Ford Drum Company gives away $11,000 in gear. Ford, in conjunction with Modern Drummer Magazine and alliance partners, Rollingriser, Istanbul Agop cymbals, Aquarian Drumheads, Vaughncraft Percussion, and Gibraltar Hardware, awarded the grand prize package to Jeff Blagus, of Hawaii. Grand prize consisted of a custom 5-piece birch kit in silver glass glitter along with a matching drum riser, hardware package, cymbals, and drum heads. First prize, a Ford Organic Series solid cypress snare was awarded to Mike Lovett of MS. The giveaway ran in the July and August 2007 issues of Modern Drummer. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to the more than 10,000 drummers who entered.	September, 2007 Modern Drummer-FORD SMART ASSTM SEATS: Ford Drum Company's new Smart Ass seats feature contrasting bands, tops, and piping in 1940s and '50s reto-style colors. Beneath the tuck-n'-roll stitching on each seat is pressure-relieving memory foam that conforms to the user's shape for maximum support and comfort. Round and moto-style seat shapes are available, as is a custom-designed carrying case with a cushioned divider for a tripod base.
Modern Drummer Magazine Ford Drum Review By Rick Van Horn Ford is certainly a familiar name in American manufacturing - just not for drums. Nevertheless, Ford drums do exist, and they're touted as nothing less than "the Ferrari of drums" by their builders. One of those builders is company namesake Jimmy Ford. Jimmy played with Lionel Hampton for six years, entertains guests at Disneyland Park regularly, and plays throughout Southern California with big bands, trios, and quartets. He's also a perennial favorite at custom & vintage drum shows, where he impresses audiences with his tribute to Buddy Rich. The other builder, Jay Gaylen, has been drumming since the age of seven. But for most of his adult life he's been involved with the creation of award-winning advertising campaigns for some of the biggest brands in the country - including Gretsch and Legend drums, and Toca Percussion. Jimmy and Jay believe that they know what it takes to build drums that sing together harmoniously within a set. They also believe that no drum is right for every drummer or for every gig. So they build drums to meet each customer's needs. Drumset choices include maple or birch shells in five to ten or more plies, with or without sound reinforcement rings. Drums are available with round-peaked bearing edges cut at 30 degree or 45 degree, and with either solid brass or cast lugs. They're finished in eight coats of high gloss or satin hand buffed lacquer, in any color the customer can imagine. Fades and other special finishes are available as are classic wraps.
No Assembly Line Here Ford Drums FordDrums is a new custom brand created by partners Jimmy Ford and Jay Gaylen. In addition to being a drum craftsman, Ford is a big band drummer who played with Lionel Hampton for six years. Gaylen (also a drummer) is a marketing specialist who has developed campaigns for Gretsch and Legend drums and Toca Percussion. The company offers shells made to their specs in maple, birch, oak, cherry, and mahogany, in five, six, eight, ten, or more plies, with or without reinforcement hoops. Kits can come finished in eight coats of high-gloss or satin hand-buffed lacquer in any imaginable color, or covered in virtually any available wrap. Round-peaked bearing edges can be cut at 30° or 45°, and lugs are available in solid brass, solid aluminum, or die-cast zinc. The company also offer snare drums that feature Potyondi cast-metal shells.