Buying a custom DW set

R

Rubik1014

Junior Member
So yeah I'm a new guy and when you look at this you're going to see I have somewhere between 1 and 3 posts.

I've been around enough web forums to know how it goes when new guys drop in and start asking questions that have been asked and answered 100 times, so I'll take any crap you want to hand out to me.

My story...I'll be turning 40 this year, which is completely irrelevent in my mind, but I have enough life years to see how hobbies come and go, and then come back. There have been stretches where I put drumming down for somewhere close to 5-10 years, and then it has come back into my life. Then I have kids, and then it comes back, etc.

Well, it's back, and now that I'm seeing people my age develop terminal illnesses, and I have plenty of free cash flow being very fortunate to have a great income, I am ready to do one of my bucket list items, which is to buy a custom DW set.

I'm not really looking for anyone to tell me that DW is overpriced and I could get something else for less money; I don't really care.

Also if you follow my posts you will see I am not exactly a pro level drummer, but I have some chops and if I were dedicated like I was in my youth, I probably could be a decent player.

I really just want to buy the set as an homage to drumming and to have a fine piece of art/furniture/functional drums in my home.

The question is...how do I go about choosing the specs of the set?

I'm pretty set on a natural finish, as it just feels cool and timeless to me.

So my main variable seems to be wood type...maple, cherry, oak, bubinga, etc.

I'm in Minneapolis, though there is really only Guitar Center and one local drum shop.

How do I really get a feel for how the drums play and sound if I want to have one built?

Do you trust youtube videos? Is there a better way? I'm seriously considering booking a trip to the DW factory before I buy, just to be sure I get it right the first time, but I'm not sure if that's exactly the venue to try and listen to a variety of sets? There seem to be one or two retailers that have made their name nationally online as DW sellers...do I go to one of their locations? I'm willing to invest a little cash and time, as in a sense this is a quest as much as it is just a "purchase", and I definitely am not treating it as a "budget item."

I'll have plenty of other questions about the craft of drumming, but would be interested in hearing what you all have to say on this subject.

I'll look forward to the responses.
 
Difficult without knowing your circumstances.

It's clear you wanna buy a top end kit but you have to buy what's best for your situation as when you buy a top kit, they're quite specialised.

I'd be interested in why you think dw is right for you. They are excellent kits but if you play heavy then it might not be the best for you.

I would recommend not limiting yourself to one brand and try as many as you can in an isolated room.

YouTube videos are fine as long as they don't add any equipment or compression.

Steven Wilson has recorded with many drummers who use different kits and usually reproduces as close to their natural sound as possible.

Try The raven that refused to sing album (Marco minneman dw) and Insurgentes (gavin Harrison Sonor)

I didn't have a good experience with dw but that was a long time ago. They're great drums but with quite an esoteric sound compared to others.

Good luck
 
I was in the same situation as yourself.
I tend to buy cymbals new and shells used- this is why:

I did my first 3 years on a mid level 3 piece Gretsch, which I still have.
Then I bought a used 6 piece DW collectors in Twisted White Satin.
6 months later I bought another used 6 piece DW Collector in Ruby Glass.

All 3 kits cost me less than a single, new 6 piece DW Collectors.

The problem I have with a custom made kit is you cannot play it before buying it.
With all my 3 kits I was able to play them before buying them and they were all bargains.
If I ever need to liquidate them (which is unlikely) then I will definitely get back what I paid.
With a new kit you will lose at least a grand as soon as you buy it.

And after 6 months of ownership, rehearsing and gigging it would look the same as any of my current kits.
Also a new kit is something you will worry about every scratch and bump.
News flash: we hit these things with sticks- they will get a bit beat up. :)

I'm not saying there isn't an argument for buying a new kit- I recently bought a new Yamaha Stage Custom to use as a beater kit for shared gigs.
I tried buying a used one but couldn't find one in my area that didn't have power toms so I went for a discounted floor stock kit.
The Stage Custom new cost less than a single DW tom so I won't worry about it.

