cocktaildrum.com

Beautiful job! There is nothing like having a one-of-a-kind drum!

- John

Hey Guys,

Yes, the tracks are all using Cocktail Drums (haven't updated them in a while. As far as kits, you will have to research the bands yourselves. They have come from here there and everywhere!

- John

Hey Tom, You could also try Canal PLastics: http://canalplasticscenter.com/ They sell a thick plastic contact paper in blue, red, gold, etc sparkle. It is still peel and stick stuff but it is thicker than most cheapo contact paper. I'm sure it would bubble up on a very hot day but if you are just lo...

Hey Tom, Good to see you are still around with your kit! I don't know of any companies that are selling parts for Cocktail Drums right now. You might find a snare mechanism on eBay occasionally or you could make your own! There is an article in the 'construction' section of the site called: 'Making ...

Ahhhh, found it! Looks like Tama makes two models now: MXA63EN with the 'two stage lever' and the MXA73 with a proper hi hat rest and bottom tilter http://www.tamadrum.co.jp/world/products/hardware/accessories/hi-hat_stand/images/closed_hi_hat.jpg I'm getting the one with the flip lever. For me it w...

I use them with a Tama x-hat, the clutch lets you make them washy or tight, with a flick of a stick Hey Steve, You say you adjust your x-hat with the 'flick of a stick'. Is there a tension switch that you actually hit with your stick while playing? I am looking for something like this so I would lo...

I think that some of the early cocktail drums were really just an attempt at a new kind of showy tom/timbale. Remember that a lot of drummers at this time (40s/50s) were band leaders and had lots of solo features: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox48uLLo_-A&feature=youtu.be You can get a lot of s...

Hi Steve, I picked up a pair of Wuhan 10" splash cymbals a while back when they were on sale. They are dark and earthy and sound great for a fixed Hi Hat. You can adjust them to get a tight closed sound or a slightly open sound. I think they go for $29 each new but sometimes you can find them o...

Could you please tell me where I could find a cymbal arm like that? The one with the crash/ride cymbal? Hi Steve, The cymbal mount/arm is a Gibraltar: http://r.popshops.com/r/MmNidThSd2I1Y1JGdGo2US9WUSsva2xFUVl6aG5OVHc4LzR5bS9OeXkzcz0K http://images.guitarcenter.com/products/full/Gibraltar/63286618...

did you wrap the kids bongos with some ez film wrap? Hey Zorf, Good eye! Yes, that's exactly what I did! There is a place on Canal street in Manhattan (Canal Plastics) that sells sheets of sticky -backed glitter wrap/contact paper. So simple and it looks great! I don't mind doing it on those cheap-...

Hey All, I did a gig last weekend at a great little club in Brooklyn called Barbes. They have a nice little stage with red curtains. Perfect for a Cocktail Drum. It's very dark so the pictures did not come out so well but thought it was worth a post anyway. Enjoy! - John http://www.cocktaildrum.com/...

Hey Multiperc, I use a 16" kick quite a lot and overall I find that single ply heads (Aquarian 2 is a 2-ply) work best on this size drum. Of course it depends on the volume and style of music you are playing and your own preferences. I find that when you find the tuning sweet spot, the single p...

Hey Multiperc,

Great news! Just curious, does your main drum have a built in snare? If so, try leaving the bottom head as is and cranking the top head as high as it can go. I think you would get a really nice piccolo snare sound!

- John

Very cool Steve!

Let us know when you find a supplier. I did a quick search and it looks like the trick is finding one with a small inner diameter but a larger outer diameter. This little suckers would come in very handy in all sorts of ways for multiple mountings on a single rod!

Well done!

- John

Looks like some places still sell them new. I found two sites selling them for $769 US which is definitely very hgh! I think they were $400-500 originally if I'm not mistaken.

I think used they go for $300-500

- John