Trick drums vs DW drums

[Delwrick]

So once again the search is on! Looking to purchase some new drums the question is what? Just comparing these too brand alone is pretty tough as they come from completely different sides of the spectrum, but I was more curious to how they would sound. They would be primarily used to play metal but the options are endless.

I was looking to get it in a 3 rack 1 floor set up.

Fire away?

[Skitch]

Originally Posted by Delwrick

So once again the search is on! Looking to purchase some new drums the question is what? Just comparing these too brand alone is pretty tough as they come from completely different sides of the spectrum, but I was more curious to how they would sound. They would be primarily used to play metal but the options are endless.

I was looking to get it in a 3 rack 1 floor set up.

Fire away?

Really? What sizes?

Mike

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[Bo Eder]

Trick drums are intriguing. Total aluminum - impervious to any kind of weather conditions. I played one of their snares years ago on a friends' kit and it sounded great. I don't think snares are a true test because everyone makes some kind of metal snare drum. But I would think an aluminum kit would be very close to an acrylic kit, like a Vistalite. And I was able to make my Vistalites sound like wooden drums....so I don't think you could go wrong with either.

Trick gives you all these cool color options, and they're not sacrificing any trees, if I didn't get my Tamas I would've gone Trick just because everyone makes wooden drums!

[jodgey4]

Other than Trick, Tama, and Ludwig/Dunnett... who makes metal shelled drums? I've seen a few by hobby builders for personal use, but nothing even from a small company.Why aren't they more popular? To answer the OP, I agree with Mr. Eder. Having non-wood drums really has it's ups and downs.

[RobertM]

To my ears and from what I've heard from Trick Drum owners, their aluminum drums sound nothing like acrylic shells. Trick Drums are loud; even their aluminum snares sound much brighter and louder than most other alum snares.

One Trick endorser once told me that his 14" floor tom sounded like a 16" floor, the 12" tom sounded louder than the usual 12" tom, etc.

In terms of sound and projection, I think Trick would blow DW out of the water--and then some.

[dwrockmonster]

I have an amazing trick snare and an amazing DW kit. They're both incredible. I really can't speak highly enough about the trick snare, but my DW drums were exactly what I was looking for in terms of punchiness and overall sound. The trick snare is fat and warm in the middle with a touch of dark sound. It is incredibly dynamic because it is loud, sensitive, and articulate while not sounding too dry. Whether playing soft or loud, the response is crisp and uniform. It’s very warm and as full-bodied.

Unfortunately I barely play the drums anymore so I'm looking to make a deal (I'm willing to go absurdly low) on both of these items (the dw shell kit and trick rpm snare). If your interested in either of these things, don't forget to ask. Otherwise, best of luck on your hunt!

[harryconway]

I'd go with Trick, simply because "who doesn't play a DW kit (it seems).

I'll agree that Trick drums are bright and loud. Two rather good qualities, if your primary focus is Metal. I've played them, but maybe more important, I've stood in front of a kit being played, and heard them.

I vote "be different", play Trick.

[Homeularis]

Sounds like your down to spend some dough.
From the two that you listed I'd go with DW only because parts and pieces are gonna be way easier to get probably.

But for the money why not check out Sonor S Classics or Delites.

Sonor can be pretty "Metal" IMO.

[Les Ismore]

Originally Posted by Delwrick

So once again the search is on! Looking to purchase some new drums the question is what? Just comparing these too brand alone is pretty tough as they come from completely different sides of the spectrum, but I was more curious to how they would sound. They would be primarily used to play metal but the options are endless.

I was looking to get it in a 3 rack 1 floor set up.

Fire away?

I would get TRICK... better materials. DW uses monkey metal lugs. TRICK is going to last and they can photo finish anything you want on them, its beyond 'endless' DW can't touch that.


.................................................. .

[Delwrick]

So a friend brought up an interesting point to me about either drums. Since tricks are pretty much still on the downlow it would be harder to replace them in the end if they were too get busted but I just see that as heavily unlikely anytime soon at least.

The Trick set also priced out cheaper

The sizes that I plan on purchasing will be as follows.*

Rack
8x7
10x8
12x9
Floor
16x16
Kick
22x18
Snare
13x7

I was wondering if shallower toms would be a smarter idea for the punchier sound I'm looking for? What do you guys think?

[Bo Eder]

Originally Posted by Delwrick

So a friend brought up an interesting point to me about either drums. Since tricks are pretty much still on the downlow it would be harder to replace them in the end if they were too get busted but I just see that as heavily unlikely anytime soon at least.

