DW Exotic Factory Build Pictures...

Thought I would share a few pictures of the new DW kit I ordered. It is estimated to be finished and shipped out on 11/30. These pictures were taken today in the 'Buffing Room" at DW. Next step is cutting the bearing edges and then to final assembly.

Specs:

DW Collectors Series (All maple shells)
Natural to Rich Red Fade over African Chechen Vertical Grain Exotic
w/ Chrome Hardware on all drums

10" Tom (VLT Shell w/ 3ply re-rings)
12" Tom (VLT Shell w/ 3ply re-rings)
14" Tom (X Shell w/ 3ply re-rings)
16" Tom (X Shell w/ 3ply re-rings

18X22 Bass (VLX Shell w/ 3ply re-rings) "Yes, I said "VLX"

6x14 Snare (VLT Shell w/ 6ply re-rings)

man that finish is beautiful, question - how does one go about ordering a DW kit?

o is the wertical shells the X-shells thing?

Mastershake16 said:

man that finish is beautiful, question - how does one go about ordering a DW kit?

o is the wertical shells the X-shells thing?

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Hello, and thanks for the nice comment.

Actually "VLT", "X-Shell" and "VLX" are all different. Basically it is all in the way the plys of each drum are positioned. You normally have ply running horizontal on drums. With "VLT" the inner most and outer most ply is run vertical (up and down grain) while the rest of the ply are standard horizontal. With "X-Shell" all plys are cross laminated (cut in a 45 degree then reversed with each ply in an "X" fasion. Now "VLX" (which wont be introduced until NAMM 2009 is a mix of both "VLT" and "X-Shells". Basically it is a 2/3/3 shell ply configuration. The first two plys are 45 degress "X" while the next three ply are left 45, VLT, right 45. The last 3 is again left 45, VLT, Right 45. All of this is down in a way that you can configure a "Hybrid' kit". Utilizing the different ply configurations to create a lower fundamental tone by simply arranging the ply in a different fasion than a normal horizontal kit. These can be mixed and matched anyway you choose but normally the pitch is as follows: VLT = low, X-Shell = lower, VLX = lowest in the frequency range or tone.

In regards to the dealer, you can locate many DW authorized dealers all across the United States. To save you time and trouble I recommend Rupps Drums in Denver Colorado. Great customer service along with great pricing on DW and other brands.

Hope this helps!

Rimshot 1111

That finish is absolutely stunning. There has to be furniture companies that wish they could have a finish on their products that nice. Merry Christmas

Beautiful! cant wait to see it done.

Oh ans how cool is their buffing machine? I would love to have one of those.

Damn that's an amazing finish. Merry Christmas.

thanks for the info on that dude hope it turns out well!

I agree with the above. That is a stunning finish! My favorite part of drum porn is getting a peek into the craftsmanship that goes into high end drums.

Wow!!! like GD said merry christmas. What a stunning finish. I can't wait to see them all hardware, though i do hate to cover up that finish with lugs.

Thanks to everyone for the nice comments. I do appreciate it alot. Its also nice to see some people in the Christmas Spirit!! Merry Christmas to you all too. Im ready to get it. I will get some more pictures for everyone once I take ownership. Thanks guys...

Rimshot 1111

wow, stunning finish. I am officially jealous. Congrats....

Beautiful drums, but I am personally not too fond of fades but that's just me. The vertical grain gives them a solid shell or stave appearance.

What the heck is African Chechen Vertical Grain Exotic? Every time I turn around I hear something different and whimsical from the marketing departments. What's next - Flaming Paleolithic Eritrean Golden Bush Wenge?

Deathmetalconga said:

Beautiful drums, but I am personally not too fond of fades but that's just me. The vertical grain gives them a solid shell or stave appearance.

What the heck is African Chechen Vertical Grain Exotic? Every time I turn around I hear something different and whimsical from the marketing departments. What's next - Flaming Paleolithic Eritrean Golden Bush Wenge?

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LOL! I agree marketing is out of hand now a days. Actually, African Chechen is the type of wood veneer. Its from Western Africa around the Congo area. The trees grow about 40 meters high and the branches dont start until about 20 meters off the ground. Vertical Grain just means the grain of the wood runs up/down the shell and not across. There is no marketing hype here. Thats just simply the description. I do appreciate your compliment though.

rimshot1111

Deathmetalconga said:

Beautiful drums, but I am personally not too fond of fades but that's just me. The vertical grain gives them a solid shell or stave appearance.

What the heck is African Chechen Vertical Grain Exotic? Every time I turn around I hear something different and whimsical from the marketing departments. What's next - Flaming Paleolithic Eritrean Golden Bush Wenge?

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DMC, look what you did!! You made me spill my coffee............lol.

Man, those DW exotics are just stunning. If I ever have a few thousand dollars I don't need, I'm totally getting one, I think they're the pinnacle of craftsmanship as far as drums go. I also like the spider pine and feathered koa.

These drums were ordered in 1992.

gmrakich said:

These drums were ordered in 1992.

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HA! J.K. I love that finish man, so much to choose from these days. Its cool thinkin about what we ll have 10 years from now. I d like to have a station wagon and replace the old wood-paneled sides with this...and then raise it about 4 ft off the ground with 40" tires. The ones that humm when you drive.

Good luck with the set, and be careful! Post pics asap

Uh............Oh................Ahhhhhhhhhhh. Premature exclamation!!!!!!!!

That kit is officially hotter than GruntersDad's avatar.

Yep. I said it.



Just curious as to when you ordered these - I have a DW on order and was wondering what the average wait time is. I've heard some take only 3-4 months while from people I've heard 6 or more.

Simply stunning woodgrain, Rimshot. Here's a list of some woodgrain veneers available from my local So. Calif. Keller shell source, Anderson International. http://www.aitwood.com/StoreFront.A...on=FLEXBURL&wDesc=Flexible Burl Veneer Sheets I personally like the Carpathian Elm Burl, at $403 a sheet. Easy to see why "exotic wood" finishes cost so much. $1000 worth of shells + $1000 worth of exotic veneer + $1000 lacquer/labor +......