If you are absolutely set on a custom kit then have at it.
I'd go for a maple shell in non-crazy sizes.
If you want to drill down to shell construction types then you could always call the DW guys and talk to them about it.
I've done so myself- they were exceptionally cool about it and even forwarded some photos of my used kits the day they were made.
 
First, I wouldn't go to guitar center. They are a great store and I am an ex employee so I have nothing but good things to say about them, but buying a brand new specific kit from them might not be the best route to take. If you have a specialized drum shop nearby like Memphis drum shop or the shop I personally use, lonestar percussion, they are much more likely to set you up with the exact kit you want. I got some drums stolen a few months back but luckily I got insurance money from the situation, and I got really close to buying a gretsch kit from the shop I mentioned. I even had the option to pick what kind of hardware goes on what, what hardware or extra holes I don't want drilled, what sizes to pick, etc. It was truly a custom kit that would've came straight from the factory. I decided to buy a used kit instead but if I ever am on the market for a custom job from a big name company like that again I will be using them.

Second, don't just go for DW because you're set on them. A lot of custom drum makers will make kits specifically for you in mind. What kind of wood or what shell combos you'd like. How thick each ply would be. What bearing edges you'd be interested in. I've been talking to a custom manufacturer who has a really good reputation about making a custom kit, and he'll even use Yamaha hardware lugs on the shells because I requested it. If you do take that path, just make sure you read up on what exactly you want and also read up on the manufacturer. Know where they source their shells from and read up on reviews.

As for what wood and specs you want, that's really up to you. Depending on what sound you're going for and what music you're in to there's an infinite possibility of wood types and bearing edges to choose from so that's just something you'll have to figure out. What I like to do is listen to my favorite drummers or favorite drum videos. If I hear a lot that sounds perfect to me then that's what drums I use. I figure out what type of drum he's using, what wood type, what bearing edge, what head, and then after you get your kit it would be safe to assume that your kit will sound like that.

I hope this helps
 
Never EVER trust any video on youtube as far as sound goes.. After seeing some videos on how to eq drums for videos i was shocked how even horrible kits can sound amazing when a good person is setting up the mics and eq..

I am curious why you chose DW though? I wont say anything bad about them of course. But not considering other brands really closes off some amazing options (yamaha) :)


Rubik1014 said:
So yeah I'm a new guy and when you look at this you're going to see I have somewhere between 1 and 3 posts.

I've been around enough web forums to know how it goes when new guys drop in and start asking questions that have been asked and answered 100 times, so I'll take any crap you want to hand out to me.

My story...I'll be turning 40 this year, which is completely irrelevent in my mind, but I have enough life years to see how hobbies come and go, and then come back. There have been stretches where I put drumming down for somewhere close to 5-10 years, and then it has come back into my life. Then I have kids, and then it comes back, etc.

Well, it's back, and now that I'm seeing people my age develop terminal illnesses, and I have plenty of free cash flow being very fortunate to have a great income, I am ready to do one of my bucket list items, which is to buy a custom DW set.

I'm not really looking for anyone to tell me that DW is overpriced and I could get something else for less money; I don't really care.

Also if you follow my posts you will see I am not exactly a pro level drummer, but I have some chops and if I were dedicated like I was in my youth, I probably could be a decent player.

I really just want to buy the set as an homage to drumming and to have a fine piece of art/furniture/functional drums in my home.

The question is...how do I go about choosing the specs of the set?

I'm pretty set on a natural finish, as it just feels cool and timeless to me.

So my main variable seems to be wood type...maple, cherry, oak, bubinga, etc.

I'm in Minneapolis, though there is really only Guitar Center and one local drum shop.

How do I really get a feel for how the drums play and sound if I want to have one built?

