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Utopian Glints
Very well Known Member
So, this is a story about how I became a British Drum Company fan. I'm writing this because I think they're cool and that not enough people in the US are giving them a try. I hope that if you're a fan you'll chime in and tell your own story, even if it's just about a snare drum.
My wife taught for a semester in Manchester, UK in the fall of 2022 and I tagged along. I was lucky enough during my time there to head out to Drum One and with the help of Phil "Pesky" Westwood I got to sample pretty much the entire British Drum Company product line. To say that I was impressed is an understatement-- these were just gorgeous, innovative, interesting, and extremely well-built drums. Near the end of my time in Manchester I went back to Drum One and bought something I REALLY didn't think I'd ever want-- the Nicko McBrain Talisman heavy steel snare drum. In fact, I didn't even want to try it, but Pesky said, "No, this is the gem of the whole line-- just try it." My jazz/Americana/not-metal brain was stunned by the sound and feel of the drum. It was somehow both a Keplinger AND a Supra AND just magical-- very sensitive, but ready to be bashed to hell, too. And if I shipped it home myself I could get the VAT deduction and whatnot. So, OK. I took a risk. I've taken that drum on kinda bashing gigs but also on very quiet jazz gigs. That's a championship-grade snare drum, right there.
They had just released the Raven snare drum, and I knew I'd eventually have to get one of those, too. I did, but later and back in the US. To my ears, the Raven is to birch snare drums what a Canopus "The Maple" is to maple drums-- it does everything happily and with great character. The build is beautiful. It's sad that the price has jumped up so much but it's still absolutely worth it.
I went back and forth on whether to get a full kit. Eventually it was irresistible, so I sold some stuff to be able to afford it. I got this Lounge kit in Carnaby Knight, 14x20, 14x14, 8x12. I added a 12x16 bass drum for the jazz gigs. I've started gigging them regularly and I have to say that even though right now I'm flush with amazing drums (a Yamaha AHM shell bank and an Ayotte wood hoop 12/14/18bd/20bd) these may well be my favorites. They have incredible tone, warmth, functionality, light weight. And so far every gig with them has elicited at least one "wow" over the finish. There is something about the inner mahogany ply and the round-over edges that is just transformative on an otherwise very modern drum kit-- it scratches that old Ludwig itch without the hassle of a vintage kit.
And yes, since someone will mention it: The Overtone heads are a real bummer. Gotta just ditch those.
When we were on break on my first jazz gig with the 16, my bass player said, "You really need to hear how that bass drum sounds out front" and sat down behind the drums. Dang. The tone and depth of the thing out front exceeded my high expectations.
A few days later I was on an Americana gig. I tuned the toms down about a half turn on every lug and brought the 20" bass drum. Again, perfection. No complaints.
I've added a Lounge snare drum as well. I'm not convinced that I need both the Raven and the Lounge since in most tuning ranges they sound very similar, but I'll probably keep it. I should probably sell it and get another metal shelled-BDC snare drum.
I hope these catch on more in the American market. They're just great, great drums.
My wife taught for a semester in Manchester, UK in the fall of 2022 and I tagged along. I was lucky enough during my time there to head out to Drum One and with the help of Phil "Pesky" Westwood I got to sample pretty much the entire British Drum Company product line. To say that I was impressed is an understatement-- these were just gorgeous, innovative, interesting, and extremely well-built drums. Near the end of my time in Manchester I went back to Drum One and bought something I REALLY didn't think I'd ever want-- the Nicko McBrain Talisman heavy steel snare drum. In fact, I didn't even want to try it, but Pesky said, "No, this is the gem of the whole line-- just try it." My jazz/Americana/not-metal brain was stunned by the sound and feel of the drum. It was somehow both a Keplinger AND a Supra AND just magical-- very sensitive, but ready to be bashed to hell, too. And if I shipped it home myself I could get the VAT deduction and whatnot. So, OK. I took a risk. I've taken that drum on kinda bashing gigs but also on very quiet jazz gigs. That's a championship-grade snare drum, right there.
They had just released the Raven snare drum, and I knew I'd eventually have to get one of those, too. I did, but later and back in the US. To my ears, the Raven is to birch snare drums what a Canopus "The Maple" is to maple drums-- it does everything happily and with great character. The build is beautiful. It's sad that the price has jumped up so much but it's still absolutely worth it.
I went back and forth on whether to get a full kit. Eventually it was irresistible, so I sold some stuff to be able to afford it. I got this Lounge kit in Carnaby Knight, 14x20, 14x14, 8x12. I added a 12x16 bass drum for the jazz gigs. I've started gigging them regularly and I have to say that even though right now I'm flush with amazing drums (a Yamaha AHM shell bank and an Ayotte wood hoop 12/14/18bd/20bd) these may well be my favorites. They have incredible tone, warmth, functionality, light weight. And so far every gig with them has elicited at least one "wow" over the finish. There is something about the inner mahogany ply and the round-over edges that is just transformative on an otherwise very modern drum kit-- it scratches that old Ludwig itch without the hassle of a vintage kit.
And yes, since someone will mention it: The Overtone heads are a real bummer. Gotta just ditch those.
When we were on break on my first jazz gig with the 16, my bass player said, "You really need to hear how that bass drum sounds out front" and sat down behind the drums. Dang. The tone and depth of the thing out front exceeded my high expectations.
A few days later I was on an Americana gig. I tuned the toms down about a half turn on every lug and brought the 20" bass drum. Again, perfection. No complaints.
I've added a Lounge snare drum as well. I'm not convinced that I need both the Raven and the Lounge since in most tuning ranges they sound very similar, but I'll probably keep it. I should probably sell it and get another metal shelled-BDC snare drum.
I hope these catch on more in the American market. They're just great, great drums.
