This time, we spoke with Masuo Arimatsu of Drummers Top Team about the stories behind the drum-related items they have developed, as well as the passion and professional insight that go into each product.
Drummers Top Team products are not just convenient accessories.
They are items born from real challenges and ideas that come up in professional drum settings, including live performances, recording sessions, tuning, and instrument maintenance.
What Is Drummers Top Team?
Masuo Arimatsu and Masato Murakami are drummers who began their careers rooted in mixture rock and hardcore, while continuing to expand their range of expression without fear of moving forward. Through numerous live performances and recordings, they have delivered memorable performances that have left a strong impression on listeners.
More than 15 years ago, these two drummers launched Drummers Top Team as a professional drum team.
Because they know both the bright and difficult sides of drumming, they have been able to turn ideas learned from the drum world into real products.
While their foundation remains their work as drummers, their activities go far beyond performance. They are involved in training the next generation of drummers, drum tuning, product design, and the development of gadgets that create new forms of musical expression.
In many ways, Drummers Top Team is a professional group that continues to stand at the forefront of the drum world.
The name “Drummers Top Team” was inspired by Arimatsu’s love of martial arts. He thought the name “Brazilian Top Team” sounded cool, which eventually led to the name Drummers Top Team.
Special Drum Accessories Born from Professional Experience
Drummers Top Team products are filled with ideas that only drummers with real professional experience could come up with.
Here are some of the main products developed by Drummers Top Team.
DRUM EFFECT SHEET
In the past, when drummers wanted to mute a snare or slightly lower its tone, they would often place cloth, paper, memo paper, or similar materials on the drumhead.
At one point, memo paper worked well for the sound, but it tore too easily. When a clear plastic folder was placed on the drumhead instead, it lowered the tone in just the right way.
That experience led to the creation of the DRUM EFFECT SHEET, made from PVC material.
Of course, it is possible to change the sound by retuning the drum or switching to a different snare.
However, during a live performance, microphones and other equipment are already set up around the kit, making it difficult to quickly change snares or adjust tuning between songs.
For example, when moving from a fast song to a ballad, a drummer may want to quickly create a lower, more controlled sound. With this sheet, the tone can be changed simply by placing it on the drumhead.
It is truly a product born from real experience on stage.
The two types of sheets can also be combined.
By changing the thickness, drummers can create different sound variations and develop their own unique tone.
The late Yukihiro Takahashi, drummer of Yellow Magic Orchestra, also used this item.
HARDLOCK-LUGNUT
HARDLOCK-LUGNUT is a tension bolt and nut system for snare drums.
It was developed in collaboration with Hardlock Industry, a leading Osaka-based manufacturer known for its anti-loosening nut technology.
The idea began when Arimatsu saw an advertisement inside a Shinkansen train with the phrase “a screw that does not loosen.”
This sparked the idea:
“What if we could create a screw for drums that does not loosen?”
That was the beginning of the project.
Hardlock Industry manufactures industrial screws used in critical structures such as bridges and Shinkansen trains, where safety is extremely important. Their technology was applied to drums to create a tension bolt system that helps prevent loosening.
The sound of a drum is greatly affected by the tension of its bolts.
In other words, keeping the bolts from loosening is essential for maintaining a stable sound.
With conventional bolts, strong playing styles such as heavy rimshots or hard rock drumming can cause bolts to loosen, which may change the sound during a performance.
HARDLOCK-LUGNUT uses a double-nut structure.
It also features an eccentric design, meaning the hole is intentionally offset from the center. This structure increases the anti-loosening effect when the nut rotates.
Thanks to this high level of stability, HARDLOCK-LUGNUT helps reduce the risk of sound changes during live performances, making it an innovative part for maintaining consistent drum tone.
TONE FILTER
TONE FILTER is an item that shows its true value especially in professional settings and recording sessions.
For example, when the sound of a floor tom rings out too long, drummers have traditionally used methods such as placing blankets nearby to soften the vibration and shorten the sustain.
