Ayotte Drums Inc.
TypePrivate
IndustryMusical instruments
FoundedVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
HeadquartersBedford, Quebec
Key people
Ray Ayotte, Founder
Jean-Denis Beaudoin, President and CEO
ProductsDrum kits, drum sticks
Websitewww.ayottedrums.com

'Ayotte Drums, a drum manufacturer based in Bedford, Quebec was founded by Ray Ayotte in 1974, and has been manufacturing drums since 1982. Their drums feature wooden hoops, made of Canadian maple. The drums are also known for their Tune-Lock tensioning system, which both protects the drums' tuning, and provides a quick-release when changing drum heads.

Drums

Ayotte Drums are known for building drums with wooden hoops, as opposed to the metal rims found in most drums. The company states that they use locally-grown eastern sugar maple for their drum shells, which are assembled in Bedford, Quebec. The company targets the mid-range and high-end markets.[1] As of 2013 they offered three ranges of drums as well as drumsticks.[2]

History

Ayotte Drums was founded by Ray Ayotte, who began his career in the music and percussion business in 1966. Ayotte began selling drums in 1972.[3] The Ayotte Drums company was founded as a collaboration between Ray Ayotte, his brother George, and Odyssey Guitars' woodworker Attila Balogh, who was in charge of research and development.[4] The company started to manufacture high-quality custom drums from 1983.[3]

On October 27, 1989, at the age of 41, Attila Balogh died in an accident while working late at the Granville workshop. Ray Ayotte was quoted as saying that Attila was "witty, gracious, sympathetic and very very kind, we could not have done what we've done without him".[5] By the time of Balogh's death in 1989, the company employed several craftsmen.[6] In 1993, Ray Ayotte made the decision to forego drum retailing to concentrate on the manufacturing business. This led to the departure of George Ayotte and on February 11, 1993, the name was changed to "Ayotte Drums Only inc".

In November 1994, a group of investors led by Louis Eisman, Bruce Allen and Sam Feldman invested in Ayotte, taking a controlling interest. The investment was to assist in expansion of the production facilities and to implement a worldwide marketing program. In July 1995, Ayotte raised capital through a company formed under the British Columbia Small Business Venture Capital program. The funds were used to expand the factory, purchase new equipment, and hire new staff. The product line was expanded to include drumsticks, and the dealer network expanded from eleven to over 200 dealers.[7]

Ayotte was joined in 1995 by drum artisan Gregg Keplinger who helped to publized and promote the drums, particularly whithin the burgeoning West Coast music scene where the grunge movement was on the rise. Ayotte Drums introduced the Keplinger Snare Drum, a 3mm thick stainless steel shell fitted with wood hoops. Throughout the nineties, the company's success grew, until, at the peak of its popularity, most important Canadian drummers played an Ayotte kit.[8]

In 1996, Ayotte drums entered into a relationship with OEM drum manufacturer Tay-e to manufacture proprietary components. The parts included a snare throw-off, bass drum spurs, tom brackets and tom mounts. Until then, some of the components used came from third party manufacturers such as the RIMS mounting system and Pearl Drums bass drum legs. Before being redesigned and manufactured in Taiwan, the snare throw-offs, which used a rack and pinion mechanism, were machined one by one at the factory in Vancouver.

Ayotte launched their second line of drums, called Drumsmith, in 1997. Drumsmith drums were designed to cater the medium-priced drum market. They had maple shells and lacquer finishes, and were mass-produced in Taiwan by Tay-e.[9]

In December 1997 the shareholders of Ayotte Drums Only Inc. tendered their shares under a reverse takeover bid made by ISI Ventures Inc.[10][11][12] Ayotte Drums Only Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of ISI. The two entities later merged into one corporation, named Ayotte Music Inc, which was listed on the Alberta Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "AYO".[13]

In April 1998, Ayotte Drums opened offices in Nashville to launch and coordinate sales in the United-States. Drum industry veteran Ken Austin was hired to head up a team of independent sales representatives operating in the US market. The US division primary focus was sales, marketing and artist relations while the head office and custom factory remained in Vancouver.[14]

On August 23, 1999 Ayotte Drums founder Ray Ayotte resigned his positions as President and Director stating he was unwilling to carry out the direction he was given by the Board regarding the management and direction of Ayotte.[15] Mr. Ayotte then joined Taiwanese drum manufacturer Tay-e to design and establish their own line of drums under the brand "Taye Drums". The drums included maple shell kits and wood hoop snare drums fitted with "articulated claw hook system" inspired by the quick release system from Ayotte Drums. Mr. Ayotte was also responsible for the sales and distribution of Taye drums in Canada competing head to head against Ayotte Drums. Between 1999 and 2007, while under the employment of Taye Drums, Ray designed and innovated on a multiple of drum components and hardware parts. In 2007, Taye introduced the Metalworks XP1 bass drum pedal which was very well received by the trade.[16] The pedal was hailed to be one of the most innovative percussion products at the January 2007 NAMM Show held in Anaheim, CA.[17] The relationship between Mr. Ayotte and Taye drums ended abruptly in April 2007 due to conflicts of financial interests and other irreconcilable differences.[18]

