DS Custom Rebel Drums (Italy)

RobertM

Platinum Member
Does anyone have any experience playing or general hands-on at a shop or NAMM of DS drums out of Italy?

They appear to do fantastic custom quality work and the pricing is incredible. It’s like N&C or GMS level of attention to detail but $400 or so less expensive! (That is, 18/14/12 kit in lacquer finish with North American maple shells is $2k even vs probably being over $2600 in US for same kit/finish by Noble or GMS?)
 
Last edited:
The lower price is almost certainly because they aren't made in the USA. Doesn't mean they're better or worse...I haven't seen them up close. I assume they're either made in Italy or outsourced to Taiwan or China like everything else. The premium for drums made in America seems to be between $300-500.

I noticed a similar phenomenon with the new Ddrum Dios kits. They use North American maple shells and have awesome fit and finish for less money than similar kits like the DW Performance Series.
 
Last edited:
DS kits are made in Italy: https://dsdrum.com. This video is very well made and explains what DS are:


The brand was founded by Luca Deorsola and is now owned by FBT, a major Italian company active in music electronics and instrument distribution (http://www.fbt.it). Luca remains the head of business.

At the beginning DS was seen as a kind of Italian version of DW (btw they also made their first kits out of Keller shells), but have then developed their own "philosophy" and are currently offering the very interesting DS Rebel model. DS drums are used by many Italian top players.

This review deserves to be watched:

 
Last edited:
I did check them out at NAMM and I was impressed! Fit and finish were right up there with some of the industry's best. Of course, hearing anything on the NAMM main floor is next to impossible, so just by seeing how well they were built, I would assume they wouldn't sound bad. I liked the logo, and the lugs, and some of their finishes were spectacular. I'd love to play them. It remains to be seen how the American market will take to them, though. I'm sure getting a kit wouldn't be too hard, but getting parts in a timely fashion should you need them (let's face it, things do break) would be the biggest thing for any touring pros.
 
After watching Nolly's factory tour interview with Luca, I'm even more impressed by DS Drums. They sound like a genuine, real-deal custom builder, and their prices are quite reasonable compared to custom kits in the USA. Definitely worth considering! I've watched Ruben Bellavia play on a DS custom bop kit (his transcription videos of Tony Williams performances and Kenny Washington performances), and the drums sound great.
 
DS kits are made in Italy: https://dsdrum.com. This video is very well made and explains what DS are:


The brand was founded by Luca Deorsola and is now owned by FBT, a major Italian company active in music electronics and instrument distribution (http://www.fbt.it). Luca remains the head of business.

At the beginning DS was seen as a kind of Italian version of DW (btw they also made their first kits out of Keller shells), but have then developed their own "philosophy" and are currently offering the very interesting DS Rebel model. DS drums are used by many Italian top players.

This review deserves to be watched:

Yes, if you watch Nolly's review of this Rebel kit, the aluminum snare sounds very good, and I was really impressed by the snare strainer Luca developed: it appeared to be super quiet and smooth! Bravo!
 
Wow. Never heard of the guys before. Really nice looking kits, 8 different wood "formulas" to choose from. Impressive.
 
Wow. Never heard of the guys before. Really nice looking kits, 8 different wood "formulas" to choose from. Impressive.
Yeah, they seem like a really conscientious drum builder, not just a flashy drum assembler. I’ve watched Ruben Bellavia’s jazz transcription videos and noticed he was playing a DS kit, which sounded good.
 
I remember DS being an exact copy of DW (including the lugs) back in the early '00s.

They went to great lengths to outgrow that and they did it so on point.
At least their prices, both Euro and US Dollar, are pretty decent for the customization you are getting with your kit. DW charges twice as much as DS, and most DW kits do not sound that good to begin with. Perhaps the DS difference is that Luca uses more wood and less glue with his 5-ply shells?
 
At least their prices, both Euro and US Dollar, are pretty decent for the customization you are getting with your kit. DW charges twice as much as DS, and most DW kits do not sound that good to begin with. Perhaps the DS difference is that Luca uses more wood and less glue with his 5-ply shells?
Effectively their pricing is really interesting considering the quality of their instruments: http://configurator.dsdrum.com/php/products.php
 
Those drums are beautiful ; Que Bella Batteria !
 
Last edited:
Back
Top