Oxnard, Calif. – On November 7, Guitar Center opened the doors of Drum Workshop’s Oxnard facility to the public for its annual DW Factory Day. The free, family‑friendly event attracted a steady line of drummers, music lovers and curious shoppers eager to experience the brand’s latest offerings.
Special Guests and Hands‑On Clinics
Among the featured guests were renowned drummers Thomas Lang, Trevor Lawrence Jr., Colin Brittain and Chad Wackerman. Their clinic sessions gave attendees a rare chance to see professional techniques up close and inspired many to consider building their own custom drum kits.
New Showroom Highlights
The highlight of this year’s Factory Day was the brand‑new showroom, which now houses the final drum kit played by the late Neil Peart of Rush. “We are really excited to have the public here,” said Customer Service Supervisor Brent Wetli. “We’ve been gearing up this new room for months and are proud to show everyone the new showroom, the factory tour, and a lineup of cool clinics.”
Factory Tour and Pricing
Visitors were invited to tour the manufacturing floor, watching the process from raw wood to finished drum set. Wetli explained that public tours run once a week on Thursday afternoons, offering a behind‑the‑scenes look at how each component is crafted.
In addition to the tour, attendees could purchase equipment at factory pricing. One shopper, Stephen Lauver of Northridge, said he left with a new REMO drumhead and a Symbol stand after being persuaded by the event’s special pricing. “I had never seen this head before, they kind of sold me on it and the pricing was really good, kind of hard to turn down,” he said.
Company Leadership and Local Impact
DW, now a subsidiary of Roland, is led by Don Lombardi, Chris Lombardi and John Good. The company’s presence in Oxnard supports local jobs and contributes to the region’s music‑industry ecosystem.
Future Events
For those who missed the November 7 gathering, Drum Workshop will continue offering public tours on Thursday afternoons. More information about upcoming tours and future DW events can be found on the company’s website.
DW Factory Day exemplifies how music‑related businesses can engage the community, provide educational experiences and boost the local economy—all while honoring the legacy of drumming legends.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
