American Made Custom Drum Kits Built in New Orleans

The Anatomy of a Solid Stave Drum Set

A stave drum set is built the way a barrel is built. Each shell starts as dozens of vertical wood segments, cut to a precise angle, glued edge to edge, then milled round inside and out with a custom jig and a hand-held router. The result is a thick, dense shell with a strong fundamental note — a kick drum with real weight behind it and toms that project without needing to be hit hard.

Because every stave is its own piece of wood, the grain repeats around each drum like a pattern, and figured or exotic species look their absolute best. Bearing edges and snare beds are then cut by hand to the profile your playing calls for, which is the stage that decides attack, sensitivity and sustain across the whole kit. There is more about how each construction sounds in our drum building guides.

Custom Shell Depths & Sizing

Nothing about a custom kit is a stock size. Bass drums are commonly built from 18" up to 24" in diameter, with depths chosen for the room you play in — shallower for punch and portability, deeper for low-end bloom. Our Ultralight bass drums keep that low end while cutting the weight you have to carry to the gig.

Rack toms usually land between 8" and 13", floor toms between 14" and 18", and the interval between them is a musical decision as much as a practical one. Tell us what you play — jazz trio, second-line parade, loud stage, studio session — and we will recommend a set of sizes that tunes into one voice rather than four separate drums. Prefer a single drum first? Start with a custom snare drum or a custom bass drum.

Choosing Your Custom Shell Materials & Tonewoods

Wood is the biggest single decision in the kit. Purpleheart is dense and bright with a deep violet grain. Walnut is warm and forgiving. Cherry is balanced and darkens with age. Maple is the even-handed all-rounder. Louisiana cypress is light, airy and local to New Orleans. And then there are the rare and exotic species — olivewood, wenge, bocote — which is where many of our exotic wood drums come from.

Hardware is chosen to match: chrome, black nickel, brass and bronze, or custom cast lugs made specifically for your drums. Finishes run from a natural satin oil you can feel through to a deep high gloss, or colour dyed into the grain rather than sprayed over it.

Custom Drum Kit Questions

How long does a custom drum kit take to build?

A full custom drum kit is a long build. Every shell is made one at a time by hand, so plan on several months from the moment the spec is agreed. We keep you posted with photos as each shell comes together.

Can I mix woods across the kit?

Yes. Some drummers want one species matched across every shell so the kit reads as a set, and others deliberately contrast the bass drum against the toms. Both work, and we will tell you how each choice changes the sound.

Do you ship custom drum kits outside the United States?

Yes. Every kit is handcrafted in New Orleans and we quote shipping anywhere in the world, fully crated and insured.

Can I add a matching snare drum later?

You can, and many drummers do. We note the wood, hardware and finish of your kit so a matching custom snare drum can be built to the same spec whenever you are ready.