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Andrew Probstfeld

Andrew from Split Nail Drums may be the most patient 23 year old we've ever met. In his three years of building, he's learned that taking it slow makes a much better end product. "Take your time and don't get excited. I noticed that when I get excited I start to rush things because I want to see the end product. Just be patient and take your time and produce a better product."

Site: www.splitnaildrums.com
Videos Used: Exotic Veneer, Sunbursting, and more.

Jimmy Shand - Canada

With little experience and a small budget, Jimmy made this custom collage snare drum. "I've received not only great comments on its looks, but also on its sound from other drummers as well as sound guys." Jimmy continues to build some AWESOME custom snares and drum sets, plus he's got a wicked moustache:)

Total Cost:"Total cost came to about $175 to $180. That includes the snare shell, all parts/hardware, and artwork."
Videos Used: Collage, Snare Drum

Petros Matsakos - Greece

Petros had very little experience before seeing our videos and embarking on this $1500 custom build, following it up with a few custom snare drums. He gig's freqeuntly and DJ's around Greece.

Sound:"The kick and floor tom can be tuned very low with amazing lows which I love. It's a good rock set."
Videos Used: Staining, Satin, In Line Lug Layout, Bass Drum, Snare Drum,Floor Tom Hardware

Gerry Reymart - Mexico

Gerry's been building custom snare drums and manufacturing snare drum hardware for just a few years, but his products would make you think he's been doing it for a lifetime!

Site:Reymart Custom Drums
Videos Used: Staining, High Gloss, Snare Drum, Veneering

Aaron Pierson - US

Aaron had ZERO experience when building this custom kit. First he stained the shells and soon wrapped over em' with a cool Zebra glitter for more protection. He says he "will definitely build more drums in the future" and that people "don't believe that I built the kit myself!"

Tips For Newbies:"Anyone can do this."
Videos Used: Staining, Drum Wrapping and lots more.

Brian Marquez - US

"A deep forest green satin finish on a 6.5 x 14" 10 ply maple shell. 6 ply reinforcement rings, 14 ply wooden claw style "Hide-a-Head" hoops with a natural birdseye inlay and satin chrome hardware."

Experience:"My first official build done solely on my own from beginning to finish."
Videos Used: Staining, High Gloss, Snare Drum, Veneering and more.

Zack Bruno - US

"I've recorded professionally with these drums and the sound tech was blown away by the sound and look of the drums. It really makes you feel accomplished and successful in your own hands' work." Yep... and Zack didn't have any experience before building this kit. Pretty cool right?

Tip For Newbies:"Pay attention, overcome the fear, and HAVE FUN."
Videos Used: Staining, Satin, Lug Layout, and more.

Glen Allman - US

Glens got a cool thing goin' on here. In his own words: "I enjoy the whole process of building drums, from planning to assembly, but the end result is always rewarding. I'm proud to make and play unique drums."

On Tools:"Good tools are worth their weight in gold."
Videos Used: Staining, Snare Drum Setup,Drum Wrapping and more.

Ben Williams - USA

Ben Killed it with his first custom drum build! In line lugs, chrome hardware, classic tobacco burst over maple shells. And of corse.... now, he's got the fever! He has plans for future drum building projects and some re-wrap/recover jobs.

Shameless GDM Promotion: "The first guerrilla drum making DVD has changed my life. No kiddin’"
Videos Used: Sunburst Finish, Lug Layout, Bass Drum, and more.

Darren Bodine - USA

Yep... that's a 24" Kick drum baby! This kit is Darren's first build after seeing our GDM videos and it couldn't have turned out better. Darren spent about $1200 on this kit, and has plans for building a second kit in the near future.

Drum Spechs: "All maple shells, 45 degree bearing edges (I bought them already cut). Sizes 24 x 16, 12 x 8, 16 x 14, and a 6.5 x 14 snare."
Videos Used: Staining, Satin, Lug Layout, Bass Drum, Snare Drum

Rok Gulich - Slovenia

Rok was looking for a unique way to change the look of his Pearl drums and settled on cool technique that he used from a few of our different tutorials. He has re-designed two drum sets since!

Response:"People were amazed. I sold these drums and tripled the value... just by changing the design."
Videos Used: Collage, Drum Wrapping, Painting

Ian Butt - UK

Seconds Skins owner Ian Butt is puttin' the competition to shame with some killer custom drums. This one is a green water based stain over birch drum shells, with a popped figure that really stands out. Must be something in the water over there!

Site:Second Skins Custom Drums
Videos Used: Staining, 50% Lug Offset Bass Drum,

John Leclare - Australia

John shot a killer sunburst effect over this 14x6 Zebrano Stave snare drum shell. He finished it off with a clear protective gloss finish. Great work and beautiful snare drum.

Insider Tips:"I used Scandinavian Oil to the interior, just to make the grain pop."
Videos Used: Sunbursting, High Gloss, Snare Drum