Perhaps in your opinion, but I for one must respectfully disagree. Drum tech is a low level technical term and totally devoid of art of any kind. Just because someone one happens to admire is called a drum tech for one of his several occupations does not make that particular name applicable to every aspect of his professional life, and I would hope not the one of which he is most proud.

By contrast, Luthier is known first and foremost as an artist, the technical aspect is far down the list. Drum tech is a roadie specializing in drums. Most drum techs I know barely even know what a bearing edge is, much less how to cut one, and none of them know how to calculate a wrap size from pi or how to size a graphic so it fits properly on a drum between the lugs. That's art and engineering, not merely the work of a technician. Those of us who dabble in these arts deserve a more accurate and respectful term than that of a mere technician.

I'll respond to the last part of your response first. I have built high end drums myself, and Have restored high end vintage drums for 35 years. Now to the beginning of your response Luthier has Nothing to do with drums at all. I well know what the term means, I play guitar and bass, also collect and sale vintage guitars /bass/amps. The definition I used with John Aldridge was his description of himself right from his web site I am personal friends with him. He is one of the top drum techs in the world, It would not insult him in the least too be called a drum tech, but he wears many hats so when he is engraving he would call himself an engraver, and so on, Also Jeff Ocheltree is the same way John Bonhams Drum tech, Jeff builds drums also it also is not an insult too him either. The way drum tech rubs you up the straights is the same way peeps call them self professional drummers, Playing in a local or regional band is not professional as you are not making your living as through that means. A professional drummer is a person whom does that full time not part time. Also Dan erlewine is one of the top guitar luthiers in the world, He worked on a 1962 Fender stratocaster for me back in the early 80's Dan when working for a pro guitar player would have no problem with being called a guitar tech, Top guitar/amp or drum techs, can and are able to do all aspects of what is required to keep the instruments in top working condition. So to all this fine call yourself a drum builder then, But the drum techs I personally know can do anything required to a drum.

I own a drums only shop and work as a tech for many big and small bands studio's , live concert events indoors out doors and arena's. One thing is for sure when customers spend good money on getting "THAT SOUND" or getting that "FIX" they don't call their good buddy with a drum kit in their basment or gear haulin roadies or lol a Luthier!! mon ami they call or go looking for a drum tech!!!! cause that's what we do. my :2Cents:

Respectfully, I would submit that namedropping and citing anecdotal stories is really not a compelling argument strategy. This is not about what people like to call themselves, it's about what terminology is most apropos. A term like drum tech is devoid in it's connotation of anything the least bit artistic. Simply because some people of stature like to adopt that moniker for themselves does not lend credulity to the argument. We can go off on irrelevant tangents like who calls themselves a professional musician (really can't see how that is relevant to anything we are discussing here), or we can have a reasoned on topic dialogue.

In any case, I think the key to my point is well illustrated by your final sentence. "the drum techs I personally know can do anything required to a drum". That's a very technical description. Being an artist, which I would consider any musical instrument designer/builder to be, reaches beyond the mundane technical knowledge into more esoteric realms. It's not only about doing what is "required", it's also about having the taste to select which sound to produce, or which appearance to create. That is the difference between the technical and the artistic. One is a matter of rote, one is a matter of taste. And I do believe that by simply calling ourselves technicians we dramatically short change ourselves of what we really are capable of.

Did someone suggest that we call ourselves a buddy in the basement or a luthier? I must have missed that part of the thread.

The name dropping as you like to term it was a big point you seem to have missed, these people are at the top of their fields they themselves call themselves, drum techs/ guitar techs/amp techs they are working for the biggest most famous artist on the planet. you are the one phrasing luthier which is from the string instrument industry. I used Dan Erlewine as an example, there is no bigger name in the guitar luthier camp than Dan but yet when he is working for a band he himself calls himself a guitar tech, You can belittle the term all you want to , but the fact still remains the name has already been chosen by those whom do it for a real living. I'm not trying to start a fight over this. you think it is a cut down but those whom do it Professionally have coined this phrase with pride. The artist that these people work for chose them do to the fact that they are at the top of their chosen professions. Here are some terms that are used now by various people. Drumsmith, drum builder, custom drum builder, and Drum Tech. I copy and pasted this from another well known person in the drum industry using the word designation already used and accepted by the professionals.

from Cherie Willoughby

if anyone is looking for a tour manager/drum tech for upcoming fall tours, let me know as I am available.

I used the word luthier only for comparison's sake. It's a time honored term that has more than a thousand years of history behind it. It connotes a high art form in every respect. I don't think it's unreasonable that as drum builders a comparable term should exist. Also make no mistake, I am not by any means trying to belittle drum techs, nor the term. I'm simply saying it's not really the best term to describe the artist who creates drums.

I think it's rather telling that most of the examples you mentioned work for bands and musicians. That is the very point I'm trying to make. Drum tech is perfectly descriptive of these professionals. But it's not the term used in the literature of most custom drum building shops. Tribes, C & C, SJC, even Billy Blast, I can't find the words drum tech in any of their literature. But I do find the words builder and drum builders. Also probably the largest website dedicated to the drum building community is GhostNote, and it clearly calls itself "The drum builder's community" not the drum tech community.

So my argument and point stands. Drum tech is primarily used to describe someone who practices his craft in support of a specific musician or group of musicians. Drum builder seems to be used primarily to describe someone who designs and builds drums in support of no one in particular, but rather in support of their own art.

I am well aware of Ghostnote and your correct that is the term they use. The people that I mentioned are top drum builders John Aldridge is the top engraver for Ludwig Drum company, and he build custom drums. http://vintagedrumshop.com/Engrave.htm

Jeff ocheltree John Bonhams drum tech also is a top drum builder. http://www.drumtree.com/treebronze.cfm we can go back and forth about this till well forever, As I've stated multiple of times call yourself whatever floats your boat, But the term Drum tech too these top professionals is not a cut down too them.They can are are able to do it all build repair, tune, machine parts etc. I think I'm out on this discussion, Gonna go play my drums, have a good one. :)

I think your personal interpretation of the title "drum tech" is affecting your perception here.

I know it's just a name and not at flowery as "luthier" but to me, "drum tech" means some one who is capable of handling all the "technical" aspects of drums.

That goes from repair/building to reheading and tuning as well as assembly at a gig.

I guy who just sets up drums is a roadie.

There is no "drum roadie"

just my 2 cents

I consider myself a Drumsmith.

This would probably be correct as someone who makes cymbals is a cymbalsmith.

If you made stave drums, you could probably call yourself a cooper.

Truth is, there are many levels to this and many guys don't do everything.

Is the guy who buys shells and just puts hardware and edges on em less a "drumbuilder" that the guy who makes his own shells?

Is the guy who sprays custom finishes less of an artist than the guy who reconditions vintage sets?

What about the guy who does all of this AND machines his own lugs and parts?

Seems to me that is gonna be hard to mint a catch all name for a vocation that encompasses so many skills.