Po' Boy Drums : Real

The Story:

A few years ago I was looking to upgrade my drum set. I shopped retail outlets, online services and tested many brand-name, well advertised kits - but they did not live up to my expectations. I soon realized that to get what I wanted through the usual outlets I would have to pay 3 to 5 thousand dollars. I decided there had to be a way to get a high quality set for a reasonable price.

Through research, some connections I had with my wine business and a little luck, I found a way to design my own. I got what I wanted without paying the high prices of a custom drum house.

I love my set so much, I want to share it with you.
That's why I started Po Boy Drums.

Since then Po Boy Drums has been as dynamic as any drum company could be. We are a family of drummers with every range of talent. With the support of these talented musicians our products have grown into the unique, high quality equipment you would expect from large custom houses. But the best part is, we keep it real. Po Boy Drums is about you the drummer...not about our own ego or that of our endorsers.  We pride ourselves on listening to you the customer, about what it is you want.

Let’s face it, not only do we want to create a family of drummers, but we want you to find something you can afford, and that meets your playing needs. Our kits range from the popular, (not to mention punchy) Jimmy-C series to our Professional A.M.Y. Custom Series.  We design our Jimmy-C kits to meet our critical specifications. Our A.M.Y Custom Series are made in the USA and is hand crafted the way you want it.  Regardless of your playing needs, we use high quality materials, hardware and tools to make each kit a Po Boy.

To find out more about our products, check out the rest of our website. Have questions? Call or E-mail us! You can find the information on the contact page!

Tony Chadwick - Owner and founder of Po Boy Drums

So what is the Po Boy Standard???

Shells: 

Po Boy Drums is proud to say that the shells are made with the highest quality woods that are currently available on the market.  While we know maple is great…it is the fact that not all maple is created equal that spurred us into finding our own wood and our own artisan to craft the shells for us.  To further set ourselves apart, Po Boy Drums is committed to using only sustainable sources of wood whenever it is possible.  We understand the need for this and try our hardest to purchase in the most sustainable way that is possible.  Finally, with respect to exotic species, Po Boy Drums understands that most exotic species of wood are very rare, and many are on the endangered species list…so we will no longer use exotic woods unless they are certified sustainable or are from privately purchased deadfall timber. 

Wooden Shells:

In terms of shells it is very simple:  we use our well know hybrid Birch / Maple shells as our main shell artistic medium.  We feel it is acoustically better in live situations, and is definitely becoming one of our best known products without a doubt.  We are more than happy to make solid species shells (i.e. all maple or all birch) but this is by request only.  We have also started using the famous Keller brand in the making of our CC Vintage series, The Mahogany / Poplar shells are unbelievable in tone and character, and really fit perfectly into the Po Boy Drums line up by offering an interesting alternative to our traditional shells for those of you who are looking for a vintage feel, tone and sound.

Our standard thickness is 6 ply for the toms, 8 ply for the kick drum, and 10 ply for the snare unless otherwise requested.  In developing our product line we have concluded that these are the optimum shells for our drums and the sound you desire.  The lamination style and amount of each species is something we consider a trade secret…so please do not ask!  The shells we make show outstanding attack, resonance and warmth that cannot be achieved with any single species. 

All of our shells come standard with a double 45 degree bearing edge with a slight round over to further highlight the warmth and musicality of our shells.  We can also do a sharp double 45, a single 45, and a classic round over for no additional charge.  Finally…Po Boy Drums is happy to now offer any drum kit you desire made with single or multiple species stave shells for an additional charge. 

Metal and others shells: 

Po Boy Drums is proud to also offer copper, aluminum, titanium, hammered brass, nickel brass, bronze, yellow brass, pamphor brass, carbon steel, stainless steel, acrylic  and carbon fiber snare drums.  The only thing limiting your sound when it comes to snares is your imagination!  If you can dream it up…and it is physically possible…we can make it happen for you! 

Finishes: 

Po Boy Drums is happy to make your drums in any finish you could imagine but our standard is our proprietary textured satin gloss finish that we have been perfecting for four years.  The result is a drum that is classic and different while still retaining a more “antique” feel and look that sets us apart from all of the other “high gloss” finishes in the market.  This finish is produced in part with a soy based acrylic finish that aids us in our goals of being more environmentally conscious and friendly.  We are proud of this finish and have had unbelievable feedback on the final product!  In addition to our naturally finished drums we also offer full color custom drum skins, a full complement of wraps in glitters, pearls, and solids and can even do specialty fabric wraps if you desire.  We are constantly looking for wraps that are thinner and more conducive to making the resonance of the drums speak and express their tone more musically.

Hardware: 

For our standard hardware Po Boy Drums features isolation mounts on toms and floor toms, 2.3 mm super hoops, single point low mass lugs, die cast telescoping bass drum spurs, and linear motion easy to use snare throws that we feel are lighter weight and simpler in construction.  All of our hardware is available standard in chrome with black, brass and powder coated hardware available for an additional fee. 

Why buy Po Boy drums?

We offer high quality products for the price the average drummer wants to pay. Many professional quality drums are far too expensive. Typically, modestly priced drums warp, crack and don't resonate well. Our drums solve both theses problems. We use only the highest quality woods and our unique air-sealing lamination process assures they won't easily warp or crack, yet still resonate clearly.

We guarantee what you buy.

Often large companies care more about profit that about you. We do not pay endorsers; we do not pay drum magazines. We just make the best sounding drums we can for the lowest price we can offer them for. If you are not happy with any of our products send them back to us within 30 days in like new condition and we will refund your purchase price minus shipping costs without a hassle.

Need credibility?

Our drums are made in the same factories as many of the top, expensive, flagship brands you see advertised in your favorite drum magazine.

Visit our store for a complete listing of our products