Why are DW drums so overpriced?

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drummingman

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I just saw a DW video and it made me start thinking about the fact that their drums are so over priced. Yes they are great drums, yes, they are made well, but, you can get a great drum set from other makers for way less. I’ve got a top of the line Trick custom made drum set that ran me way less than a DW top of the line kit. And my kit is virtually indestructible considering all the shells are made of aluminum.

I’ve always considered DW the Nike of drums. Good stuff, but you are paying a lot just for the name.
 
Besides the old adage, if people are buying them, they are not overpriced, I do think they hold their resale very well which factors into the price. I have seen used DW kits that have sold for close to what they cost new, to give you an example. I doubt that the same could be said for Trick drums.
 
Some people are going to say they're aptly priced. I think it's mainly their unique construction and parts, which really do cost more to make. If you like the overall constructed drums, they're not overpriced to you. Otherwise there're much wiser ways to spend the money.
 
Happy Jerry Seinfeld GIF
 
I just saw a DW video and it made me start thinking about the fact that their drums are so over priced. Yes they are great drums, yes, they are made well, but, you can get a great drum set from other makers for way less. I’ve got a top of the line Trick custom made drum set that ran me way less than a DW top of the line kit. And my kit is virtually indestructible considering all the shells are made of aluminum.

I’ve always considered DW the Nike of drums. Good stuff, but you are paying a lot just for the name.
Maybe because:
1 People pay premium for what they think is of good quality.
2 Maybe they (DW) are pricing accordingly if they have American workers working in the US (clearly they can't pay them minimum wages)
3 If the drums are made in the US with US workers and US taxes but maybe imported wood.. then there's your answer.
4 Maybe they follow the Roland model: Make cheap drums with cheap components, make them reliable and sell them for 10 times what they are worth. DW will follow the Roland model because Roland now owns them....

I don't see a huge difference between a $1000 drum set and a $10000 other than the price tag. Don't tell me "Oh but the top of the line drum has better hardware" Better or prettier? Remember we are not talking entry level and I am talking about ONLY the drums, no cymbal stands, or snare stands, just the drums.
Most of those drums (before any hardware is installed) are going to be made with pretty much the same techniques with the same wood by the same workers. Now they might sell it to you by saying "Oh but the $1000 drum is 5 ply and the $10000 is 8 ply"), so 3 extra ply layers and prettier lugs and a prettier finish justify you paying $9000 more??? The answer is NO. but people will pay because they want the name. it's the same as the Harley Davison fans, are there better bikes out there? yes Indian makes better bikes and they are cheaper. (not by much but still). but god forbid you don't buy a Harley, then you don't ride a "real" bike...
Same for guitars, what makes a guitar $10000 vs a $1000? if it is made from the same wood, the same finishes (even if different finishes, a finish alone is not going to justify a $9000 price increase), better pickups? the most expensive pickups any of those guitars have are around $300 so that also doesn't justify the price increase, Evertune Bride? No, that maybe adds another $500 to the price but still not $9000, unless someone found a way to clone the extinct threes that they used to make the Stradivarius violins then what the hell? Same goes for Roland pads which are probably (what costs them to make) around $100 or less each. The drum modules yes, all the tech is expensive but once the final product is developed, mass producing it is much less expensive. In reality Top of the line drums should not be more expensive than $3000, 4000 if they include all the top of the line stands, pedals and stool. Top of the line guitars maybe $2000, Maybe. But once prices reach those stupid levels, there is NO WAY companies are going to bring back them down.
 
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I just saw a DW video and it made me start thinking about the fact that their drums are so over priced. Yes they are great drums, yes, they are made well, but, you can get a great drum set from other makers for way less. I’ve got a top of the line Trick custom made drum set that ran me way less than a DW top of the line kit. And my kit is virtually indestructible considering all the shells are made of aluminum.

I’ve always considered DW the Nike of drums. Good stuff, but you are paying a lot just for the name.
I have had Nike shoes for the last....40 years, can't even count how many pairs, I have NEVER paid more than $50 per pair. Just go to the outlet. I pay around $100 for 3 pairs or runners (I cheat a little because I also get military discount).
 
Some people are going to say they're aptly priced. I think it's mainly their unique construction and parts, which really do cost more to make. If you like the overall constructed drums, they're not overpriced to you. Otherwise there're much wiser ways to spend the money.
If I can make my cheap $300 7 piece kit sound better than your $9000 DW then yes it is WAY overpriced.
 
They are fortunate enough to have a god tier reputation. It used to be that just about every single time you saw a drum set on TV, there was a DW logo prominently displayed on the bass drum reso. They can charge what they want, and people will still buy into the hype.

I’ve had a few of their Collectors sets. They ARE made well, but they’re not worth the cost, in my opinion. There is a point of diminishing returns when it comes to drum sounds.

They did a great job of creating an explosive custom drum market. I’ll give them that.
 
I never heard a DW set that sounded any less than great. Sure I can say that about other sets, but some folks love DW and will pay for the privilege. Roland paid $65 million for them, so obviously it’s strong and popular with drummers. Not everything is made with our low price ranges in mind.
 
It's all due to tension rod thread pitch. They've cornered the market. The glue they use to create shells is also a top secret. Add to that wood from Lake superior and No one can touch them except maybe Renown2.
 
I may have missed it but has anyone done an apples-to-apples comparison between Gretsch, DW and Ludwig regarding the cost of a standard 4-piece maple kit, say 10-12-16-22 with diecast hoops and a lacquer finish? Would DW really be that much more expensive?
 
Something that sprouts and grows from the ground at no cost can become revered and valuable with the right marketing.
 
Because they're made in America and marketed as a premium product. A Bentley doesn't cost a massive amount more to make then a Corolla, and first class doesn't cost that much more to provide than business class. It's the same thing, but with drums.
 
Besides the old adage, if people are buying them, they are not overpriced, I do think they hold their resale very well which factors into the price. I have seen used DW kits that have sold for close to what they cost new, to give you an example. I doubt that the same could be said for Trick drums.
This is a great response and I think right on. My question then is why the difference between DW and Trick? I don't think cost of material or quality of construction are different enough to explain it. Is it marketing (including endorser program)? Maybe customer service?
 
Seeing if I can sneak this in before it gets shut down. As @Bo Eder said, it's been discussed a time or two.

Here is some reading for the OP.




 
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They are great drums however no greater than several other companies. Most of these companies are hovering around a similar price point so they are possibly coordinating at some level or playing follow each other. The Performance is the best deal IMO because it is no less quality than a Collectors and I have not heard any Collectors that blows away a Performance. The Design is good too.. . slightly thicker than a Performance but that can be a good thing for many ... These companies price accordingly IMO based on what you guys and everybody else will pay.
 
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