I went for the Sonor in the end. I just got back and its in my lounge and Im drooling all over it
Heres the kit on eBay.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SONOR-DESIGNER-DRUMS-IN-BUBINGA-WITH-24-CARAT-GOLD-PLATED-HARDWARE-BRAND-NEW-/140987020531?nma=true&si=%252FmT9YBdLzIIEEAOe26%252BD42Cb1Rw%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557I declined the snare and deducted the price of it new (Pearl Masterworks) as its not part of the original kit and I have plenty already. I got a full set of Hardcases thrown in (very impressive) and I got a good price on the kit I think.
If I want to be super critical as we are talking extreme high end kits here:
Finish - Wasn't totally floored by the finish as I was expecting. I prefer the old signature finish as it looks deeper and more polished. This is matt and almost bare wood feeling. Anyone got any tips for waxing / polishing?
Im not blown away by gold hardware either and I felt it made the hoops look a tad cheap. Which is ridiculous because when I took them off, they weighed a ton and are heavy duty.
Quality - tomorrow Ill post some pics of the 8" tom. I didn't notice a gap (crack?) in the veneer until I got home, which on closer inspection almost looks like a cut into the wood as you can see a groove when you take the head off. very odd, Id be interested in opinions as to what you guys think it is. A bit of corrosion on the aluminum hoop made me wonder if its been water damaged and it cracked on expansion but the shell interior looks fine. Bearing edges are great. Seam glue is visible in one place, which was also surprising.
The bass drums are the most impressive. The wood grain, finish and fittings seem to work best here. those hand turn knob things on the tuning rods work surprisingly well. And of course they are undrilled. NICE!
The heads are all remo and despite great bass drum heads (power stroke 3's I think, which makes a nice change from the thin nasty resos that come with most kits) the toms have some really thin and bright sounding heads. Why do that on such a high end kit?? They feel / sound like diplomats or something.
Most Importantly - The Sound. Only really had time to check bearing edges and quick tune up (8 shells!) but I was extremely impressed. Even the poorly seated, unplayed, nasty thin bright heads didn't give out any unwanted overtones. Even when out of tune and with wrinkles - no distorted harmonics, vibration or wobble. Just a clean 'ring' from the shell. These things are going to sound awesome with some thicker heads.
The 10 and 12 were ridiculously low and low despite being crazy shallow sizes. I wanted that so I could get them low over the bass drums a bit like Danny Careys roto toms
Initial conclusion - I can't see any huge win for Sonor over DW in quality at this point. My collectors snare is equally as good and both do insane finishes. I can however, see more versatility in sound from the Sonors already. I bet Ill get as much bottom end as the deedubs, particularly from the bass drums and smaller toms, well have to see about the floors when I get some proper heads on them. Which overall, is pretty much what you all said anyway isn't it?