Frequently Asked Questions

Q: “If I place an order today, how long will it be until I get my drum?”

A: Most orders take only 4-6 weeks to fill.  However, depending on the time of year and the busyness of our schedule, we like to allow 8-12 weeks.  A lot of this will also depend on the finish type that you choose.

Q: “How much does EdgeCraft cost, and what does it do to the sound?”

A:  EdgeCraft costs $50 per drum.  It lowers the fundamental pitch of the shell, which beefens up the sound.  It also adds a higher degree of strength to the outer edges and increases resonance of the shell.  It is not a glue -in like other drums.  It is an integral part of the shell, created during the turning process.  Hence the term:  Integral Re-enforcement Rings (I.R.R.).  We have now included in our “Custom Selects” and “Prestige” series drums included EdgeCraft in their design with no additional charge added to the cost of each drum.

Q:  ”Do you offer other hardware choices besides tube lugs?” 

A:  Yes, we offer several different styles that are available through our supplier.  All one needs to do is determine the look they are after and we can make suggestions and even send pictures of choices available.

Q: ”Will your drums support a mount on the bass drum?”

A:  Yes, they will support a bass drum mounting system and we do provide those upon request.  Typically, however, we recommend isolating the toms from the bass drum for the tonal clarity and control of these seperate entities.  We understand for positioning that people will want this option.  There have not been any problems associated with a mount on our bass drums.

Q: ”Some people have told me that stave shells are not strong and are subject to cracking.  Is this true?”

A:  Artisan Drumworks uses high precision tools to achieve perfectly milled pieces that are edge-glued to form our shells.  This produces a bond that is stronger than the wood itself.  And, our finishing process ensures that the shell is well protected from ’seasonal movement’ that can cause cracking.  It is worth noting that tables have been made this way (edge-glued) for a very long time.  They endure a lot more stress than hopefully your drum will!  We pledge our exclusive Lifetime Warranty on all of our drums, should you ever encounter a problem.

Q:  “How does French Polish differ from the other finishing choices?  I want the character of the wood to really come out to it’s fullest.”

A:  French Polish is one of the oldest wood finishing processes known to our modern age.  It utilizes a natural product, shellac, which is an extraction taken from the lacbug found on trees in India and other Asian countries.  Not very nice sounding, but this finish was commonly used in high end furniture building before the post modern era.  Most notably, it has been used in stringed instrument manufacture of old for it’s aesthetic and sonic contributions.  Craftsman would argue that shellac  enhances sound properties in their instruments.  The finish is applied entirely by hand through a series of multiple thin coats.  The resulting finish exhibits a glossy, warm character that is not found in today’s gloss finishes.  French Polish offers a warmer, natural character in it’s  appearance compared to a buffed gloss.

Q:  Do you offer Keller shells?

A:  We do not offer Keller shells.  We  handcraft all of our shells and believe them to offer a uniqueness in appearance and tone not found in any other shell type.

Q.  How are you able to make the drum look like a solid shell where individual staves are not visible or at least barely detectable?

A.  We carefully select each and every stave and match them up to preclude visible seams.  In most cases,  a drum is made from the same piece of stock, which also allows uniformity in appearance and density for tonal purposes. Further, we use a proprietary method of preparing each stave to create a very strong, perfect joint.