Zenzian produces handcrafted, stave constructed drum kits from rare and exotic timbers, many of them, Australian species. When it was suggested by our Brisbane sales manager Graeme Hunt that we should feature Justin Scott, the drum-maker for our customer profile, I was expecting a rustic environment and rough-hewn bongo drums. I was fairly surprised on arrival at Justin's Summer workshop in Brisbane, to see a highly organised operation located in a modern industrial estate. Two years ago, Justin admits he knew nothing about woodwork. As I stand in his well-equipped workshop listening to him speak passionately about his work, I find it very hard to believe he is not a woodworker of many years experience.

With an automotive background, Justin has a broad knowledge of mechanics and engineering. After working in the family business for seven years he went to university and undertook a degree in management and marketing. This equipped him with the knowledge of how to avoid the many pitfalls of setting up and running a small business. Inspired by his passion for music and in particular drumming, Justin set out to teach himself all about the art of drum-making. This took him into the unknown realm of woodworking and joinery. There was a lot of trial and error and research needed to gain an understanding of the structural aspect of making drums, as well as the complexities involved in working with a natural product. The moisture content of timber, for instance and how it is milled can have enormous influence on the end product. Wherever possible, Justin tries to use quartersawn timber as it tends to be more stable and transfers the sound through the finished drum better than backsawn timber. He also introduced using a reverse glue joint bit to join the staves to add substantially more surface area to the glue joint. Traditionally stave constructed drums are butt-jointed.

We spoke at length about the different properties of certain timber species in relation to sound quality. Tasmanian blackwood has a "warm, mellow" sound. Purpleheart a "bright crack." He also works with Blackheart Sassafras, Brazillian Walnut, Tasmanian Oak and fiddleback Queensland Maple, all of which have distinctive sounds and their own "personality". In order to achieve a high and consistent standard of production, Justin has customised many of his own machines. Most impressively, with the help of a friend who is an engineer, he has designed and made a lathe that can turn the body of the drums to a perfect cylinder. The staves are first machined on a tilting head spindle moulder with a reverse glue joint cutter and then glued together.

The lathe features a Vicmarc headstock with a large diameter faceplate and four-jaw expanding chuck. The enormous custom-made jaws can grip even the large 20" drum cylinders safely. He uses a cross-slide metal lathe tool rest with a long arm and cutter attached. This is mounted to skateboard wheels that roll on a bed made of two hydraulic ram bars. The wheels absorb much of the vibration. The use of the metal lathe cross-slide tool assembly means that Justin has enormous control over the cutter. He can achieve even wall thickness over the full depth of the cylinder. The lathe is constructed on a heavy duty metal frame. Justin and his engineering friend devised all the electronics as well.

This ingenuity is fairly typical of what I see when I look around the Zenzian workshop. I see a custom-made spray booth and drying cubicle to ensure a perfect finish. Everywhere there are jigs being used or others being designed, every machine has been improved or modified so it can fulfill its task more efficiently. I felt like Alice in a machinery wonderland.As modern as this workshop is, there are also some very traditional methods being employed. Most notably, Justin understands the importance of taking time out from production to develop and create quality jigs that will replicate components accurately and last long into the future. He explains that this is never time wasted, as it enables him to reduce his overall production time and ensure high levels of consistency.

Justin Scott is striving for perfection of product and process. But don't be fooled. There is still the magic of creativity here. Zenzian drums are truly beautiful, the warmth and richness of the timber contrast beautifully with the quality of the brass and stainless steel fittings. They convey quality and style. I can only imagine how impressive they look when the stage lights hit them.

The internet plays a large role in the day to day running of the business. Most of the accessories and material for the drums are sourced and imported via the net. A large proportion of Zenzian's customer base come through the website, www.zenzian.com. It is evident that a lot of thought has gone into its creation. I particularly liked being able to hear samples of the drum range and the photography is superb.

Justin is one of a new breed of woodworker that we see coming through the shop door these days. They are not always seduced by the old world charm of their Grandfather's shed, but the passion for wood and fine tools is no less vehement. The modern craftsperson has to be enormously disciplined and skilled. As well as producing fine pieces of woodwork, they have the pressure of trying to make a living with their hands in a world where there is always a cheaper import to nudge you out of the way. The appreciation for well-made bespoke items is on the increase. We are beginning to want more than just the item. We also want the story behind its creation and the connection to the maker.

Long live people who make things!