The Trick set also priced out cheaper

The sizes that I plan on purchasing will be as follows.*

Rack
8x7
10x8
12x9
Floor
16x16
Kick
22x18
Snare
13x7

I was wondering if shallower toms would be a smarter idea for the punchier sound I'm looking for? What do you guys think?

I have Tama Hyperdrive sizes: 6.5x10 and 7x12 rack toms - I'm really digging 'em! I think they're incredibly punchy.

[Delwrick]

What are the hyperdrive sizes, actually?

[tracer]

This discussion stirs a memory in me of Drummer's For Jesus this year.
I heard Chip Ritter with a Trick kit, as well as the gospel guys playing respectively:
DW (Gerald Hayward)
Yamaha Birch Custom (I think) (Teddy Campbell)
Yamaha Maple Custom (Gorden Campbell)

(I may not be correct on which Yamaha kits were present.)

In any event,I have owned the Yamaha Birch custom,and thought it had the best TONE of any kit I have ever heard,regardless of price. I realize this is subjective however.

The sound system was absolutely killer,with no expense spared,as a result of visiting sponsors. It was also incredibly LOUD.
All of the kits sounded great,(as did the players),and I don't say that gratuitously. They all really sounded very fine.

I was however VERY STUNNED at the Trick kit. It did not LACK TONE,sound harsh,or unmusical,even at low volumes. (Good job-Chip Ritter). I left thinking I would really like to hear an unmiked kit in a mid volume venue.
SO-I recommend you hear/play one prior to deciding .
tracer

[Les Ismore]

I was wondering if shallower toms would be a smarter idea for the punchier sound I'm looking for? What do you guys think?

Another way to look at it is, you're looking for a punchier sound 'now', but if in a year or so you really want a deeper, more muscular sound, shallow toms would probably just end up being ebay candidates.

One thing is for sure, sound tastes change and for me its usually gig to gig.

[Bo Eder]

Originally Posted by Les Ismore

I was wondering if shallower toms would be a smarter idea for the punchier sound I'm looking for? What do you guys think?

Another way to look at it is, you're looking for a punchier sound 'now', but if in a year or so you really want a deeper, more muscular sound, shallow toms would probably just end up being ebay candidates.

One thing is for sure, sound tastes change and for me its usually gig to gig.

I honestly doubt a shell that's at most 1.5 inches shorter than normal makes any big difference in the sound of the drum. It is more than likely a fashion statement that makes drummers want new kits with new looks, the sound is pretty much secondary to that. My 7x12 is only 1 inch shorter than the standard 8x12, and I can make it sound as punchy and as deep as it needs to be. It's all about the skills you have in tuning a drum. But I was there when "square" sizes were all the rage: people having to have a 12x12 rack tom, etc.,...all those people had mullets too.

[Bo Eder]

Originally Posted by Delwrick

What are the hyperdrive sizes, actually?

Hyperdrive is just Tama's branding of shallow toms. I like this designation better than DW's FAST toms (which is the same thing - shallow toms). More syllables.

[Les Ismore]

I honestly doubt a shell that's at most 1.5 inches shorter than normal makes any big difference in the sound of the drum.

C'mon Bo, a 10X6.5 is no way going to be more versatile than a 10X8, and match the low end with tuning... forget it.

I play HYPERDRIVES sometimes, they're small sounding toms comparatively, anyway you tune them.

[Delwrick]

At this price point I really don't believe I can go wrong with either kit. Has anybody here actually tuned trick drums? I've tuned DWs but tricks seems just a tad different to tune.

[Bo Eder]

Originally Posted by Les Ismore

I honestly doubt a shell that's at most 1.5 inches shorter than normal makes any big difference in the sound of the drum.

C'mon Bo, a 10X6.5 is no way going to be more versatile than a 10X8, and match the low end with tuning... forget it.

I play HYPERDRIVES sometimes, they're small sounding toms comparatively, anyway you tune them.

I'll leave it at that and not argue with you about it, but I have both sizes in my house right now (a 6.5x10 and an 8x10) and with the same heads and same tuning, they're pretty much in the same ballpark as far as I'm concerned.

[Les Ismore]

I'll leave it at that and not argue with you about it, but I have both sizes in my house right now (a 6.5x10 and an 8x10) and with the same heads and same tuning, they're pretty much in the same ballpark as far as I'm concerned.


What brand/model 8x10 tom?

I will say this about TAMA, all their higher end stuff sounds good in a TAMA signature way, even their cheaper stuff (which I do consider HYPERDRIVE to be) stands out in the sound dept... in a TAMA signature sorta way.

