders
The Makedrums drum building guide
Whether they're about to build their first drum or they've been at it for years, this is the guide I wrote for exactly that person: the eBook, HD video tutorials and bonus material, all in one place. It's everything I wish someone had handed me before I ruined my first few shells.
A good router
A good router is one of the key ingredients in building the custom drum set of your dreams. Mine is the Hitachi M12VC, now sold under the Metabo HPT name. I built a custom router table for it that cuts bearing edges on shells up to 26 inches across, and that build is covered in the guide.
Metabo HPT M12VC router on Amazon
A drill press
I'll admit this isn't strictly necessary. You can build an entire drum set with just a screwdriver. But if they want to take their shop to the next level, this is the tool to get.
Benchtop drill presses on Amazon
A shop vac
I sold my shop vac a while back and replaced it with a broom, and what a mistake that was. A powerful shop vac is great for sawdust, and just as handy for odd jobs around the house, like vacuuming out the car.
5-gallon wet/dry shop vacs on Amazon
An HVLP spray rig
Only for serious builders. If a drum building hobby is turning into a business, a high-volume, low-pressure spray station is worth it. They can be a pain to clean, but they make painting custom drums so much easier.
Spray Finishing Made Simple (book and DVD)
For the builder who wants to perfect their spray finishes, and a natural pairing with the spray rig above.
Spray Finishing Made Simple on Amazon
A wood burning kit
Bring out the artist in you. A wood burning pen can create stunning 3-D designs on a drum shell, like the SJC kit above. It takes a lot of patience to learn, so I'd pair the kit with a good book.
Wood burning kits on Amazon · Pyrography Basics (the book)
Paua shell veneer
Paua shell is brittle, but it can be cut into thin sheets and used to cover a drum. It's very difficult to work with, and the payoff for your patience is worth it.
A desktop CNC machine
Carve intricate designs into shells, or make your own wooden badges. What tool fanatic doesn't want one of these? Thanks to Maarten Eggermont for this one.
Desktop CNC machines on Amazon
A drill bit drum key
A must-have for builders and drummers alike. It turns a drill into a drum key, so you can change heads faster than you ever could by hand. I use the Evans one.
A Bluetooth speaker for the shop
To play music from all the bands you're building drums for. Mine is a JBL Charge, and because it's portable it goes everywhere: the shop, the house and the office.
Upgrades for the kit
Big Fat Snare Drum
Since I started using a Big Fat Snare Drum, I've had more compliments on my snare sound from sound engineers and audiences than ever before. It sits on top of the snare head and fattens up the sound instantly.
KBrakes
Does the kick drum slide away while they play? This is the fix. KBrakes mount straight onto the bass drum spurs, no heavy machinery required.
Pearl air suspension feet
These let a floor tom “float” on air so it resonates more freely. They do work, and I love them. Pull the rubber feet off the old floor tom legs, push these on, done.
Pearl air suspension feet on Amazon
Kickport
I didn't know what to think of the Kickport when it came out, but after friends and sound engineers kept remarking on the kick sound it gave me, I became a believer. Here's my full review.
Cympads
Readers Sean Dunaway and Sean Pflum swear these are the greatest thing since sliced bread, and after listening to the audio tests I was impressed. The small ones keep cymbals open and bright; the bigger ones tame the overtones that sneak into the vocal mics. A lot less mess than gaff tape.
A new snare head
I've always played Remo Coated Ambassadors on my snares, but the Controlled Sound Reverse Dot won me over: a little more durable, with a very focused sound. For the rest of the kit, here's my drum head recipe.
Remo Controlled Sound Reverse Dot on Amazon
Tama Quick Set Cymbal Mates
I switched to these after one too many cymbal wing nuts rolled away on a dark stage in the middle of a changeover. Here's my video review.
Tama Quick Set Cymbal Mates on Amazon
Meinl Ching Ring
Drop it on top of the hi-hats and you've got a tambourine on every hat hit. No wing nuts, no setup, and an easy way to find new grooves.
A cymbal sizzler
For all those smooth jazz gigs. A simple, effective way to get a whole new sound out of a ride you already own.
Rhythm Tech tambourine
I love this style because you can shake it, then set it on the ride and hit the soft pad with a stick for a completely different sound, like I did in this video.
Rhythm Tech tambourine on Amazon
New cymbals
The next best present after a brand-new drum set. Drummers always want better cymbals, and a matched pack takes the guesswork out of choosing.
DW 9000 hardware
If your drummer grew up like I did, their stands came off Craigslist. Replacing some or all of them is a gift they'll use at every gig. I own the 9000 series and reviewed it here.
