How America's Oldest Drum Factory Stayed In Business For Over 160 Years | Still Standing
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- Опубликовано: 23 окт 2021
- Seven generations of one family have been making drums at Noble & Cooley since 1854. The Massachusetts company started off manufacturing toys, but is now known for their high-end snare drums made from a single plank of wood.
For more information, visit:
www.noblecooley.com/.
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How America's Oldest Drum Factory Stayed In Business For Over 160 Years | Still Standing
"This world does not need another mediocre product"
Now that is a solid company motto
I'm looking at you, Tech companies
Huh. I thought the making process would be far more complex & delicate but I guess not per se. So the drums they make are all made from steam baked planks of timber/lumber? Not genuine drum making if you ask me. Pfft, I was excited to watch but very disappointing. Doesn't take a genius to guess how a genuine drum is made. And the prices are how much? Over priced genuine "toys" in my opinion. I personally wouldn't buy replicas and or "toys" of the real deal. Good beginners kit though. Meh, no thanks.
@@xerodarkgohst How do you think top notch genuine drums that professionals would want to use are made, what would you do differently, and what construction method do you think is superior if you see the product as being toys. Also, what do you have right now if you do play, and why do you consider it to be worth the money you have spent on it?
@Repent to Jesus Christ Repent to Jesus Christ Satan is the only lord and saviour
I imagine Hyeon here is thinking about the shell being made by a lathe cutting a solid block of wood, shaving away all wood inside and outside of said remaining shell.? Like hollow-ing out a log, eh? However, most other drum makers use steam on thin sheets of wood and wrap the sheets (plys) around a form, with glue between the plys and staggering the edges all around. The outside is then covered with one long ply with the edges joined with glue. Many ppl like this method as when played the drum is vibrating as "one piece". I guess the hollowed log went out with the cave man?
I'm a drummer. For years and years, I've always wanted a Noble & Cooley snare. After seeing this, I REALLY WANT A NOBLE & COOLEY SNARE!!!
Take it they're expensive.
@@christopherharmon2433 i have one if thier brass snares. It cost me £929 which isnt bad considering it is the most high end brand in terms of detail and efford that i can think of. Think Sonor sells a standard birch snare fo £2,100
Me too!
I'd like one too and I'm a very lousy drummer.
I'm a guitar player but, appreciate what they do. God bless them!
To me, it's a very touching thing to see that there are some companies that refuse to sacrifice high quality in the name of higher quantity!
Amein.
@Repent to Jesus Christ Repent to Jesus Christ Chill
Business inside really overhyped the single wood thing at the start. Had me thinking they were gonna be hollowing out the log to make a full one piece shell.
@@kishascape same lol, but it is more practical and has less waste products the way they actually do it.
"You can mess up at every single step, and I have." As a 5th generation carpenter, that is the statement that describes the profession.
Indeed. A true sign of a pro is recognition of the fact that every step is important and that every step can tank a build.
Idk why but it's nice to hear someone who is clearly an expert say that they have messed up or failed at their job. Reminds me that no one is perfect and does anything flawlessly
Any person claiming to be so masterful in their craft that they knock it out of the park every time all the time... is a master of nothing but nonsense.
On the human level, I think striving for excellence in your craft is the best anyone can be. A drummist who will buy these drums will more so than not also do just that with their drumming. Oh, I remember the joy of playing well on a drum set of great quality, tone and response!
Not only that... the guy says that he messes up. But have you noticed.... that he doesn't even seem to be using a template...??!!!! He literally *eyeball* the holes. Jesus in High Heaven, every other company use an automatic machine! He doesn't even use a measuring template, tape, or any markings at all!!!!
You don't get to become an expert without committing a few mistakes along the way.
I got a set of their tulipwood drums this year. PHENOMENAL company. They deliver on every single detail. They’re unsurpassed in the drum world
nice,
I'll have to let my drummer know this. He wants to give his son his DW drums but wants a new set for himself.
@@TheBlueThird yeah, I did extensive research before I decided on Noble & Cooley. They don’t pay to have a bunch of endorsers like other companies because the drums speak for themselves. Also, if you email the company directly, they’re really quick to respond and help you customize every detail you’re looking for
@@onalyd A company that doesn't pay endorsers and has good customer service? What a concept! Thanks for that info.
