EMCO Drum Shells

Proudly made in Kansas City, USA

Drum shell builders · Kansas City, USA

The fine art of shell building hasn’t been forgotten. It’s just been ignored. No more.

EMCO builds drum shells in Kansas City under the guidance of Brian Anderson, the master woodworker whose shells have been played all over the world.

Order shells Our story
Finished drum shells on a work table in front of a row of green and yellow shell presses in the EMCO shop.
The press floor. Each press is marked by shell diameter.
  • 12″
  • 13″
  • 14″
  • 16″
  • 22″

Our story

It’s not enough to glue up a few hardwood plies, stuff them into a mold, cook it up, pop out a shell and expect to have the makings of a quality musical instrument. Drum shell building is an art.

It’s learned through understanding the value of age-old craftsmanship, along with years of woodworking experience, building shells and then refining your work. Unfortunately, much of the knowledge behind some of the best-made, best-sounding drum shells disappeared with the craftsmen who gave birth to them during the golden age of American drum building in the ’50s, ’60s and early ’70s.

Today, with expertly tuned equipment and master woodworker Brian Anderson at the helm, EMCO restores drum shell building to just that. An art.

A woodworker in an EMCO Drum Shells shirt takes a call at a work table, with shell presses in the background. A shell builder leans in to check one of a row of green and yellow shell presses, each marked with its diameter.
Taking a call in the shop · Inset: checking a press

Brian Anderson, master shell builder

  1. 2008 – 2018

    C&C Drums

    Built all of C&C’s drum shells for ten years, starting when the company first got its shell machines.

  2. Worldwide

    Stages, studios & homes

    His shells have been played on major stages, in recording studios, and in thousands of homes.

  3. Today

    EMCO, Kansas City

    Building EMCO’s shells in a clean, modern shop.

Quality

Quality, not quantity.

Regardless of how many shells you need, maintaining the highest standard of quality is always at the forefront for us.

We’ve seen what happens when builders take their eye off the ball, and it isn’t pretty. Shells that crack, delaminate or warp are costly for both you and us. It’s a no-win situation.

We stand behind every shell we build.

You never have to worry about getting stuck with defective or questionable shells. Quality also means excellent customer service. At a time when you’re more than likely to find yourself working through questions about an order with an automated phone attendant, we still believe in having a friendly, knowledgeable person available to take care of your needs.

A shell builder in a shop apron lowers a curved sheet of veneer into the ring mold of a green and yellow shell press. A raw shell standing on the yellow ring of a shell press, with more presses along the wall behind it.
Laying veneer into the mold · Inset: a raw shell on the press

The goal

Only the best.

Our aim isn’t to become the biggest independent supplier of drum shells, only the best.

A good shell is the difference between a drum that sings and one that just drones.

It’s a complex science of understanding the characteristics of each wood, and how grain and ply direction, the amount of glue used, and wood density play a critical role in giving life to a shell. We also know the responsibility we carry in making sure your order gets to you when you need it.

A shell builder in an apron brushes glue onto a sheet of veneer at a work table, with shell presses in the background. Raw maple drum shells of several diameters standing on end.
Brushing glue onto a ply · Inset: shells in several diameters

Brian’s design mantra

“Thicker ply, less glue.”

  • Thicker ply

    Each ply oriented by grain and direction as the shell is laid up in the mold.

  • Less glue

    Just enough between the plies to bond them, and no more.

  • The best wood

    We buy the highest quality wood available. It costs more, and we’re striving for the best shell there is.

Orders & questions

Talk to someone who knows shells.

Call or email the shop. A friendly, knowledgeable person will help with your order, however many shells you need.

Phone
816-300-1550
Email
info@emcodrumshells.com
Shop
Kansas City, USA