In 1999, the Drumsmith line was renamed Pro Maple DS and production was moved to Vancouver.[19]

Ayotte Drums opened an e-commerce website in November 1999.[20][21] The company announced the site would offer drums, sticks, clothing, hardware and accessories at 55% below list price. A year later, products from cymbal company Paiste Cymbals and Hardware manufacturer Axis Percussion were added to the website.[22] With the retail landscape moving from local drum shops to big box stores[23] coupled with the dot-com bust, the move to e-commerce was controversial. Ultimately, the decision to sell online was perceived from the dealers as a breach of trust and in reaction to Ayotte Drums selling direct, many dealers decided to stop offering the brand in the stores.[24]

In 2002, Ayotte Drums was sold to Bill Jennison, who operated the business out of Abbostford, BC. He moved the company to Bedford, Quebec in 2010. However, after several years of declining activity and growing complaints about customer service, Jennison was unable to maintain production and the company suffered bankruptcy in 2012. The company was acquired by Jean-Denis Beaudoin.[1] Ray Ayotte rejoined Ayotte Drums in December 2013. After 2 years being retained as an ambassador to the brand, Mr. Ayotte employment was terminated soon after the North American Music Merchant (NAMM) convention of 2015.[25][2]

References

  1. 1 2 "The Sweet Sound of Success Resounds – Ayotte Drums Rises From Ashes". Archived from the original on 2018-04-24. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
  2. 1 2 "A New Era For Ayotte Drums - Ray Ayotte Is Back After 15 Years". December 11, 2013. Archived from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Nicholls, Geoff (2008). The Drum Book: A History of the Rock Drum Kit. Backbeat Books. p. 209. ISBN 978-1-4768-5436-6. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  4. ↑ Janna hanson, (1989). "Drumming to the beat of a custom kit". Nite Moves Paper (April 1989): 38
  5. ↑ Random Notes column,(1989). "Drum wizard is mourned by musicians". The Georgia Straight, (November 3–10, 1989): 27
  6. ↑ Van Horn, Rick (1990). "Inside Ayotte", Modern Drummer Magazine (June 1990) 32-35, 90-93
  7. ↑ Van Horn, Rick, (1996). "Innovators From The North". Modern Drummer Magazine (December 1996): 98-109
  8. ↑ Watson, Rich (1998). "Ayotte Keplinger Stainless Steel Drums". Modern Drummer Magazine (February 1998): 32–34
  9. ↑ Namm Winter Market. Modern Drummer Magazine (May 1997):103
  10. ↑ Alberta stock exchange, Ayotte Music inc,Management Information Circular Sept 11, 1998
  11. ↑ Alberta stock exchange, Ayotte Music inc, Management Information Circular Sept. 11, 1999
  12. ↑ Alberta stock exchange, Initial annual information form, Ayotte Music Inc. February 28, 2000
  13. ↑ United States Securities and Exchange Commission, Ayotte Music Inc. Form 20-F, for fiscal year ended February 29, 2001.
  14. ↑ Ayotte Music Inc. (AYO-ASE) Press release, "Ayotte Launches Sales Operations in the US", April 3, 1998
  15. ↑ Security Exchange Commission, filing 000-30683, Ayotte Music inc,. 8/11/99
  16. ↑ Van Horn, Rick, (2008). "Taye Metalworks XP1 Bass Drum Pedals". Modern Drummer Magazine (April 1, 2008)
  17. ↑ MUSIC Inc, Press release: "Best In  Show Panel Caps NAMM University Breakfast Sessions at NAMM Show 2007". (January 2007): p5
  18. ↑ TAYE DRUMS, Press Release, "TAYE Drums terminates all its associations with Mr. Ray Ayotte".
  19. ↑ New and notable, "New at summer NAMM in Nashville", Modern Drummer Magazine, December 1999, 38
  20. ↑ Ayotte Music Inc. (AYO-ASE) Press release, "Ayotte Drums Announces E-Commerce Site". Nov 29th 1999
  21. ↑ Indy Quickies, "WEB bytes". Modern Drummer Magazine (May 2000): 138
  22. ↑ Indy Quickies, "Ayotte drums now offers Paiste Cymblas and Axis Hardware". Modern Drummer Magazine (May 2001): 161
  23. ↑ Wittet, T Bruce (2001). "25 years in the drum industry, looking back to see what may be coming". Modern Drummer Magazine (Jan 2001): 108
  24. ↑ Brief Article. "Ayotte Drums Bypass Retailers with Website". Music Trade Magazine (January 1, 2000)
  25. ↑ "Ray Ayotte Returns to Ayotte Drums After Fifteen Years". December 17, 2013. Archived from the original on April 24, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
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