@@marcelszekowski315 zsza begging
You can be interested in music an entire life, and have no idea a company like this exists. I'm happy to not have missed this.
Great point. This company is literally underground in comparison to Ludwig, Gretsch etc. Looks like they're producing an organic product which is ultimately tested and approved by musician drummers, not some factory machine or substandard parameters which big factories tend to fall into.
I still have my Noble and Cooley 7x14 solid maple snare from 1986, sounds incredible. Better than any of my Radio Kings or Leedy Broadway. Definitely the best wood snare I’ve played, and given that I was a drum shop manager in the day, that’s a lot of lumber!
Video link of that drum please
Joe, where was your shop? (I knew my local drum shop mgr on Laurel Canyon Blvd in No. Hollywood..great guy.)
@@smellyou you can listen to Dookie by Green Day to hear that snare.
It is so gratifying to see a father passed down his knowledge and skills, to his son and the sons embraces it an uses to help him in his life.
@ jaafar I totally agree. I’ve read about many successful companies who was started and build by a patriarch, and when they pass and a son takes over, they fail. To me it’s just a waste. The kids and their kids would have a job for life, and they lose it all.
I've played on a N&C snare and I have yet to hear or feel a snare that unique and full of personality.
This is what we need in this world. More authentic quality products that have a heart built into them. What a beautiful story
yup,,kinda like the old days before we sold our soul to china
Superb drums, superb craftsmanship.
Pricey, yes but well worth it!
@@jesusislord6545 shut up, bro.
@@hazebleu6171 you successfully shut him up nice
Like usual…you get what you pay for 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Tbh $1k isn't even pricey for the quality you get
After watching this it 100% seems worth the price tag. We had a similar manufacturer in Australia called Sleishmann. He ended up outsourcing though
i'm not a drummer, I'm a guitarist but I love quality, hand built products like this. Proud to be from N.E.
India?
@@Budkiwar I think he means he's from New England, given that this video is about a Massachusetts company, but my first thought when I saw N.E. was 'Nebraska?'.
"The world does not need another mediocre product". Thank you. That will hang in my shop, studio, and garden for all time! Thanks for that!
“I play the radio and I’m damn good at it”
It’s an honor to have the Jones family as friends. Great loving and caring people!
Im a 3rd generation wood craftsman and its refreshing to see the level of quality and dedication. Im also a musician so it makes it that much more special.
I made a pick up here over the summer and Jay actually gave me an impromptu tour. Seeing that battlefield drum in person gave me goosebumps . His knowledge and his passion for what he does was amazing and inspiring . A gift to spend that 15 minutes in his shop.
The relationship between the father and son is what makes these drums so damn perfect!!!!
Master Craftsman's at work these days is not often we see. Wonderful to see amazing hand made drums being made
@@jesusislord6545 jesus a human like me, how exactly can he cause benefit or harm to me?! that is illogical.
@@reverentlygrim2666 jesus was 100% man and 100% god
@@kyuutie2325 How god can be eternal omnipotent being and in the same time a mortal meek man from Nazareth, listen to your self.
@@reverentlygrim2666 he has the nature of both eternal deity and mortal humanity
@@kyuutie2325 Why god chose to manifest in a human? why not a mortal eagle, why not a red pine tree or an a steroid!!
Noble & Cooley are the OG’s of drum making!
@@jesusislord6545 Jesus was a jewish man, all christian are just judaist .
@@ufuk5872 there is a difference between Christianity and Judaism
@@quavomnimperi7149 one pray to god, one pray to yahway isnt it? Same thing.
@@ufuk5872 It is not about the deity they worship it is the aspects and elements of each religious group
@@quavomnimperi7149 sound like a bunch of nerds dont want to be called dorks.
I have no idea how to play the drums, but for some reason, I want one of these. Beautiful.
@Imagination Wonders unfortunately being different or trying to be different is now a group and or a specific adjective constantly applied to every single human, you can own these drums and you’ll jus the classified into the “he or she owns that special made drum” group
@Imagination Wonders unfortunately it’s impossible for one guy to one it in which people can easily classify that the people who own this were made by the same manufacturer even if they are different even if they are made by two different people, they are still under one company name that many people can easily classify as “the people who owns that type of drums made by that type of drums”
Snack Box...wtf are you talking about?
