Rhythm Traders

Rhythm Traders is a wonderful spot. I had some ideas when I wanted to pick up a drum set. Starting to learn the drums at 52 years old, but having played air drums on surfaces my whole life, I needed some serious guidance. They got me the right electronic set, the right accessories and the right sticks to really get started. Cool staff and atmosphere. Came back to grab a few things over the next week and every time the staff was in good spirits and helpful. Won't go anywhere else. Highly recommend!

Stopped in, on a whim, while visiting in Portland, to see if they had any cajons. What a great store. I fully understand why it's known as "the drummer's toy store." A marvelous array of drums, world percussion, gongs, and chimes. We ended up finding two very impressive cajons, gently used, at prices that were much more than fair. And they even shipped one back to the east coast at a modest cost.

This store is now added to my "must visit" list for whenever I am in Portland. And, the staff went out of their way to make us feel welcome, encouraged us to try out what we were interested in, and never a hint of pressure to buy. Plain and simple.go there!

THE Drum Shop in Portland. I have been buying drums, percussion from RT for almost 20 years and their selection & expertise are unmatched. I went in last week to get a new djembe bag for the djembe I bought from RT at their old location about 16 years ago and saw a new djembe that was calling to me. I resisted my initial urge to put some $$ to hold it but by the time I got home, I knew I had to have it so I called them up and sent them some $$ to hold it for me.

I will be going there in a couple of hours to pick it up. The staff are friendly, accommodating & know their stuff so its always a pleasure to spend time there in drum heaven

As a first time visitor I had no clue what I was walking into. I walked into Drum heaven! hand drums, acoustic drums, electric drums, anything and everything drum related. Ben was awesome to work with! He interacted with my children in the kindness way, while helping me find what I wanted in a quick fashion. Ben knew exactly what I was looking for and brought that vision to a reality. Forget about going anywhere else. This place is it!

Truly a 5-star drum shop! The knowledge that James and Ben and the rest of the crew there have about all things "drums" is well worth not just ordering online. And you get the sense they really want the customer to be happy with his/her purchase and aren't just trying to make a sale. Love that. On top of that, their pricing is totally competitive with what I've found online.

So for me, there's really no reason to go anywhere else for gear shopping when I can pop over to RT and browse/chat/listen/learn with folks that really know their stuff. Keep up the great work guys!

These folks ROCK! Or swing, or samba, or just about any beat you need. (go visit the tribal room in the back) -weber

Got a great price on this bad boy a couple weeks back. I had the 20" version of the same model, which was never quite what I wanted it to be. The extra 2" makes all the difference in this cymbal. It is just perfect - speaks well without being overly pingy, and with a fantastic bell sound. Plus it's bendy and malleable. Stoked. The guys at RT were great as always, and I ended up saving a boatload on the cymbal through a gift certificate I had, a cracked cymbal recycling program they were running along with Dream Cymbals, and the trade-in of my 20" Sand Ride.

I probably would've otherwise not entertained getting the 22" if I hadn't been in the store and if not for the great deals I always seem to come by there. Rhythm Traders FTW!

Excellent selection of gear. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, making shopping for gear a great experience. The pricing is fair and competitive with other independent drum shops. Highly recommend!

This is THE best drum shop i've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Knowledgeable and friendly staff, incredible selection of drums, cymbals and percussion instruments from all over the world. No other drum shop can compete. Just took home this stunning ludwig black beauty 110th anniversary model too. Can't speak highly enough about this shop! Please check them out!

Been shopping here for years, what an amazing specialty shop. They have a great selection of new and used, and their advice is always spot on. I've made some larger purchases here, but it's the little service add on's that really stand out. They helped me order bin parts to rebuild my Iron Cobra, they've given sound advice on vintage repair, and they've always been super welcoming in letting me play around with their inventory before buying. If you've ever been disappointed by the big chain store (you know who I'm talking about) then this is the spot.

Great drum shop! They had in stock the exact drum heads I was searching for. Much more to choose from.

I needed some parts I couldn't find easily, gave this shop a call, and Ben was super helpful with information and help. He was so patient with all the issues and questions I had, I am very thankful. Such an awesome spot!

Great shop, nice & knowledgable employees. All things percussion. Looking forward to coming back soon!

It's awesome having a great drum store so close to home. Nice, helpful crew, good selection, and they've introduced me to some gear and brands I didn't even know existed. Happy to support a local shop!

I'm from Oakland, CA and was out here checking some stuff out while on the road with my band. All the staff was very friendly and helpful, but Sarge really hooked it up. Understanding my position as a traveling musician, he gave me a great price on a snare drum that i just couldn't pass up. He even went as far to detail clean it for me. This store's selection is extensive, and i'd be surprised to find that they didn't have something you'd need. Rhythm Trader as a great vibe, excellent selection, and is a clearly run by passionate drummers. Support your local businesses!

Fun class and easy going group lesson. Get ready go be blown away with all their drums. you will be suddenly certain you need one of your own :

This place is a gem, and should get a 6th star! Ben was a joy to work with and very helpful and knowledgable about products without being pushy. They had the kit I was looking for in-stock albeit not displayed, but they offered to unbox one for me to try. Even helped us load my new kit into the car. Good selection, prices, and consistently excellent service (2 visits)! A business worth supporting!

This is one of the best drum stores in the country. Selection is a wide array of percussion instruments from drum kit to hand and ethnic percussion. The people who work there are intelligent, and have strong product knowledge and music. I purchased a custom made snare drum last spring which was made by Tony Esperanza, a gentleman who works at the store. This is still the best drum in my collection.

The quintessential percussion store! If you couldn't find what you were looking for here, chances are you weren't looking hard enough. Plan on spending some time tinkering with a million cool instruments - they encourage it. Plus, they offer some excellent community music classes. If you're a percussionist & you've never checked this place out, do yourself a favor & go - you won't be disappointed!

Love this place. great selection, great staff. they've walked and talked me through many hi-hats and pedals etc., so friendly. so easy!

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.

Yes! This is the place guys and gals. You will get excellent service and the best prices. There 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 if they didn't, they hunt it down in minutes and get it for you. Portland is vey lucky to have this shop that not 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 your time and attention. Great prices!

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.