DW 9000 series hardware on Amazon
A proper drum throne
Trust me: don't go cheap on a throne. It's what a drummer sits on for hours at a time, and skimping here gets paid for in visits to the back doctor. I've played on a Pork Pie for years.
A custom bass drum head from DrumART
DrumART do incredible work, and they're the only company I send drummers to for a custom-designed front bass drum head.
A new drum set
The perfect gift for anyone who wants to learn, or who's finally ready to upgrade. A complete starter kit is the easiest way to get someone playing.
A complete starter kit on Amazon
Electronics and triggers
Roland SPD-SX sampling pad
Yes, it's expensive, and it's worth it. I use mine alongside Ableton to trigger sounds, which is maybe a tenth of what it can do. Load tracks straight into it and launch them from the pad, or run it over MIDI into a computer.
Roland Octapad SPD-30
For the drummer who wants extra sounds in their setup without hauling a truck full of percussion to every gig.
Roland Octapad SPD-30 on Amazon
Roland drum triggers
Our audio engineer uses these on the rack and floor tom mics to control the gates, so the mics only open on actual drum hits and not cymbal bleed. They're also a lot of fun paired with an SPD-SX to trigger samples.
Roland RT-30H trigger on Amazon
Ableton Live Intro
For the drummer who wants to produce. Getting a copy of Live changed everything for me: I don't play any instrument besides drums, but Live lets me write music with just my ears and a computer. Start with Intro and upgrade as they grow into it.
Cases, carts and bags
Rock-N-Roller cart
One of the greatest inventions of all time, at least for anyone who hauls gear. I use mine every week, it's saved me thousands of trips back to the car, and my entire kit fits on it.
Ahead Armor hardware case
This case is huge. I bought it to consolidate my hardware into fewer cases, and it rolls. Here's my full review.
Ahead Armor hardware case on Amazon
Ahead Armor cymbal bag
My old SKB hard case made me take out every cymbal even if I only needed one. With padded dividers I can tear down in about a minute, and you can wear it like a backpack through the airport.
Ahead Armor cymbal bag on Amazon
MONO stick bag
By far one of the coolest stick bags I've ever seen.
SKB drum cases
I've used SKB cases for more than a decade and love them, and they come with one of the best warranties in the business.
Practice, recording and playing live
In-ear monitors
If they keep drumming, sooner or later they'll need a pair. I use the Shure SE425 and love them.
Isolation headphones
Play along to favorite songs without losing your hearing (although, let's be honest, that's inevitable for us drummers). Thanks to Kyle Jackson for this one.
Vic Firth isolation headphones on Amazon
A metronome
One of the best gifts you can give a drummer. Every drummer should be able to play with a click, even if they never plan to use one on stage. The Tama Rhythm Watch is built for drummers.
Tune-Bot drum tuner
It took a lot for me to put this on a list, because I've always tuned by ear. But after watching the demos, I'd use one in a recording session, and it makes tips like Dwight Baker's and Kenny Sharretts' easy to repeat. Thanks to Steve MacLachlan for this one.
An action camera
Every drummer wants a discreet camera to film themselves playing. I've shot plenty of drum covers on a GoPro, and if that's over budget, the Akaso is a great value.
GoPro cameras on Amazon · Akaso EK7000 on Amazon
Audix DP7 drum mic kit
A really good set of drum mics to get started in recording and live sound.
A drum rug
It doesn't look like much, but a good rug, with the hardware positions spiked, makes setup fast and keeps the kit from walking. Thanks to Ruben Gonzalez for this one.
A folding music stand
Packs down into a hardware case for all the chart-reading gigs.
Folding music stands on Amazon
Porter & Davies tactile monitor
I tried one at NAMM and it rumbled my bum, literally. It vibrates with the kick drum, so you can feel the low end on stage the way you would standing in front of the subs. Thanks to Chris Kelley for this one.
Books and videos
The Language of Drumming by Benny Greb
Winner of the 2013 Modern Drummer Readers Poll for best educational book. It will change the way you think about the instrument.
The Language of Drumming on Amazon
The Making of a Drum Company
The history of Ludwig drums, told by William Ludwig II himself. I think it should be required reading for anyone who wants to start a drum company. I also wrote about the history of Ludwig.
The Making of a Drum Company on Amazon
Todd Sucherman: Methods & Mechanics
Both volumes are excellent. Volume II is the easier one to find.
Methods & Mechanics II on Amazon
Aaron Spears: Beyond the Chops
Aaron Spears has always inspired me.
Neil Peart: Taking Center Stage
A lifetime of live performance from one of the most famous drummers in the world.