Two consecutive words that should be known the world over, "American Craftsmanship".
Thank you Noble & Cooley for keeping those words alive.
Way out of my price range though ,too bad because I would buy a set .
@@marcdemell5976 stop being poor
@@JeMappelleFrikandel Damn I never thought of that with my 3 euro per hour paycheck.
American Craftmanship? Overrated!
I believe this company is a treasure.
Having some of their drums, as well as having or having owned top drums from Yamaha, Ludwig, Allegra, Rogers, Slingerland, Tama and DW; there is truly something special in N&C drums.
It’s a quality of sound and craftsmanship. They just sound beautiful. Perfectly balanced.
This is what american manufactuing can be.
Master craftsmen like this, every drummer should make it a wish to have at least one N&C drum:
Been drumming for almost 30 years - never heard of this company. Amazed.
This is the first time I've heard about them too. I was actually expecting it to be DW when I clicked the video.
@@alysmoto318 me neither. I was betting on Ludwig or Gretsch when I clicked
Woah. Hard to imagine
Wow, Big ditto. Bet these drums will increase in value big time. Get one or a few now before they become out of the average guy's income.
I have played since 1976. Nobles didn't "hit" until the 1980s when Phil Collins and Alex Van Halen requested custom snares to start......then every top drummer in Rock, Jazz, studio.... jumped on the wagon..
.
Nobles are the Cadillac and Rolls Royce of drums. So many pro drummers have a Nobles complete set just like so many pro piano players have a $100k Bosendorfer while they play a Yamaha or Steinway daily.
How wonderful to see a business built on old skills and resolute in maintaining that way, now and the future. Great dad and son relationship
this is art, I bought a snare 30 years ago, still is my best sounding snare, Thank you Noble & Cooley
I hope kids continue to know the joy of woodworking in high school
When I was a kid, I remember passing some wood through the planer, making a guitar stand, beautiful purple heart and maple strips
My cousin still uses that guitar stand, over a decade later
passing your fingers over the wood grain that you shaped is a satisfaction that cannot be paralleled digitally
I'm a guitarist, banjo player, mandolinist, pedal steel guitarist, etc., but I want one of these handcrafted drums. I could sit and watch these guys do their artisan work for hours. They are true artisans.
I bought about 8 years ago a used Sonor Delite set from a guy that also came with a now 40 years old Noble & Cooley cherry snare. It has a special place in my musical heart. Thanks and greetings from Germany for such a gorgeous instrument.
I would love to see these made in person. Those drums are gorgeous. Been playing since I was a kid and I was drooling when I saw these beautiful kits
I’ve been privately restoring instruments for a few years now and to see a handmade snare kit like this built makes me want to dive into something like this full time. Beautiful work.
WOW! I'm very impressed with these guys.They take pride in their craft.Absolutely beautiful drums that sound amazing.MADE IN THE USA.AWESOME!!
This was really interesting! 🥁
You’re everywhere lol
One of the most satisfying videos I’ve ever seen on RUclips. I hope this company is around for many, many more years! I love their dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Some things ARE worth paying more for, and this is one of them.
The single rolled plank is a very old technique, and still highly coveted. Awesome stuff.
What holds the seam together?
@@ThekiBoran was wondering that myself.
@@ThekiBoran They bevel the ends of the board so they overlap then glue them together. If you pause at 3:05 you can see it.
@@Svenz0r
Now I see it. The bevel is about 4" or 5" from the ends, it isn't just the last 1/2" of each end. A lot more surface area to glue.
Good quality wood= Good sound from the snare
@@jesusislord6545 did jesus tell you how the snare sound with good wood?
@@jesusislord6545 Go and ask for a billion dollars from your Jesus so that you don't have to spam here.
Pure artisanal craftmanship. Always loved their drums. Beautiful.
It must be so rewarding to be able to make a living creating beautiful instruments that are in constant demand by musicians who demand the best.
It's so incredible to see this kind of dedication to true craft & lageacy. It's not a marketing slogan, its a refreshing commitment to quality.
It is an honorable, and a very difficult, standard to meet. Especially, in a throw-away society.
