Ketchup inspires local snare drum maker

Sam Clark |

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Tasty.

Ever since settling in the Chippewa Valley, Eric Lee has become passionate about building drums. Lee is the brains and brawn behind Oliver Snare Drums, a company named after his first-born son that specializes in making custom pieces for area musicians. His latest creation is the “Heinz 57,” a snare drum that is faithful in color to the legendary condiment bottle. For all you drum nerds out there, Lee's website says ...

14″x7″ 16 stave birch with round-over bearing edges on top/45 degree edges on bottom. Painted the exact color of Heinz Ketchup. 8-lug arrangement with lugs by Ego, 3-position throw by Trick, ‘Blaster’ snares by Puresound, die-cast hoops by Ludwig.

Lee worked closely with Joe Gunderson (whose love of the ketchup inspired the project), who can be seen behind the throne in the Jim Pullman Band, to create the drum. This marks the second collaboration between Gunderson and Lee in two years, and there is already talk of making a third drum. To learn more about Lee’s work with Oliver Snare Drums, check out OliverSnareDrums.tumblr.com and facebook.com/OliverSnareDrums.