These are all of the things I wished I had known the day I brought my custom DW Drums Collector's drum kit home just about a year ago. I had done a tone of research up front and though my learning was done when I placed the order. As it turns out, there are some very important things to know before you start using your DW kit, and I hope you learn from my mistakes. Here's the full specs of these drums for those interested * Purpleheart snare 6.5 x 14 * Cherry Mahogany toms (7x8"/8x10"/9x12"/11x14"/13x16") all fast tom depth, all floating. ESE edges on top toms * Purplecore maple kick 18x22 * Deep Rich Red burst over Mapa Burl, Black Nickel hardware
Hello. My wife surprised me with a 2023 DW collectors kit. Its a 6 piece kit with matching snare. The wood is a maple/birch. It comes with these interesting remo white heads. They have their own sound. One day i will change the heads. I will install Evans heads just like my brother in the video. The most interesting thing about these drums is tuning. You will have to get used to the true tuning concept. Don't be afraid to tune these babies. you gotta go for it. You will be turning that drum key. The drums sound great. They resonate ! They don't sound like Tama's nor a Gretsch. They sound like DW's. I went through and tighten the nuts internally on all the drums. Yes there was loose ones. I am glad that I have the matching snare. It works well with the kit. I really don't have any complaints about these drums. They are what they are...DW's. California made by John Goode.
I “switched” to Evans a while back due to a recommendation from a local drum manufacturer who refinished my drum bearing edges. He’s a local legend and has been making and repairing drums for decades. He swears by Evans due to their new manufacturing process. Works for me! One of the first things I do on a snare drum is swap out the resonant head. The Evans 300 is a little bit thicker than most, which allows me to tighten it tighter. Most resonant heads start to fail once you get them above 85 on a drum dial scale. Evans lets me get to 90-95. Throw on an Evans Genera Dry, and that’s all you need.
I’m only a minute in to the video , but I had to stop just to say-that kit has an amazing finish! I still have a Pearl Prestige World Series that was bought in the late 80’s and the kit is amazing, but I have been wanting to get a DW kit for quite a while now.
I have used Evans heads for ever... On my toms I use Coated G2's on the batter side and DW Clear/Coated on the reso side... Bass drum I use DW heads front & back. And for my snare I just started using Evans HD Dry batter... I love it. They are easy to tune and they stay in tune.
Thanks for this video! I will never have such a deluxe kit as I'm 77 years old and that speaks for itself, but I own a 1962 vintage Hollywood double tom set of Ludwig's and a late 80's Pearl Power double tom kit. Decades ago I started using moleskin by Dr. Scholl's on the hoop at the drum pedal to protect it, but playing numerous gigs over the years the hoops still get some scratches or dings. That was interesting about the head fitment between Remo and Evans. The heads should not have scratched the finish. I currently use Evans Heads and have since the early two thousands. Again this was an interesting video and I subscribed to your channel. Thanks.
I have been using REMO heads since 1985. In almost 40 years, I've had maybe one, two "bad" heads. I just put all Ambassador heads on a $200 SPL birch kit and it sounds excellent. I have tried Evans several times and they have consistently sounded dead or "sacky."
I gave up on remo due to being too inconsistent too often and costing me a small fortune so I switched to Evans. I had a DW collectors kit for 2 years then sold it because of fighting the tuning lugs all the time. My kit would constantly de-tune during shows and recording and I just couldn't work with that. I now have a Tama Star series kit that's been my workhorse for the last 5 years.
Have always wanted a DW kit. I played a friend's. It was completely out of tune and still sounded better than my Ddrum kit. Everytime I save enough money, some financial burden prevents me from buying one, lol.
I had a collectors and it was great in ways but I ended up getting rid of it. Loved the bass drum but I just didn’t like how the toms felt to play. If I was gonna spend in the 5k to 9k range for a kit I’d probably go Sonor sq2, Yamaha Phoenix or Pearl Masterworks with the new pearl mounting hardware.
