Drumming News :
Reverie Cymbals and Percussion marked a major milestone at PASIC 50 with the debut of its new branding, alongside a full presentation of its latest handmade cymbals and new drum set built around the WTS (Welch Tuning System). The showcase highlighted the company’s commitment to traditional craftsmanship paired with modern design.
Led by CEO and master cymbalsmith Timothy Roberts, Reverie builds on the reputation established through his handmade Timothy Roberts Cymbals—known for their nuanced tone, hand-hammered detail, and musical expressiveness. Reverie Cymbals and Percussion operates wth an “old-world” cymbalsmithing philosophy. Its team of three craftsmen produces cymbals one at a time, shaping and tuning each piece individually to meet the needs of today’s working drummers.
Reverie’s New Drum Line Featuring the WTS System
At PASIC 50, Reverie introduced a new drum set built around the Welch Tuning System, a mechanism that replaces traditional lugs with a pulley-based design, allowing the entire drumhead to tune evenly with a single dial. The system drastically reduces the number of holes needed in each shell, improving resonance and minimizing hardware-to-shell contact.
The drums are constructed with 8-ply cherry shells finished with natural beeswax or polymerized linseed oils, a shift away from more restrictive spray-lacquer coatings. Reverie notes that these natural finishes allow the wood’s tone to breathe and project more freely—an advantage enhanced further by the minimalist WTS hardware.
The PASIC-featured kit included:
- 14 × 7.5 snare drum
- 12 × 8 rack tom
- 14 × 13 and 16 × 14 floor toms
- 20 × 14 bass drum
10th-Anniversary Set Reveal
On November 14, Reverie unveiled its 10th-Anniversary drum set in a YouTube video featuring Roberts and cymbalsmith/drum builder Isaac Brown. The video offered an inside look at the design, sound, and philosophy behind the instrument. Several key insights came from their discussion:
Roberts introduced the kit, noting that it celebrates a decade of Reverie’s evolution and showcases the WTS system at its finest. Brown praised the refinement of the WTS design, saying it “sounds great at any range” and “is super easy to tune,” adding that in his view, “there’s no downside.”
Brown explained how natural finishes—beeswax and polymerized linseed oil—complement the tuning system. Unlike lacquer, which can “cage the wood,” these finishes preserve the shell’s natural resonance. With the WTS system requiring far fewer shell penetrations, the wood vibrates more freely, enhancing clarity and tonal depth.
Roberts emphasized the benefits of 8-ply cherry shells, describing cherry as having “the best of maple and the best of mahogany.” It provides strong low-end presence with the projection and clarity typically associated with maple. He considers it one of his favorite tone-woods, noting that cherry “does all of it,” offering warmth, cut, and musical versatility.
The bass drum in the anniversary kit uses matching single-ply coated heads to achieve an open, resonant sound. Roberts prefers this approach for its consistent tension, tonal balance, and absence of restrictive dampening.
With its new branding, handcrafted cymbal line, and forward-thinking drum designs, Reverie Cymbals and Percussion is entering a new chapter in their history. By blending old-world cymbalsmithing with innovative drum-building techniques, the company continues to carve a distinct place in the landscape of modern instrument craftsmanship.
Images from their Instagram account.
