KenKen Instruments

I have been playing drums for over 60 years. 50 of those years professionally. I have had many great private teachers and have attended outstanding schools. I've taught in 7 different countries and recorded on over 150 albums and CD's.

My love for building instruments goes back to the days of watching my father, a professional man who was a weekend hobby carpenter, build different things, in his shop, in the basement of our house in New York.

This is the place where he would show me how to use hand and power tools, just like his father had done when he was a youngster. BTW, both my father and grand father were musicians.

My interest in building and carpentry led to me becoming a licensed carpenter in my early 20's. This led to a job working with my older cousin in a small Build & Fix company. (you name it, we did it). Eventually, I would have my own shop and build my first drum. I also use to refinish and rewrap drums and do some small repairs for friends and students.

Once, back in the 70's I tried building a guitar. The body came out okay, a kind of copy of a Japanese guitar I had as a child. The neck was another story. A complete disaster. In the trash it went. It took some years but I eventually got the hang of it and it's been fun ever since.

Today I build for the challenge of creating a superior instrument that a musician can feel like it's an extension of his or herself. I'm not in a rush. These instruments take time to build. If you need a instrument today, you should get one off the shelf from one of the Big Boy companies. I have a few pieces that are already done if you have interest and of course they are one of a kind.