John Craviotto

Video

Oral History Information

Interview Date
Birth Date
Deceased Date
Job Title
Founder
Company Name
Craviotto Drum Company

John Craviotto, the founder of Craviotto Drum Company, has helped pioneer the handcrafted solid-shell snare drums, a leading product for his company and a tool he sought as a young drummer in the 1960s. As a musician, John worked for a host of top artists such as Neil Young, Ry Cooder, Buffy St. Marie and Moby Grape. He studied the kits he loved and became a student of woods from around the world. He also spent many hours building and re-building snare drums to better understand what made the “sound” he sought.  For about a decade beginning in the 1990's, John’s snare drums were available as part of Drum Workshop's catalogs, which greatly expanded the brand name and resulted in a life-long friendship with Drum Workshop founder Don Lombardi. John continues to focus on perfecting his products and listening to the needs of his customers.