HAND CRAFTED DRUMS
Q Drum Co. is a custom shop drum company based out of Los Angeles, California. We pride ourselves on true craftsmanship developed over 15 years of experience in the shop, studio, and stage. Our goal is to produce the finest drums available by combining the techniques of yesteryear with modern and inventive building techniques and materials. We strive to build kits with a quality you can hear, see, and feel.
A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist. - Louis Nizer
At Q Drum Co. we take pride in manufacturing sonically superior drums out of different types of materials, both classic and modern. Traditionally drums have been made out of a few select woods, but we figured that if metals were good enough for snare drums then they should be just as good for the entire kit. Since then we’ve built drum sets out of steel, galvanized steel, copper, and unique brass snare drums, producing all of these shells in-house. Although we’ve broken new ground in the world of metal drum construction we have also excelled in the craft of traditional drum building. Extensive research and experimentation have lead us to the development of unique bearing edges which we feel give our drums a unique balance of tone, attack, depth, and resonance.
Maple is the most common material for drum shell manufacturing. They provide a warm, balanced tone with slightly enhanced low-end punch. These shells allow for versatile tuning while always retaining a very controlled sound.
Mahogany is our favorite drum shell material, especially for the studio. These shells have the fullness and attack of maple but with a darker and slightly drier tonality. The sound of these drums is naturally very controlled, not too “live” and not too dampened, making them great sounding drums for any style of music.
Brass is our favorite material for snare drum construction. These shells have a bright resonance with a full-bodied “crack”. Brass also allows for very versatile tuning ranging from low and dead to high and ringy. Regardless of the style of music play, you can't go wrong with a brass snare drum.
Copper is typically a material used for top shelf snare drums, now available in full kits. These shells are the darker sounding of the metal drums we offer. They have a very punchy, controlled tone with enhanced low-end and mid-range. Maple reinforcement hoops retain the warmth of a wood shell.
Galvanized Steel is an unconventional material for unique sounding drums. These shells are very controlled and punchy with enhanced lows and highs. We also produce shells made out of cold-rolled steel which are a touch more “live”, adding a longer decay. Maple reinforcement hoops retain the warmth of wood shells.
An aesthetically pleasing material with improved tonality due to our unique bearing edges. Acrylic shells have a full tonality with a lot of attack and accentuated mid-range. If clear acrylic is what you're looking for, seamless, cast shells are available which enhance the overall warmth of the drums.
We've gone ahead and broken up finishes into 5 categories with 1 being the most affordable and 5 being a bit more expensive. Finish 1 includes natural satin, formica style laminate, satin flames, ripples and bubbles. Finish 2 includes satin stains, vintage sparkles, pearls and other vintage finishes. Finish 3 includes metal laminates, satin exotic woods, solid color lacquers. Finish 4 includes sparkle lacquers, hi gloss exotic wood lacquers, fade and burst lacquers. Finish 5 includes custom paint jobs, etched acrylic, LED lighting, anything you can dream up.
We offer different kinds of hoops that cater the drums to your sound. Die cast, the heaviest hoops, are our personal favorite. They tend to give drums a drier tone with a very controlled attack. These hoops are especially easy to tune with. Triple Flange are lighter 2.3mm steel hoops which are the most common hoops found on drums which allow the tone to ring out a bit more. Single flange chrome over brass hoops give drums the most open sound and use metal claws to secure to the shell. Wood hoops made from 12-ply maple are also available and have an extremely warm sound. These hoops use mateo claws to fasten to the drum.
With Q Drum Co. we want to see a piece of you in the kit you play. We offer a variety of options that can help you achieve that. Powder coating, a process that allows color to be sprayed onto hardware and baked on for durability, is available in a variety of colors. How about Plating? This process uses metal baths to create different finishes such as our standard chrome, brass, nickel, satin nickel, and black chrome finishes. The “clam shell” style lug is our standard around the kit and tube lugs are available exclusively on snare drums. R.I.M.S. style suspension systems are available for toms in sizes 6-14 inches. However, we do not offer them in larger sizes since we feel floor toms with legs directly attached to the shells sound better. Trick GS007 is our standard throw off and is available in black or chrome. Decisions, decisions...
In the world of custom drums where obnoxious finishes and odd drum construction come first, Q Drum Co. focuses on tonal quality. While pushing construction techniques and respecting what was done right in the past, all my needs and then some are met by Q Drum Co.
Profile/Drum InfoI love my Q Drums. Their special quality has inspired me to be a better player. Every night on tour is a blast when I get to play my Q's
Profile/Drum InfoUnparalleled craftsmanship and yielding the best sounding drumkit i've ever played/owned. Attention to detail and a keen ear and personality of Jeremy Berman sets Q Drum Co. apart from the others
Profile/Drum InfoAbsolute amazing sounding drums! My Mahogany and Acrylic kit both identical in size, yet uniquely different in sound, but equally BADASS!!! Great craftsmanship, and road worthy!!!.
