Okay, I'm probably going to get flamed for this. But, here it goes. I know there are people out there who have spent a lot of money on DW drums and people who genuinely like them. To each their own.
But, every time I see them, hear them or play them, I am left asking myself "what's all the hype about?" I think the lugs on the collectors series (and to a lesser extent the performance series) are pretty ugly. And, the toms usually sound like cardboard on the collectors maples I have played or heard. Even when they sound good (room, player, tuning, mics etc. being the variables) they still sound boring, IMO. I will give DW credit for their kick drums. From behind the kit at least, they usually sound thunderous when I play them. On recordings, not so much.
These are obviously subjective opinions. But, what is not a subjective opinion is that DW is charging a ton of money for these drums (the collectors series, at least). The construction, hardware, finishing etc. seems no better than all the other major drum companies are turning out. It seems people are just paying for the status of owning what has become an industry standard drum kit. It's a free country, and people should spend their money however they want. But, I don't get it.
This Original Post is now 3 years old, and the Poster has been off this site for the same amount of time.
I’d like to address some of His comments. While I do have a DW Kit arriving in a couple of weeks, Hopefully, I’m am Not a Fanboy of any one Drum Company, and will endeavor to set aside any biases as such.
His First point about what all the DW hype is about, leaves me to admit some ignorance and Naivety as I wasn’t aware of all the DW hype over the last decade or so. Now being in a Smaller Canadian market, that may be the factor as even the Big Music store outlets rarely carry an Upper End kit to display. In the last 10 years I’ve seen 2 Collectors kits Ordered New on the floor of the local L&M.
His 2nd & 3rd points are: “even when they sound good, they’re boring”. Um, ok? That’s a completely subjective opinion. I can name a few drum kits I’ve played that were, Meh sounding to me. I’m not going to slag the company on a forum over it. He then states, “behind the kit, they sound Thunderous, but on recordings, not so much”. Again I’m left with Um, ok? As a reply. I think Neil Peart’s Retro R40 Kit is plenty ‘Thunderous‘ on the CD I have of that tour. And those are with the questionable stock heads.
Finally, His last point about owning one as a status symbol is so completely ridiculous to me. I didn’t buy my kit for a status symbol. I could equally have bought a Tama Star, Yamaha Phoenix or Sonor SQ2 and could equally consider those kits one. In Fact, I wanted to go Tama, but waiting for nearly a year vs 4 months swayed the decision. I priced out kits ( 2 up, 2 down, single bass) from Pearl (Masterworks) Tama (Star), Sonor (SQ2), Gretsch (Brooklyn) and DW (Collectors). The Drum Guy I deal with priced out a Yamaha Phoenix for the hell of it. Results for most expensive to least:
1. Sonor SQ2 Medium Beech
2. Yamaha Phoenix
3. Tama Star Maple
4. DW Collectors Maple
5. Pearl Masterworks-Reference Pure specs.
I won’t include Gretsch as it’s not their Flagship line.
Sorry for the Long Winded Rant, but this post has been bugging me from the get go. DW drums are well made drums with great Finishes, and so are the other Brands. John Good could turn down the salesmanship a few notches, and lay off the shell tapping gimmick I’ll concede. The last thing I’ll add, is Those that hate or have a disdain for DW should consider that they’re a Boutique Drum Company that will do Finishes that (unless You’re a major Endorser, and even then) other companies won’t, if that‘s an important aspect for You.