TONE FILTER was created to make that type of sound control smarter and more practical.
Rather than placing tape or muffling material directly on the drumhead, TONE FILTER controls the resonance from the resonant head side. This allows drummers to adjust the sustain while keeping the natural attack of the drum.
The angle and height can be adjusted easily, allowing the player to control the length of the sound by changing the distance between the TONE FILTER and the drumhead.
It also maintains a clean appearance on stage. In recording situations, it can help manage excessive resonance, room sound, and unwanted microphone bleed.
With different sizes available, TONE FILTER can be used not only with floor toms but also with low toms, high toms, and various drum setups.
Although it is a delicate item and should be handled with care, it is extremely useful when a drummer wants to control resonance that cannot be managed by tuning alone.
TONE FILTER is also patented.
DTT CLEANER
DTT CLEANER is an instrument cleaner supervised by Drummers Top Team, developed to remove fingerprints and oily marks from cymbals.
Cymbals easily collect fingerprints and oil stains during performance and setup.
In live and recording settings, not only the sound but also the appearance of the instrument matters.
However, some conventional cymbal cleaners can leave the cymbal looking whitish, or even cause the printed logo to fade.
DTT CLEANER was created to solve these kinds of problems in real-world drum settings.
It is effective for removing fingerprints and oily stains from cymbals, while helping prevent the cymbal from turning white or the logo from fading.
It does not contain compound polish and focuses on removing oily residue.
DTT CLEANER was also developed in collaboration with BeO, a brand known for its cleaning solutions. Its cleaning power has been adapted for instrument maintenance.
It can be used not only on cymbals but also on drums and hardware.
For professional drummers, keeping instruments in beautiful condition is also an important part of the job.
DTT CLEANER is a practical maintenance item that reflects Drummers Top Team’s real-world approach to caring for drum gear.
DTT × rvddw STICK CASE
The DTT × rvddw STICK CASE is a drumstick case created through a collaboration between Drummers Top Team and reversal.dogi.design.works, also known as rvddw, an apparel brand rooted in martial arts and combat sports culture.
One of the most distinctive features of this stick case is its durable sashiko fabric, a material used for jiu-jitsu uniforms.
Rather than feeling like a typical drum accessory, it has the presence of a martial arts tool.
The case has a roll-style design and is secured with an included black belt.
It can be carried over the shoulder, giving it a unique atmosphere, almost like heading to the dojo.
The black belt can also be used as a regular belt.
Considering that the name Drummers Top Team itself was inspired by martial arts culture, this stick case feels especially true to the identity of DTT.
With both professional-level practicality and a design that allows drummers to express their personal style, it is a drum accessory that makes you want to carry it everywhere.
Why Drummers Top Team Products Are Supported by Drummers
The reason Drummers Top Team products are supported by so many drummers is that every item is born from real professional experience.
“I want to change my sound quickly during a live performance.”
“I want to prevent bolts from loosening and changing my sound while I play.”
“I want to control resonance that tuning alone cannot manage.”
“I want to keep my cymbals and hardware clean.”
“I want my gear to be practical, but also reflect my personal style.”
Drummers Top Team has turned these kinds of real concerns and preferences into actual products.
Sound design, tuning, maintenance, and portability.
Drummers Top Team accessories are designed to improve the entire environment in which drummers play.
Conclusion: Accessories Made by Drummers, for Drummers
Drummers Top Team products are trusted by many well-known professional musicians and are designed to take drum performance and instrument maintenance to the next level.
Items such as DRUM EFFECT SHEET, HARDLOCK-LUGNUT, and TONE FILTER support sound creation, while DTT CLEANER and the DTT × rvddw STICK CASE help drummers maintain their instruments and express their own style.
Drummers Top Team will continue to apply feedback from the front lines of the professional music scene to future product development.
These carefully designed items are made by drummers, for drummers.
Experience the difference in your own playing environment.