2016 A&F Custom Kit
A&F CUSTOM KIT 2016-2024
DRUMS
A&F DRUMS
22” x 10” Single Tension Raw Brass Bass Drum / Mahogany Hoops #11230
16” x 10” Single Tension Raw Brass Floor Tom / Mahogany Hoops #11225
13” x 6” Single Tension Raw Brass Bass Drum / Mahogany Hoops #11226
14" x 6.5" Raw Brass Snare #11054 14" x 4" Dual Tension Mahogany Club 10 lug Snare # 11112
12" x 3" Rude Boy Unique Custom Untreated Matte Brass Finish Snare #16056
10” x 3” Rude Boy Brass Snare #12487
6" x 4" Raw Steel Micro Snare with Internal Snares, Brass Hoops #14013
THRONE
A&F Jonesy Brown-Diamond Tufted Brown Italian Saddle Leather Throne.
PERCUSSION
Matt Nolan 27" Batwing Gong
Melanie Tri-Fantom drums 6", 8" & 10"
1920's Temple Blocks
Remo Roto Toms
ELECTRONICS
Yamaha EAD10
Yamaha XP100SD 3-Zone 10" Snare Drum Trigger
Duaz 6" Pads x 2
CYMBALS
M.Yamamoto
20" Crash Ride 1783g Custom Signed 'Spizzclone' (25/10/17)
UFIP
19" Bionic Crash 1876g 2704583
14" Bionic Hi-Hats 1212/1408g 26000834/2600083
12" Class Hi-Hats 310/1000g 2704439/2704440
8" Class Splash 210g M 2300505
8" Class Splash 165g L 2304289
Ibrahim Diril
7" D Series Bell
6" Rawbell Shiny Series Splash
Zildjian
18" Spiral Trash Crash
Stagg
DH 12" China
BACKGROUND
I’m truly blessed to own an incredible collection of vintage, classic and modern drum sets.
There is something so very different about kits of old in the days when production numbers were not as important as creating something special.
I have owned and played many modern kits and only one had ever come close to being my own 'signature' set.
In 2016, a new drum company appeared on the scene and from the outset, the A&F Drum Company came at kit building from a whole new, yet retro angle with most kits made from metal!
Wow, would those ever be heavy was my reaction and I posted as much on Facebook and to my surprise, the owner of the company reached out to me to explain that these brass, bronze, and steel sets were in fact lighter than almost every wood-based kits.
That showed class and a professionalism that you don't often see and hear, especially from the company owner!
Since that day, I had researched and continued to study A&F drums from afar, that was until October 2021.
I was working with the legendary drummer Nick D'Virgilio and his band, Big Big Train. We got talking about my collection and I asked him about A&F who he had reviewed extremely favourably.
Working at Sweetwater, Nick had access to the drums, so he kindly agreed to bring over one, a tiny 6" x 4" Raw Steel Micro with internal snares, and brass hoops.
Needless to say, I fell in love with it, so I started to look more closely about which of their kits matched what I wanted from my own 'Signature' set. There in lay the beauty, you can in effect, build your own set and they will custom build it for you.
December 1st, I was at home with some unexpected time on my hands, so my thoughts were again on A&F, and I was viewing items, reviews and generally doing research on the drums.
Suddenly my eyes stumbled upon an advert from a UK based drum shop (that I had somehow never heard of?!) and to my amazement, featured was a pre-owned A&F set in the exact configuration and brass series that I was already, (as a seldom playing drummer,) trying to justify to myself.
A fraction of the cost, (especially as there would be no shipping, VAT and import charges!) there was a rush of adrenalin as I contacted the store to see if the set was still available!
To my amazement, the kit was indeed still available, so I instantly hit the buy it now button, and within minutes, I was in my car and headed to London. By midnight, I was back home and setting up the core of my new A&F set!
Now seriously, come on. Honestly, have you ever seen a more beautiful work of art drum set?! No is the correct answer!
These single tension Raw Brass drums are not only packing a hefty dose of pre twentieth century wood drum design, but the styling is also ultra-modern chic, with the raw brass just oozing class and that's even before you play them!
Sonically, oh my, the tones simply melted in my ears! Wide open, they sang like nothing I had played before, and I instantly knew my mind & creative genes were in total overload.
This stunning A&F custom Raw Brass / Steel set with a Mahogany Club 10 lug snare would now form the heart of my 'signature' set and truly, I felt blessed and honoured to own such a beautiful set of drums.
