Rhythm Traders

Had a negative experience there today. Was asked not to play a particular kit, because there were guys talking nearby. Normally not a problem. However, what made it bad were two things. 1. The manager proceeded to lecture me on why he did that, as if I’m 5 yrs old. Very condescending.
2. He pretty much shooed me away from playing it at all, despite my interest in it.
I have purchased 4 cymbals from them and many misc. items over the past 16 months or so.
All of their associates are great guys (and gal) but the manager was not such a great guy today. He pretty much s – t all over my customer experience there. Try Revival Drums in Portland instead. Even Guitar Center treats you better than this.

We love Faith and Mitch. I went to Rhythm Traders looking for a V-​drum set for my other half. He’s a drummer and I am not. So, I had no idea what to get, what to buy (you get the picture). Faith helped me from day 1 and recommended the Roland VK-​11 for us. We eventually traded it for the mesh head set which feels closer to an acoustic set. If you’re a drummer, this place is a drummer’s mecca. Coming here, it makes me want to take up learning how to play the Djembe. We shall see how it will work with my work schedule. These guys are great… support local businesses!

I’m not a musician in any sense of the word so my opinion on their seemingly vast selection may have little merit. I was looking for a 22″ Remo Kids Percussion Gathering Drum (yes, it was that specific), and had called 3 other places who recommended me to Rhythm Traders. I could have easily ordered the drum online for about 30% less but I wanted to support a local business and I didn’t want to wait 2 days for it to arrive.
Sales girl was really nice and their shop dog is super bad.

I purchased an Audix DP-​QUAD mic kit for my drum set online. I spoke to Lynn on the phone before ordering the mics. She was extremely helpful. The staff at Rhythm Traders is responsive, knowledgeable and friendly. I shop at a number of online music stores and I have to rate Rhythm Traders at the top of my list. Next time I’m in Portland I’m looking forward to stopping by the store to meet the staff in person.

Yes! This is the place guys and gals. You will get excellent service and the best prices. These really is no place I know of like RT. Brad, the owner, makes sure the place is run right and that the customer gets just what they need. Awesome selection of everything percussion! Again, no place like Traders. You need help, they help. You need the newest in cymbals, they have it. And of they didn’t they hunt it down in minutes and get it for you.
Portland is vey lucky to have this shop that sot only carries great percussion and supplies, but re-​heads drums, gives lessons in hand and kit percussion, and much more. A family run business worth you time and attention Great prices!

All the «Heavy Hitters» in town frequent here. Be it salsa, alternative rock, West African, Afro Cuban, samba, blues, funk-​the best percussionists in town shop or teach here. But the most impressive element of this shop is the free clinics, sponsored by Traders whereby legendary drummers tell their stories and explain techniques designed to get their signature sounds. Education is obviously an important vision for this store. Almost forgot, check out their youtube videos!

Rhythm Traders is awesome! The staff there is so helpful and nice. My boyfriend is always looking for ways to upgrade his drum kit, and they are always full of helpful suggestions. When we go there, Scott is usually the guy who helps us (and by us, I mean my boyfriend). I’m clueless about drums and drumming, but that’s okay because no one there treats me like I’m an idiot (which has happened at other shops which shall remain nameless). Anyway, this place gets five stars because it’s a comfortable environment, with people who know what they’re talking about, and never try to up-​sell you. it’s like they actually give a shit about your happiness (shocking for Portland).
Good prices, good people, good shit! Go here, you will not be disappointed!

Never disappointed shopping here. Friendly and helpful staff and everything under the sun. High recommend a trip… it won’t be your last!

I went in to find a drum for my toddler. They had a great selection of kid percussion instruments and they suggested one that was just right for him now, and to grow into. Friendly, informative staff and an easy transaction. Thanks!

Really a great drum shop, truly. I went in looking to expand my hand percussion setup with a vague idea of what I wanted. Upon walking in one of the salesmen greeted me and proceeded to show me everything they have, teaching me how to play the ones I didn’t know how to play. We chatted for an hour about drums and music and he taught me some beats. I found a nice little darbuka for $ 30. It was a very nice experience that I will repeat soon.