I've played a bunch of their drums over the years--never heard a bad one. They're outstanding instruments, no question about it.
This video is as great and lovely as the drums they make. As a drummer with over 20 years of experience, I feel blessed and grateful that this company and its people exist. Beside this, the quality, history, tone, look and general construction and sound of Noble & Cooley drums is unparalleled. Truly unique, beautiful instruments and in my opinion, nothing really compares. Every cent spent on each of the Noble & Coley drums I own was done with absolute happiness, pride and surpassed musical joy.
Gustavo Moreno.
Melbourne, Australia.
This video just sold a drum!!!! Wow! I will support their craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Awesome! Being a drummer I give this family and it's company nothing but love and much respect.
This was so therapeutic and relaxing to watch, I can't explain it haha
Facts lol
I seriously get teared up seeing drums bring made by hand and every aspect of quality control bring meticulously scrutinized.
How does your name look like that
Love this story and company. I pray that it will continue for generations to come.
Seen their drums in some boutique shops, but never knew the history behind them. Awesome stuff!
Fascinating ! didn't know the cylinders were made of wood, always thought it was some kind of composite or synthetic material
the best part of this whole video is the last sentence at the end. This is sooo moving!
"Top Shelf"... brought a tear to the eye. Keep her goin' steady.
There’s not much more pleasing than something crafted by an individual with precision and care. Whether it be a musical instrument or a piece of furniture . Machines might make it faster but they won’t make it better…thanks for a great little video showing how awesome your company is 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
What a great video. I had NO idea the history on this company went back so far. The attention to detail and the quality is outstanding on their drums. Awesome!
Impressive workmanship, and I'd LOVE to be able to buy some of their throw away wood. Black Walnut is so beautiful.
Black Walnut wood can be bought in many quality wood shops I imagine.
I have two 40 foot black walnut trees you can have for free.
@@cvn6555 Where?
@@ScoutSniper3124 Pennsyltucky
@@cvn6555 I wish I lived closer, I live in Florida. Thank you for the offer.
Anyone who knows how beautiful black walnut is should jump at the chance to cut and clear those trees for you.
Thanks again.
Awesome these drums are gorgeous and true handcrafted instruments made by great craftsmen! I love Noble and Cooley!!
I, too, am lucky enough to be able to work with my son every day. I love snare drums, and after watching this video Noble and Cooley will be my next. I love that natural walnut! Sublime!
Everything made by hand and hard working people to me is always better.
absolutely fantastic. As a drummer/woodworker who has built his own stave kit from scratch, this is inspiring.
What lovely folks, I've just put one of their snares on my wishlist. Beautiful!
10:05 What a proudful moment for the family and the company !!! hope you will still continue making great products in far far future guys!
What a clever paint drying rig.
Yeah, I thought so too.
Indeed. An idea first thought up by Sonor many decades ago.
This is the type of company the world needs. Quality and sustainability and those drums must be amazing!
I am a drummer, and let me tell you that Noble &Cooley are among the finest percussion instruments ever to be produced. Worth every penny they charge.
thats great mate you have great drums i play too and have a pearl birchwood kit chrome great sound and a sonor mahogany kit i willing to bet my drums sound just as good as yours if im wrong ill give both kits to you cheers
This is an amazing business, work, process, and family team. WOW.
Noble and Cooley makes a wonderful drum shell. Glad they are getting their recognition.
Great report! Real quality. It’s nice to see a small American company thrive so beautifully. This is the way it should be.
I owned a lot of drums in the past.
…. I sold everything in the great purge.
Including a few pieces I shouldn’t have.
Now, years have gone by … and I’m ready to collect again… but this time around I’m going to collect by the standard that these guys live by.
My next drum(s) will be Noble & Cooley.
Gentlemen, I salute you 🇺🇸
i'm not even a drummer but i can recognize true artisans when i see some, these people are rare and their dedication still more
It’s good to see that there are some companies (like the one in the video), that take pride in their workmanship.
VERY COOL MACHINERY! Good on ya boys!!! Your family is a huge inspiration! Keep it up fellas!!
I’ve seen their drums in magazines my whole life but I had no idea They were chopping down there own trees. Kind of makes me wanna get a snare
Smart, smart guys!! So refreshing to see a family owned and operated business that has thrived for so long!! Good luck you guys!! Great video.
