A Drummer’s Tradition

Best drum shop in America? A Drummer’s Tradition gets my vote!

I’ve been around long enough to remember when shops like Drum Land, Drum World and Sam Adato’s were around, old fashioned drum stores where you could hang out, learn a lot from the owner, and get what you needed at a fair price. A Drummer’s Tradition is one of those places. Besides odds and ends parts, sticks, etc., I recently purchased a beautiful, original condition Rogers Holiday snare drum, wood shell and tall rims. Robert certainly know the gear and I thought the price was more than fair for this vintage drum. He also helped me with fixing up an old Gretsch drum set, had some suggestions that only a veteran player would know. He’s also a fine player, doesn’t just talk drums, can play them too! Great store for drummers, with a lot of unusual vintage drums. Thanks for keeping the drum shop tradition going.

Fantastic local drum shop, absolutely the best in all of the Bay Area. Robert is extremely knowledgeable and super super friendly. Come here for everything and anything drum related.

Very unique inventory of hard to find classic drums and percussion.
Lot’s of great pros have passed through this shop (Lars Ulrich excepted).

I am a part time professional classical musician (singer, at the moment) and needed some help to get an old timey snare drum refitted and adjusted for a choral performance recreating a Civil War scene, with some drum accompaniment.
Robert was extrememly generous with his honest advice and sold me a new snare head at reasonable cost, then mounted and adjusted it for free.
I owned a similar small shop in Berkeley in the 70’s which sold used stereo and recording equipment, and we used to try to give the same kind of service.
Walking into Drummers Tradition felt very much like going back to a time when service based on truth and knowledge was king.
It still exists in some places like this!
I will not likely have huge amounts of percussion needs, but I WILLrun across a number in my travels, both personal and business. And when I do, I now have somewhere to send them, without hesitation.
Bob

Ive been a customer of ADT for 12 years. There is always something here to buy. great drums, cymbals, congas, and gear to be had.
also they offer drumming lessons as well. i particularly like the teacher on saturday, Jon:)
RB is a blast to talk to and very knowledgeable of his inventory.
i wouldnt go anywhere else.

This place is awesome! And a true drummers paradise. They have amazing vintage kits, and everything else you need. Robert is an expert when it comes to drums. He hooked me up with tuning my whole kit free of charge! And it sounds outstanding now. Come here for all your gear, lessons, or to just stare at all the eye candy throughout the store! The Bay Area’s best drum shop for sure. We’re lucky to have guys like Robert and drums like these around here.

Talk about a brick and mortar stalwart! This place has a great selection of drums and percussion, and they are so laid-​back and friendly. I went in to get a lug from an old Ludwig tom, and Led found a used part that fit the bill. They are not in the most convenient place in terms of parking, but it is not that bad. This is a must visit Marin treasure.

Above and beyond customer service. The owner took my phone number and said he’d research a book my kid needed for School Band. Wow! We are talking a 10.00 purchase not a 4,000 drum set! They have let my child come in and test different set. We have been very satisifed with the set we bought and will use them if and when we upgrade!

I second Tom’s review of ADT. This is what a drum shop is supposed to be. A comfortable place with a great selection, great service… just be able to hang. I’ve enjoyed the clinics as well. If you’re traveling to get here, give a call first to see if they got what you need. Most likely will or they’ll be able to get it.

I can’t believe that no one has written a review for this great drum shop. I walked in here with a busted 70’s-era Ludwig cymbal stand and walked out with a perfect replacement part for ten bucks. They have a huge collection of snare drums, including a bunch of Greg Gaylord Drum Solo drums. And the vintage kits there are incredible. It’s just down the street from Bananas, and man will they take care of you.
This might sound like a plant review from someone at A Drummer’s Tradition, but it’s not. I’m just a satisfied customer who wants little drum shops like this to survive.
Thanks to you guys at ADT, Tom