Pacific Platinum Sound Amazing

[Frankierocker]

While I am not currently in the market for a drum kit, I had the opportunity to play a Pacific Platinum drum set today at my local 5 star drum center where I take my lessons. They sounded incredible! It was a 10, 12, 14, 22 config finished in tobacco to black burst. The toms sang and the bass drum was deep and focused. There were other "true DWs" on the floor and both myself and the store owner agreed that the new Pacific sounded every bit as good. In addition, the new lugs and finish looked great. All for 1000 bucks! Just thought I would spread the word to my Drummerworld friends!

[Les Ismore]

Originally Posted by Frankierocker

While I am not currently in the market for a drum kit, I had the opportunity to play a Pacific Platinum drum set today at my local 5 star drum center where I take my lessons. They sounded incredible! It was a 10, 12, 14, 22 config finished in tobacco to black burst. The toms sang and the bass drum was deep and focused. There were other "true DWs" on the floor and both myself and the store owner agreed that the new Pacific sounded every bit as good. In addition, the new lugs and finish looked great. All for 1000 bucks! Just thought I would spread the word to my Drummerworld friends!

Ahhh, the great blindfold test between DW and its immigrant half-sibling PDP.

Gretsch Renown and U.S.A. Customs just as close?

[Frankierocker]

Hello Les,
Yes it was an interesting comparison. To address your question, I am not sure if the Gretsch kits would sound similar. While they share the same 30 degree bearing edges, I believe the hardware is different. I am also unsure if they are made of the same shell composition (material and ply thickness). The reason why the new platinum series sounded so much like the "true DW" was because they are now made as of this year with the same rock maple shells in the same molds as the dw shells. They also share the same hoops and are shipped with the same heads. I guess the reinforcement rings on some "true dee dubs" will focus the sound more, but the difference was negligible to us. Anyway, it’s a great thousand dollar kit, probably my next. Take care.

[KarlCrafton]

....Made with the same Maple and the same molds...you ARE playing a DW kit...it's just made somewhere other than the "DW factory" (& where the labor is less expensive), and has a different name on it.

The Platinum series isn't cheap, but not as expensive as a "DW" either.

I'd actually prefer a Platinum shell over a DW Collectors because I like the no re-ring shell sound better.

I liked the first "Workshop" series too.

I've A/B'ed top line PDP's next to DW Collector kits a few times, and there isn't $1000+ difference in sound quality IMHO.

Especially when you change those crappy (IMO) DW heads.

A few years ago, I was told on the "hush hush" (hush hush back then) that DW would build a set with no rings, and now I think they offer it as an option.

Ahhh...I'll just stick with my Ludwig's :-)

[porkchop]

Just been reading what you guys have been saying about the platinum series. The only thing I would say about the platinum is that the colours aren't that attrative. I was looking at the red sparkle but I just don't know.

[Les Ismore]

Originally Posted by porkchop

Just been reading what you guys have been saying about the platinum series. The only thing I would say about the platinum is that the colours aren't that attrative. I was looking at the red sparkle but I just don't know.

Great observation.



Its already been reported the wood truck stops in Oxnard (DW factory) where they pick out the best looking pieces, then it heads cross the boarder to the PDP labor camp in Mexico, where low wage artisans craft PDP's using the same methods as their well paid, elitest American labor mates. Barring the human elemen, with DW proper you're mainly paing for a higher quality finish.

Will a North American Union mean lower wages in Oxnard? Short answer-yes, but you wouldn't reap the benefits. By starting PDP, DW gave more creedence to their 'DW' name. Any savings in U.S. labor is designed to benefit the corporation, not the consumer.

[Mendozart]

Originally Posted by KarlCrafton

Ahhh...I'll just stick with my Ludwig's :-)

Karl,
Speaking of re-rings, are you going to be delving into the Ludwig Legacy line? BTW, those new PDP's look pretty sweet.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Priced a la carte, www.interstatemusic.com has the drums listed.

[dis330]

Originally Posted by porkchop

Just been reading what you guys have been saying about the platinum series. The only thing I would say about the platinum is that the colours aren't that attrative. I was looking at the red sparkle but I just don't know.

Have you seen this finish? I think it is beautiful!

[gmrakich]

Originally Posted by dis330

Have you seen this finish? I think it is beautiful!

The lugs in person look cheap to me. But that is just me....finish is awesome.

[Steady Freddy]

Originally Posted by gmrakich

The lugs in person look cheap to me. But that is just me....finish is awesome.

That was my impression too. I've seen a couple of kits at GC, and they just didn't blow my skirt up. While the drum pictured in this thread looks great, the kits I've seen in person looked kinda cheap.

They may sound good, but visually they are just ho-hum IMO.

[dis330]

I'll post pics of my whole kit once it arrives. They are estimating about 8 weeks. As far as the lugs are concerned, I really like them. I think they give the drums a more high end look.

About the finish. These drums have the same "piano" finish that the DW's have. The top coat is sanded flat and then the drum is buffed to a mirror finish. It is traditionaly the finest finish available on instruments and usually reserved for the "top of the line". The former LX/LXE were buffed but not sanded first.

All of the bearing edges I have inpected on this series have been perfect, so far. This was an area that PDP really needed to improve. It appears that this has been adressed.

If you have any questions about quality, etc. Post and I'll answer promtly.

[Supermann]

I think they look amazing, especially the Curly Maple Tobacco Burst finish. The only thing I don't fancy too much is the lugs, they look cheap to me.

[chosen4_1]

For the drumset-less skeptic:

K so I got'sta take a minute to plug for pdp platinums. If you are in the market for a new set, I strongly recommend you look into the Platinum series by DW/PDP. To preface, choosing your kit will always be subjective: what you like, what sounds good to your ear, what you can afford, etc. I purchased a Exotic Curley Maple Platinum set after selling my gretsch catalina maple kit. I very pleased with my new PDP drums. The 100% maple shells sound and look solid! The toms resonate for days and the bass drums melts faces (so to speak :-D). I've used them in numerous musical settings and they work for me everytime, and I got away with em for about $1,200. My advice for a practical, shopping drummer- check em yo! -chosen4_1

[WhiteRail3000]

Originally Posted by dis330

Have you seen this finish? I think it is beautiful!

I got the Natural to Black Fade Curly Maple and I'm real happy with them the only thing i hate is the floor tom legs i got the 16" and the 18" floor toms and i had to change the legs they slipped they didn't groove them so they slide or memory locks would work and i never had any problems with the lugs i never had a lug strip on me. any lug will break if you tighten it to much.

[A-customs]

Whats the price on the 5 piece????????????.theres a guy around here with a kit on creigslist,he wants 1,300 for them..........................Ive seen them,they are the Emerald green fade,nice but it doesnt pop at ya...Also it has double oval lugs,they are ALOT smaller than the tom in this thread,.they do sound deep,and loud..........................On his add it says it lists for 3,200!!.Sounds like you can get them new for around 50% off is this about right,or is he crazy.