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I met Jon from Bersoni Custom Drums at the UK Drum Show — the booth right next to mine. Very quickly, I realised this wasn’t just another drum brand. It was one man’s vision, brought to life with passion, patience, and an unmistakable sound.
There are moments at events like the UK Drum Show that stay with you.
For me, one of those came from the booth next door.
That’s where I met Jon Ibberson, the founder and builder behind Bersoni Custom Drums — a small, independent British drum company creating beautifully hand-crafted stave-shell drums from his Somerset workshop.
From the first conversation, Jon’s warmth and knowledge stood out. You could tell he’s a drummer first, a craftsman second, and a businessman third — in the best possible way. His energy wasn’t about selling; it was about sharing. Sharing what makes each drum unique, how the woods breathe, and why every stave and bearing edge matters to the sound.
His drums genuinely speak when you play them. There’s a richness and presence that you just don’t get from mass-produced shells. Every Bersoni drum has a personality — bold, articulate, and alive. They feel like instruments made to be played hard but respected deeply. My personal favourite, and the one I definitely want to own, is the Oak Bourbon Barrel 14×7 - made from 100 year old wood.
I heard Jon talk about the craft, the industry, and what it means to do things the right way — slowly, intentionally, and with real heart.
It reminded me a lot of how I’ve tried to build Above Average Clothing — one step, one idea, one conversation at a time.
The care that goes into Jon’s stave shells goes into the DRMMR pieces I design: gear made for drummers who value progress over perfection, sound over status, and mindset over ego.
In a world full of mass production, people like Jon represent something purer — creativity, craftsmanship, and community.
If you ever get the chance to hear or play a Bersoni snare, do it. You’ll know exactly what I mean.
You can check out his work at bersonicustomdrums.com
If You’re New Here
If you’ve found this through your love of great drums — welcome.
Above Average Clothing is a UK-based mindset and identity brand built around the same principles Jon puts into his drums: craft, community, and quiet ambition.
Explore the DRMMR collection for sustainable streetwear made for drummers, or browse everything Above Average to see what the brand’s about.
#noego #justevolution
