Metro Drums.

Just thought I'd share his beautiful work:
(and I place I can rant about my decision)
These are totally handmade custom drums made by Paul at Metro Drums. Located in Deception Bay, Queensland, Australia Paul constructs all his shells himself, whether it be ply, stave or segment. He then also applies his own finishes, exotic, wrap lacquer; you name it, he will try. He has very reasonable prices, especially good considering his craftsmanship and attention to detail. I am also told that he is a lovely, down-to-earth, kind guy in person. So here I will leave you quite a few pictures of his work:

Forgot the best. If I am to buy one this would most likely be the finish/material:

What material would that be? And would it be ply or stave?

It's a blackwood stave kit. I'm not sure if I'd go with a stave, I'd hate to see the price. Most likely ply.

Have you heard any blackwood drums before?

I'm really unsure of what to get if/when I get a Metro. I'm pretty sure of the sizes I want, but I still haven't made up my mind on the material. I was always set on jarrah, but now I'm starting to think about plain old maple, maybe even african mahogany. It'll be ply though, no matter what.

And do you know if Paul charges more for an exotic outer veneer? Like if I got jarrah burl (for example) over a maple shell, would that cost extra? I know that it's more for a gloss lacquer than a satin, but would it be more for a satin veneer than a clear or stained satin?

I really have no idea. You'd need to email him. I only have information from the quote I received. Why, getting idea's?
I'm really on the fence, it would be a big decision. And take a lot of planning, and money etc. But it would be worth it.

InSight. wrote:Why, getting idea's?

I'm always getting ideas

I'd probably already have a Metro kit by now, along with alot of other stuff, if it weren't for my parents. My mum wouldn't really mind it, but my dad is always trying to talk me out of buying things. If i didn't listen to him, I'd buy a lot more stuff.

Got any tips for getting your parents to let you buy stuff. Really, it is my own money, and I'm a few days away from turning 18, but they are just trying to stop me from spending my money on something I don't necessarily need.

1. I really like the segmented shell kit, it's beautiful.

2. I like how on the orange and blue snare, he finished the inside as well.

Matt wrote:1. I really like the segmented shell kit, it's beautiful.

2. I like how on the orange and blue snare, he finished the inside as well.

So do I, and those hoops just finish it perfectly.

I don't think he did, as you can see, he only finished inside the vents, and if you look under the one you can see the natural shell just.

oh, well then, i like that he finished inside the vents. haha

These look sexy.

Great looking drums ! I especially love the "butcher block" style one!

Levi. wrote:

InSight. wrote:Why, getting idea's?

I'm always getting ideas

I'd probably already have a Metro kit by now, along with alot of other stuff, if it weren't for my parents. My mum wouldn't really mind it, but my dad is always trying to talk me out of buying things. If i didn't listen to him, I'd buy a lot more stuff.

Got any tips for getting your parents to let you buy stuff. Really, it is my own money, and I'm a few days away from turning 18, but they are just trying to stop me from spending my money on something I don't necessarily need.

I totally looked over and missed this post this-morning. Along with your other one.

A drum kit is a hone of the, well, drum kit. Perhaps use the excuse that you really want to pursue your musical talent on the side, and in doing so you'd need something more, umm, musical friendly.
My parents have always been all for my drumming and music, always encouraging me etc. They've also really helped me out financially (mostly my grandparents for a matter-of-fact). That was until I acquired a job back in December, and since I have bought every component on my kit. Basically everything's mine except the actually kit/shells it's self. Not a bad feat for a 15 going on 16-year-old.

Levi. wrote:Have you heard any blackwood drums before?

I'm really unsure of what to get if/when I get a Metro. I'm pretty sure of the sizes I want, but I still haven't made up my mind on the material. I was always set on jarrah, but now I'm starting to think about plain old maple, maybe even african mahogany. It'll be ply though, no matter what.

Well to be honest, I don't have a great deal of an idea. Hence why I was thinking to perhaps have the blackwood as an outer-veneer over a maple shell. But then again, I'd love to have something exotic. Something that not a great deal of people have, there's not reason why maple is better than the rest. It was once poplar, and look at that, they've persuaded their customs into thinking thats a beginner wood (depending on where the poplar originates).
I guess I'll just keep thinking, I have school-holidays so I'll most likely shoot Paul some emails with idea's that always arise with boredom.