Profile/Drum InfoThese drums make playing drums exciting. They’re alive, and responsive, and reliable, and that they’re made by a great group of people who operate a local business, is right up my alley. I couldn’t be happier.
Profile/Drum InfoI like Q Drum Co. because they care about drums, not gimmicks.
Profile/Drum InfoQ DRUM CO is a family. Fresh tones, classic concepts, real working meat n potatoes. tempe and kale, drums, coffee and buds.
Profile/Drum InfoI've always loved big sounding and versatile drums, when I first got the Placebo gig I was looking for something fresh and new, and I'd read a lot of great things about Q. As soon as I spoke with Jeremy and tried one of the kits out, I was hooked! The power from the drums is incredible, not to mention the attention to detail and the shear beauty of every single kit they make. The close knit family vibe that comes alongside these amazing kits really gives you confidence that you'll always be looked after too. It's a real pleasure to hit these works of art every show!
Profile/Drum InfoThe dudes at Q are absolutely killing the game right now. Not only are my copper shells gorgeous and one of a kind, but the dark tones they produce are unparalleled. Cannot say enough good things about all the guys at Q and the works of art they produce.
Profile/Drum InfoI love Q drums so much because they have the look and sound of vintage drums, but I can rely on them on the road. They are sturdy and they sound fantastic every night!
Profile/Drum InfoI was hearing a lot about the Q sound and family from pretty much everyone I've met out here in LA. The first time I heard their metal shells I was floored with the tone, and took a galvanized steel set straight out on the road. Later I had the chance to tour with a Mahogany set and was blown away again by the body- It's win win with Q. Jeremy and the team are the coolest guys in the business, making the best drums- hands down.
Profile/Drum InfoJeremy is an absolute master at his craft. Everything the guys at Q Drum Co. put out is built with passion and precision. From metal drums to wood drums, you can find exactly what you want and then some. After playing many different drum kits, I finally have my dream kit!
Profile/Drum InfoThe first time I heard a Q kit, I knew I had to own one. Their metal kits and snares have exactly what i look for; warmth, body, attack, and also very easy to tune. They take as much pride in building their kits as I do playing. And not to mention they look bad-ass!
Profile/Drum InfoSome things just don't need an explanation ...The proof is in the pudding
Profile/Drum InfoI can honestly say that I have a unique, one of a kind drum set in visual appearance and craftsmanship, and I can't wait to get my hands on a bunch more of the innovative stuff going on at the company.
Profile/Drum InfoShake the hand that builds your drums. Jeremy is a master craftsman and a top bloke. Hands down the best sounding and best built drum kit I've ever owned
Profile/Drum Infoplayed just about everything out there and although I had offers for collaborations with several companies, I was never 100% into the products, or the people, and always decided to keep looking. I've never felt comfortable dealing with a big (Japanese) corporation. When I discovered Q Drum Co., it all clicked. The drums blew me away, and Jeremy and co. are the most awesome bunch of guys you'll ever find. Being able to call the guy who actually builds my drums on his cellphone is a whole different type of relationship. The guys go above and beyond to help out any way they can, and build sick drums. My drums sound great in any room or outdoors and I rarely have to tune them up when I take them from one type of venue to another, while other drums I've used had to be completely retuned in every different room. The consistency of the Q sound is amazing. I get compliments from studio and live engineers every single time. The drums just *work* and hold up like nothing else, when seriously abused on the road. A huge relief not to have to worry about your gear, or the company having your back. And man... These drums just look and sound badass. I'm totally set with Q.
Profile/Drum InfoWhen I sit down behind my custom Q kit, I feel like I have the power to attack and the edge to cut like a sonic sword. A true Queen my kit is. Classy and Demanding. When I'm in the audience I can feel a Q Drum kit, not just hear it. The warmth goes straight to my bones. In front or behind, I'm honored to stand by Q Drum Co.
Profile/Drum InfoI love my galvanized steel Q Drum Co. kit so much that I'm convinced I'll never play wooden drums again! I am continually surprised how consistent and pure my drums sound in any dynamic range. They're also incredibly sensitive which allows me to switch from BB gun to bazooka instantly.
Profile/Drum InfoI love the fact that Q drums are taking vintage drums to a whole new level. They look so classic and they sound amazing. They sound unQuestionably fantastic
Profile/Drum InfoQ is for quality for a very good reason! They provide me with a workhorse that sings with great vintage looks that will just improve with age.
Profile/Drum InfoI've known and worked with Jeremy Berman (founder of Q) for over 10 years. On top of being a great dude and good friend, he builds some of the most innovative and sonically incredible drums I've ever had the privilege of playing. Q Drums are second to none
Profile/Drum InfoYou can really hear and feel the quality in these drums. You know that there was care and handling put into making them perfect and thats what you want out of an instrument.
Profile/Drum InfoI absolutely love my Q kit. It sounds amazing and can take a beating every night on the road. Jeremy is an awesome dude and I'm stoked to be a part of an amazing company!