After owning and often being frustrated by many kits, I never expected that moment to come, yet there I sat well into the night, just noodling and each time I stopped and walked away, I would look back, audibly gasp, and sit right back down and play again. That has never happened before.
Fast forward, and I naturally had to add some Raw Brass snares to give me options in that department. These were a 14" x 6.5" Raw Brass and a 10” x 3” Rude Boy Brass.
I continued to talk privately with A&F's founder, Ramy Antoun who some of you may know had previously worked and toured with the Black-Eyed Peas and Seal, along with sessions for Paul Simon, James Taylor, Willie Nelson, and Bonnie Raitt, among others.
Ramy's passion for vintage drums matched my own and following a number of discussions, he kindly invited me to visit the factory just outside of Austin, Texas.
We met on a beautiful day in late November of 2022. Both he and his staff, could not have made myself and my girlfriend more welcome, and of course, I knew I would not be able to leave empty handed!
Following spinal surgery at the start of the year, for me, one of A&F's signature elite drum thrones was a must!
The Jonesy Brown-Diamond Tufted Brown Italian Saddle Leather (inspired by the old Harley Indian motorcycle seat) was my choice.
Handmade with Italian Saddle Leather and reinforced with heavy-duty thread stitching, the sides are meticulously stitched and with the logo embossed on each side.
A solid piece of high-density cooling tempurpedic foam is at the core, making it extremely breathable with extra rebound to retain the Jonesy's shape. It is without doubt, the most comfortable (not to mention beautiful) drum throne I have ever placed my derrière upon!
Before we left the factory, I was given the opportunity to play Ramy's own exceptionally beautiful and creatively inspiring A&F set featuring the incredible North Star cymbals.
To be completely honest, I was overwhelmed. Massively aware of my lack of talent / practice (I hadn't played in 2 years) and in total awe of the kit and its owner. It must have sounded horrible, but Ramy remained as gracious as ever though and what an absolute honour and rush to play that incredible set!
One last surprise was in store, as Ramy had also kindly arranged for me to visit their showhouse in the centre of Austin, so we departed after an amazing few hours, both stunned by our host's kindness and wonderful hospitality.
Downtown, we met with Chris Mead, who again, could not have been more welcoming to us.
There were many A&F sets on display, and I was invited to try whatever I wanted, however, not wishing to take up too much of Chris' time, I made a direct line to try out the then, hot of the production line, proto-type Featherweight kit!
The Featherweight Series is A&F's lightest set of drums made from a special mix of aluminium. Snares and Rack Toms weigh 3.6-4.5lbs, Floor Toms 7-8.5 lbs and bass drums 10-14lbs - That is roughly half the weight of a normal wood set!!!
I enjoyed the kit immensely. It was perhaps less open than my A&F making it slightly more defined in the attack. On a personal level, the weight given my spinal issues, it is a kit made in Heaven and something very much on my radar! It is even in my favourite (Texas) burnt orange natural finish !
Through 2023, whenever my extensive tour work allowed, I was back behind my now 'signature' A&F set, and with the additions that I have made around those beautiful A&F drums, it remains the most inspiring set of drums that I have owned.
UPDATE
In early April of 2024, Ramy and I were again in contact, and I was kindly offered this truly unique snare that had just been made. There was no hesitation in my mind about adding it to the collection.
A beautiful totally one off 12" x 3" Rude Boy snare in a stunning untreated matte brass finish and I can't wait to receive it.
As I will also soon to be back in Texas, I look forward to meeting up with Ramy once again, especially as there could be another A&F set on the horizon!
Please do go and check out A&F Drums. Sonically and aesthetically, there are no other drums on offer at this level of retro modern chic design and sonic brilliance! www.anfdrumco.com
2021 Groove Custom Pancake
2010 Custom E-Drums
MODULE:
2Box DrumIt Five Module
Roland RT Triggers
DRUMS:
18" x 7" Tama Club Jam Bass drum
12" 2Box DrumIt Five SnarePad
14" x 7" Tama Club Jam floor Tom
12" x 5" Tama Club Jam Snare / Floor Tom
10" x 6.5" Tama Club Jam Tom Tom
10" x 4" Tama Mini-Tymp
8" x 4" Tama Mini-Tymp
CYMBALS:
Custom Zildjian Gen16 JMan 20" Ride
Custom Zildjian Gen16 JMan 14" Hi-Hats
Smartrigger 16" Crash Ride
Smartrigger 14" China
Smartrigger 13" Crash
Smartrigger 13 Crash
BACKGROUND:
My electronic drum journey has spanned many decades and I embraced the concept fully.
