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purchase

Well... after some convincing from friends, I've decided to pursue this avenue... making custom, high-quality drums for folks. I have a price structure laid out below, that ranges from small, unfinished plywood drums to dual-chambered, dove tailed, exotic hardwood drums. All my drums are 100% handmade, created with all the love and care that I'd put into a drum for myself. If you are interested in purchasing a drum from me, please contact me at outsidetheboxdrums@gmail.com. I'll even teach you how to play it.

I want your drum to be as unique as you are. I'll never make the same drum twice. And if there is a specific "attitude" you want your drum to have, we'll work together to make sure your needs are met. And if you live near me, I invite you to join me in my shop while your drum is created.

drum types

small cajon - Small box cajons are played while sitting in your lap. They have a high, crisp voice. These are good for accenting an already existing drum arrangement. This offering is specifically for children as they may not feel comfortable sitting on top of the large cajon. The base price of the small cajon is $75.

large cajon large cajon - Large box cajons are played while you sit on top of them. They have a full voice range, from highs to resonant lows. A single large box cajon will provide all the percussion needed for an acoustic set, or add an organic feel to a full band. This offering is the classic box cajon. The base price of the large cajon is $125.

dual-chamber drum dual-chambered cajon - Dual-chambered box cajons are about the same size as the large cajon and are played either sitting on top, or from behind as you would play bongos. This drum consists of a single box structure separated by an internal baffle. Though it lacks the deep bass of the large cajon, it provides a dynamic missing from the large... you're actually playing two different drums! The two sides are tuned to a perfect fourth, the standard two-drum tuning (other tunings are possible, if you prefer). The base price of the dual-chambered cajon is $175.

cajonga - For those that would prefer a more traditional drum, the cajonga plays like a conga, but has the features and sound quality of a cajon (hence the name). This drum is free standing, between 2.5 and 3 feet tall. It also lacks the deep bass of the large cajon, but playing two or three cajongas at a time gives the drummer tremendous vocal range. The base price of the cajonga is $125, or 3 for $300.

drum options

wood type

plywood... is plywood. It's is a sturdy material, but the random internal structure can destroy the resonant properties that proper instruments need. While I will make drums out of plywood, I do not recommend it. Plywood adds no extra cost.

red oak poplar solid wood is a much better choice than plywood. Not only is it beautiful, the internal structure of solid wood makes for a much better sound. Solid woods include pine, red oak, poplar and other materials I find at the local hardware store. Solid wood adds $50 to the base price.

wenge exotic hardwood - Exotic hardwoods are the ideal choice for instruments. Their density and natural resonance make these drums sing. Options are almost unlimited as I have access to two specialty stores. Exotic hardwood adds $100 or more to the base price, depending on the species.

construction

While all of my drums are well constructed, some aesthetic options are available:

butt joint butt joints join the structure faces by simply butting them against each other, end grain to long grain. This option only looks nice with solid wood, as it can be rounded over to minimize the amount of exposed end grain. Butt joints add no extra cost.

quarter round nice join Quarter round joints join the structure faces with a cross grain strip, rounded for comfort, if you like. No end grain is exposed. Quarter round joints add $25 to the base price.

miter joints join the structure faces directly, giving the illusion of continuous wood grain from one face to the next. Edges can be rounded or not, it's your choice. Miter joints add $50 to the base price.

dovetail joints joins the structure faces in an alternating "castle top" pattern and is extremely sturdy. You have the option of using different kinds of wood on adjacent structure faces to highlight the dovetails. Dovetail joints add $75 to the base price.

finish

unfinished is ideal for the craftsman that would like to finish his drum on his own. This option is similar to going to a bald furniture store. This finish adds no extra cost.

painted the color of your choice. I only advise this option on plywood and pine. Other wood choices have natural beauty that shouldn't be covered. This finish adds $25 to the base price, and can be combined with lacquer.

stained the color of your choice. I only advise this option on plywood and pine. Other wood choices have natural beauty that shouldn't be covered. This finish adds $25 to the base price, and can be combined with lacquer or oil.

lacquer provides a hard, damage resistant coating. Most musical instruments have a thick coat of glossy or semi-glossy lacquer. This finish adds $25 to the base price.

high gloss oil is the preferred finish for beautiful wooden furniture, because while it protects the wood, it doesn't destroy the natural texture. Unlike lacquer, oiled wood still feels like wood. An oil finish also enhances the natural beauty of the wood. Additional coats in the future can be added directly, without needing to strip and refinish. This finish adds $50 to the base price.