Jeff Ryder’s Drum Shop

Super Super Super Super!!!
Super Super Super Super!!!

Jeff was incredibly accommodating and helping me choose a drum my boyfriends 50^th birthday. He special ordered a bongo for me and when I gave it to my boyfriend we decided a djembe would be better so Jeff took the bongos back and special ordered one for us. He took a great deal of time in educating us on three different occasions. Super friendly environment and honest help.

Greatest little drum shop in Austin! Jeff is super friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. When he didn’t have the hardware case in stock I wanted, he ordered one. When it took longer than expected he upgraded it at no extra cost. He also fixed my unusable kick pedal I bought on Craigslist and even got the squeak out!
No more Guitar Center for me! Better prices, MUCH better service and I’m supporting local business.

Wow! This place is amazing Jeff is a very nice guy and makes you feel like he’s known you his whole life. I needed a snare drum repaired and he jumped right in and helped me get it working! When you go ask him about his «zildjian grocery store» story it’s hilarious! I wish there was more places just like this cause if there was our world would be a much happier place!

The owner is very friendly and knowledgeable. You can sometimes find some great used cymbals here at awesome prices.

A few days ago, I brought my snare into Jeff and asked him if I should just get another. I’ve had the thing for 20 years and have always had problems with the sound. I’ve done a lot of work myself, and have had other drummers try and fix it. Within 15 minutes, Jeff took the thing apart and made it sound amazing. What’s odd is that he’s done nothing that other drum shops have done or I have done. I guess he has super powers because it sounds amazing. I’m extremely happy and thankful. This is the best drum shop around. Period.

Jeff Ryder is a very knowledgeable drummer with years of touring and in depth knowledge on products to diy fix it’s, this man is the best drum/​music business owner I have met.
Forget Guitar Center if your a drummer and check this place out today!

A huge thank you to Jeff Ryder’s Drum Shop for being extremely helpful and entertaining! This place knows drums and customer service! They fixed my hi-​hat stand, and sold me cymbal that I was having trouble finding! I cannot wait to go back and give them ore of my business! Thanks guys!
–Matt

I went into the shop looking for a part that was missing from a used drum set I purchased. They didnt have the exact piece (nor did any of the other shops I visited) but they came up with a workaround for me, demonstrated how to make the part fit, and answered all of my newbie questions.
I live in south Austin, but wherever possible I am planning to make the long drive up north to give them my business. I can’t stress enough how helpful they were. Five stars.

My 5 year old girl expressed an interest in drums. We just happened to come across Jeff Ryder’s Drum Shop and lucky for us. I went in and was ready to buy a kit. They had a large variety of reasonably priced starter kits. However, they actually talked me out of the sale and encouraged lessons first. No point buying a kit if the interest in drumming isn’t genuine. The lessons themselves are also very reasonably priced and much less than other places from what I hear. We didn’t have to buy a whole lot of lessons up front either. One lesson, just to see if my girl has the patience to practice real drumming. The staff also said that if my girl wanted to stick with the lessons and drumming she will tell me when she is ready for a kit at home. I greatly appreciate the staff for not letting me rush into getting a lot of stuff just so they can make a sale. They want to create real drummers and realize that it serves them better in the long run. I am happy to say my girl has stuck with the lessons for about 7 weeks now and I can’t believe how quick she is picking it up. I look forward to the day she asks for a kit for home and when she does I know I will be getting it from Jeff Ryder.

Going by the name I guess they sell drums, but I don’t remember seeing them because I wasn’t looking for them. On the other hand they had whole shelves of tambourines and other small percussion. Go to generic music stores, or even other drum stores, and you’ll find maybe one of each.
I needed one tambourine with a head and one without, and for both they had several items for me to choose from. Great selection guys! I was amazed to find such a selection locally.

Almost nothing wrong with this place at all, with one exception. Whenever Jeff isn’t there, there seems to be a lack of knowledge of products in general. I would expect a staff there at all times that is extremely knowledgeable and musically inclined.

I went to Jeff Ryder’s Drum Shop looking to find a specific drum. Although they didn’t have it, I ordered the drum through them and it was cheaper than ordering it online (also no shipping costs). Kat couldn’t have been more friendly, helpful and accommodating. I even changed the size if the drum overnight and she was more than happy to accommodate because it had not quite been ordered when I called back. The drum arrived a week earlier than expected and she promptly called me to inform me. If you are looking for excellent and friendly service, this is your drum shop!

i LOVE this place. Jeff and his wife are so kind and helpful. A huge selection of drums, cymbals, hardware… from premium to budget… you’ll find anything you need for drumming!

First off, let me begin by saying that I’ve been drumming for about 13 years and have lived in Austin for the last 8 years. Since my time in Austin, I’ve tried to shop at local drum shops as much as I can. Strait Music, Tommy’s Drum Shop specifically. It wasn’t until recently that I met Jeff’s son at a gig my band had in San Antonio that I found out he had a store in Austin. Yeah, i’ve been living under a rock in North Austin.
Anyway…Not only is Jeff Ryder the consummate professional in the way he runs his business, but he’s one of the most genuine and honest people I’ve met. Like the previous review mentioned, Jeff will take his time to talk to you whether or not you’re buying anything. He’s truly passionate about his business and the art of drumming, which is a huge reason I won’t shop anywhere else.
His selection of drum equipment is far superior than most places in Austin, hands down. If he doesn’t have what you’re looking for, he’ll find it for you and make sure you’re paying the lowest price possible. Jeff’s relationship with major drum companies is a testament to his personality and experience in the business. He will work with you to make sure you have what you NEED. If it’s custom made drums you’re looking for, Jeff is absolutely the best person to go to in Austin. Especially when dealing with Ludwig and DW custom kits. He won’t try to up-​sell you or try to steer you towards an item or drum that you’re just not into.
Jeff Ryder’s Drum Shop is simply the best in Austin. If you’re looking for friendly, honest, and thorough service, don’t even think twice. Jeff Ryder’s shop is second to none.

I know what you’re thinking… locally owned-​ish (he has a store in San Antonio as well) music store = higher prices on the same gear as Guitar Center or online with a smaller selection. Yeah, I thought that as well. We’re both wrong.
I went into Jeff Ryder’s drum shop because I was meeting a friend for lunch at Alborz two doors down and I had 15 minutes to kill. When I walked in I told him I wasn’t a drummer and I was just walking around and wasn’t buying anything and still I was treated with the utmost courtesy. Honestly, if you want to see how nice a business owner is you need to see how he treats people who are not planning on spending any money. Anyway, Jeff showed me around the store and told me a bit about himself and was just a genuinely nice person.
A week later I had lunch with a drummer friend and we stopped by and the drummer told me Jeff’s prices on heads and sticks were significantly lower than guitar center or any other chain store and his prices on drum kits were better as well. Not to mention he has a HUGE selection of entry level kits and nicer kits. How do I know this? Because thanks to the courtesy of a business owner I am now a drummer. I bought a cheap kit off of craigslist and when I get better you can be VERY sure that I’ll be buying a nice kit from Jeff Ryder’s Drum Shop.
a bonus — you can get VERY high level instruction for only $ 60 a month for FOUR private lessons, once a week. $ 15 for a private drum lesson is VERY cheap and Mike, my instructor is both a knowledgeable drummer and an excellent teacher.
If you have any interest in playing drums or you are already a drummer you NEED to check out this place.