DIY Rock Band drum kit ditches everything but the bare necessities

While there's certainly plenty of off-the-shelf options out there for folks dissatisfied by the stock Rock Band drum kit, those looking to really dial things up to eleven may want to follow the lead of this modder from EDrums.info, who created a mesh head drum set with some wood, some new components, and plenty of skill. As you can see in the multi-page how-to linked below, however, this isn't exactly a one-day project (for mere mortals, at least), and there's no shortage of opportunities for complete disaster once you start tearing the original drum kit apart. If you persevere though, you'll not only be able to impress you friends with your Rock Band skills, but your actual drumming skills as well, as it can also be turned into a real drum kit with the addition of a drum module. And, yes, there is a video -- head on past the break to check it out.

[Thanks, Jonathan A]

[Flashpoint @ Aug 21st 2008 4:09PM]

too bad they don't make pads that I can spread over my existing drum set.

[phanbouy @ Aug 21st 2008 4:38PM]

what would you know about spreading pads?

[scott @ Aug 21st 2008 4:56PM]

that is a great idea...i'd probably play rockband more if i could use my own drums.

[mikehrzgle @ Aug 21st 2008 10:55PM]

They aren't cheap and it may take a while to get them, but check out http://goodwoodmods.com/ stealth mesh heads.

[WarMouse @ Aug 21st 2008 4:19PM]

I wish they just sold a regular electric kit that looked like that...

And I know that there are acoustic kits with similarly styled wooden shells/rims, but the whole appeal of electric kits (and games like rock band, for that matter) is that you can play them in a dorm room/apartment without immediately having the cops called.

He actually built a new stand, too. I wish I had taken woodshop in highschool.

[Ethan Pack @ Aug 21st 2008 6:31PM]

If you're talking about mesh heads on electric kits, then - um, those do already exist. Check out the Roland V-Drums lineup over at http://www.rolandus.com

[dubbbya @ Aug 21st 2008 4:20PM]

Engadget has the worst commenting service i've ever seen. But anyway...

Where was the real drum sound in the video? I was expecting a Rush worthy solo.

[SaNcTuS @ Aug 21st 2008 4:38PM]

Indeed. And the video would of been much better if the song wasn't so easy. Maybe he'll play another song that actually takes a little skill. xD

[Fernando @ Aug 21st 2008 4:22PM]

the rock band logo has been photoshopped on that tv

I can tell by the pixels

[Skyride @ Aug 21st 2008 4:53PM]

lol, ye it has. Although what do you mean you can tell by the pixels? The person didn't apply any perspective changes to it is the real problem. Although its more likely someone at engadget who did it in 5 mins.

[tyler @ Aug 21st 2008 5:01PM]

No way man. That is real. //End sarcasm

+1 for good (average) eyes.
+5 for having the name Fernando.

[Neebs @ Aug 21st 2008 5:03PM]

and having seen many shops in your time?

[EdMercer @ Aug 21st 2008 5:43PM]

This whole video's been clearly 'shopped...

Battletoads!

[collegekid13 @ Aug 21st 2008 4:33PM]

they actually look very nice

[poder @ Aug 21st 2008 4:59PM]

How about just playing real drums?

[Nicknin10do @ Aug 21st 2008 5:39PM]

/facepalm

[Eric @ Aug 21st 2008 8:55PM]

I'll never understand the "play a real instrument" comments people make about games like RB and GH. You never hear these comments about other video games. I've never heard someone say, "pick up a real football" for a sports game, or "pick up a real gun" for an FPS, or "pick up a real 747" for a flight sim. They're video games, people. Not everyone has musical talent, not everyone wants to play a real instrument and some people just want to play video games.

We get it, real musicians (and posers alike) are snobs. You can all shut the hell up now. Just like when musicians spout political viewpoints and the like, no one cares what you have to say.

[Conor Kirkpatrick @ Aug 25th 2008 2:32PM]

I play drums in real life, and I don't say that to people, in fact, I love Rock Band, I don't have it but I play it at friends house's all the time :D. I'm not even that good at RB!


I am planning to buy it for Wii soon too :D

[Mike C @ Aug 21st 2008 4:56PM]

"well why not only have the amps go to 10"

"well then, how would we get to 11?"

[Spooka @ Aug 21st 2008 4:58PM]

That's close...

[Neebs @ Aug 21st 2008 5:03PM]

These go one higher.

[CraigJ @ Aug 21st 2008 5:05PM]

Not to be a hater, but this seems like a lot of work to play Simon set to music...

[AndrewAmazed @ Aug 21st 2008 5:14PM]

the set/kit/or w/e actually looks pretty nice.

one question is, for an actual electric kit, does he add symbals and use the top two as toms??
also, can you just order it from him? i'm not the best with woodshop...

[Meep Zork @ Aug 21st 2008 5:42PM]

Ive been doing this for a couple months. A guy on the Rockband.com forums whipped up an adapter to connect any midi drum set (such as my Roland TD-6) to your ps2/3 and git-r-done. works like a charm and definitely blows the toy drums set away.

[Stedmister @ Aug 21st 2008 8:58PM]

two words Drum Rocker www.drumrocker.com