Modified drum kits with added-on parts specialized for a musician’s playing style and drum set preferences are referred to as custom drums. Custom drum companies specialize in parts that aren’t typically found in a standard drum set. Premade, standard-sized sets as well as custom-made sets to customer specifications are available from these drum manufacturers.
Custom drums come in a variety of shell sizes ranging from 8 inches (20 cm) to 30 inches (76 cm). Custom paints and finishes are available upon request. Lacquer, satin, hard satin, and graphics can be used in addition to the traditional black, white, red, and grey sets. When it comes to custom drums, there are many different types of wood to choose from.
A bass drum, kick drum, floor tom, and two rack toms are typically included in traditional drum sets. While customers occasionally request smaller, more basic sets, larger, more complex models are usually created for drummers who love their gear. Custom drums for kids are also available. Because most premade youth drum sets are less expensive, some parents prefer a higher-quality custom youth drum set.
If a drummer can’t afford to customize an entire set, a custom snare drum is often the next best thing. The most common materials used to make snares are oak, ash, and steel. A steel snare will produce a more radiant, ringing snare sound. Snare drums made of wood have a tighter, punchier sound. Custom drum shops can make the snare sound like a recording of a specific snare sound requested by the customer.
Bands such as Rush and Motley Crue are known for having massive custom drum sets with over 20 pieces. More than 12 cymbals, several floor toms, rack toms, and accessory percussion such as wood blocks, tambourines, and cowbells can be found in these custom drums, which are designed by high-end manufacturers. Custom jazz sets are typically smaller, with only a smaller bass drum, snare drum, low tom, and one rack tom as basic hardware. From there, players can add accessories.
Drummers sometimes use a custom rack to hold cymbal stands and toms as a drum set grows in size and parts. These racks are suspended across the bass drum and are secured on both sides. Racks help you save time when it comes to setup and teardown. They also assist in the organization and stabilization of all of the drum set’s components. Sets with multiple percussion accessories, as well as added toms and cymbals, should use racks.
Cymbal stands of various sizes are also available as custom hardware. Drummers who prefer to strike their cymbals from a higher position can use custom-made, taller cymbal stands. Drummers who play hard rock or metal may prefer a double-kick pedal with a faster reaction time.