The Origins of 4 Popular Drum Kit Brands

 

If you are a drummer yourself or at least have interest in this particular musical instrument you are well aware of the few leading drum brands around the world. There are indeed a large number of high quality drum kit brands in the market these days, with many having stories that date back a century or more. 

In this month’s blog article, we’re having a look at the histories of just a couple of these great brands.

Pearl

Pearl, arguably the most recognisable brand name in drumming industry, was founded in Tokyo just after the Second World War. The company started out as a manufacturer of music stands - which seems like quite a specific niche industry - but soon branched out. In 1950, 4-5 years after the founding of the company, he started producing drums and by 1953 all manner of percussion instruments and accessories including kits, cymbals, stands and timpani. 

The rock n’ roll era in the 1960s saw Pearl start selling and distributing products worldwide.

Tama Drums

Tama Drums also originates from Japan, and was originally marketed as ‘Star Drums’. The products were manufactured in the same building as products of the Ibanez brand were in the early days. From its founding in 1965 until the late 1970s, the brand found success in the US selling lower-cost drums that measured up favourably compared to more expensive and arguably lower quality American brands at the time. 

From the 80s till today, the brand has focused on delivering quality and distributes some of the most dependable drums available in the market.

DW Drums

DW Drums has quite an interesting story, dating back to 1972 and coming out of Santa Monica, California. Don Lombardi is the founder however he originally started the company as a teaching studio - true to its name Drum Workshop was just that, with Don offering private lessons and workshopping too. To cover overheads, management was forced into selling some equipment on the side. They struck gold when they put together the height adjustable trap seat, which allows for easier transportation of drums and cymbals. 

The demand for this product took off and DW Drums became a full-time manufacturer of drum equipment.

Gretsch 

 

One of the oldest musical instrument manufacturers, Gretsch started out as a small shop in Brooklyn and was founded in 1883 by a German immigrant of the same name. It was his son, Friedrich Jr. that took the company to greater heights as he moved the shop to a large, 10-story building soon after he took over. In the early 1900s, Gretsch became one of the most trusted names in musical instruments and was producing everything from banjos and guitars to drums and percussion instruments.

Until 1967, the company was run by the Gretsch family - at this time i was sold to a larger music company called Baldwin. Unfortunately, the company faltered over the years that followed and was eventually reacquired by Fred W. Getsch in 1985. Today, the company stands as one of the leaders in the guitars and drums.

These brands certainly have some interesting stories! If you’re in the market for a drum kit, check out the range from these manufacturers and others at Drummers Paradise.

The Origins and History of Drums

Early forms of drumming may actually date back to the very beginnings of civilisation as we know it, and interestingly, modern drum kits differ only slightly to those early percussive instruments. The invention of new materials and a change in our musical tastes have changed the nature of drums somewhat, but their primary function remains relatively similar to early versions used thousands of years ago.

Image Source: drumforbeginner.com

The earliest recorded appearance of a percussion drum used as an instrument is thought to have appeared around 6000 BC. These early drums took a cylindrical form and due to their shape offered a distinctive sound when hit with sticks. It is thought that these drums were used as percussive musical instruments to accompany various ceremonies, religious uses and rituals. Later on, some of the first skinned drums appeared in China around 5500-2400 BC, using alligator skin as a membrane and were used in shaman rituals and ceremonies in the region.





Not do they have obvious musical and rhythmic qualities, drums have been used for communication by many different cultures to send messages over long distances. The African talking drum, which came in various shapes and sizes, could convey a message to a nearby tribe and even declare war and boost the morale of the troops. 

In Western cultures, once the use of goathide skinned drums became more popular, marching bands were enlisted to not only help keep the marching pace of an army in line, but also to convey messages during decidedly loud battles.

The majority of percussive instruments were played separately by individual musicians, and whilst this meant louder music in marching bands, it was not ideal for music in theatres and orchestras. It is in this era that the modern drum kit that we see today came into fruition. Around 1900, percussion musicians began combining drums and cymbals into an arrangement to be played with specialist drum sticks.

Foot pedals became popular later on with the introduction of the kick drum being played with the feet with the formation of the Ludwig & Ludwig Co.’s bass drum pedal system. This freed up the hands of the drummer to surround the large floor bass drum with other smaller drums to form the basis of the modern drum kit. With an evolution of musical styles and tastes that followed through the 50s, 60s and 70s and the musical revolution that proceeded, the electronic drum kit was a natural progression.

Today, we see many professional drummers using classic vintage drum kits from yesteryear as well as many drummers who swear by their full electronic kits. With musical tastes ever changing and musicians being influenced by newer electronic music, the evolution of the humble drum will change in form and sound, but the rich history of this percussive instrument in particular will stand the test of time, as the backbone of all music past and present.