Whats the difference between PDP and DW?

[HUdrummer]

Im looking into buying a used PDP platinum by DW on eBay. are these PDP drums crappy kits that are trying to use DWs name to sell more or are these good quality like DWs are.

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

PDP are the budget to intermediate line kits - that doesn't mean they are neccessarily rubbish either - it just means that unlike other companies who have high end kits through to entry level kits and everything in between, DW like to keep their top 'o the range gear under the DW banner, so their budget gear hits the shelves marketed as PDP.

PDP are made in Mexico from memory, but I may be wrong. I'm sure a Dee-Dub expert will chime in for you.

[Paul Quin]

about $3,000 - ba-dum dish!

[mediocrefunkybeat]

Last I was aware of, the hardware wasn't as high quality and the drums don't generally have reinforcement rings either. The latter is generally a preference.

[Timekeep69]

PDP are decent drums for the price.

PDP is OWNED by DW, they are not MADE by DW. Pocket is right, they are made in Mexico. DW bought PDP so they can have a mid line series.

[HUdrummer]

Will this one make a good kit?

http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Drums-DW-SHELL-BLACK/dp/B001FQ97OS/ref=sr_1_6?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1302654266&sr=1-6

[Wick]

Will this one make a good kit?

http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Drums-DW-SHELL-BLACK/dp/B001FQ97OS/ref=sr_1_6?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1302654266&sr=1-6

805's are the lowest level kid I believe....
I'd sell you my PDP kit for that price if you'd pay the shipping, which I don't think would be too cheap lol

[Winston_Wolf]

Will this one make a good kit?

http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Drums-DW-SHELL-BLACK/dp/B001FQ97OS/ref=sr_1_6?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1302654266&sr=1-6

The 805's are pretty good kits. I'd call them mid-level, about the same level or slightly better than the X7 line.

[Artstar]

Im looking into buying a used PDP platinum by DW on eBay. are these PDP drums crappy kits that are trying to use DWs name to sell more or are these good quality like DWs are.

HUdrummer.. Platinums are not in the same category as 90% of what PDP is.. which is out of asia.. Different category. Most of those Asian models are actually spot on and very nice.

The Platinums were made alongside the DW Performance; both in Mexico.. although the Platinums were discontinued and the Performance since has moved over to u.s. production. Both more on the mid-range to pro level depending on the person you talk to.

[DrumEatDrum]

PDP are decent drums for the price.

PDP is OWNED by DW, they are not MADE by DW. Pocket is right, they are made in Mexico. DW bought PDP so they can have a mid line series.

Just to clarify (not that it matters) DW did not buy PDP.

They created PDP.

Name aside, a lot of the PDP stuff is decent to well made stuff for their price range. Many of DW's endorsers use PDP on the road.

[Biscuit]

I agree with DrumEatDrum. I've seen several pro drummers use PDP kits. IMO the more expensive PDP kits really doesn't sound that bad( when tuned properly) and i've actually heard alot of good things about them as far as durability. I'm not that impressed with their boom stands and pedals though.

[Timekeep69]

Just to clarify (not that it matters) DW did not buy PDP.

They created PDP.

Name aside, a lot of the PDP stuff is decent to well made stuff for their price range. Many of DW's endorsers use PDP on the road.

You're right, my bad. PDP was created by DW, not purchased by them.

[NPYYZ]

Will this one make a good kit?

http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Drums-DW-SHELL-BLACK/dp/B001FQ97OS/ref=sr_1_6?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1302654266&sr=1-6

From the info I could find the 805's are birch shells. Personally I'd go with the X7's 100% maple, they sound great. I once owned a birch kit, it sounded nice but lacked the warmth of maple.

[Linchpin]

I'm a PDP owner myself (7 pc LX series / 2006) I've been really happy with the shells, sound, finish, build, etc. I've had some pretty good feedback from other drummer friends who have played my kit, and where surprised at how good they played, and sounded. I would also say the hardware is more like entry level gear.

[HUdrummer]

The reason I want an 805 is because its the only pdp kit with a virgin bass. playing drums with toms mounted on the bass just doesnt seem natural to me and doesnt go good with the music i play. Also It looks like a real DW, LOL all I would have to do is replace the PDP bass head with this http://drums-percussion.musiciansfriend.com/product/DW-Front-Ported-Bass-Drumhead-with-Logo-?sku=442111 and itl look like a real DW hahaha ;)

[Mikecore]

Just to clarify on the hardware, the PDP oval lug is actually a DW part number that was used on the original Workshop series, and there's nothing really cheap about them. The rest of the stuff (floor tom legs, tom brackets, etc) used to be a lot closer to DW, but it has been made a bit thinner since about 2004-2005 (I think). Still nothing really wrong with it, and the brackets can be swapped out for DW TB12 brackets if you want to spend the extra cash.

[RickP]

PDP - maple shells made in Mexico by Mexicans
DW - maple shells made in California by Mexicans :)

Seriously the PDP Platinum drums are really quite nice- nice lacquer finishes pretty much equivalent hardware appointments as DW Collector's ( albeit the lugs are different).The PDP shells have no reinforcing rings whereas the DW Collector's come with reinforcing rings standard and they have a larger variety of finish options.

