Frequently Asked Questions
The questions I hear most often about custom drum building and ordering from Seven Six Drum Company. Don't see yours? Get in touch — I answer every message personally.
How do I order a custom drum?
If it's a custom snare drum, click on the "Custom snare drum" link at the top of every page. Fill out the form there and we'll get to you with a quote. If it's a full custom drum kit or Ultralight Bass Drum or something else, use the "Get in Touch" page and tell me what you have in mind — sizes, wood or metal, finish, and hardware. We'll talk through the design together, and once we've settled the details and a deposit is in place, your drum goes on the build schedule.
How long does a custom build take?
Every drum is built one at a time completely by hand, so lead time depends on the current build schedule and the complexity of your design. I'll give you an honest estimate before we start, and you'll see photos and video as your drum takes shape so you're never wondering where things stand. To give you an idea, MOST fo the custom snare drums I build are completed in 5-7 weeks from order date.
How much does a custom drum cost?
Pricing depends on the shell material, size, finish, and hardware you choose. Drums already in the store show their exact prices; for a fully custom build, I'll quote you a firm price once we've defined the design — no surprises later.
Can I choose the wood for my drum?
Absolutely — choosing the wood is one of the best parts. I build primarily with solid stave shells and also can finish and assemble steam-bent solid shells, ply shells, and and true-solid shells (carved out of the trunk of a tree) in a wide range of domestic and exotic hardwoods, and I can suggest species based on the sound you're after. If you have a special piece of wood of your own, ask me about building with it...I love a build with history and importance to it.
What's the difference between a stave shell and a steam-bent shell?
A stave shell is built from individual solid wood staves glued edge to edge, like a barrel — it produces a focused, articulate sound and a medium to thick shell. A steam-bent shell is a single solid board softened with steam and bent into a circle, giving a warmer, rounder voice. Both are solid wood, not plywood, and I'm happy to help you pick the right one.
Do you build bass drums and full kits, or just snare drums?
Snare drums are the heart of the shop, but I also build custom bass drums — including the Ultralight Second Line bass drum— and full custom drum kits. The same one-at-a-time, by-hand process applies to everything I build.
Can I see my drum being built?
Yes — that's the lagniappe. As your build moves through the shop, you'll receive photos and video of the process, from the raw wood to the final assembly. You can see examples on "The Method" page and on the Seven Six Drum Company YouTube channel.
Can you adjust an existing design to my specifications?
Every drum in the store was designed one at a time, and any design can be adjusted — different sizes, finishes, hardware, or wood. If you see a drum you love but want it tweaked, get in touch before ordering and we'll talk it through.
Do you ship, and what does shipping cost?
Yes, drums ship throughout the United States and internationally. Each drum is packed carefully to protect it in transit. Shipping cost depends on the drum and the destination, and it's calculated or quoted before you commit.
What if I have more questions before I buy?
Just ask — talking drums is the best part of the job. Use the Get in Touch page or call, and we'll discuss your playing style, the sound you're chasing, and whether a store drum or a full custom build is the right fit. One of the comments I consistently see in reviews of my work and the process is that i'm always easy to get in touch with and I keep the client informed throughout the process… No ghosting, no "I'll get back to you later". This is why I have some customers who have purchased 12 snare drums from me.
Can you build me some additional toms to match the rest of my kit?
Yes, I sure can. Just let me know the sizes and give me some great photos of your current kit and we'll do our best to get the color as spot-on as possible.
Why should I buy one of your custom built snare drums when I can get a well-known spare drum from one of the major companies for the same price or less?
If you want a drum that 100,000 other people already have, grab yourself a Ludwig Black Beauty and enjoy! We build one-of-a-kind unique snare drums, bass drums, and full kits, one at a time, for people who want to stand out from the crowd. Each drum takes me approximately 15-20 hours of manual labor to build and, like in every other industry, the cost of doing business has gone up with tariffs, the cost of fuel, and inflation. My drums start at approximately $595 and go up to about $3300 for a single snare drum. Pricing reflects the amount of time I put into each drum and the cost of the wood, the hardware, drumheads, finishing materials, tools, workspace, sandpaper, and a bunch of other expendables. For any given drum, when you subtract my out-of-pocket costs for everything I mentioned above (and more), I'm making about $15-$20 per hour building these drums. I'm not getting rich. It's really a labor of love. If I charged anything less, I simply wouldn't be able to continue building.
