I’ve been playing, repairing, and building drums for nearly 40 years. It started on a bedroom floor as a teenager, cobbling together vintage parts to build something playable out of nothing. I went to school for graphic design, spent 30 years running a drum shop, and eventually stepped away to try a new path—only to find myself pulled right back into the work I've grown to love.

Kline Drums is built around a simple idea: I like old things, I like new things, and I love combining them. In a market dominated by big-box stores pushing the newest, shiniest gear and resellers looking to gouge you on vintage prices, I focus on the stuff they won't touch—finding and recreating lost logos, sourcing replacement hardware for older gear, or helping you repair and modify an existing instrument. Deep down, I will always prefer helping you save an old kit over selling you something you don't really need.

For my custom builds, I take a different approach than most. I think of each drum as a functional little art piece—something completely one-of-a-kind, but built to be played, not kept on a shelf. I keep things simple. I use unique finishes and processes that might seem a bit unconventional at first, but they’re specifically prepped to age, patina, and take on real wear so you never have to baby them. Ultimately, it's about sound and reliability. As soon as you play one, you know—these drums are more than just wood, metal, and paint. There's a mojo in a good drum you just can't explain. That's what I'm searching for. Not sterile perfection, but real character, soul, and modern reliability—priced so working drummers can actually own and play them.

— Christian Kline