San Diego–based Doc Sweeney Drums was created by three lifelong friends—namesake Patrick J. Sweeney, graphic artist Jeff MacFarlane, and builder Steve Stecher—with a mission to handcraft one-of-a-kind instruments from the finest materials possible. All Doc Sweeney drums are made from premium domestic or exotic timbers, with either stave or steam-bent shells. The shells are CNC-milled, and the lugs are a proprietary design utilizing aircraft-grade aluminum with stainless-steel tubes and fasteners. Custom inlays, wood or metal hoops, and nearly limitless hand-rubbed oil finishes are offered. The kit we have for review, the Blue Tiger, is made from steam-bent tiger ash and has a blue-dye finish with twelve coats of hand-rubbed oil.

April 2018 Issue