Well, since this is a vintage drum forum....

I think it's the sense of individuality that's missing from the scene. Back in the day, you would NEVER see a factory-made drum set from Ludwig coming out of the doors with, say, a Gibralter or a DW component included. No. Everything was Ludwig's design.

Are we talking about an "entity" such as a company like Ludwig being a builder/assembler? Or, are we talking about an artisan builder who works by lamplight out of his little gnome cottage in the Black Forest?

Are we talking about a Stradivarius (completely handmade) instrument? or, are we talking about a factory line where the shells are built in one room by one guy and then he sends it down to the next? In either sense, I suppose something could be built AND assembled by one entity...but then it becomes a matter of how "entity" is defined. Bill Ludwig didn't build the drums, but he created them....if that makes sense.

Are you asking about an individual person or an individual company as "drum builder"? My initial answer was based on the former premise.

Vintagemore,

You sure got us all thinking and stating opinions...Thanks for the fun, mental exercise...LoLoLoLo

Most of us on here are what could be termed "restorers". We clean, detail or otherwise enhance vintage drums. Is there any of the artisan's eye or intuition in that process or is it simply fixin' stuff up?

-kellyj

Kelly That's a good point also. I would say restoration, as I've repaired a many of vintage drums over the years, That to me is where I get more satisfaction from taking an old drum that has been neglected and the history attached to the instrument. Say for example pro players connection or just the owners that have played used and loved that particular instrument,and it has all this history attached to it.

with this type of work your skill level can be minimal or large depending on the job at hand.

Ok here we go, It's kind of funny for some Forum's to consider this type work remedial or not such a high degree of skill to perform, and then call themselves Builders or artisans, Now they most certainly are those types of people, but to a large degree the same set of skills to either build a drum or to repair a drum are one and the same.

I have guitar history in my back ground also. the skill level required for this type of work to me far exceeds the drum making process. their are some very well known Guitar luthiers in my area One of them just built two acoustic guitar for Eric Clapton.

Their is a world class wood working store in my area Called Klingspore. and if it involves wood or working with wood you can buy it there it's a great great place, They have classes on just about every aspect of the process. I run into the guitar guys when I'm there and they known me as the drum guy. Then there are the wood carvers. and even though we are all working on different projects, the common thread is Wood. this store has a wood room to purchase just about any species or type of wood this great world has to offer for your project at hand. and many a times we are all talking about our individual projects. some of the projects that come out of that building are world class. And it's all from the love of wood and the skills for which it takes to perform the job at hand. I hope this adds to this thread?? here is their link Klingspore. http://www.woodworkingshop.com/

I suppose I fall into one or both of these categories. To actually have and build or source your own hardware is quite expensive, that's why the big boys outsource. While plywood shell manufacturing is possible, its not easy. And to do it on a consistent basis at any rate of production is next to impossible without expensive machinery.

What would you guys consider Bill Cardwell? Up until recently, he was using Keller shells for C&C drums. However, it was what he did with those shells that made them special. He has also reworked kits/drums for every major company out there for their own endorsers. To say "he has a way" is an understatement.

Anyway, here's a pic of a snare I built (shell from a single board) a while back.. while I could bore you with more, this will suffice for now...

[IMG]http://www.ghostnote.net/vbforum/attachment.php?attachmentid=35195&d=1294552383[/IMG]

Vintagemore,

I agree. Restoration takes patience, skill and elbow grease to come up with a good end result.

Nice work latz! Is that Zebrawood? Cocobolo

How much work goes into a stave shell? Lots I imagine.

Bill Cardwell could be considered a builder by definition, his shells have garnered a great reputation for quality and sound.

As long as there's no poles lol

That's so cool

I don't have an opinion either way on who's a builder, assembler or butcher. I just want to let those of you folks that posted pics of your work know (VM, KJ & Latz), that all I can say is WOW!! You guys are very talented. Love the work.

KJ, I love that deep dark blank you have. Beautiful piece of wood. Look forward to your completed pics. Latz, that snare is crazy. It plays tricks on my tired eyes. VM, well, you always have something amazing to share.

Hat's off, gents.

B

Ok so I go out and harvest the hollow tree I cut it down dry it and sand it then i shoot a deer skin it flesh and grain the hide then dry the hide then get hide wet stretch it over hollow tree hoop and lace it up what am I a builder or a assembler? and of course i beat the heck out of drum to test :)Cooked Egg

Your a savage lol