This is a great video! We are damn proud to play Noble and Cooley drums! The visual quality is top notch and the sound is second to none keep up the good work guys!
This is just amazing craftsmanship really awesome video and it’s wonderful to watch these guys passion to create an amazing drum(s). Dad and son are awesome God bless you guys and your business.
One of these days I'll own some of these drums. Great company with unmatched craftsmanship.
I’ve owned five of there snare drums, one drum kit, and they refinished my favorite N&C SS 5x14 snare during the pandemic. They are a classy business and I love their drums! Great story!
My wife worked there in the '70's, in the topmost floor where they made toy drums. She worked on a hot press that formed the plastic drum head. Drove past the place on a few trips to Granville Country Store when she took me to visit her mom's house in Hartland.
Makes me happy seeing this as I'm personally a Masshole born n raised myself haha. We've also got Zildjian in Norwell MA 🤘🏼
...what is "personally a Masshole"??
@@johnrogers9481 a person from Massachusetts....aka a masshole 🥴
Amazing! Great article! Love hearing how they talk about the company and process. So much heart and passion!
Always a great pleasure to see master craftsmen at work. Thank you for sharing. Cheers!
Outstanding! If I have money to buy one, I will surely buy from them!
During a period of my career I worked for a backline rental company. I primarily worked in drums and percussion. We had a NC snare drum in the inventory. And it was usually the first or second choice on a number of tech riders. It was painted in a deep green lacquer finish, which made the hardware really pop! And the drummers that wanted it, had nothing but good things to say about it.
🥁😎☮️🥁
It's amazing to see how much work goes into the production of each drum!
I used a Noble & Cooley at one gig, a drummer's showcase. It was the nicest snare I've ever played. Warm, sensitive and beautiful is my best description. It was a simple piano black finish wearing a REMO Ambassador coated head.
Brilliant the best sound comes from a drum well made with love and attention to detail
My school's band is the reason why this company is still running
Oh really? What a hero
@@mammontustado9680 😂🤣😂
Very rare sight - a company such as this. Great to see
In 2009 I picked up a seven inch deep maple Noble & Cooley snare made in 1988. This past Saturday I drove from Pittsburgh to Baltimore (and back) to buy a three and seven eighths inch deep walnut Noble & Cooley snare. I took it to rehearsal that night, and the guys were blown away.
Only touched a drum set once in my life, but oddly feel glad there are still business and people like this chugging along.
Good work
God bless you and your family
I so want one of those piccolos! The natural grain is simply gorgeous!
Lovely to see superb craftsmanship going in to a product. And a family business as well.
A treat for drummers 🎊
Ah yes. For drummers and for all who hear these great drums in music.
As a drummer, I never knew the history of Noble & Cooley. Now that I do I love their drums even more. I never knew why their drums cost more, but this video definite shows the pride, quality, and materials that warrant the price paid for a top-quality product. Made in the USA.
Nothing but absolute love & respect.
So incredible integrity and craftsmanship! Fantastic
Awesome video 👍👍👍
Amazing.... Hearty Wishes - Prasanna, India 🇮🇳
I see the amount of passion and love in each process.
Beautiful craftsmanship. In this disposable world we live in now, it’s always so refreshing to see handmade products built with superb quality and attention to detail.
One thing I've understood from this series *"still standing"* is that
For all those still keeping the same business , it's not a business for them ,it is themselves they see in it.
You can't give up on yourself 👍
Interesting perspective! Thanks for pointing that out. I've been perfecting an art and craft for decades! It's a passionate obsession, but actually using your creation as it's designed is where the drive comes from, and makes the work enjoyable.
I'd like to see them do a story on Gibson, Martin, and Taylor Guitars. It would be interesting to compare the differences in the manufacturers...
How about first act 🤣
You can forget about Gibson. Epiphone produce better quality guitars these days.
Gibson is the Apple of guitars, only with less effort and bad quality
No Custom Fender? I'd like to US Fender and Japan Fender, they their own thing it's amazing to me.
Yeah, that would be good to see vids like this done on a few guitar manufacturers. Clearly see and compare the creative processes and the quality of craftsmanship!
("How about first act".??)