TAMA seems to have a working formula on low mid section of the drum sound spectrum. HYPERDRIVE also exhibits same, though those squat sizes just don't have the breadth of tone compared to the bigger drums (IMO).

What TAMA lacks most IMO is hardware that's more user friendly and made with better quality materials.

[audiotech]

I sort of agree that if you take two toms, 10" x 6 1/2" and a 10" x 8" and they're are both made from the same shell material, you'll definitely hear and feel a difference. I just made that comparison with two DW rack toms, but the shallower tom was a 10" x 7". If the shallower tom was made from a different material, such as bubinga, there probably be a little less difference in sound output, but you should still feel a slight difference in how they react, depending on the tuning of the heads.

Just from my observations,
Dennis

[Bo Eder]

Originally Posted by Les Ismore

I'll leave it at that and not argue with you about it, but I have both sizes in my house right now (a 6.5x10 and an 8x10) and with the same heads and same tuning, they're pretty much in the same ballpark as far as I'm concerned.


What brand/model 8x10 tom?

I will say this about TAMA, all their higher end stuff sounds good in a TAMA signature way, even their cheaper stuff (which I do consider HYPERDRIVE to be) stands out in the sound dept... in a TAMA signature sorta way.

TAMA seems to have a working formula on low mid section of the drum sound spectrum. HYPERDRIVE also exhibits same, though those squat sizes just don't have the breadth of tone compared to the bigger drums (IMO).

What TAMA lacks most IMO is hardware that's more user friendly and made with better quality materials.

Obviously it's a different drum made from different material, it's the Sonor 3007 mystery maple 8x10 tom. It sings identical to the Tama right now with the same heads, and you guys are probably right in that it should sound different. But either I'm really good at taking any drum and making it sound the same for me, or on any live music gig with bad acoustics, it just doesn't matter. I'm leaning towards the latter, but I find myself doing the former all the time when I'm at home.

Another example is how I took a $350 Trick bass drum pedal and made it feel just like my $45 Iron Cobra Jr......weird, eh?

[pbm2112]

Hi - I've owned both - TRICK 10x 8, 12 x 8, 14 x 12, 22 x 16 in brushed aluminium, and DW 10 x 8, 12 x 9, 14 x 12 x shell, 20 x 18 x shell.

The first thing to say about the TRICK is that it's the coolest looking kit ever and I wish I could have kept it on looks alone (it scratches easily though, so if you are precious about your gear that could be a problem).

I bought the Trick because of what I read about it's huge sustain (and it's looks of course). I didn't try the Trick with suspension mounts, but as it was, the sustain didn't blow me away. The sound of aluminium is quite light and airy and I found it lacking in some depth and 'balls' - I did not think it was a loud kit at all, and playing it acoustically with a band I found I was playing it harder than the DW or my favourite kit, an old Yamaha Maple Custom. There was a very noticeable difference between my Black Beauty snare and the toms and felt I had to overplay the toms sometimes to compensate (I am not a heavy hitter, but do use the full dynamic range of the drums).

Most of all, it sounded a bit one dimensional. When played softly or vigourously the sound seemed quite similar, but just louder. While the Maple Customs keep on giving and changing the harder you hit, the Trick's volume seemed to bottom out before I had got near the firmest stroke I would play. If you are a heavy hitter I don't think you will get the best of this kit. But if you are playing through a PA and don't need the widest dynamic range this wouldn't be an issue.

I tried clear Evans G1s, Remo Ambassadors and EC2s on the toms, but to my ears Evans J1s on batters and G plus on the resonant worked best (I like an open resonant sound). The bass drum came with an EMAD batter and EQ4 resonant. The sound was bit hollow and tubey without internal damping but it could be an amazing sound for fast double-bass - it almost sounded processed like a bass drum heard through a PA at a loud gig - lacking in nuance but very punchy.

It's not that the TRICK sounds bad, it just doesn't have the character and nuance I want from a kit. I don't mic my kit often and maybe if I did you would have a very different review of the Trick. I guess I found it a bit flat - playing it just didn't excite me as much as looking at it did. Maybe I expected too much of it having read the reviews on the Trick website and others. Also, the tom holders and bass drum spurs seemed really cheap - nowhere near the quality of DW.

I sold both my Trick and DW in favour of an old thick shelled Yamaha Maple Custom that blows them both away as far as I'm concerned. But based on my experience, If it has to be between DW and Trick I'd go DW, especially if you are gigging the kit. Good luck with the choice!

P.S. I tried 4 Bubinga toms in a shop the other week: 10 x 6.5, 10 x 8, 12 x 7, 12 x 9 and the deeper toms definitely had more body and depth to the sound.

