Upon the announcement about the return of System of a Down earlier this year for their 2011 World Tour after a 5-year hiatus, Fender Music Foundation intern and avid SOAD fan RoseMary approached the band to see if they were interested in donating memorabilia to proceed music education. With much excitement surrounding their highly anticipated return, drummer John Dolmayan took advantage of this opportunity by not only responding with enthusiasm to promoting the cause but also by donating his personal used tom drum from the actual drum set used during rehearsals for their then upcoming tour.
Arriving at their rehearsal location in Burbank, CA, RoseMary was thrilled to visit the studio where the band conjures up their heavy metal magic. RoseMary remembers, “It was so exciting just to be at the studio, let alone being able to take one of John’s drums home with me.” There she thanked the SOAD camp for their contribution and being an eager fan herself, chatted in excitement about seeing her first SOAD show in years. Upon departing the studio, drum tech Sako grabbed some used drumsticks right off the drum set to further increase the item’s value.
The drum itself was personally selected for the cause and is in great condition. “It’s a beautiful tom drum, with its drumhead worn from some heavy hitting drumming. The pearl white Tama drum set that it was once apart of is so massive it was intimidating.” 
John made sure to sign the interior of the drum in black sharpie so that his large signature would be better preserved and the drum playable for one lucky musician. He also signed “SOAD 2011” under his signature to commemorate its significance in being a token of a new beginning for the band, as it was apart of the rehearsal drum set for their first tour since 2006.
Being a used item by the musician itself, the item is one of the more unique additions to The FMF store, and with a little reluctance, RoseMary passed the drum along knowing it will one day find a happy home to someone with a big heart who helped The FMF provide resources for needy music programs.
Click here to view the item in our FMF store:
https://www.fendermusicfoundation.org/store/index.cfm?view=item&prodId=477&cat=8
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