The DW Collector's are much more expensive as well.

[HUdrummer]

The only problem with the 805 is that the series was canceled and now theyre very rare. If there is any other pdp kits with a virging bass with 100% maple that would be badass

[Bo Eder]

PDP - maple shells made in Mexico by Mexicans
DW - maple shells made in California by Mexicans :)



Hahahahaha! This is true! I've seen it!
Actually, the only difference is probably the possibly perceived prestige factor. I loved DW drums and always wanted a set back in the '80s, then I got two of them and found there's something about them I don't like. I like their pedals though.

[LeftoverPenguin]

PDP does make some decent drums (I'm told) however make sure to stay away from the low end of things. My church had a budget, and in sticking to that budget we ended up with two low level PDP sets w/ hardware (M5? MX? something like that I believe), along with Zildjian Hi-hats, a ride, a couple crashes and a splash for each set. We've had them for about, oh, four or five years now. A couple of months ago I changed all the heads on the drums and the wood from both sets on all the toms was splintering. A little bit on the bass and snare, too, and the wood hoop on the bass drum doesn't like to stay, um, round. Man. At this point I wish I had sacrificed one or two of the cymbals, or even donated more of my own money towards a better set.

I'm not familiar with PDP's lineup at all; maybe someone with personal experience can chime in? But based on my experience with their drums, I wouldn't recommend it.

[Winston_Wolf]

I owned a CX kit for quite a few years. Overall the build quality was good for a kit in the mid-range, though the bearing edges were hit or miss on the six drums. The shell hardware was all really solid and very well made and the heavy hoops helped get that heavy duty smack that's part of the DW sound.

I'd put the Mexican-made drums up as quality drums. There are always going to be a corner or two cut in their price range, but the CX/LX/Platinum series were a good way to get a foot in the DW door without putting up the big money.

With the Mexican factory now closed and all PDP coming from China I'm not sure I'd be as quick to recommend a new Pacific kit, but it should become easier and easier to get a good used CX/LX/Platinum kit on eBay for really good money. I know whoever bought my CX kit got a great deal 'cause they sold for almost nothing.

[Artstar]

PDP - maple shells made in Mexico by Mexicans
DW - maple shells made in California by Mexicans :)
.

Shhh .! Don't tell Illustrator.. he is looking to rep for dw ! Just playing Illie..


In all seriousness.. You know what they call ol' John Good out here don't you ??

[Nodiggie]

about $3,000 - ba-dum dish!

Other than build quality and materials I think Paul Quin said it all. As far as sound and recordability, the old-school CX Maple sounds fantastic and has served me well for over 5 years. Can send you some sound files if you are interested.

[MediocrityMaster]

The only problem with the 805 is that the series was canceled and now theyre very rare. If there is any other pdp kits with a virging bass with 100% maple that would be badass

yeah they're pretty rare. but my friend has them and they sound pretty nice. and i dont think PDP makes any more virgin bass kits, but i havent really checked out their stuff lately.

i have their very bottom line beginner kit, the Z5, and they're actually pretty good, better than my friends Pearl set, i'ved tuned both my kit and his so i feel like my kit has an edge on his

so i'd say PDP is doing pretty well in the shell department, not exactly in hardware though..

[audiotech]

Hahahahaha! This is true! I've seen it!
Actually, the only difference is probably the possibly perceived prestige factor. I loved DW drums and always wanted a set back in the '80s, then I got two of them and found there's something about them I don't like. I like their pedals though.

I've felt the same way about the DW Collectors series for years and that's why I never bought them. Then last year the Five Star shop I frequent had the Collectors, DW Classic and Jazz series kits standing right next to one another. After comparing the three kits for about an hour, I was sold on their Classic series. I just don't believe that I can get a better "maple" sound out of a set of drums than that of the Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute. The DW Collectors are really a good sounding set of drums, but there's something with the Yamaha set that the Collectors just can't touch in my opinion.

BTW, saying that someone doesn't like DW is a basic generalization since there are more than just one series of DW. It's very much the same as if I said I didn't care for Gretsch drums because I just never liked their Catalina series.

Dennis

[LeftoverPenguin]

PDP does make some decent drums (I'm told) however make sure to stay away from the low end of things. My church had a budget, and in sticking to that budget we ended up with two low level PDP sets w/ hardware (M5? MX? something like that I believe), along with Zildjian Hi-hats, a ride, a couple crashes and a splash for each set. We've had them for about, oh, four or five years now. A couple of months ago I changed all the heads on the drums and the wood from both sets on all the toms was splintering. A little bit on the bass and snare, too, and the wood hoop on the bass drum doesn't like to stay, um, round. Man. At this point I wish I had sacrificed one or two of the cymbals, or even donated more of my own money towards a better set.

I'm not familiar with PDP's lineup at all; maybe someone with personal experience can chime in? But based on my experience with their drums, I wouldn't recommend it.

