Thoughts on Custom Drums

In my attempt to conquer the complete business drum world, I have started a new custom drum company while the drumstick business is on a temporary hold. In short, the goal is to make custom drums affordable.

Knowing that about 95% of all custom drum companies use (or have access to) the same shells and parts, I pose to you all a few questions.

1) What (besides pricing and customer service) would get you to check out and/or buy custom drums?
2) What would you like to see done differently by a custom drum company?

Finally, as we are finally up and running, we are taking orders. If anyone is interested, let me know as we are offering some incredible deals as we really want get more drums built and photographed to flush out the new and currently limited website.

Check things out and please let me know your thoughts.
www.bootlegdrums.com

DB

Two main things you need to do,be sure the fit and finish are perfect And get it right the first time.

The ability to get shells in an actual variety of sizes is important to me. Tired of these "countless options" claims where they have 3 sizes of toms, 2 sizes of floor toms, but somehow 20 sizes of snares. Not everyone wants to play a Bonham kit with 14" floortoms.

To me if your price cant compete with a similar quality big name brand, you had better make up for it with something.
-Real custom finishes, not just that ugly DW yellow to green fade. Perhaps inside finishing options, and ability to put logo inlays or paint on the shells. Who doesnt want to see their name on their snare in silver sparkle?!
-Options for colored hardware.
-Shell material (More oak please)

Another simple piece of advice I would have is diversify your marketing to grab different types of players from different musical cultures. Some custom companies just cater to the vintage lovers, some just to the hipster "look how much I can spend" crowd, and yet others want to just sit around making Fab4 or Bonham kits in slightly different colors all day long. Boring. Get some classic stained kits out there for the older guys, get some loud, sparkle kits for the rocker, and get a "none-more-black" monster double bass kit to show off for the metalheads like me, and youll have my interest.

Im actually saving to purchase a new shellpack in the coming months. I dont have a hard budget, but looking to drop a couple of grand at least, considering what Im wanting. Ill certainly check you guys out if you can get me what I need for a competitive price.

good luck man. tough market.

hundreds maybe thousands of small custom drum companys out there.........not seeing a lot of profit to be made on a small scale. Most that have done it for a while are just gettin by. What happened to the stick biz......?

Awesome to hear this, man

DB, I wish you the best of luck. The stick deal could be promising now that your bad partner is gone. I would think it would be best to keep yourself out of the equation as a artist....maybe find a willing high profile players to help ya spread the word, and generate new business. Show the right people, quality work and a different edge, and it could be great. Hit all the drum shows...PASIC and others...

Best of luck man

I think quality and customer service are probably the most important. After that, options for different kinds of wood. Keller shells are great, but it seems to me that everybody and their sister uses them.

I really appreciate everyone's input. I like you all believe that customer service is first and foremost. Shortly there after I think it's mostly about finishing! That being said, I want to run some things by everyone based on previous comments.

Jenksdrummer: You made a specific point I've been thinking a lot about. I realize that custom drums can lose value pretty quickly so I MAY have come up with a solution. What about a "buyback" program?
* If you choose to get rid of your kit, we will buy it back (depending on condition) within 2-5 years for up to 50% of the cost paid. (I'm still working on the details). Higher values possible if you want to use it towards another Bootleg Drum custom kit. It will probably be more than you get from Guitar Center or Sam Ash, but saves the trouble of trying to CL or Ebay. I figure this may be a way to help calm peoples "fear" of value lost from a custom kit.

Merlin: We CAN do any size shell you want. We can order shells to size and also cut in house so that is not a problem at all. We will also be able to do logo inlays especially with painted finishes. As to your name in sparkle comment... did you see the picture of the drum I had made for my son birth?? (Spaun built that for me :-) And finally, we will be catering to any and all drummers. I'm with you that we don't need to pigeonhole our drums for vintage, or punk, or fusion. Our drums are for DRUMMERS...PERIOD.

Also, I'll look into more oak. I know we can do Oak stave or segment... but I don't know about Oak plys. (I'm also investigating more Walnut ply shell options). Hit me up when your ready and I'll make sure you get a deal and taken care of!


Everyone else: Thanks! I really do appreciate the input.

DB

Sounds sweet, and in the meantime, send me a pm or email to merlincoryell at that there gmail thing when you have the sticks up and running. I wouldnt mind ordering a handful, for fun if nothing else. But hell, if they work well, the bulk prices beat the ProMark oaks I use!

I have had two DW kits built, i can tell you what made me come back for a second kit.

When my first kit was being built i went to the factory and saw it in process. The day before they shot it it got a call, i was going with a finish called Burnt Toast, he said that he felt my kit would look better in Tobacco Burst, he stopped them from painting the kit and overnighted me a sample of each, he was right buy the way. The point is i was part of the process. ;-)

Another thought that seems to help these small start ups is endorsements, there a a ton of Keller shell based shops out there, you have to been seen everywhere you can ;-)

I have seen a few great builders come and go so best of luck to you.