Thanks for posting this. This is useful information. It's difficult to believe (especially with all of the hype that goes into DW's products) that DW would make oversized shells. I have no reason to think you are lying. You showed evidence of the finish damage. You would think it would be unimaginable that they would make an oversight like that. I also agree with your hardware comments. A lot of DW's hardware is bulky and somewhat over engineered. IMO all of the companies should focus on simplifying their hardware designs and stop trying to impress us with all of this gadgetry. Tama Star hardware is another example of this. There is nothing on Star hardware that does the job any better or more effectively than a simpler design could achieve; yet there are some drawbacks to all of the added mechanical parts of the new brackets, tilters and holders they released. At this point, Pearl and Yamaha are probably at the top of the heap generally speaking in terms of hardware that's fairly easy to use and doesn't get in the way.
5:39 Where did you find the black plug for the top of the cymbal stand you cut? I have a pipe cutter BUT I don't want a big hole at the top of my tom stand.
I am SUPER thankful for this video!!! in the past, I had a finished ply DW kit, and the underside of the base drum was a little scratched where I attached the pedal but it seemed normal. I never thought about the lacquer or color coming off. I’m so thankful that you mentioned that. Do you think that the lacquer finish is a lot more delicate compared to a finish ply? I am super careful and particular with my drums aIready. I don’t think I had even one scratch on my other DW kit that I had for about 20 years other than the bottom of the bass drum. But I’m wondering if the lacquer will scratch very easily if I drop a drumstick or a drum key? Is the lacquer fairly durable? I do know that most guys say it’s better to buy a finish ply if the kit is going to be on the road but how much more delicate would you say that a lacquer kit is compared to a finish ply? I know you have to be tripping out with even a small amount of damage on such a beautiful kit. You probably paid around $10,000 just for the drums alone.
You've welcome! :) I had some minor bumps against the drums by stray sticks. And by the rims of toms lightly hitting another drum while setting up. In those cases, it left no visible mark. I don't take this kit on the road (my old Pearls are my current gigging kit). I guess ultimately, you got to buy what makes you happy. If an exotic finish or lacquer over natural inspires you to play more even with a couple blemishes, you may still have to go for it :)
I’ve noticed that Remo heads don’t fit right on my Mapex or Ludwig’s, snares and toms. Evans fit perfectly on everything. It was like that before Level 360 too.
Fwiw, you can buy a 8x12 piece of craft leather for $9, cut it into 4x4 squares, and wrap that around the hoop. It works better than any store bought hoop protector for a fraction of the cost. All my hoops look brand new.
I had a Dw collector but no happy about tuning and finish It’s too expensive for what it is Now i play Gretsch us Maple It’s perfect and the best drums that played in my Life
They only let you order through an authorized dealer. I contacted a "local" drum shop by email to initiate the process, and worked out with them the specs I wanted. I had some questions they couldn't answer, and they followed up with DW to get my answers.
So true in many ways! Compared to many other brands DW kits (except the old keller shell versions!) tend to be quite a pain in the butt to tune. I am a drummer since 45 years and work in drum retail since 20 years and had to make this observation time and again. Granted, DWs are nice pieces of furniture, but that's about it for me. I might get roasted for this by all the fanboys, but the DW artist roaster is filled with a vast army of drum legends who never actually played DW when they were in their prime, or when their defining albums were recorded.
I will only use Evans heads, on toms & snare hydraulic for the rock and heavy stuff and UV2 for all other styles and EMAD on the kick! I know that the senior drummers swear by remo pinstripes but as you said their QC just isn't what it used to be it's sad because they used to be great when they were made in the USA but ever since they went overseas they are just 🦨!
I picked up my DW collector's kit last month. I really had to make an effort to find a DW single tom mount that had the correct memory lock. Without the memory lock my 12"x10" tom will not stay in place properly. Wound up ordering just the memory lock directly from DW. There is a parts number disconnect and you'll receive the tom mount with the larger accessory clamp instead of the smaller L-rod memory lock that fits just under the tom bracket.
