Need recommendation for drum maker/repair in SF Bay area

[Brad McGowan]

Can anyone recommend any good drum makers or drum repair shops in the San Francisco Bay Area? I recently ordered some custom drums and ran into some major communication problems with the maker. Basically I was sent shells that have not been drilled for hardware, and need some minor finishing on the bearing edges. So I would like to find someone local that is honest, reputable, and an excellent communicator that can finish the remaining work on my drums....lug hole drilling, and final bearing edge sanding/finishing (the bearing edges have been cut).

Any recommendations?

thanks,
Brad

[Suspects]

Brad,

You might try Lemmon Percussion in San Jose. They may not do repairs in house, but they are a great resource. Another possibility might be Todd Plummer at TP Custom Drums in Morgan Hill (408) 398-4844 (www.TPdrums.com). He's a custom builder, and may or may not want to take the project on, but at the very least you can drool over his custom stave snares (I have white oak S/N #5). Good luck...

Dave/Suspect Studios

[Brad McGowan]

Thanks Dave. I'll look into both of those guys.

Brad

[HiString]

Brad,

Hope over to either Ghostnote Community or DrumShed - Embracing Drum Builders WorldWide! .................both are drum making forums and there's probably someone who can advise and/or help you there.

[Jax]

You could try Sam Adato at his drum shop (Sam Adato's) in SF. (415) 863-3786

I don't know how extensive his repair shop is, but it would be worth asking him if he knows of any bay area drumsmiths who can do what you need. Very cool guy, he'll help you out.

[Jax]

Originally Posted by Suspects

Brad,

You might try Lemmon Percussion in San Jose. They may not do repairs in house, but they are a great resource. Another possibility might be Todd Plummer at TP Custom Drums in Morgan Hill (408) 398-4844 (Todd Created Wood, TP drums, Custom Furniture Design, Wood Worker, Carpenter, Fine Furniture, Tables, Chairs, Cabinetry, Stave Drums, Snare Drum.). He's a custom builder, and may or may not want to take the project on, but at the very least you can drool over his custom stave snares (I have white oak S/N #5). Good luck...

Dave/Suspect Studios

You're the first person I've seen who owns a TP Custom Snare. I followed his craigslist ad to his website, and his drums look like they could be very good. How great is the snare he made for you? What dimensions? Got any clips of it being played with a band? I've been itching to try one.

[Suspects]

Jax,

It's a 6X14 and a blond beauty. Todd has it pictured on his site as S/N #5. I don't have any clips that I'm authorized to post, but it has the most focused crack of any wood snare I've ever experienced, and I've got three N&C solid shells, two Craviotto customs and a Craviotto/DW maple. The thing sounds like a gunshot. It acually sounds like a DW Edge but with a way warmer tone... I spotted it at Lemmon Percussion and after one smack I was hooked. It killed every other snare in the store.

Lemon had a couple of other TP's in the store on consignment; you might contact them to see what they have that you can check out. The build quality is outstanding (it's easy to see that Todd's other job is a custom furniture builder). Be warned though, these things are not cheap...

Good luck

Dave/Suspect Studios

[Jax]

I knew the TP's had to be good. They just have that look of high quality to them. I'll check one out the next time I'm headed south. thumbsup