I was up at church tonight and checked. They're LX sets.

[drumdevil9]

I'd put the Mexican-made drums up as quality drums. There are always going to be a corner or two cut in their price range, but the CX/LX/Platinum series were a good way to get a foot in the DW door without putting up the big money.


Agreed. I own an LX 5 piece with the 10 lug bass drum and snare and it's a fine set of drums. I've never seen an M5 or X7 in person but they seem like pretty decent quality for the price. I really like the X7 finishes.

I'm a fan of the oval lug. I think they look classy.

[DisturbanceDrums]

I bought a CX for gigging and practise. Can not complain at all! I love it.

[Winston_Wolf]

I was up at church tonight and checked. They're LX sets.

Really? The LX was Pacific's top line until they morphed into the Platinum series. Those have the same 8-ply maple shells as the CX series, just with lacquer finishes instead of wraps.

I'm a little surprised, but I'll also say that I think when they were starting up in Mexico those early kits were a little more hit or miss than later ones. My early CX kit, which I bought in 2002, had a few oddities and a mixture of decent, average and awful bearing edges.

I think once the factory found their groove the quality got better, but it sounds like those LX kits you have must have either been made on a Friday afternoon, or were early, pre-2003 drums.

[Artstar]

Really? The LX was Pacific's top line until they morphed into the Platinum series. Those have the same 8-ply maple shells as the CX series, just with lacquer finishes instead of wraps.

I'm a little surprised, but I'll also say that I think when they were starting up in Mexico those early kits were a little more hit or miss than later ones. My early CX kit, which I bought in 2002, had a few oddities and a mixture of decent, average and awful bearing edges.

I think once the factory found their groove the quality got better, but it sounds like those LX kits you have must have either been made on a Friday afternoon, or were early, pre-2003 drums.

Winston.. I think the ONLY drums coming out of Mexico were DW Performance and Platinum. All the lower PDP were China I believe. Maybe I am off a little...

[Winston_Wolf]

Winston.. I think the ONLY drums coming out of Mexico were DW Performance and Platinum. All the lower PDP were China I believe. Maybe I am off a little...

Yep, the LX and CX were also made in Mexico. The badges on my CX kit read "Made in Ensenada, Mexico"...

The LX series essentially became the Platinum. Only the finish choices and the new lugs really set them apart, they were the same 8-ply maple shells as the rest of the made in Mexico drums.

Of course, now that the Mexican factory is closed Pacific's entire line is made overseas. I guess it makes sense, now ALL DW drums are made in California, and all Pacific drums are made in China.

[Artstar]

Got it. I was not aware of the other models in Mexico other than DW Performance.

[Florian]

for the money you cant overlook Dixon Outlaws or Sonor Safari kits.....


F

[elvis18]

I have a pdp x7 I bought it this year, great kit sounds awesome the only con was they come with one ply heads so they ring alot but once you put some two plys they sound badass. I hear there pedals and stands suck but for drum wise awesome.

[Metronome]

Doesn't PDP use Keller shells just like any other intermediate drum company? I owned a kit when I didn't know how to tune, so they sounded like crap, couldn't comment on the quality because I got rid of them within months for a set of Sonors.

[wy yung]

I have secveral years experience with both PDP and DW. I own neither. In fact I have only heard 1 DW drum that sounded OK. I have seen PDP drums arrive at a drum shop in pristine boxes, then upon opening seen crushed drums. No lie. It happend twice.

For the money, companies such as Tama and Mapex offer far superior kits. IMO PDP is a rubbish drum. Across the board.

[JimboJim]

As far as shell packs go, I have owned 2 PDPs, 1 DW Collectors, and a Mapex Saturn.

IMO...
Collectors > Saturns > PDP CX > PDP FS

The Collectors and Saturns were both wonderful sets, but I found the DWs easier, though more limited in range, to tune, and more resonant.

As far as hardware and quality, both the Collectors and Saturns were >>> beteer than the PDPs.

I currently own a Collectors set and am very satisfied all around. I wouldn't lie to promote what I'm playing now, but DWs are what I personally consider the pinnacle of rock style maple drums.

[ozdave77]

I actually play a PDP LX7 kit and the only things i found wrong with it where that the rims on the toms are less in quality and i had to re bend them to make them fit better. The toms and Kick are good in quality and i have done several recordings with them. The only thing i replaced was the snare which was a 14x5 inch as i wanted to have more depth in the snare sound. I currently use a 14x6" rosewood snare thanks to my good friends at the Sleishman Factory in Sydney. For the rest it is a principal of selecting the right skins and your skills in tuning that really make the difference. Drums are a membrane instrument so there is lots you can do just with how you set the drums up in relation to the above. Shells are from Keller i think so shell quality is the same as for DW. All in all PDP is a good drumkit for the price.

[Odd-Arne Oseberg]

DWs are great if you like them.

When it comes to PDP, the competition is tough. I have tried only one really, but the Cabria and Catalina kits I've tried, that are about half the price around here, are just sooooooo much better IMO.