Couldn't get my 14 & 16 DW floor toms as close together as I wanted so I folded a washcloth three times and wedged it between the points the two floors touched. I can see it but onlookers cannot. Does that rob me of resonance? If it does only dogs can hear it.
Absolutely correct about the Remo heads not fitting! Evans is the only way to go. I use the UV2 for tom batters, UV1 on the snare, and the black resos for the toms. Get yourself a Tunebot and you'll never regret it. You can listen to how my kit sounds on my channel. Oh yeah, hazy 300 on snare side and Evans Emad single ply on the kick. Experiment with the kick resos but definitely Evans. At least they all spin!
The problem I've always seemed to have with DWs in general are the reinforcement rings on the toms. Pretty sure that's not what's causing the binding with the Remo heads over the toms, but their toms have always sounded a little choked to me. However, one thing I can tell you from experience is that Evans definitely make a more consistent and better fitting drum head for just about anything. It's just a better marriage between head and bearing edge. Give 'em a try.
The pure oak rack toms are absolutely nasty and don’t come with re-rings which is why they were my choice, even though I do think the re-rings are sick looking lol
I think my Pearl set is a bit undersized, I never had a problem mounting Remo heads. Another point, many drummers dislike the Pearl "plumber" design tom mounting arms, but the toms barely move or shake when hit and hit hard. I realize this video is about DW, just comparing.
I wish the drums could be seen better through all the hardware. I think a single rack tom with all that hardware taken off of it would be cool. On a snare stand.
@@drumdrumdrum The Dixon Bass Drum Lift is an Evans product and is found under accessories in percussion on the Daddario website. It protects the bass drum hoop and makes installing the bass drum pedal a breeze. It just might be the best $40 you'll ever spend. BTW, I HATE REMO HEADS!!! I believe Evans are far superior. Aquarian, too.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
These are all of the things I wished I had known the day I brought my custom DW Drums Collector's drum kit home just about a year ago. I had done a tone of research up front and though my learning was done when I placed the order.
As it turns out, there are some very important things to know before you start using your DW kit, and I hope you learn from my mistakes.
Here's the full specs of these drums for those interested
* Purpleheart snare 6.5 x 14
* Cherry Mahogany toms (7x8"/8x10"/9x12"/11x14"/13x16") all fast tom depth, all floating. ESE edges on top toms
* Purplecore maple kick 18x22
* Deep Rich Red burst over Mapa Burl, Black Nickel hardware
Sounds like a load of noobs mistakesI are you strerching in your heads when fitting new ones, Aquarians amy fav now over remo and evans.
@krusher74 yes, I've always starched in Remo heads. I tried aquarium a long time ago and didn't care for it. But I should give them another go.
Hello. My wife surprised me with a 2023 DW collectors kit. Its a 6 piece kit with matching snare. The wood is a maple/birch. It comes with these interesting remo white heads. They have their own sound. One day i will change the heads. I will install Evans heads just like my brother in the video. The most interesting thing about these drums is tuning. You will have to get used to the true tuning concept. Don't be afraid to tune these babies. you gotta go for it. You will be turning that drum key. The drums sound great. They resonate ! They don't sound like Tama's nor a Gretsch. They sound like DW's. I went through and tighten the nuts internally on all the drums. Yes there was loose ones. I am glad that I have the matching snare. It works well with the kit. I really don't have any complaints about these drums. They are what they are...DW's. California made by John Goode.
Enjoy those drums. : )
Treat that woman well Sir.
Have a lopk at Aquarians i like thier sond better than evans they fit and last well and are cheaper.
W wife
What a wonderful wife!! She’s definitely a keeper! Hope you treat her just as well!
I “switched” to Evans a while back due to a recommendation from a local drum manufacturer who refinished my drum bearing edges. He’s a local legend and has been making and repairing drums for decades. He swears by Evans due to their new manufacturing process. Works for me! One of the first things I do on a snare drum is swap out the resonant head. The Evans 300 is a little bit thicker than most, which allows me to tighten it tighter. Most resonant heads start to fail once you get them above 85 on a drum dial scale. Evans lets me get to 90-95. Throw on an Evans Genera Dry, and that’s all you need.
