OffWorld was launched in the spring of 2008 by Northwest percussionist David C. Lauder and engineer Paul J. Howard as a vehicle to present their distinctly modern implements to percussionists worldwide. The company is based in the cool green of the Pacific Northwest, USA, which continues to become a veritable melting pot for marching-arts professionals and related industry in recent years. The origins of OffWorld began with pursuits in the early nineties to create drum practice pads that were altogether diverse from the standard fare. Dave Lauder with the help of a talented friend, the late Jeffrey C. Olson, engineered some of the first prototypes. Created in Springfield, Or. these new pads were then aimed more specifically towards use by the members of the renown University of Oregon Drumline of which Dave was a longtime member, then under the direction of NW marching percussion guru Alan Keown. One of these designs included the infamous â??Baconâ?? (pictured left), a device comprised of 4 separate, interlocking sections or planks, inlayed with numerous gum rubber elements per plank. The unit could be unfurled and placed down the length of a tour bus during travel to benefit ensemble-based use by percussionists.  One of the first designs implementing a rim-like component was customized 6â?? gum rubber octagon(below), designed with 1/4â?? thick, rare purpleheart hardwood outer staves. These were placed at a slight rise over the existing playing surface to create the definitive â??rim-shotâ?? effect when struck. (incidentally, this device became notorious while mounted into the steering column of Daveâ??s VW bus for many years). From these early designs have emerged further concepts, refinements and later creations, championed by fellow musician/engineer Paul J. Howard, leading us towards production of the distinctive and other-worldly percussion implements we offer today. Our products are truly hand-made creations, crafted with a careful dedication to quality and a level of precision reflecting our devotion to the greater percussive art form which continues to inspire the designs. We are absolutely committed to producing the most innovative and highest quality percussion implements found anywhere on the planet, and take great pride in creating them right here, in the good old USA. Thanks for taking the time to check out our new site. Feel free to email us with questions or comments, call direct at 360.921.6988. Thanks, and keep your taps down! - OffWorld.
