Thank you, Matt.

"TreeHouse Drums made my dream kit a reality!"

View More Photos

"The design/build experience:
In late 2019, after years of playing an assortment of digital kits, I started looking for a company that could build what I wanted in a dream acoustic kit, without breaking my budget. In March 2020, my research into drum makers finished, I reached out to my top few picks to discuss what I thought I wanted. In the process of talking with each, I found that Jason at TreeHouse Drums responded with enthusiasm about the project and offered a number of suggestions on how best to proceed. Every step of the way, Jason and the TreeHouse team kept an eye on every detail, offering suggestions where I was uncertain and consistently following up to ensure the best possible outcome. The result was a design that not only met my budget but also exceeded what I had been dreaming for years about creating. I have to add that all of this was going on as the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic was ramping up, with some suppliers shutting down or reducing output (drum head makers, especially). Nevertheless, at each step, Jason and the TreeHouse team set expectations and offered options to meet my needs and stayed in contact on their progress. My place in the build queue secured, and the team keeping me updated on progress, I eagerly anticipated the day my dream kit would arrive.

The visual experience:
At last, the delivery day arrived: 9 very large boxes packed full of drums and hardware! Each drum is a work of beautiful form and function - stunning craftsmanship! I adore the simple beauty of natural maple and the Hardmatte finish further enhances the beauty, I feel. The set of tube toms look like they were carved out of solid trees - gorgeous! They are matched in beauty by the set of concert toms, the pair of concert bass toms, the 2 snare drums, and the awesome kick drum. I’ve spent a few weeks playing with several configurations - settling on what works best for me: a hybrid of the traditional and symmetrical layout. I will likely continue optimizing the layout by switching to a rack system in a few months - for now the stands work fine.

Most importantly: the sonic experience!
With 21 drums in this kit, it takes a bit of time to tune the drums, but oh boy!, they reward you for the effort !!! The 24” kick drum has a boom you feel in your chest. The concert bass toms at 18” and 20” provide an impressive compliment to the low end. The set of concert toms have the sharp attack I remember fondly from Kiss in the 70’s and Phil Collins in the 80’s. The set of 8” tube toms provide that unique crack in the attack accompanied by a lovely, warm tone behind it. And those snare drums!!! at 14 and a 12 inches respectively - with snares off they sound like the best timbales I’ve ever owned and with snares on they have a crisp response, clean articulation for jazz, and a mean punch when you lay into them for rock/metal. Using a hybrid symmetrical layout, I have high, mid and low tonal palettes on both right and left sides - opening up new options in rhythmic expression.

Bottom line:
I am delighted!  This was worth every penny, and well worth the effort. The TreeHouse team are awesome at their craft and are so easy to work with. I have some ideas for a few more things I’d like to add to this dream kit in the coming year and I will definitely be working with the TreeHouse team to make it happen.
I’ve included 2 pics of the kit in my home studio, all in a big circle with my current digital kit, keyboard, malletKat and effects rack.  
​
I love it!"

Matt Turner
San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA