Here is my horrific experience with John Rose of Vaughncraft.

i ordered a cherry drum set 12/13/14/18 with cherry re rings in april. John was very responsive and told me he was in good shape to produce the shells in 5 - 6 weeks. I went ahead and paypaled him the amount of $1.785 minus 5% for pre-paying the entire amount.

After the money was transferred, the communication started to become more spare. i did not get any response for my emails anymore. i just needed to know if he cuts edges/drills holes himself. still don't know. then, after about a month john responded, he was "really backed up with projects right now". i was just very happy to hear from him, so i decided to have my edges cut by Drumfoundry. I went ahead and payed for all the edges, drilling, because i thought the shells should be done soon.

then, after 3 month i finally got a email from vaughncraft, which stated: Everything is bent and glued up. Vacation next week and will finish in the two weeks after that. No words from john for another month. Then end of july, i received another mail from john, stating that he had a lot of projects come in and he will ship my shells Juli 21st.

Nothing from John Vaughncraft again. Finally, beginning of August now, i heard back from John, he still had to install the re rings. Finally, middle of September, i got the tracking number for the shells going straight to Drumfoundry for drilling and edges. I'm very patient and was just very happy to finally (after 5 month instead of 5 weeks) receive my dream drum set.

Then the not so good news from Drumfoundry (the exact email):

Also please be aware that there is a visible crack at the seam on the bass drum. Also, the seam on the bass drum halves (right down the center of the bass shell) has noticeable gaps. Shell wall thickness are varying throughout all the shells. I'll forward pictures. When you talk with them, ask them if you purchased A stock or B stock. If you know you purchased A stock, this shell pack does not reflect that. My apologies for sounding harsh, but I know that you are expecting the drum kit of your dreams. I don't want to do my end of the work only to have you disappointed overall. From what I can see, there are issues of tear and cracks out on the surface of the shells, seams are crooked and gaps are present between the two section of the bass shell. If you'd like any other specific photos, please let me know I can forward more at your request.

I received the pictures, and was shocked. the varying thickness of the shell walls is easy to see, even on the pics. Any Drumbuilder knows how bad that is for sound and resonance. The holes in the shells (especially the bass drum) were filled up with putty!!@#$# A big gab where the drum - halves join, and lots of cracks, not just surface cracks, deep ones, running across the shells and down the seams. The outside of the shells was scratched, dinged up and the opposite of smooth, what i expected from the pictures on Vaughncraft.com. I told John several times, I won't accept cracked shells, he responded "of course not, everything is great looking"

I finally talked to John and he told me the cracks would be normal. (all of a sudden) He could not say anything about the shell thickness and the putty. he stated, the bass drum was the only drum, he was "disappointed" with.

i had the shells send back. Then the "no response" started back up. After sending countless emails/calls, John finally came back to me, asking for my paypal account. I just send him all the info twice just days before.

That was the last I''ve heard from John. $1700 is a lot of money for me, it took me a while to save up for that.

I've dealt with small custom shops before, even had a stave shell delivered cracked (Thanks FedEx) but got refunded, and always was able to contact and talk to the builders.

I can't reach John via Phone or email, he just does not return my calls. After checking the internet, i saw many more people who have experienced the exact same thing with Vaughncraft.

DO NOT BUY VAUGHNCRAFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is now Dec 7. John Rose (Vaughncraft) did not return my calls or emails.

Last time i tried calling him, he just hung up on me.

Pic 1- 12" tom.you can see the 12" tom. it has a big crack in the wood. there is no seam, it is the wood that is cracked. notice the surface of the wood, dinged scrached and big dips in it. i looks like it has been pulled out of a dumpster.

pic 2 - 14" floor tom. big crack starting where halfs join. notice the hole filled with putty, where crack starts.

pic 3 - inside of the bass drum, holes and gaps just filled up with putty

pic4 - bass drum outside. noticeable gaps where halfs join. check rugged surface.

pic 5 - 14" floor tom. noticeable gaps where the halfs join.

pic6 wall thickness varies throughout shells. notice the wall thickness being thick on one side and thin on the other

pic 7 13" tom. notice the crack starting at the seam in the middle of the shell.

pic 8 inside 12" seam filled with putty. notice the dings and small cracks at the re rings.