DW Performance Series Snare Drum
A Mid Priced Offering
Editor’s Note: The DW Performance Series Snare drums have been released and reviewed on this site. You can find that review here.
Up until now, a drummer had two choices if they had to own a set of Drum Workshop drums. They could make a substantial investment and order a custom set. This is not something realistically within reach of most drummers. Certainly not within mine. Or, they could settle for the PDP by DW line which, although good, does get lost in the competition of other sets in that price range. Now, it looks like the fine folks at DW have come up with an alternative to either extreme. An alternative that doesn’t require compromises to DW’s name and reputation. That drum is the DW Performance Series snare drums. I’m keeping my ear to the rail on this one but this is the information I have on them so far.
They Wanted To Give Drummers A Choice
John Good, Drum Workshop executive Vice President and Drum Designer said it best:
“We wanted this to be a kit that more drummers could afford, but we didn’t want to cut corners. It’s really a challenge to hit a certain price point and not give up on quality or performance. In this case, we really did have to Perform. We included many of the features that you’ll find on one of our more expensive Custom Shop sets. I think we’ve come out with a pro-quality kit that has its own sonic personality and can translate to just about any genre of music today.”
Technical Highlights
- A proprietary drum shell called HVX, referring to its grain orientation made up of horizontal, vertical and diagonal plies of North American Rock Maple
- A completely new dual-mini turret lug
- DW’s new MAG drop throw-off and heavy-gauge flanged steel counter hoops
- True Pitch tension rods
- Low mass die cast claw hooks
- DW heads by Remo
- Five distinct hand-sprayed lacquer finishes: White Ice, Sapphire Blue, Dark Cherry Stain, Ebony Stain and Black Mirra.
John Good adds:
“We really wanted this kit to sing, and at the same time, have a sound all its own. These new DW Performance Series drums are no one-trick-pony, they can do it all.”
Have A Look
Click on any of the images below to go to the image browser where you can see these new designs in all of their glory. I’m sure you’ll agree on top of being technically impressive they’re just plain beautiful!
These drums look awesome and I can’t wait to get mine. Thanks for the info.
Getting DW quality at less than custom price is very exciting for a lot of drummers looking for a change. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that they’re becoming available just before the holiday season either. Great wish list items for sure.
I own one of the kits and have owned a collectors series kit as well. All I can say is play one for yourself…its worth it!
I own this kit with a second floor tom, I am thrilled with the way this kit sounds, awesome with very little tuning once the kit is dialed in. They are well built, look great and sound awesome. I have not owned a collectors series, although I would have gone that route if I could have afforded it, however, I think I am more than 90% there with this kit…a good purchase for a serious minded drummer. I have owned a Pearl custom Z kit (oak) and have been searching to upgrade my tools…this kit sounds better the more I play it.
Hey Mitch,
Thanks for stopping by and joining in!
How do the Pearl custom Z and the DW Performance series compare overall in your opinion?
IMHO – The DW’s have a sound I have been looking for in a ‘good’ kit. The Pearl’s have a different sound, the sound being less resonant w/more tone overlap than the DW’s. I am most fond of my floor tom’s on the DW kit, they sound simply GREAT. I played and tuned the Custom Z’s for over 12 years, wore them out…from a build perspective, the Pearl’s started to peel at the seems, not too bad but was happening, also the hoops began to pit. The DW’s look great and I hope they last as long as the Pearls…
The sound on the DW’s is my kinda sound, attack well, sustain just enough and with some work, can really tune them in through the resonant side, the skins up top can be loose to slightly tight…and sound, although affected, is still awesome. I like the way the DW’s sound, I was alsways chasing this ‘sound’ on the Pearls, I am more about tone, articulated sound, and distinction amongst other instruments, the DW’s deliver like the Pearls never could.
…what is your perspective? have you played this kit? Heard it live?
I haven’t played or heard it live. I’ll see if my partner Darin has had a chance to do either.
Sorry, Mitch. He hasn’t played it or heard it live either.