Gabriel Drums build Hand Made Custom Drums from our own shell construction to finishes insisting on the highest quality and working by hand for every drummer individually. All shells bear the builder’s signature.
The intelligent design
The intelligent design and build of our own shells results in an exceptionally clear and powerful sound, very expressive in any style of music over a wide tuning range. At the end of the 60’s, Gavrilos obtained his first drums, bought from the “flea market” at Monastiraki in Athens. Sharing expenses, a neighbourhood group was created. Playing in the trio consisting of Giorgos Zografos (guitar), Makis Papaioannou (bass) and Gavrilos (drums), the talent and musical ear of Gavrilos started to emerge. At this time, groups were in demand for parties, playing the hits of that period until the morning.
first set of drums
When he had completed his first set of drums, Gavrilos could not believe his ears, which told him that he had created drums that sounded better than two sets, one American and one Japanese, that he played regularly at this time. So he invited professional and amateur drummers to try the instruments and express their opinion.
Improving the facilities
His drumming friends not only supported his idea of manufacturing drums, they also pushed him to make drums for them, paying for the materials. One set followed the other. His resources and tools were virtually non-existent and in Greece at this time, this sort of manufacture was very difficult. He had to discover everything on his own and equip his workshop, slowing improving the facilities, in order to perfect his creation.
This needed considerable investment, and to finance his efforts, he started to play in the “skiladika” (Greek popular music clubs), and at various functions outside of Athens. He had to forget playing quality music. Only by wearing ear-plugs could he survive this period. He sacrificed his musical soul in order to finance his new project.
Impressed by their quality and sound
Since the 80’s, Gabriel drums have been found on the television, at concerts, in night clubs, at music schools, in studios… Both professional and amateur drummers in Greece put their faith in these drums, and even foreign drummers travelling in Greece were impressed by their quality and sound. The presence of Gabriel Drums was demanded for the International Exhibition of Musical Instruments at Frankfurt in Germany, and they have appeared there regularly since 1996. Gavrilos has achieved international recognition for his drums, and Gabriel Drums has been regarded as a first rank name in drums for many years.