From the early Roland drum machines in the 1980’s, through the majority of Roland TD kits from the TD-3 through to the TD-20 as well as Yamaha sets, I owned them all.
In 2008, I set up my own electronic drum retail company, ‘eDrum Attic’ which over the five years, grew to a renowned international company.
Long the way in 2010, I found an early 2Box DrumIt open sound drum system module and their sampled sounds in the module were so far beyond anything Roland was offering.
I purchased a full set and was so impressed I became an official retailer for the brand and by the end of year two, I was in the top 3 retailers of the brand.
By 2013, a shift in the market and a 3 week contract to Tour Manage Phil Collins’ son Simon changed everything.
That three week contract just kept extending and led to me managing Simon’s personal and professional career. Something had to give and I decided to close eDrum Attiic.
For a few years, I had used the DrumIt Five module (which I had modified) with a Mapex acoustic set with mesh heads and that kit saw me through three years of high level function band shows.
Over the years I have used many types of drums and cymbals with the module, but as of 2020, this is a set I am very happy with.
It gives me a mix of acoustic low volume cymbals with that real feel that trigger sampled cymbals and a smaller foot print ‘large’ set of seven drums and six cymbals.
It isn’t a replacement for an acoustic kit, It offers me something different and I have even recorded with it using Cubase.
A very nice set to have in the collection.
1950s Gretsch Birdland Original!
1950s GRETSCH CADILLAC GREEN 'BIRDLAND' ROUND BADGE 'BOP' SET If you have any questions about this kit, please contact me.
DRUMS:
20 x 14" Bass Drum
16 x 16" Floor Tom
13 x 9" Tom Tom
ADDITIONAL ITEMS:
DRUMS
14 x 5.5" Gretsch 1960's Round Badge 'Name Band' Model 4157 in Mahogany.
HARDWARE
Gretsch 1950's Snare Drum Stand
Gretsch 1960's Hi-hat
Gretsch 1960's Cymbal Stand
Slingerland Bass Drum L Cymbal Arm
CYMBALS
Avedis Zildjian 1950’s 15” Hi-Hat Cymbals “small stamp” Light T901g & B931g
Avedis Zildjian 1970’s20” Avedis Zildjian Sizzle Ride 3 rivets
Avedis Zildjian 1970’s20” Avedis Zildjian Crash
BACKGROUND:
There are rare drum sets and then there is the Gretsch 'Birdland' Cadillac Green, 'Round Badge' drum set!
There are so many different factors that make up why this is such an iconic kit, it is almost, where do you begin? You could indeed, pick any of these!
*Only 50 were ever produced between 1953 - 1959.
*Less than a dozen sets are currently now exist.
*Only two are known to reside here in the UK.
*This 'Birdland' 'Bop' set configuration is a very rare find!
*The hardware was astonishingly, 24-carat-gold-plated.
*Built by Gretsch to be the 'house kit' at the legendary Birdland Jazz Club at 1678 Broadway, New York City.
*Every famous drummer of the era, from Art Blakey, Charlie Persip, Elvin Jones and "Philly" Joe Jones would play these kits.
*A non catalog set of drums that few drummers at the time of release could only dream to aspire to.
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I acquired this beautiful and very rare set of drums on October 27th, 2021 from my good friend Mark at Rusty Drums.
With regard to the history of these drums and this particular set, it is, shall we say, evolving all the time, so I will date the most recent update at the end of the article.
Jumping back in time, in the 1950's, the Gretsch drum company were very proactive with regard to promoting their products as thanks to the vision of head of A&R Phil Grant, the rise of what was labelled 'Modern Jazz' saw many of the world's top drummers sat behind a Gretsch set.
Slingerland had ruled the 'Big Band' era but now there was another company wearing the crown. As the drum sizes reduced to accommodate the in favour jazz trio, the 'hip' drummers wanted something new and were discovering Gretsch had the sound they were looking for and 'That great Gretsch sound' motto was born.
2018 Custom George Way Walnut
>br.GEORGE H. WAY
SIGNATURE WALNUT DRUM SET If you have any questions about this kit, please contact me.
DRUMS:
20 x 14" Bass Drum
16 x 16" Floor Tom
14 x 10" Tom Tom
12 x 8" Tom Tom
10 x 8" Tom Tom
CYMBALS:
ADDITIONAL ITEMS:
I custom ordered this kit on March 8th, 2018 but unfortunately, it was almost a year before I was able to finally take delivery!
A fabulous set of drums and only my second custom order set of which, ironically the first (in 1985) I never got to play even once!....
If you have any questions about the kit, please contact me.
