Discover Stubblefield
Our Craftsmanship
I have been building drums for the last 20 plus years. These drums include tradtional ply drum shells from Keller Shells and Nordic Shells and custom stave shells that I build in house. I work hard to build great sounding and beautiful drums. I love working 1 on 1 with drummers to design and build a snare or kit.
Stave Drum Sets
Stave Shell Packs
I build custom stave shell packs in a variety of woods and sizes. Stave drum sets offer incredible sound and are often described by studio engineers as pre-equalized. I offer diameters 10 inch through 24 inch in stave shells. Stave drums are heavier than ply drums.
Drum Wood Tonal Characteristics
- Maple: The industry Standard. A balanced, warm tone with great mid, low, and high tones.
- Birch: Punchy and warm with a more focused attack. Great for the studio and live.
- Mahogany: Warm tone with a softer attack. Great mid and low tones.
- Walnut: Dark, warm and punchy tone with a great balance of high, mid, and low tones.
- Ash: Focused sound with warm mid and low tones. Great attack.
- Cherry: Similar to maple but with a warmer and fuller tone.
- Poplar: Warm, low and mellow. Think vintage sound.
* Be sure to ask me about other woods you would like to explore
Ply Drum Sets
Ply Shell Packs
I build ply shell packs in a variety of woods and sizes. Ply drum sets are by far the most popular drums in the world.
I use Nordic and Keller Drum shells. I offer shell in diameter 8-26 inches.
Drum Wood Tonal Characteristics
- Maple: The industry Standard. A balanced, warm tone with great mid, low, and high tones.
- Birch: Punchy and with a more focused attack. Great for the studio.
- Mahogany/ Poplar: Warm tone with a softer attack. Great mid and low tones. Vintage shell design.
- Maple/ Poplar:Warm tone with a softer attack. Great mid and low tones. Vintage shell design.
- Walnut: Dark, warm and punchy tone with a great balance of high, mid and low tones.
- Ash: Focused sound with warm mid and low tones. Great attack.
- Cherry: Similar to maple but with a warmer and fuller tone.
Check out these links to the ply shell builders I use:
* Be sure to ask me about other woods you would like to explore
Snare Drums
Snare Drums
Snare drums are available in Stave or Ply in almost any size.
Any paint finish options are available as well as hardware.
My default choices on snares are 2.3mm triple flanged hoops, Trick Multiposition Strainer, Puresound Blaster wires and Evans Heads.
The snares pictured to the left are classic Beavertail lugs, 2.3mm triple flanged hoops and Trick Multi strainer.
The Stubby Kit
Small, Great Sounding Drum Sets
I have been building small and portable drum sets for years.
If you want a great sounding kit that is easy to move and takes up less stage space then a STUBBY KIT is for you.
These sizes in maple ply make great kits:
12x20 or 12x22 bass drums
8x18 or 8x12 rack
12x14 or 12x16 Floor Toms
Hardware, Drum Heads, Paint and Vendors
Drum Hardware Choices
Lug style, hoop style, suspension mount style, tom holder style and bass drum spurs are all part of the decisions to make when we design your custom drums together.
Please look at the samples I have pictured under "Lugs" and also look at choices at the vendors I list below for a huge selection of hardware options.
https://www.drumfactorydirect.com
Drum painting from simple clear coats to high end automotive finishes are all offered on my drums. I use Transtint transparent dyes for most of my stains. They are vibrant and long lasting. Clear coats in gloss and satin are both offered. Solid colors, metal flakes, fades and bursts are all offered. If you want a vintage wrap finish please contact my friends at Precision Drum.
I use Evans drum heads and can offer any of their models.
Please use the contact form to start a dialogue withg me about building custom drums for you.
Thank You
Happy Drumming
Playing drums in an incredible gift. Creating music with other people connects people like no other activity. I love to play.
I also love building drums. The best part is working with you to design a snare or kit that will be a joy to look at and a joy to play.
Hope to work with you,
Happy drumming, John Stubblefield