Are you a player that likes Artisan drums? Do you like having something that is of superior quality and may be a bit more exclusive in nature…. There is not doubt in my mind that many of the US based drum builders make killer drums. In-fact 2 of them are making probably the best drums on the market… We know who they are I don't need to name names…. I find it interesting however that they both buy hides from the same guy. i find it strange that we would accept this from a builder of this caliber. Since the skin makes for a major percentage of the tone of the drum why not go for something proprietary.
Proprietary rawhide. interesting concept. L&H Percussion has an agreement with a tannery to follow a process that is minimally destructive , for lack of a better term.
I have recently seen 2 drum builders one new here in the US and one in Belize talk about having proprietary rawhide. I have not see the hides from Belize but he claims to “ tan” them in house. Now this a pretty crazy thought as I know the type of drums this guy produces. Glue lines poor measurements, roller marks on the stainless… just sloppy ( but he only wants to sell to rumberos, santeros, Omo Ana per an email shared on Conga place ). I can just see his hack crew taking rawskins and poorly dry them and allow for people to play on crap that will continue to decompose and smell or worse kill you due to anthrax…. But not to worry if you do buy a set from him you may never actually get it as he likes to take your money and run…..
The second drum builder with his proprietary rawhide has some crap on a poorly carved Del Cielo wanabe drum.. this crap was pretty much what you can get from Stern or Hide house. Not to mention that it was 3mm over to about 1.7mm with the worst tuck I've ever seen …Slight variation my ass…. it was bleached and looked like every other generic Steer hide.
The short of it is L&H Percussion has an exclusive agreement with a tannery that makes High End Leather for Italian furniture to make solely for L&H the best rawhide available in the US. They are a family business operation internationally and domestic for 30 yrs… They are the pros we just learned what works for drumming and gave them the formula while maintaining quality control here in the NY area. If you want to take your sound to new heights try L&H we can give you the best playing experience possible…
