As a drummer, singer, songwriter, and inventor, GT Albright has been involved in the music business for over four decades. He began his professional music career in the suburbs of Philadelphia in the late 1960's and at the age of 19 he began touring the east coast and recording with the progressive rock band Ozymandias. GT later moved to the west coast to release his first single "US Metal" with the hard blues rock band Chumbi "The Band from the Cosmos" on the Shrapnel Records label
with Mike Varney producing.

During that period, GT also became interested in the history and construction of drums. In the summer of 2003 he had an idea that would lead to the invention of the Rimshot-Loc acoustic drum tuning stabilization device and system. This idea arrived after GT's frustration with his snare drums tension rods coming loose. This would occur as he played aggressive Rimshots. So he began investigating and studying the art of drum building to try and understand why this detuning kept re-occurring. Through extensive research, experimentation, and patience he eventually developed his own formula for stopping the age old tension rod loosening problem that has plagued drummers since the dawn of the modern drum era. His new proprietary device advanced the classic "hoop - tension rod - lug" design by significantly improving the consistency of the surface contact points throughout the drums hardware assembly. This improvement provided modern drummers with unprecedented and unsurpassed levels of acoustic drum tuning consistency, precision sound, and reliable parts assembly performance. By using this unique patented premium grade device along with the standard hardware on most modern drum assemblies, GT was able to transform drums that lost their tuning due to multiple rim-shot strikes and loose tolerance parts assemblies into consistently in-tune and fine sounding musical instruments.

The Rimshot-Loc was born and was made to apply to all styles of solid-shell drum construction. It also provided for a distinctive quality of sound and playing response to emerge from each drum due to the way the Rimshot-Locs would unify all of the drums tensioning hardware. The new devices created constant contact points that transmitted 100% of the players strike energy into the drums resonation chamber, and insured that the drums tuning would not change even under the most aggressive drummers hits. Additionally, these Rimshot-Locs facilitated precision notation in the drums, and prevented the loss of tension rods and washers when the drum's head was being changed out. Since every drum had its own inherent tonal and performance characteristics, GT's Rimshot-Locs were bringing out the best tonal qualities of each drum to which they were applied. The beauty and subtlest of each drums tones were being discovered in ways they had never been heard. The individuality of each drums sound was being realized. Well made custom drums with uncompromising attention to detail in there construction were delivering all of their craftsmen's precision tones, and standard production line drums were sounding better than anyone could have predicted.

Although loose fitting hoop-tension rod-lug designs have been the standard design for centuries, there have only been a few attempts by innovators to stop the age old loosening tension rod issue. Plastic caps that lock against the hoop rim and other less then effective methods have been employed, but all have failed to achieve a permanent solution, and have frustrated players who have attempted to employ them on their instruments. However, these lack luster attempts to address the age old issue did draw attention to the need for something that would solve the problem. A seriously advanced quality based solution would be the one preferred by discriminating professionals.

By March of 2004, GT had begun to refine his design concept. He arrived at three variations for the design that could be applied to traditional acoustic drums. After some careful thought and consultations with other professional drummers he settled on the most simplistic of the three to begin his prototyping and Bata testing. With the assistance of CNC Machinist Jay MacDonald, the first prototypes were completed in a small CNC Shop in Grants Pass, Oregon. These new devices were applied to the tension rods of a notoriously foul sounding 6" deep snare that had a history of detuning after only a small amount of serious playing time. Immediately upon the application of the new Rimshot-Loc prototypes the drums sound was noticeably better, in fact it was seriously better. It had a clear and precise note during the initial strike, and less annoying non-harmonic overtone ringing. Standard full stroke rim shots and standard side stick rim shot play sounded very precise and produced a richer tone. Additionally, and most importantly the drum that never stayed in tune ... stayed in tune for almost five full months! To this day GT still plays this drum at some of his live performances to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Rimshot-Loc product line.

Today, with the launch of the Rimshot-Loc Company, GT continues to both refine and redefine the art and science of consistent drum tuning under the most demanding circumstances. The goal of solving the age old tension rod detuning problem, and providing the perfect balance of old and new technology, innovation, precision craftsmanship, and optimum performance for every drummers drums has been accomplished. Rimshot-Locs in stainless steel, solid brass, and nickel-chrome hardened steel are being made for every drummer's snare drums; rack toms, floor toms, and bass drums are now available around the world. Join the Rimshot-Loc family of exceptional drummers today and outfit your entire kit with Rimshot-Locs. Play hard and stay in tune!