RMC / Flat/Jacks - Paul “Jamo” Jamieson Collection 2.5x14" Kester Design Snare Drum c. 1961–1963 - Chrome

Paul Jamieson is better known as “Jamo” to virtually every first call drummer and producer in Los Angeles. Starting in the early 1970, he was in top demand as a studio and touring drum tech and soon opened his now legendary Paul Jamieson Studio Rentals, providing top quality drum rentals and service to the exploding Los Angeles recording world. He worked closely with top drummers including Jeff Porcaro, Steve Smith, Tony Williams, Mick Fleetwood, Steve Ferrone, Steven Adler, Phil Collins, Alex Van Halen, Steve Jordan and David Garibaldi. He supported artists including Mariah Carey, Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Heart and John Mayer. Top producers and engineers like David Foster, Marc Ronson, Al Schmidt, Ron Nevison and Nico Bolas all consider Jamo as part of their studio “A-Team.” Think that’s a pretty impressive list? It barely scratches the surface.

Jamo’s “hot-rodded” Slingerland Radio King snare drums, known as "Jamo-Specials" were the studio secret weapon of dozens of top players who were lucky enough to get their hands on one. Suffice it to say, Jamo made a huge impact on the drum and music world and his influence will be felt for decades to come.

Jamo retired a few years ago after an extraordinary 50 year career. We're excited to present this collection of his most in demand studio-tested "workhorse" snare drums. These instruments are not just “eye-candy”. Many have been modified and re-built. These tried-and-true drums have earned their stripes on countless multi-platinum albums, under the scrutiny of the greatest producers of our time. Many are rare and collectible vintage drums that Jamo picked up in his travels. Some he has beautifully restored, others never quite made it to the restoration bench. All are dripping with vibe and available on our website now. 

RMC / Flat-Jacks - Kester Design Paul “Jamo” Jamieson's 2.5x14" Snare Drum c. 1961–1963

A wonderfully unusual early-1960s RMC Flat/Jacks snare drum designed by Ralph Kester, from the Paul “Jamo” Jamieson Collection.

The Flat/Jacks concept was decades ahead of the modern fascination with compact and portable drum sets. Rather than simply shortening a conventional wood shell, Kester devised an extremely shallow metal frame with a unique head suspension and tensioning system.

The design was sufficiently radical that period advertising proclaimed Flat/Jacks to be not merely new, but “absolutely new.”

This drum remains in excellent functional condition however the chrome shell shows considerable pitting from it's year in service. Nothin is broken, missing or altered. It has a particularly appealing connection to Jamo's professional career. Its case is clearly stenciled Paul Jamieson / Studio Rentals along with his 818 telephone number, making the case an important part of the item's provenance.

Includes a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Paul Jamieson.

(PJ R #5)