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Welcome back to another episode of DrumGAB podcast. So in this episode, we wrap up the Sweet Spot Invasion Trilogy with Robert Michl, owner, and operator of Sweet Spot Clutches. This is actually not the first time that I have interviewed Rob. In fact, it is not even my second time. I have spoken to Rob on three separate occasions, including this interview. So, how is it that I have spoken to Rob so many times? Well, even though this marks episode thirteen, back last summer I tried to do a podcast and Rob was a guest. I did a total of six episodes in the summer of 2016 but I had them taken down this past fall and decided to reboot the podcast. So, that still doesn’t explain three times….it explains two of em’, but not three.

So back when DrumGAB first started, I was using a service called Spreaker (I explain this little story in the gag reel) and it sucked. I had to pay for it, I had to save every 30 minutes and if I forgot to save….I would lose it. So, I would imagine you are beginning to realize where that third interview comes into play. I still remember the moment when I realized that I would have to call Rob and tell him that I needed to redo part of the interview. Anyways, long story short, we did an interview last summer. But lemme tell you something, that interview would not hold a candle to this one. It is a much more developed company now, even in short time things have changed considerably and DrumGAB is beginning to turn into a much more developed podcast as well. The results of this interview are fantastic.

We begin by talking about the humble beginnings of Sweet Spot and how Rob was finding it tiresome dealing with the industry norm for hi-hat clutches and decided to make a difference about it and make his own. He had a lathe and knew what to do with it and the rest they say is history. One person tells another person and next thing you know Rob can’t keep up with making them himself and turns to a more serious manufacturing process.

Even though Rob is always thinking about what will be next in his line up of goodies, he also has some people that chip in too. We get to hear the story about how his lightsaber clutch came to be, how sometimes mistakes are are a good thing (the story behind the rat rod finish) and Rob even leaks his most diverse project yet!! The big picture with Rob is to diversify without straying too far from what he originally set out to do. He wants to be at the top of the food chain for the style of hardware he produces and I think that he has done just that.

Before I saw Sweet Spot, clutches and cymbal toppers were kind of all the same more or less. Some are definitely worse than others, but from a 50/50 shot, you can’t really tell much difference. What Rob has done is create something completely new and he has innovated more than once on these rather simple concepts. Between his wear sleeve that he provides with each clutch or the Fuzion clutch that can be altered with an adapter to put a splash or effects cymbal on top of your hi hats, there are many new ways to implement cymbal hardware into your existing setup. Plus, Sweet Spot really blings up your drums, which helps you stand apart from other people. All in all, I really like Rob and what he makes for the drumming community. He is a solid dude that is willing to help wherever he can and it is very much appreciated by all of us.

Instagram | @sweet_spot_clutches

Facebook | @SweetSpotClutches

www.sweetspotclutches.com