[dwrockmonster]

Originally Posted by Delwrick

Snare
13x7
?

I have one of these (RPM) in gorgeous brushed aluminum. I could sell it to you for way less than they want with a DW 5000 series snare stand thrown in. It is in perfect condition save the heads (which you probably would want to change anyway!).

I swear it's worth your time to check mine out. Unless you have another finish in mind I think we could both benefit a lot from the deal.

Let me know!

[Delwrick]

So the kit has finally been ordered! The conclusion of weeks of research came to this.

7x8 rack
8x10 rack
9x12 rack
14x16 floor
18x20 kick
5x14 snare

It'll be coming in "illusion green!" hopefully it looks awesome. Should be arriving pretty soon actually. The turn around time is pretty amazing. Only a month or so. I'll post up pictures and review the kit when I get it in!

[Les Ismore]

Another example is how I took a $350 Trick bass drum pedal and made it feel just like my $45 Iron Cobra Jr......weird, eh?


I know the feeling. This sensation could be described as 'lesser gear equanimity'.

I recently played a house kit with an older, $100 PACIFIC bass pedal on it.

After the gig I caught myself in a brief flash of wanting to further my relationship with the cheap little bastard, measure its angles, spring setting etc.

I came to my senses quickly though, I know the cheaper stuff won't hold up to heavy use. I left without acknowledging the little grunt, not even a look, goodbye, or a psychic thank you.

[sXeDanimalsXe]

Originally Posted by Delwrick

So once again the search is on! Looking to purchase some new drums the question is what? Just comparing these too brand alone is pretty tough as they come from completely different sides of the spectrum, but I was more curious to how they would sound. They would be primarily used to play metal but the options are endless.

I was looking to get it in a 3 rack 1 floor set up.

Fire away?

Hey, I am only like a year late!!!
Quick intro, my name is Dan. I was on this site a bunch, then I got busy with life, and now I am looking at playing my drums again and came back to talk drums. I played in a metal band for many years, I also worked in a drum shop, I have played just about any kit you can imagine. I also have a pretty good year when it comes to drums. Here is my 2 cents on your drum question.

Playing in a metal band was only one reason I decided on a Trick set. I had/have a Tama Starclassic Performer (birch) and LOVE(D) it. It's a great kit for anything I throw at it. I, before buying my Tama kit looked at a lot of high end kits. I was set on getting a DW. I mean, why not? They look amazing, they sound great, they are very well made! How could I go wrong? Well, I sat behind a few... hundred DW kits and one thing kept getting to me. The kick drums just seemed flat. Sure, I was able to take the pillow out, and put a fully solid head on it, and crank it and get a good boom, but it didn't kick me in the chest. It wasn't a bad sound, and I was able to get a lot of range out of it, but it just wasn't what I was looking for. Still to this day, 8 years later, I still dislike DW bass drums.
I played some yamaha kits, LOVED the oak cst. LOVED the Pearl Reference, and the Master Maple, like the sonor S, was disappointed with the Spaun kit, as well as the OCC, and didn't even waste my time on the TRUTH kit. The Renown Maple Gretsch kit was cool, but I hated the tom mounts, they slipped when I would really lay in to them. I got behind the Birch Starclassic kit and there was this full, dark, warm, punchy tone. I fell in love. I could do anything with the kit!

Well after a few years on that kit, I was watching a live video of a band called Burnt By The Sun. (If you don't know who Dave Witte is, GO CHECK HIM OUT! HE IS AMAZING!)
The drummer was playing a Trick set. At first I brushed it off as one of the millions of "custom" keller shelled drum kits. But even on the video the kit sounded good. So I started to look in to them. I ended up calling the company and talking to JT, who is no longer there from my understanding. I also spoke with the president Mike, who was an AMAZINGLY nice guy, as was JT. We talked at length about what I liked about my Tama kit, what I didn't like, and what I wanted out of a drum kit. We decided on the sizes and I ordered the kit.... with out ever playing one.

Now, what I love about my Trick drums.
They are loud, they are full, they are VERY DYNAMIC, they can not be destroyed! They can be bright, they can be dark, they can be warm. I have seen these drums in metal/hardcore bands, death metal, rock, jazz, fusion, blues, country, and latin jazz. I couldn't think of a better drum kit.

Some people compare the drums to acrylic.... I agree... kind of. Acrylic drums have a very live sound. Trick drums to me are a really cool mix, the attack and liveliness of acrylic mixed with a full warm sound of wood.

That is my opinion on DW vs Trick. Hope this helps a year later.