Do you trust youtube videos? Is there a better way? I'm seriously considering booking a trip to the DW factory before I buy, just to be sure I get it right the first time, but I'm not sure if that's exactly the venue to try and listen to a variety of sets? There seem to be one or two retailers that have made their name nationally online as DW sellers...do I go to one of their locations? I'm willing to invest a little cash and time, as in a sense this is a quest as much as it is just a "purchase", and I definitely am not treating it as a "budget item."

I'll have plenty of other questions about the craft of drumming, but would be interested in hearing what you all have to say on this subject.

I'll look forward to the responses.
Click to expand...
 
Life is hard, and it's too dang short.

If you have the desire and the money, man go order a custom DW kit, play the crap out of it, and enjoy it! Sometimes things like this are less about resale value and saving a buck and more about getting exactly what you want.

You are just going to have to get out there and listen to as much and as many drum sets as you can. Don't think about this as a means to an end; get out there and enjoy the process!

Unless you have very specific needs, I'd stick with more traditional drum sizes.

Post lots of pics! :)
 
Welcome to Drummerworld, Rubik!

I've been drumming for 43 years and have never owned quality gear until now, so last year, after a lot of hard-thought consideration and contemplation, I decided to venture forth with my quest to finally spoil myself with a dream kit, and DW it will be.

It all started last year with the purchase of a DW-CS 6.5x14 Black Nickel over Brass Snare Drum, which cemented my craving to own a full-on DW kit, and so my ride began.

If you want a DW kit, someone will tell you, neh, buy a Yamaha kit, and if you were after a Sonor kit, someone would tell you, no, buy a Tama, and the ferris-wheel goes round-and-round.

If you truly know you want a DW kit and you have the means to back-up your wants, then do it. That's where I'm at.

As far as specs go, SSC, is the way to go, unless of course you have the technical background and savvy to know exactly what sort of shell configuration you're after as far as grain orientation and ply-thickness goes. Everything else related to a DW kit hinges solely on your imagination. Cut the tether of self-control, and the world of DW is yours for the taking.

To date, I have established the number of drums I want along with sizes, and the shells and finish will be of Pure Maple, dressed in Custom Lacquered Royal Ebony. I've looked high and low for a kit that was lost in the shuffle, sitting collecting dust in a showroom somewhere or stacked in a corner, but so far all finishes I have found have failed to light a fire within me, and after 43 years of playing cheap, used, beat-up kits in colours and finishes I didn't care for, this time around I promised myself that there will be no compromise. Money be damned.

Stay in touch as to your progress.
 
Last edited:
Yes - get what you want - make the trip to Oxnard, and smile a plenty. Have a great journey.
 
If I had the money to buy a DW custom I would be tempted, but my logical mind would buy something just as good for less money, get a gigantic TV for my living room, and take my wife on a cruise! Go get those DWs if that is what you want!!!!
 
Rubik, welcome!
Shoot these guys an email and let them know what you are looking for.
thedwstore.com
Shipping is free, no worries there. If you can go to Oxnard, I highly recommend it.
Here's my Pure Cherry Collector's, just to whet your appetite!
 

Attachments

  • DW cherry1.jpg
    DW cherry1.jpg
    543.9 KB · Views: 1,113
Rubik,

I totally get your point. I've been on again off again for 35 years, but 11 years older. I'm starting to realize I'm likely not going to be able to play longer than another decade with arthritis in my hands, but really want to have at least one georgeous looking and sounding kit, before I'm forced to quit. Given my likely limited window and budget, I'm going used for sure, so I can recoup my cash at some point. With this in mind, I've spend days on CL and GCs used listening and can say with confidence be careful with a Custom kit if resale is a consideration at all. I've seen far too many custom kits sit indefinitely and get reduced, reduced and reduced again. These kits usually all have odd sizes no one knows what to do with. I would have to assume the original owner had a vision that didn't translate well to reality, so cutting their losses. Custom colors can be bad enough if you're trying to add on, but that's rearely an issue with DW.
 
