i got this drum from a friend of mine to test out, since i want a dunnett drum, but don't really know *what* i want. that's the problem with custom drums; too many choices. :)

the drum in question is a 5x13 stainless steel snare, with 8 tube lugs and triple-flanged hoops. it also has a nickel drumworks throw-off. the drum came to me with an aquarian texture coated batter head, classic clear snare side head, and 24-strand puresound percussion snares. i may as well have set up the drum myself, because that's *exactly* what i'd use. :)

this drum is absolutely gorgeous. i was expecting the type of stainless steel shell that has visible lathing marks, which i really like, but this was a very pleasant surprise. the shell is plated in dunnett's "mirror finish." it shines like a jewel. another very nice touch is how dunnett etches his name into the shell; nothing huge and gaudy, just his last name in script. very clean; very classic. and the tube lugs looked perfect with the shell.

the throw-off is every bit the quality i'd expect from nickel drumworks. it feels very solid in its action. the only thing i didn't like about it (and this is purely an asthetic thing) is that the bulk of the throw-off on this drum is made of clear acrylic. although it was neat to see a nearly transparent snare throw-off (i've never seen one before), i think that a chrome one would look much better on this drum. but to each his own. the throw-off worked perfectly.

okay, let's get to what's really important - the SOUND. i could write an entire article on just the sound characteristics of this baby. being that it is a steel shell, the only sound characteristic i was expecting was "bright." and while it is a bright sounding drum, it has much more. this drum is a virtual well of tone. i used it for 3 hours in a rehearsal, and no matter how i tuned it, it always had something to offer. i started off by cranking it plywood-tight, and although it gave me all the pitch of a 13" drum, it had more body and sensitivity than any drum i have ever played in this size. snare response was very clear and present from the rim all the way to the center, and the drum has a rimshot that will tear your head off.

one thing i really like about this drum is that the bearing edges are really edges; lathed to a sharp edge. they aren't rolled over like most metal drums. i am positive that this real edge contributed a great deal to the drum's sensitivity and snap. ronn dunnett markets this feature in an ad with the title, "refuse to bend over". :-)

i began lowering the batter head tension in small increments, to see how much i could get away with, and this is where i truly became amazed. this drum has an incredible tuning range! everywhere from plywood-tight to gravel-loose, the drum always had something good to offer. so did the throw-off; it has great adjustability. everything from drum corps tight to journey-ballad loose. when backed down to a medium tension, the drum has a great "bark." this tone was present throughout its tuning range, but most predominant when tuning was at "fatback" level. and before you ask, yes, this 13-inch drum is quite capable of a fat backbeat. the "bark" (you could call it a "honk,") gave the drum a great, individual sound that truly makes this drum unique. last but not least, rim clicks were clear and sweet on this snare... another thing that i don't see too much of in 13" snare drums. and did i mention that this sucker's LOUD? at any tuning, it had no problem being heard over two 4x12 guitar cabs and the bass cabinet from hell.

a drum like this has to cost a fortune, right? well, the website lists all the options that can be added to a dunnett drum. anything from different shells (copper, titanium, solid & ply woods, fiberglass) to plating to engraving to different hoops. the cost for this drum, as per the dunnett website: $385.00. a GREAT price for what you're getting.

i am now a *thorough* believer in ronn dunnett's craftsmanship and attention to detail. if this beauty is any indication, there is a guy in canada who builds drums that every drummer should know about.

nick amoroso