Excellent assortment of drums, percussion, and hardware, with a good balance between name brands and handmade or fringe brand equipment. It’s crowded, but I’ve never been to a good music store that wasn’t –really how could it not be?

I have been a steady customer for about 4 years. The old location was good and the new location is better!
The thing that sets Rhythm Traders apart from the other drum shops is their commitment to the entire industry. They sponsor lessons and workshops by the legends of drumming. This type of commitment does not come cheap to a shop like this! They spend some serious cash to get the best drummers in the world to «drop by to teach a class.»
Today I attended an awesome workshop by Mamady Keita. For those of you who don’t know, Mamady is the #1 Authority on African drumming. I have been honered to be able to attend two workshops with him and it wouldn’t have been possible without Rhythm Traders!
Brad — You rock and I appreciate your commitment and support of african drumming!
Want to learn to drum with the best? Caton Lyles teaches several classes each week and can give you the foundation to become a great drummer.

Drummers that grew up in a city with easy-​to-​access gear stores don’t know my pain. Where I grew up, the only drum shop shut down right in the middle of high school. There were no places to go if you needed tension rods, specialty heads, a new rim for your floor tom, etc. Drums encompass a vast array of tones and styles, and only a drum-​specific shop can offer it all to someone who’s looking to change or upgrade their sound. Rhythm Traders does have a little bit of everything drum. I find myself going there to shuffle through the 3 barrels of stand parts, all reasonably priced, and perfect for drummers like me their piece hardware together. Rhythm Traders has a ton of curio items, used single drums, used and cheap cymbals, really cheap and decent drum heads, and most accessories you’d need for a kit. Not all of their prices are on-​par with Musicians Friend, but you pay more for the convenience of having a «5-​Star Certified» drum shop in town and easy to visit. The staff is very polite– they can sometimes get distracted, but I can imagine working at a drum store would be like having your own all-​you-​can-​eat candy jar.
I’ve purchased a few cymbals, a couple of stands, a tom or two, and tons of accessories from Rhythm Traders. I’d recommend the shop to any parent looking to outfit their child with a quality student kit (they have the best deal in Portland for student drums), and for any seasoned drummer looking to drool.

Do you like to bang things? Are you a banger? Do you have rhythm? I might have just the place for you.
Rhythm Traders have just about anything you’d ever want to percuss! I was personally on a mission to find two pieces of wood to bang together in a 3 – 2 beat… in other words claves. R. Traders not only had them, but they had several of them in a variety of wood options! Heck I coulda equipped a whole salsa band here: cow bell (yes, we need more cow bell), timbales, and so many conga drums! If you want to get your Afro-​Cuban rhythm on, you’ve found the joint!
They also have a selection of African drums, and it also looks like they have a workshop to make African drums right there in the store.
Of course they have your standard drum sets as well — they were well and abundant.
They also have a decent selection of music, videos, and literature related to percussion. If you didn’t have rhythm going in, you might just walk out with a little strut in your step.
Oh, and the #6 stops right in front of the store!

My boyfriend purchased a djembe at another store and he found it failed to be a good match for him. He returned it and got a refund. Then he went to Rhythm Traders. I have got to admit the salesperson was enthusiastic and informed about the drums as well as drum head repair classes which seemed to foreshadow what was to come. The drums looked good and after as careful consideration we could muster being new to drums and asking the salesperson, we got one.
My boyfriend spend around $ 200 on the drum we were shown by the helpful sales person. In two weeks the drum head had split.
Had my boyfriend dropped it on its head onto the concrete sidewalk? Did we smear jam and liverwurst all over the drum? Did we spill hot tea mixed with worm castings onto it? No, this new drum was sitting in our living room with the boyfriend playing it every couple days.
Perhaps there was some special care that was required yet despite clearly stating we were clueless about drums nothing about drum head care was conveyed by Rhythm Traders to us. My boyfriend went back within this time frame to get a refund and Rhythm Traders said it was too bad and they couldn’t do anything.
To spend $ 200 on a drum and have it break in a couple weeks with normal use and the store failing to take responsibility seems unfortunate. So be warned.