What is your return/exchange policy for custom built drums?
Custom Drum Return & Cancellation Policy: Because each drum is custom built, made-to-order, and tailored to your exact specifications, we do not accept returns, exchanges, or order cancellations once production has begun. All sales of custom instruments and components are final. Please review your order details, dimensions, finishes, and hardware choices carefully before finalizing your purchase. Production Cancellations Before Production: You may cancel your order within 48 hours of purchase for a full refund. After Production Begins: Cancellations are not accepted once materials have been ordered or work on your instrument has commenced. Damage in Transit: We take immense pride in our packaging to ensure your drums arrive safely. However, if your order arrives damaged: You must notify us within 72 hours of delivery. Please retain all original packaging and provide clear photographs of both the shipping box and the damage to the instrument. We will work directly with the shipping carrier to file a claim and will prioritize repairing or replacing the damaged components at no additional cost to you. Defect and Craftsmanship Guarantee: We stand behind the quality of our builds. If you believe your custom drum has a manufacturing defect or an error that deviates from your approved order specifications: Please contact us within 72 hours of receiving your instrument. If a structural or functional defect is verified, we will cover the cost of return shipping and modify, repair, or rebuild the instrument to meet our standard of craftsmanship. This guarantee does not cover normal wear and tear, intentional modifications, or damage caused by improper storage, extreme temperatures, or humidity exposure.
Are stave and steam-bent solid wood shells as durable as ply drum shells?
Yes. Stave shells are built from thick, solid hardwood segments glued edge to edge with modern wood glues that cure stronger than the wood fibers themselves. A ply shell is many thin layers held together with a lot of glue; a stave shell is mostly solid wood with very little glue. A steam-bent shell is one single board with one scarf joint. Both handle normal temperature and humidity changes reliably when stored and carried in a padded case — and these drums are built in the humidity of New Orleans. See how they're made on The Method page, or start your own at Custom Snare Drums.
How should I care for and maintain a solid wood or stave snare drum?
Keep it in a padded bag or hard case when traveling, don't leave it in a hot car or unconditioned storage for long periods, and wipe off sweat and dust with a soft microfiber cloth after playing. Drums finished with hand-rubbed oil can be refreshed every year or two with a light coat of finishing oil or wood wax. Keep the bearing edges clean when you change heads, and put a small drop of lithium grease or light oil on the tension rods. More detail is in the finishes guide and the drum care guide.
What are snare beds, and why are they cut into the bottom edge?
Snare beds are two shallow, gently curved dips cut into the bottom bearing edge where the snare wires cross the shell. They let the wires sit evenly against the bottom head. Without them, the wires can choke the drum, buzz unevenly and lose sensitivity on ghost notes. Every snare bed here is cut by hand, blended smoothly into the edge and checked on a flat plate. Read more in Bearing Edges and the snare bed guide.
How does shell thickness affect the pitch, projection and resonance of a snare drum?
As a general tendency, thinner shells move more with the heads, which tends toward a warmer, more resonant voice and a softer feel. Thicker shells resist moving, so more of the sound comes from the heads — typically a firmer attack, a more focused note and strong projection. Heads, tuning, edges and wood species matter too, so thickness is chosen along with everything else for where and how you play. The full story is in the shell thickness guide.
Can I request custom hardware, specific hoops or my own wood?
Yes — every drum is built one at a time, so customization is the point. Lugs, throw-offs, hoops (triple-flanged, die-cast or wood) and finishes can all be chosen for your build. If you have a piece of wood with history — reclaimed cypress, heart pine, a tree from the family property — get in touch and I'll look at whether it can be made into a drum. Start at Custom Snare Drums or Custom Drum Kits.
Ready to talk about your drum? Get in touch or browse the store.