Good info here! I'll need to explore the snare reso heads at some point.
@@drumdrumdrum I’m telling you man, you’ll never go back. If you ever do end up giving it a try, please let me know what you think.
That new pearl mounting hardware looks killer. Nice kit !
Thanks 😊
I’m only a minute in to the video , but I had to stop just to say-that kit has an amazing finish! I still have a Pearl Prestige World Series that was bought in the late 80’s and the kit is amazing, but I have been wanting to get a DW kit for quite a while now.
Thanks! I can't tell you how many hours I spent deciding on a finish. : )
Really beautiful kit.
Thank you sir! 😊
Thank you for sharing this video! The information was very helpful because it was from your own personal experience. Thank you!
You're welcome 😊
@drumdrumdrum if I would to buy a new drum set. I am thinking Yamaha hybrid live oak. And my second choice would be Tama starclassic walnut birch.
I have used Evans heads for ever... On my toms I use Coated G2's on the batter side and DW Clear/Coated on the reso side... Bass drum I use DW heads front & back. And for my snare I just started using Evans HD Dry batter... I love it. They are easy to tune and they stay in tune.
Cool. Yeah I need to experiment more with the Evans heads.
great video! Thats a gorgeous drum set. wild about the difference between Remo and Evans
Thank you! 😊
Thanks for this video! I will never have such a deluxe kit as I'm 77 years old and that speaks for itself, but I own a 1962 vintage Hollywood double tom set of Ludwig's and a late 80's Pearl Power double tom kit. Decades ago I started using moleskin by Dr. Scholl's on the hoop at the drum pedal to protect it, but playing numerous gigs over the years the hoops still get some scratches or dings. That was interesting about the head fitment between Remo and Evans. The heads should not have scratched the finish. I currently use Evans Heads and have since the early two thousands. Again this was an interesting video and I subscribed to your channel. Thanks.
Thank you so much! : )
I love my DW collectors kit. it's a bop kit that I use all the time for everything.
Cool, what finish is it?
@@drumdrumdrum It's a silver sparkle with nickel hardware. I bought it at Forks Drum Closet in Nashville.
Sweet!
I have been using REMO heads since 1985. In almost 40 years, I've had maybe one, two "bad" heads. I just put all Ambassador heads on a $200 SPL birch kit and it sounds excellent. I have tried Evans several times and they have consistently sounded dead or "sacky."
I gave up on remo due to being too inconsistent too often and costing me a small fortune so I switched to Evans. I had a DW collectors kit for 2 years then sold it because of fighting the tuning lugs all the time. My kit would constantly de-tune during shows and recording and I just couldn't work with that. I now have a Tama Star series kit that's been my workhorse for the last 5 years.
Aquarian are just as good as evans and cheaper.
Have always wanted a DW kit. I played a friend's. It was completely out of tune and still sounded better than my Ddrum kit. Everytime I save enough money, some financial burden prevents me from buying one, lol.
I had a collectors and it was great in ways but I ended up getting rid of it. Loved the bass drum but I just didn’t like how the toms felt to play. If I was gonna spend in the 5k to 9k range for a kit I’d probably go Sonor sq2, Yamaha Phoenix or Pearl Masterworks with the new pearl mounting hardware.
Thanks for posting this. This is useful information. It's difficult to believe (especially with all of the hype that goes into DW's products) that DW would make oversized shells. I have no reason to think you are lying. You showed evidence of the finish damage. You would think it would be unimaginable that they would make an oversight like that. I also agree with your hardware comments. A lot of DW's hardware is bulky and somewhat over engineered. IMO all of the companies should focus on simplifying their hardware designs and stop trying to impress us with all of this gadgetry. Tama Star hardware is another example of this. There is nothing on Star hardware that does the job any better or more effectively than a simpler design could achieve; yet there are some drawbacks to all of the added mechanical parts of the new brackets, tilters and holders they released. At this point, Pearl and Yamaha are probably at the top of the heap generally speaking in terms of hardware that's fairly easy to use and doesn't get in the way.
