DW For The Poor Man

[gcarlet]

So, what if one wanted a custom made DW kit, but is not sponsored by DW so they would have to fork out the $$$ themselves...what is one to do?

:-)

[Tama Player]

So, what if one wanted a custom made DW kit, but is not sponsored by DW so they would have to fork out the $$$ themselves...what is one to do?

:-)

I am confused. Do you mean that they have to pay for it or what? Could you specify more.

Peace
AGR

[gcarlet]

I am confused. Do you mean that they have to pay for it or what? Could you specify more.

Peace
AGR

Yes, they would have to pay for it, and by they I mean I. The majority of us are not sponsored by a major drum company, so we don't get our kits for free, but that doesn't mean we don't want one of those high end custom kits. Do the smaller drum companies make custom kits on par with DW but for a cheaper price? I guess that is what I was asking.

[harryconway]

Check into these people. http://www.precisiondrum.com/ One of the oldest supliers of drum shells and hardware. If anything, this will give you an idea of what a drum costs. And Keller shells are an industry standard. DW used to use Keller shells, and a lot of custom drum shops build on the Keller shell.

[Drum-Head]

Even endorsers pay for their kits, even though they pay less. The "everything free" theory is a myth... Only a handful of drummers get some gear for free.

[hauk]

Do the smaller drum companies make custom kits on par with DW but for a cheaper price? I guess that is what I was asking.

yeah, there's a number of custom companies that probably cost less than DWs. i'm not too sure on pricing, but a few that come to mind are ayotte and pork pie

[Drum-Head]

yeah, there's a number of custom companies that probably cost less than DWs. i'm not too sure on pricing, but a few that come to mind are ayotte and pork pie

Ayotte's pricings lower than Drums Workshop's? Are you sure? I could be mistaken, but I thought Ayotte was very expensive.

[gcarlet]

Even endorsers pay for their kits, even though they pay less. The "everything free" theory is a legend... Only a handful of drummers get some gear for free.

And I have known this and should have clarified. Let's put it this way...a drummer that is in a band that sells millions of records and tours is going to have an easier time getting/affording a custom DW kit than a guy like me. My question is, how would I go about getting as close to that custom DW kit at a more affordable price?

[Tama Player]

Well, join a famous band! J/k. Im not really sure.

Peace
AGR

[Mendozart]

Do what I did. Find a great condition used DW kit for well below half price. Look on ebay, craigslist, etc. I found a great keller shelled DW in 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, & 24 for $1600.

[gcarlet]

Do what I did. Find a great condition used DW kit for well below half price. Look on ebay, craigslist, etc. I found a great keller shelled DW in 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, & 24 for $1600.

That's a great idea, except I want specific sizes.

[driver]

Kinda confused by the question that but the thing is there really is no true cheap custom DW kit. Well no clever way round it. If your going to contact DW and have your kit made it just can't. Specific sizes from such a company it just wont be cheap. Maybe if you tell us what u have in mind (such as sizes and all the extras) people can direct you so some really great alternatives. But if your totally set on have your very own custom order Drum Workshop kit it wont come cheap

[gcarlet]

Kinda confused by the question that but the thing is there really is no true cheap custom DW kit. Well no clever way round it. If your going to contact DW and have your kit made it just can't. Specific sizes from such a company it just wont be cheap. Maybe if you tell us what u have in mind (such as sizes and all the extras) people can direct you so some really great alternatives. But if your totally set on have your very own custom order Drum Workshop kit it wont come cheap

It doesn't have to be DW. I just know that I want custom sizes and good quality/sound.

[driver]

Ahh right. That helps. What sizes are you looking at getting and also (you don't have to say this if you dont want to) but what kind of budget do you have in mind?

[dom]

does it have to be dw? that are quite a few custom builders that build kits that blow away any dw i have seen, and are a fraction of the cost.

check out www.ghostnote.net there are quite a few of builders there and everyone is really helpfull

[gcarlet]

does it have to be dw? that are quite a few custom builders that build kits that blow away any dw i have seen, and are a fraction of the cost.

check out www.ghostnote.net there are quite a few of builders there and everyone is really helpfull

No, they don't have to be DW. In fact, I am seriously considering http://www.houstonpercussion.com/hpcustomdrums.html since they're here in Houston and all.

[dom]

Since you live in Houston I would check them out try them out. Talk to the builder(s) and explain what you want. Try to as involved as possible that way you know you are getting just what you want.

[harryconway]

Checking out Houston Percussions web site, prices, etc., he makes his drums either maple shells or carbon fiber. Sizes are pretty much standard fare. So, for example, his 26x16 kick drum is $1K. My Ludwig 26x14 6 ply clear maple kick was $350 off eBay. So unless you really have some odd sizes in mind, buying used will save you a boatload of cash.

[Jusstickinaround]

So, what if one wanted a custom made DW kit, but is not sponsored by DW so they would have to fork out the $$$ themselves...what is one to do?

:-)

Since you live in Houston, if I were you I'd go to Rockin Robin music store and buy a vintage Ludwig kit. In the sixties and seventies Ludwig was king, just like DW is now. You can get a kit every bit as good as a DW for probably less than half of a DW, plus it won't go down in value. Just a thought

[Jeremy]

If you're willing to put in a little work, i'd recommend finding a good shell maker and getting blank shells, and then looking around online for part suppliers and finding lugs, snare strainer, tom clamps, etc. You could then, with a little research (as far as where to drill and whatnot), have a high quality kit for much less than dw cost.

i'd recommend keller shells, though their cost might still be quite high. lots of people around various sites like ghostnote.com and drumsmith.com make shells, and if they have websites you can check out their work and see what you like.

on the hardware front, i personally like most lugs from a company called Ego, but there are many others. strainers, the 2 best are the dunnett and trick, and the nickelworks is pretty good too. for other hardware gibraltar would be best.

i know assembling your own drums is a daunting task, but it can be pretty fun, and when i was helping my friend make his own, he used joshua tree percussion stave shells and saved $700 from what he would have spent on the same sized maple absolute kit. they sound nice too.

just a thought. good luck, and if you figure out how to pull off a dw quality kit for much less, let me know how

[Salicete]

I think "custom" is the keyword here. Can you get a "custom kit" from a major manufacturer at a price lower than DW. Sure, but not enough less to make it affordable for everyone.

There were lots of great suggestions made in this thread, but don't expect a kit with shells made to your exact specifications as to bearing edges, thickness, materials, hardware, size and finish for $1000.00. (I just threw that number out as an example; I don't know what your budget is.)

What you can get is a nice kit built with quality materials that will serve you well for years, but it is not going to be like the kits you see endorsers sitting behind in the drum magazines.

If you truly want custom, you are going to have to pay custom prices, but a bit of research, or perhaps a bit of time building your own kit can net you some great gear at reasonable prices.