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.

New Study Finds Drummers’ Intelligence Linked to Drumming Patterns

In a recent Swedish study conducted on drummers and their abilities to keep a beat, new findings have emerged to show that drummers may no longer be the butt of band jokes. The study revealed that drummers’ brains have an innate ability to see patterns and shapes that allowed the researches to conclude that drummers are on the whole, highly intelligent beings after all.

The study looked at the ways drummers could keep a constant beat whilst being asked questions relating to an intelligence test. The test comprised of over 60 questions and quizzed musicians on a number of cognitive tests designed to test the entire brain.

The drummers were asked to keep a steady beat throughout the quizzing which was aimed to test if outside factors could influence the timing of the drummers or their ability to think cognitively whilst performing a task. The study found a big correlation between the quiz results as well as the ability to keep time during the tests.

In a recent Swedish study conducted on drummers and their abilities to keep a beat, new findings have emerged to show that drummers may no longer be the butt of band jokes. The study revealed that drummers’ brains have an innate ability to see patterns and shapes that allowed the researches to conclude that drummers are on the whole, highly intelligent beings after all.

 

Pattern Spotting and Drum Fills

For those drummers who did well on the intelligence test, and answered the most questions right, they were able to keep the best timing when it came to their drumming ability. Those who kept poor timing did less well. The study concluded that the drummers’ ability to keep a beat was being driven by a part of the brain that associated patterns and shapes and allowed them to concentrate on the questions.

It is often the case that some people feel as though they are on autopilot when performing tasks that they regularly perform, and with no need to truly think about what they are doing. Most of us take for granted the ability to move our arms or legs, but think for a second what it would be like to have to think about moving each muscle to move just one leg.

 

Like Being On Autopilot

This autopilot mode in drumming is controlled in the part of the brain that also recognises shapes and patterns. This gives us, and more specifically drummers, the ability for their brain to take over the majority of the work when it comes to coordination between fills and concentrate on enjoying the music.

This ability to be able to quickly see patterns, adjust and employ a level of sophisticated creativeness to their drumming means drummers have the ability to apply this in other aspects of their lives. Drummers can therefore be great learners, take on tasks and understand them quicker as well as leaving their brain do all the manual work while they can enjoy themselves at the back of the stage.

 

No Longer the Butt of Jokes

Drumming is an essentially learned-skill that takes years to become accomplished and even more to master. This is probably why many drummers feel they are unfairly treated when it comes to jokes about the band.

But the evidence couldn’t be any clearer; drummers are drastically different from the rest of us, and have an innate ability to be able to keep time and could be the smartest member of the band. No longer being the butt of jokes within the band, it won’t be long before everyone turns to the bassist to blame the timing on.

Image:  prlog.org,jonmccaslinjazzdrummer.blogspot

Choosing One of the Big Brands to Build Your Kit

In the world of drums, there are a number of names synonymous with classic sounds, retro looks and ergonomic designs. Choosing the right drum accessories will make or break your personal drum sound, so when you are in the market for a few upgrades or looking to build your very first pro kit, making sure you know the key players in equipment is surely going to put you ahead of the curve.

Let us take a look at some of the brands that have become icons in their particular field.

Tama is one big name drum kit equipment specialist that has built its name of precision kit that sounds as great as it looks. Starting out in Japan in 1965, it launched to provide the Japanese market with affordable kits that sounded just as great as their North American or European counterparts. From there it has grown to be one of the most respected companies in drumming and lives on today providing a wealth of full kits, accessories and other important percussive tools.

Big Name Endorsements for Your Drum-kit

Some of the more famous players who use Tama kits include Stuart Copeland of The Police, and Lars Ulrich of Metallica. With ambassadors for Tama as those, you can see why this Japanese drum manufacturer has become one of the biggest names in the industry.

Pearl is another name so synonymous with percussion drum kits that is one of the few household names for drummers and non-drummers alike. Pearl kits have been used since 1945 by almost all of the major recording studios by professional musicians as famous as Ringo Star, Keith Moon and Chris Slade of AC/DC to name but a few. Pearl, being one of the world’s largest drum manufacturers also make a range of stands, pedals, drum sticks, tools and accessories.

DW Drums is another professional drum manufacturer that produces both acoustic and electronic drum sets. DW Drums is a popular choice for many aspiring drummers thanks to their great range of both beginner and professional kits. You can build your own kit from the floor up with DW Drums to create that personalised sound you are after. Names the Drum Workshop, this California based drum manufacturer is often the drummers choice for studio and gig use.

High Quality Construction is Key

DW Drums was created with the mission to produce, design and manufacture the highest possible drum kits and accessories to provide both aspiring and professional musicians with equipment they can rely on. With great sounding drums of all sizes, DW Drums offer expert craftsmanship when it comes to construction and with only the best materials used in construction can ensure high quality standards throughout.

Whatever your level of drumming skill, choosing the right equipment is an essential part of creating your very own unique sound. With the help of these big names in drumming, you will be able to fine tune your sound with an upgrade of kit or with an investment in a custom kit of your own.

Choosing high quality drum accessories that are built to last will ensure your equipment can endure even the longest of tours and allow you to take your skills to the height of excellence.

Image Source: zzounds, wikimedia, dwdrums, tama