5.5×15 RESoArmor Maple Snare An oversized yet open-sounding drum with a nearly indestructible coated finish. Independent Drum Lab (stylized as INDe) is the brainchild of designer/builder Josh Allen, who made his mark in the industry reinventing high-quality, low-impact, and cost-effective hardware for another brand before embarking on his own in 2015. Describing his approach to building, Allen states at the company’s website, “It starts with the drums designed from the ground up with sound in mind. Every component is designed to allow our proprietary shells to sing freely and openly.” One of INDe’s latest creations is the RESoArmor finish, which is more durable than a conventional wrap without impacting shell resonance. These finishes are hand-applied, and no two are exactly alike. Options include metallics, sparkles, translucent colors, and nearly any combination imaginable. We were sent a 5.5×15 maple snare with a cool blue/black/gray swirl RESoArmor finish ($599). Shell-Making Philosophy Allen […]

June 2019 Issue