IMO, you're not going to notice a huge difference between maple, birch, cherry, ash.

Bubinga, walnut and mahogany will add a deepness to the tone that the other woods won't.

You need to know if you want a deeper sounding wood or more of a "standard" sounding wood like maple.

If you re playing for just you, again, IMO, the 4 woods listed first would be my pick with cherry on top :) because of the looks mainly.

The looks are probably more important than the wood as far as your personal satisfaction goes. All those woods will sound lovely.
 
Most of the points have been made and I'll add a couple follow up thoughts:

-Check out in person as many kit configurations as you can.
---Perhaps buy a set of your preferred heads to swap out the factory heads when you try out each kit.
---Also, have someone else play the kits you're demoing and walk around the room to get an idea of how the drums sound from out front.
---If possible change the lighting in the room and see if the stores can put some stage lights on the kit. This can give you an idea of what the finishes look like in different environments. If a store balks at this but could easily do it, I wouldn't work with them. You're looking at dropping $5k plus possibly on a kit, give it a thorough test drive and buy from a dealer who understands the apprehension associated with a large cash outlay.

-Contact a larger DW dealer who has several kits and speak w/ them about what you want.
---Also contact drummers from Facebook and other social media groups that have DW (and other makes) and see if you can check out their kits and get feedback from them.

-If you have your heart set on DW but you talk yourself or allow yourself to be talked into something else, you'll always have a little back-of-mind regret that you didn't get DW -even if you absolutely love whatever you bought.
---I know several car guys who wanted a specific muscle/hot rod car and ended up putting their money into a different car/project and even though it turned out great, they were always pining for the "one." Most often they ended up selling the other car and getting what they wanted all along.

-Start w/ basic parameters of what you want and don't allow yourself to become paralyzed with indecision. One of the downsides to full customization is that you can become incapable of deciding what you want. Sometimes too many choices is a bad thing if you don't have a good starting point of what you want. During the decision making process, a lot of mental energy gets puts into all the options and becomes an emotional investment and when we're forced to make a decision and "pick just one," it can be psychologically difficult to give up all the other options we spent so much time on.
 
jbonzo1 said:
Rubik, welcome!
Shoot these guys an email and let them know what you are looking for.
thedwstore.com
Shipping is free, no worries there. If you can go to Oxnard, I highly recommend it.
Here's my Pure Cherry Collector's, just to whet your appetite!
Click to expand...
Love those D-dubs, JB! I can't wait!
 
I love the D-Dubs as well.

The man specified he wanted them.

You go man!

Enjoy the hunt.

It's the best part.

Read all you want, you are the one buying...choose smart, them tropical beautiful blue over natural we all love !

Beautiful position you are in.

Again and again :

Enjoy the hunt !
 
Dudes-

Thanks for all of the comments. They are pretty much exactly what I was looking for.

I appreciate the sentiment about looking elsewhere, but to the point one of the posts made, if I don't do DW now, and if I don't spend top dollar to get everything as top of the line as possible, in a short time I will be wishing I had.

Why DW? Probably because in my personal hay day of the 90's they were the top tier premier label, and in my mind continue to be. Besides that, their distinctive sound and design is just too damn special, again in my mind I'm sure.

Also I'll note that when I say custom, I really am not looking at anything exotic, I just want to put together the exact wood, finish, and hardware combination that I want.


So at the factory...will I see every finish they do? (Outside of the specific custom of course)

Will I hear what the different wood types sound like?

It sounds like I will need to chat with some drum shops, and will be hoping that my local shop can stock some variety of inventory over time.

Thanks again guys!
 
Rubik1014 said:
So yeah I'm a new guy and when you look at this you're going to see I have somewhere between 1 and 3 posts.

I've been around enough web forums to know how it goes when new guys drop in and start asking questions that have been asked and answered 100 times, so I'll take any crap you want to hand out to me.