5:39 Where did you find the black plug for the top of the cymbal stand you cut? I have a pipe cutter BUT I don't want a big hole at the top of my tom stand.
This is what I used, 25 pack on Amazon: amzn.to/3SO10sz
@@drumdrumdrum Thank you SO MUCH!!!!
Sonor shells are slightly undersized and thus create a better sound than DW.
I have sonor kits and use aquarian heads. Remos have wierd overtones you have to dampen out.
I am SUPER thankful for this video!!! in the past, I had a finished ply DW kit, and the underside of the base drum was a little scratched where I attached the pedal but it seemed normal. I never thought about the lacquer or color coming off. I’m so thankful that you mentioned that. Do you think that the lacquer finish is a lot more delicate compared to a finish ply? I am super careful and particular with my drums aIready. I don’t think I had even one scratch on my other DW kit that I had for about 20 years other than the bottom of the bass drum. But I’m wondering if the lacquer will scratch very easily if I drop a drumstick or a drum key? Is the lacquer fairly durable? I do know that most guys say it’s better to buy a finish ply if the kit is going to be on the road but how much more delicate would you say that a lacquer kit is compared to a finish ply? I know you have to be tripping out with even a small amount of damage on such a beautiful kit. You probably paid around $10,000 just for the drums alone.
You've welcome! :) I had some minor bumps against the drums by stray sticks. And by the rims of toms lightly hitting another drum while setting up. In those cases, it left no visible mark. I don't take this kit on the road (my old Pearls are my current gigging kit). I guess ultimately, you got to buy what makes you happy. If an exotic finish or lacquer over natural inspires you to play more even with a couple blemishes, you may still have to go for it :)
I’ve noticed that Remo heads don’t fit right on my Mapex or Ludwig’s, snares and toms. Evans fit perfectly on everything. It was like that before Level 360 too.
Used remo for years! Evans heads are the best
Fwiw, you can buy a 8x12 piece of craft leather for $9, cut it into 4x4 squares, and wrap that around the hoop. It works better than any store bought hoop protector for a fraction of the cost. All my hoops look brand new.
Good advice!
Love my DW'S!!!!
I had a Dw collector but no happy about tuning and finish
It’s too expensive for what it is
Now i play Gretsch us Maple
It’s perfect and the best drums that played in my Life
I love my finish, but yes definitely not cheap!
Switch to gretch as you did or Yamaha
I have a Dw Pdp and seems entire Dw kit looks good but hope get any Dw in future was well ✨🥁🔥🔥🔥
I’ve had nothing but fitting and seating issues out of Reno on my Pearl kit. Never had an issue with Evan’s.
The Evans are certainly to work with.
Remo has a Head Called “Classic Fit” You Can get coated Ambassador Classic Fit and These heads will Fit perfectly on slightly oversized drum. 😉
How does one order a custom dw kit? I've looked on the website, but no clear link to inquire.
They only let you order through an authorized dealer. I contacted a "local" drum shop by email to initiate the process, and worked out with them the specs I wanted. I had some questions they couldn't answer, and they followed up with DW to get my answers.
What did I learn after having a dw? I should have bought the Yamaha
So true in many ways! Compared to many other brands DW kits (except the old keller shell versions!) tend to be quite a pain in the butt to tune. I am a drummer since 45 years and work in drum retail since 20 years and had to make this observation time and again. Granted, DWs are nice pieces of furniture, but that's about it for me. I might get roasted for this by all the fanboys, but the DW artist roaster is filled with a vast army of drum legends who never actually played DW when they were in their prime, or when their defining albums were recorded.
@@WayneShlegltruth
I will only use Evans heads, on toms & snare hydraulic for the rock and heavy stuff and UV2 for all other styles and EMAD on the kick! I know that the senior drummers swear by remo pinstripes but as you said their QC just isn't what it used to be it's sad because they used to be great when they were made in the USA but ever since they went overseas they are just 🦨!