Blue Man Group: How to Be a Megastar Live!
If you need drumming inspiration, put this on. An incredibly engaging live show.
How to Be a Megastar Live! on Amazon
Stocking stuffers
Drumsticks
Giving a drummer a new pair of sticks is like saying “I give you permission to rock.” I've played Vic Firth since 5th-grade band, and nothing would make me happier than a brick of 5As.
Vic Firth 5A drumsticks on Amazon
Custom drumsticks
Custom-printed sticks from Customstix are a great way to mark a milestone in someone's drumming, or to throw in the box when you sell someone a custom drum.
Drum keys
Every drummer should own at least five, because you never know when one will disappear. The Gibraltar speed key is a little faster than a standard key.
Drum keys on Amazon · Gibraltar speed key on Amazon
Pro Gaff tape
As far as I'm concerned, this is the only gaffer tape. I use it on anything that needs to ring less, cymbals and heads included, and unlike cheaper brands it doesn't leave sticky residue behind.
A clamp-on drink holder
Nobody likes a spilled drink at a gig.
Clamp-on drink holder on Amazon
A drummer t-shirt
Because every drummer needs that one cheesy drummer t-shirt.
“I'd Rather Be Playing Drums” license plate frame
Now everyone behind them in traffic will know the truth.
A magazine subscription
Stay current with Modern Drummer or DRUM! Magazine, and for builders, get ideas from Popular Woodworking.
Frequently asked questions
What do you get a drummer who already has everything?
Things that wear out, and upgrades people rarely buy for themselves. Sticks, heads and gaffer tape get used up constantly, and upgrades like a better throne, in-ear monitors or air suspension feet for the floor tom are easy to keep putting off. Any of those will get used.
What is a good inexpensive gift for a drummer?
The stocking stuffers on this list: drum keys, sticks, Cympads, a Ching Ring or a clamp-on drink holder. They are low-cost and genuinely useful, and drummers lose drum keys so often that extras never go to waste.
What should I buy for someone who builds drums?
Tools that save time in the shop. A drill bit drum key, a good router or a drill press all make building faster, and a finishing book or a drum building guide helps them avoid expensive mistakes on shells and wrap.
How do I know which size or model to buy?
Look at what they already use. Drum sizes are usually printed on the heads, and stick sizes like 5A are printed on the sticks themselves. If you are unsure, ask a bandmate, or pick something that is not size-specific, like a cart, a cymbal bag or a metronome.
What would you add?
Some of the best ideas on this list came from readers in the comments. If there's something your drummer loves that isn't here, leave it below.
Discussion
8 comments
Jesse K.
Here are a couple low cost items that I have found helpful
Hot Rods – quieter sticks for practice or smaller venues, and your ears might benefit from them as well!
KickPort – get a more focus kick drum sound
Moon Gels – help control the overtones on your snare and toms
Philip
Jesse,
Those are all great drum gifts! What is your experience with the KickPort? I’ve heard lots about it, but not enough to make me want to buy it.
Jesse K.
Philip,
I don’t have many chances to play mic’d up so I can’t really comment on how it changes in a live mic’d setting. In the practice room, here are a few things I like about it.
1. It eliminates any unwanted ringing that comes from the resonant head. This is especially helpful if you don’t have any sort of muffling or sound control on your resonant head. It also eliminates the need to stuff your kick drum.
2. Tightens the response on the batter
3. The low end seems to be a little more pronounced..not a lot but a little.
You’re welcome to borrow it and try it if you’d like..maybe use it when you play at the Stone sometime. I’d be curious to see how might change the mic’d sound
Anthony L.
Here are a couple other missed items:
1. DrumDial DRUM11 Precision Drum Tension Gauge Tuner ($50)
2. Hansenfutz Fütz Practice Pedal ($50)
3. Dunlop System 65 Cymbal and Drum Care Kit ($20)
and the gift that gives to the giver:
1. Control Acoustics 5-piece Acrylic Drum Shield ($300)
Jesse K.
Excellent call on the Dunlop 65 System. It did an AMAZING job restoring a neglected lacquer finish.
Here’s another gift idea, specially for those drummers without access to a kit
Practice Pad ($20)
Gadgets shop
Thanks for exciting blog post! I really liked reading it, you are a good writer. I actually added your blog to my favorites and will look forward for something new.
esurance sucks 2013
Greetings! Quick question that’s totally off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My web site looks weird when viewing from my iphone. I’m
trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to correct this issue.
If you have any suggestions, please share.
Thanks!
Daniel
You forgot this – every drummer needs a mobile drum set!
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