Profile/Drum InfoIn Q drums I have found a consistent combination of excellent craftsmanship and rich tone. While working together on a Norah Jones tour, Jeremy built a 14x5-1/2 maple snare for me as a backup to the vintage snare I was using. After trying it on a few shows I soon switched to the Q as my main choice, enjoying it's warm texture and dynamic range
Profile/Drum InfoQ Drum Co. are one of the stand out drum manufacturers of our time. The incredible craftsmanship along with the overall look of the kit is what drove me towards falling in love with them and my Galvanised Steel kit. With their sturdy feel and unique sound, it would be wrong to go with anyone other than Q. I am proud to be a part of this family.
Profile/Drum InfoJeremy made me a kit that changed my playing. The tone fit so perfectly with what I was hearing and what the music called for that it made every kit I've played before this one feel out of place.
Profile/Drum InfoWhy I play Q? Well, knowledge. what people don't know is these guys aren't beginners. So, just like when playing music given the choice between a veteran or a student more than likely the veteran is going to give you something special. Some sort of intangible magic. Intangible magic---this is why I chose Q or if you want.? they are the most musical drums I have ever played.
Profile/Drum InfoWhat attracted me to Q Drum Co was Jeremy's use of non-traditional shells, like galvanized steel and copper, his desire to strive to stand apart from other custom drum makers, the hands-on relationship with artists' and our special needs, and of course the TONE and FEEL of the drums themselves. Tightest drum company around.
Profile/Drum InfoThe Sword is going on tour with Big Business. Check out Santiago Vela playing his Q Drum Co Kit at the dates below! http://www.swordofdoom.com THU/FEB 13 – AUSTIN TX @ MOHAWK FRI/FEB 14 – HOUSTON TX @ FITZGERALDS SAT/FEB 15 – DALLAS TX @ GAS MONKEY MON/FEB 17 – NASHVILLE TN @ EXIT / IN […]
“Shedding Light” is a new series that showcases our artists in a different light. Get to know them more like we know them. This is our family…
Make sure to pick up Nightmare and the Cat’s new EP “Simple” that was released this week. The band will also be on tour this month with Bastille. Check out Spike Phillips on the drums! Sep 19 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall Sep 20 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge Sep 21 […]
We are proud to bring you the first installment of what we hope to be an on going series called “On The Road With…”. This will feature video of our Q Drum Co. artists playing live out on tour with their band. The first one is of Ilan Rubin with Paramore performing “Now” off of […]
Our very own Ed Davis has been out on tour with Pacific Air this summer. Check out a video he put together chronicling the tour which includes an unreleased demo of a new song called “Oshin”
I can’t say enough great things about this video. First of all… Nightmare and the Cat have released a single that is incredible. To top it off, they enlisted fellow Q Drum Co artist Ed Shiers (The Small Hours/The PeachKings) to shoot and edit the video for their first single “Simple”! Watch as Spike Phillips […]
Check out Chris Hornbrook playing with Big Black Delta on KCRW!! These guys sound great and of course.. we love those galvanized drums!!
Q Drum Co. welcomes Tucker Rule (Thursday, Get Involved, and The Wanted) to the Family. Check out a bunch of teenage girls going nuts over his Q Drum Co kit on Jimmy Kimmel…Oh yeah The Wanted also performed “Glad You Came” which is about Tucker joining Q Drum Co.
Here’s a video of Ilan Rubin talking about his copper Q Drum Co. Kit and all of his gear Zildjian, Remo, DW Hardware, and Vater Drumsticks.
Portugal. The Man performed “Purple Yellow Red and Blue” on Jimmy Kimmel Live in support of their new album “Evil Friends”. Watch Kane Ritchotte play on hit mahogany silver sparkle Q Drum Co. Kit.
Please send us a message if you have questions about drums, materials, pricing, etc. We want to build YOUR drum kit.
General Inquiries: info@qdrumco.com
Drum Kit Inquires: gravy@qdrumco.com
Los Angeles, CA
If you want to order a kit and you are near one of the following stores, you can order drums from them directly.
UNITED STATES
LONE STAR PERCUSSION
lonestarpercussion.com
10611 Control Pl, Dallas, TX 75238
(214) 340-0835
THE DRUM SHOP TULSA
www.Drumshoptulsa.com
5800 S Lewis Ave #147, Tulsa, OK 74105
(918) 794-2572
CHICAGO MUSIC EXCHANGE
www.chicagomusicexchange.com
3316 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 525-7773
REVIVAL DRUM SHOP
www.revivaldrumshop.com
2045 SE Ankeny St, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 719-6533
Professional Drum Shop Inc.
www.prodrumshop.com
854 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 469-6285
INTERNATIONAL
Sound Attak
www.soundattak.co.uk
Units D1&2, The Cowdray Centre, Cowdray Avenue,
Colchester, Essex CO1 1BW
UK
01206 368999
The Drum Cartel
www.thedrumcartel.com
AUSTRALIA
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