My story...I'll be turning 40 this year, which is completely irrelevent in my mind, but I have enough life years to see how hobbies come and go, and then come back. There have been stretches where I put drumming down for somewhere close to 5-10 years, and then it has come back into my life. Then I have kids, and then it comes back, etc.

Well, it's back, and now that I'm seeing people my age develop terminal illnesses, and I have plenty of free cash flow being very fortunate to have a great income, I am ready to do one of my bucket list items, which is to buy a custom DW set.

I'm not really looking for anyone to tell me that DW is overpriced and I could get something else for less money; I don't really care.

Also if you follow my posts you will see I am not exactly a pro level drummer, but I have some chops and if I were dedicated like I was in my youth, I probably could be a decent player.

I really just want to buy the set as an homage to drumming and to have a fine piece of art/furniture/functional drums in my home.

The question is...how do I go about choosing the specs of the set?

I'm pretty set on a natural finish, as it just feels cool and timeless to me.

So my main variable seems to be wood type...maple, cherry, oak, bubinga, etc.

I'm in Minneapolis, though there is really only Guitar Center and one local drum shop.

How do I really get a feel for how the drums play and sound if I want to have one built?

Do you trust youtube videos? Is there a better way? I'm seriously considering booking a trip to the DW factory before I buy, just to be sure I get it right the first time, but I'm not sure if that's exactly the venue to try and listen to a variety of sets? There seem to be one or two retailers that have made their name nationally online as DW sellers...do I go to one of their locations? I'm willing to invest a little cash and time, as in a sense this is a quest as much as it is just a "purchase", and I definitely am not treating it as a "budget item."

I'll have plenty of other questions about the craft of drumming, but would be interested in hearing what you all have to say on this subject.

I'll look forward to the responses.
Click to expand...

Here's something: since you have a great income, why not ring up DW and tell them you're willing to come out to get the tour from John Goode so you can pick out a custom set. He'll walk you through what all the shells and woods do and you can make an informed decision. I'm sure they'd be willing to accommodate you. That would be the ultimate take on finding what you want to get.

Or at least, maybe come out to Hollywood and talk with Stan at Pro Drum and he can walk you through the DW differences, then you can order it with him, pay him, and have them shipped to you when they're ready.

Could you make the trip? It sounds like if you don't, there's no way for you to find out your specifics.

Or, what if you found a used DW Collector's kit, lived with that for some time so you can figure out what it doesn't give you, then you can theorize with the DW literature about your custom job, then order one to your liking? That would help answer a lot of questions too. I for one, have been very happy with regular ol' DW Collector's drums - but my thing has been to be a musical chameleon so I can fit into a lot of situations. If you want something unique, than hearing the 'standard' would give you good insight into what you want.
 
In my experience and IMHO. I would advise not listening to drums from other manufacturers. It's most likely just going to frustrate or confuse. Hearing so many other drums that sound so incredible and also look so beautiful but that aren't DW. You have your heart set on DW and for you own reasons. It's an emotional thing so don't do something to tarnish that.
If you want a natural wood grain that looks stunning there are many exotic veneers that DW can put on your drums. If you don't want an exotic look though, then cherry is a beautiful looking wood, as you saw earlier with John's gorgeous Cherry set. If you have no real way to listen to different DW sets made with different woods near you. IMO, you have two options. 1.) Listen to Memphis Drum Shop videos on Youtube. They do an excellent job of capturing the actual sound of the drums. I believe they have recorded virtually every major wood that DW has used. 2.) Go to DW factory as others have suggested and take a tour. When I ordered mine I wasn't able to go to the factory. I already knew pretty closely what I wanted but I needed to fine tune some details in grain orientation and number of ply's. I called and spoke to a few guys there. They were very nice, patient and informative. We worked together and after a few phone conversations I knew exactly what I wanted. I then called up a reputable DW dealer that I had done business with an gave them my exact order. Done. Seven months later I was playing my custom DW.

I wish you the best of luck in your journey. Enjoy it and please keep us posted. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top