It all started in a small drum shoppe north of Toronto over 25 years ago…

That’s where i started fixing and repairing parts and pieces… started refinishing drums… and started making matching toms and bass drums for customers. I even used to cut bearing edges by hand, if you can believe it. And that’s where i started this small company called The Rhythm Section.

Back in the day, there were (are still are) a lot of people claiming to fix, repair, and even build customized drum kits. I remember customers telling me horror stories of how hard it was to get some serious work done on their drums. I know i hated taking my drums in for repairs. I didn’t mind paying the money if the job was done right, but i hated feeling like i didn’t get a good job, or the job looked pretty poor, or that it wasn’t even fixed right. Many times i remember thinking that i could have done things a little better. So… i did…

Today, there are some really excellent drum shops, but only a few can offer the depth of drum servicing required. There’s nothing wrong with that, as you can only do so much as a retailer because of drum line availability, staff knowledge, and the space needed for a decent repair shop, and basically… the want. Stores just can’t fit in a full drum repair shop, tools, sanders, drill presses, and spray booth. It’s nice to sell drums, cymbals, and the latest cool toys… but custom work is another expertise all together.

So… where do you go to get your Vintage Drum Kit repaired, or a true Custom Drum Kit built the way you want it? Well, that was my question years and years ago…. and probably yours as well. Being an avid Vintage Drum Collector and some what of a historian, i didn’t want just anybody working on my drums, they had to know this stuff inside and out. So, i took matters into my own hands.

I wanted to create a place were drummers could go not only to get all their repairs done, but also a workshop that designs and crafts complete custom drum kits.

At The Rhythm Section we offer total custom drum set design, repairs and refurbishing. We can repair, re-wrap, or re-lacquer your drums. We can find you those old vintage hard to find parts, or we can have them custom re-manufactured. Shells can be repaired or replaced. Bearing edges can be reshaped or re-cut if needed, and original parts and badges can be found… hopefully.

We can even have your hardware custom powder coated in any colour for a new and cool look.

Our own line of TRS Custom Drums are totally custom hand crafted in a non assembly line fashion. TRS Custom Drums are made for you… from the shells up, your way! You pick your shells, sizes, depths, finish, hardware, hoops, mounting system, heads, washers, etc…

It all starts with the shells. TRS Custom Drums are made from 100% North American Hard Rock Maple Shells. These shells have been hand selected for their tonal qualities and visual appeal. You can choose from 5, 6, 8 or 10 ply shells, with or without Maple reinforcement rings. If you are unsure of what you want and why, we’ve developed our own specs for a completely awesome sounding kit. TRS Custom Drum specs have been designed to provide you with the best combination of tone, attack, warmth, and sustain. These have been tried and tested by some of the best players in the business. We’ve listened and learned from our players, and have tried just about everything and every possible combination of shells, parts, finishes, and heads. There’s a lot more to a TRS Custom Drum kit than just a new upstart company offering whatever parts and special finishes and powder coatings are available. We truly craft and design custom drum kits.

Working on drums has been a labour of love… it’s not about the $$$, or becoming the next big flavour of the month drum company… it’s about providing an excellent set of drums! It’s the craftsmanship, warmth and beauty of drums, that keeps us all going!

That’s it in a nut shell… or drum shell….

Thanks again for your interest in The Rhythm Section and TRS Custom Drums.

Seppo Salminen. Drummer, Drumsmith, Producer, Educator.

TRS Custom Drums and The Rhythm Section were founded by Seppo Salminen in around 1985. His parents immigrated to Canada from his birth place in Helsinki, Finland in 1968, where he comes from a long line of musicians, engineers, and wood workers…. and Sauna builders!

Seppo’s career has had everything to do with drums since the early age of 12 or 13. His work has spand and touched pretty much every aspect of the drum industry… from teacher/clinician/educator, to award winning engineer and producer, to drum builder / tech / and drumsmith.

His drumming career started out as a gigging drummer at a young age of 15. He has since amassed a collection of over 30 album credits, more if you add drum tech, and is still sought after as a Session and Live drummer. He has also worked as Drum Tech for top drummers and various studio’s, and Drum Specialist for other various companies. Seppo also worked in drum retail where he’s managed various drum departments and drum shops.

His work as a Studio Engineer and Producer has won him such awards a the ‘Crystal Award’ for radio excellence for his production of radio ads, and bands he’s produced have gone on to win album of the year awards. His work has included writing musical soundscapes for Sony Canada Retail, and has co-written a percussion piece for the Canadian Synchronized Swim Team, with which they went on to win a Gold Medal at the 2000 Pam-Am Games in Winnipeg . Seppo still continues his work as a studio owner and producer in his home studio, and is always busy working as drumsmith, engineer, producer, and artist.

From his start in the eighties, through the nineties, and into the two thousands, Seppo has been busy recording, producing, doing clinics and touring with various bands… all the while managing to continue his work at his shop creating and mastering his art of drum building.

Seppo is an avid vintage drum collector and his experiences of over thirty years have made him somewhat of a drum historian. So with all this experience and drumming expertise, combined with the understanding of the ‘mechanics’ of drums, and his dedication and love of the instrument, have allowed him to acquire a massive knowledge base to draw from while restoring vintage drums and thus building his own line or TRS Custom Drums.

Seppo played and toured with The Penny Merchants for more then 10 years throughout the late nineties and two thousands. He continues to play with various acts and studio projects. He is currently working on his next solo release with Joe’s Conscience and continues to play percussion with The Promise Keepers Canada. Seppo uses SABIAN cymbals, VATER drumsticks, and EVANS drum heads

He’s played them, recorded them, fixed them, taught them, and built them… and continues to…