I picked up my DW collector's kit last month. I really had to make an effort to find a DW single tom mount that had the correct memory lock. Without the memory lock my 12"x10" tom will not stay in place properly. Wound up ordering just the memory lock directly from DW. There is a parts number disconnect and you'll receive the tom mount with the larger accessory clamp instead of the smaller L-rod memory lock that fits just under the tom bracket.
Interesting. My DWs came with the memory locks...
@@drumdrumdrum I bought my DW kit on the used market. Didn't come with the mounting L-bracket.
Couldn't get my 14 & 16 DW floor toms as close together as I wanted so I folded a washcloth three
times and wedged it between the points the two floors touched. I can see it but onlookers cannot.
Does that rob me of resonance? If it does only dogs can hear it.
Absolutely correct about the Remo heads not fitting! Evans is the only way to go. I use the UV2 for tom batters, UV1 on the snare, and the black resos for the toms. Get yourself a Tunebot and you'll never regret it. You can listen to how my kit sounds on my channel. Oh yeah, hazy 300 on snare side and Evans Emad single ply on the kick. Experiment with the kick resos but definitely Evans. At least they all spin!
Aquarian heads are great too and cheaper.
Very informative thank you so much
You're welcome 😊
try cotton balls (pulled flat) inside toms to clean up that sympathetic resonant ring. usually 1 to 3 will do it depending on taste.
I think I've seen that guy on the sweetwater demo videos talk about that!
Thank you for sharing
Beautiful kit!
Happy Drumming!!!
The problem I've always seemed to have with DWs in general are the reinforcement rings on the toms. Pretty sure that's not what's causing the binding with the Remo heads over the toms, but their toms have always sounded a little choked to me. However, one thing I can tell you from experience is that Evans definitely make a more consistent and better fitting drum head for just about anything. It's just a better marriage between head and bearing edge. Give 'em a try.
I definitely will!
The pure oak rack toms are absolutely nasty and don’t come with re-rings which is why they were my choice, even though I do think the re-rings are sick looking lol
Very informative. Thanks.
Thank you for the feedback.
I think my Pearl set is a bit undersized, I never had a problem mounting Remo heads. Another point, many drummers dislike the Pearl "plumber" design tom mounting arms, but the toms barely move or shake when hit and hit hard. I realize this video is about DW, just comparing.
A just comparison to make! : )
My '69 Ludwigs still going strong!!
Never had any problems with Reno heads
May you should have measured the drum and the Remo drum head to find out where the deviation in the diameter is and why the drum head seems too tight.
Evan’s Hydraulic heads…. All Tom’s and snares
I wish the drums could be seen better through all the hardware. I think a single rack tom with all that hardware taken off of it would be cool. On a snare stand.
This video (unboxing of the kit) has clearer views. ruclips.net/video/b2U4SJesEnM/видео.html
I prefer Evans black chrome for metal and the white battered for rock.
Hands down, Yamaha by far is better in every respect, especially their tom mounts. No comparison. Glad I upgraded to Yamaha
I would've bought Sonor for that kind of money. Sonor make THE best drums on pkanet Earth.
Oh brother you need the Dixon bass drum riser!
I'm not familiar with that. I'll have to check it out!
@@drumdrumdrum The Dixon Bass Drum Lift is an Evans product and is found under accessories in percussion on the Daddario
website. It protects the bass drum hoop and makes installing the bass drum pedal a breeze. It just might be the best $40 you'll
ever spend. BTW, I HATE REMO HEADS!!! I believe Evans are far superior. Aquarian, too.
The scratch on your tom tom made me sad. Sorry buddy.
Thanks, it was heartbreaking in the moment! Luckily you can't see it with the drum head on.
You did good. I will now subscribe. 👊🏾
Thanks!
Too much talkin..no actual drum sounds..
A 7 minute video and he can't even play the kit so we can hear how it sounds...
Sorry mate, that's most of my other videos though. : ) This one was meant more as educational. Though I see you found one of my other videos. :)
Right? Crazy.