Tucked away in downtown Mason is something quite rare. A white whale of sorts for percussionists, Badges Drum Shop offers an expertly curated collection of drums and drum accessories from vintage and antique to contemporary.
Shop owner, Charlie Andrews, has played drums since he was 10 years old. Though he wasn’t automatically passionate about the instrument, he took to it quickly which led him to junior high jazz band and a lifelong love of drums and jazz.
“Playing drums has been a source of joy and healing for me, exposing me to remarkable musicians and experiences that I treasure,” Charlie tells us.
For this reason, he views Badges Drums Shop as much more than just a store. “It’s a way to serve the community of people who play the instrument I love,” Charlie explains.
Badges Drum Shop is filled from floor to ceiling with everything a drummer could need- from cymbals and drum heads to shells and hardware. Whether they’re searching to accessorize their kit or add new or vintage cymbals, drummers will be able to find what they need here. And that’s not by accident. Charlie has been researching drum gear ever since he began playing.
“I was always reading, researching and watching videos,” Charlie tells us.
A college internship at Pearl Drums exposed him to the product development and marketing side of the industry, so after a mentor recommended he use his expertise to start his own business, he realized that there was a hole in the Cincinnati market for a specialized drum shop. Because of this, he was fortunate enough to secure dealerships with some of the top drum brands: Gretsch, DW, Ludwig, Zildjian, Bosphorus, Sabian, Paiste and others.
Although he didn’t automatically target Mason as the site for his storefront, the location made more and more sense after careful consideration.
“I wanted a friendly area accessible to as many drummers in the region as possible and Mason is exactly that. Mason is about a third of the way between Cincinnati and Dayton and centrally located between two major interstates, so it’s easy to get to yet has that small-town vibe that people love,” Charlie explains.
The new inventory was mixed with a wonderful collection of vintage drums provided to sell on consignment shortly before opening. This allowed Charlie to open with both new and vintage drums, putting him on the map as a serious drum shop. Beyond merely offering unique inventory, Charlie’s primary focus is to provide the right tools to match a drummer’s needs.
“I try to think of my business as more of a service than a store, not so much aiming to ‘sell’ drums as match drummers with the right tools, showing respect for drummers’ needs, goals and budgets to help them achieve more success or satisfaction as a drummer,” Charlie clarifies.
Since opening, a variety of drummers have dropped in. “I work hard to make sure I have top-quality options at every price point so that I can serve students and budget-minded drummers as readily as I can collectors and drummers looking for top-of-the-line gear,” says Charlie.
In addition to offering a wide selection of drum gear, Badges also provides professional drum lessons for players of all levels. They also occasionally host drum clinics and masterclasses that allow drummers to learn from artists at the top of their profession. These have included Todd Sucherman (Styx), Daru Jones (Jack White), Paul Francis (Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga), Mike Mangini (Dream Theatre) and more.
Out-of-town customers can also view and purchase select items via the Badges Drum Shop website. Visit today to get a taste of their unprecedented selection! BadgesDrumShop.com
“Playing drums has been a source of joy and healing for me, exposing me to remarkable musicians and experiences that I treasure." Charlie Andrews