Matt wrote:oh, well then, i like that he finished inside the vents. haha

(IMO) that is one of the most hideous drums I've ever seen. Why anyone would want such a drum is past me, but I definitely like Pauls attention to detail. The finish looks so very smooth.

InSight. wrote:
Well to be honest, I don't have a great deal of an idea. Hence why I was thinking to perhaps have the blackwood as an outer-veneer over a maple shell. But then again, I'd love to have something exotic. Something that not a great deal of people have, there's not reason why maple is better than the rest. It was once poplar, and look at that, they've persuaded their customs into thinking thats a beginner wood (depending on where the poplar originates).
I guess I'll just keep thinking, I have school-holidays so I'll most likely shoot Paul some emails with idea's that always arise with boredom.

I've emailed Paul a few times, in one I asked about what wood he would recommend. He said just plain maple would be good for a nice, versatile warm tone, or a maple/bluegum combination. So many great sounding kits use maple. There's so many combinations you could do. I may even do like a Saturn, 4 plies maple 2 plies walnut. Or we could even get ref specs. I think I'm going to email him now and ask about the price of the outer veneers and the cost of different woods.

InSight. wrote:
(IMO) that is one of the most hideous drums I've ever seen. Why anyone would want such a drum is past me, but I definitely like Pauls attention to detail. The finish looks so very smooth.

I agree. That's one of only a few Metros that I have disliked. Most are just so classy and exotic, and this is something you'd see from any old Keller custom shop, although he did make the shell. He did do a great job on it though.

Levi. wrote:

InSight. wrote:
Well to be honest, I don't have a great deal of an idea. Hence why I was thinking to perhaps have the blackwood as an outer-veneer over a maple shell. But then again, I'd love to have something exotic. Something that not a great deal of people have, there's not reason why maple is better than the rest. It was once poplar, and look at that, they've persuaded their customs into thinking thats a beginner wood (depending on where the poplar originates).
I guess I'll just keep thinking, I have school-holidays so I'll most likely shoot Paul some emails with idea's that always arise with boredom.

I've emailed Paul a few times, in one I asked about what wood he would recommend. He said just plain maple would be good for a nice, versatile warm tone, or a maple/bluegum combination. So many great sounding kits use maple. There's so many combinations you could do. I may even do like a Saturn, 4 plies maple 2 plies walnut. Or we could even get ref specs. I think I'm going to email him now and ask about the price of the outer veneers and the cost of different woods.

InSight. wrote:
(IMO) that is one of the most hideous drums I've ever seen. Why anyone would want such a drum is past me, but I definitely like Pauls attention to detail. The finish looks so very smooth.

I agree. That's one of only a few Metros that I have disliked. Most are just so classy and exotic, and this is something you'd see from any old Keller custom shop, although he did make the shell. He did do a great job on it though.

I'd like to incorporate maple, but I'd also like to have exotic ply's. Perhaps a blackwood/maple/blackwood or something. Please share his response. I'd also like to ask him how much fairly simple maple wood hoops with a finish applied would be. Because if I were to order I'd most definitely like to incorporate wood hoops. Whether I'd get finished hoops by Paul or drummaker.com hoops I'm unsure until I find prices. There's so many things I must consider, such as the lugs also, and the shell configuration.

OK Ash, I just emailed Paul. I asked about whether an outer veneer will cost more than just a regular finish, whether different woods cost more and if combinations of woods will cost more.

Oh, I also asked about your hoops. I just asked for the price of a set of 10" and 14" finished maple Yamaha style hoops.

Levi. wrote:OK Ash, I just emailed Paul. I asked about whether an outer veneer will cost more than just a regular finish, whether different woods cost more and if combinations of woods will cost more.

Oh, I also asked about your hoops. I just asked for the price of a set of 10" and 14" finished maple Yamaha style hoops.

Cheers man. Thanks heaps! Reputation for you.

No worries, thanks. It would be really cool if I get a reply tonight, but i don't expect it, hopefully tomorrow. How long did he take to reply to your emails?

Levi. wrote:No worries, thanks. It would be really cool if I get a reply tonight, but i don't expect it, hopefully tomorrow. How long did he take to your emails?

Well for me he replied that night, stating he'd email me the quote the next morning. Two days later I emailed him requesting the quote and he finally replied