From building SJC Custom Drums to building the next generation of musicians, Mike Ciprari is rethinking what a drum company can be. Mike Ciprari knows what it takes to build a drum company. He co-founded SJC Custom Drums with his brother Scott in their grandmother’s basement, helped turn it into a recognizable name on major stages, and spent decades building relationships across the music world. Now he is starting a new chapter with a different measure of success: not simply how many drums are sold, but how many young people get the chance to play. With early encouragement and support from Steve Van Doren at Vans, Ciprari’s vision for workshops, access, and community evolved into Loyal to the Craft. He is connecting artist mentorship, school givebacks, festival experiences, storytelling, and instruments under one mission. Loyal Drums, including a collaboration with American drum maker Noble & Cooley, is part of that […]

November 2026 Issue