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Thread: Review: DW Collectors series and hardware

  1. #1

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    Default Review: DW Collectors series and hardware

    So this is my review of my Collectors after a year of owning them.
    Finish: I have the Blue Glass wrap and it is beautiful. Not a single imperfection to be found. All the chrome on the rims and lugs is perfect.
    Shells: Again, perfect. All bearing edges are true and shells are round. My kit has re-rings installed and are perfect.
    Hardware: Pedals; DW 5002 double pedal: no issues at all. Easy to dial in.
    Hi-hat stand: Dw 5000: No issues. Chrome is great as well as playability.
    Snare stand: DW 9000: absolutely a beast. infinite adjustability and beautiful finish.
    DW rack system: I never have owned a rack until this kit. I love it. Easy to set up and break down. Load ins are a breeze. The rack itself is very user friendly with memory locks everywhere.

    Overall review: This kit is very well built. Very nice fit and finish on all drums. No factory flaws or blemishes at all. The toms sing forever and tune up very easily. All the shells are Maple. I replaced the heads with Evans EC2's and am very pleased. The only thing I have found "wrong" with this kit is the mounting hardware on the floor toms. The bottom edge of the mount hits the side of the tom when mounted. I think I have found a solution for this though. The snare is a 14x5 Super Solid. This thing is a beast. If you get a chance to try one, do it. It cuts through everything. I have mine tuned rather tight and it sound like a cannon. I was fortunate enough to get a 23 inch bass drum. It has a very nice deep and warm punch. Again, I have found nothing wrong with the finish or craftsmanship with this drum. Overall I am very pleased with this kit. I feel it could very well last a lifetime with the proper care. I do gig with this kit and could not be happier with the sound or performance. I hope this helps somebody down the road.
    1976 Tama Imperialstar Saturn 12+1 Platina6,8,10,12,13,14,15,16 concert toms, 16, 18 floor toms, 2-22x18 Bass drums.
    1971 5x14 Ludwig acrolite snare
    Tama metalworks snare 13x6
    DW collectors Maple Blue Glass7x8, 8x10, 9x12 rack toms, 11x14, 13x16 hanging toms, 18x23 bass, 8 and 12 timbale toms, 5.5x10 Ten and Six All Maple snare, 5.5x14 Supersolid snare, DW 9000 rack system, DW 5002 Double bass pedal, DW 5000 Hi-Hat stand, DW 9000 Snare stand.
    Sabian Xs20 cymbals: 16 & 18 crash, 20 ride, 14 hats, 8 splash, 18 china.
    Zildjian cymbals: 21 ride, 15 hats. All '70's era.

  2. #2

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    Default Re: Review: DW Collectors series and hardware

    Great review! I would love to see the kit.
    Quote Originally Posted by rickthedrummer View Post
    There is intelligent life out there. The problem is that there isn't any here.

    -Mike

  3. #3

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    Default Re: Review: DW Collectors series and hardware

    Thanks FBN. You can see them here: http://s1294.photobucket.com/user/sh...59d08.jpg.html
    Or go to the DW discussions page. I think page 78 or 79 has the pics.
    1976 Tama Imperialstar Saturn 12+1 Platina6,8,10,12,13,14,15,16 concert toms, 16, 18 floor toms, 2-22x18 Bass drums.
    1971 5x14 Ludwig acrolite snare
    Tama metalworks snare 13x6
    DW collectors Maple Blue Glass7x8, 8x10, 9x12 rack toms, 11x14, 13x16 hanging toms, 18x23 bass, 8 and 12 timbale toms, 5.5x10 Ten and Six All Maple snare, 5.5x14 Supersolid snare, DW 9000 rack system, DW 5002 Double bass pedal, DW 5000 Hi-Hat stand, DW 9000 Snare stand.
    Sabian Xs20 cymbals: 16 & 18 crash, 20 ride, 14 hats, 8 splash, 18 china.
    Zildjian cymbals: 21 ride, 15 hats. All '70's era.

  4. #4

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    Default Re: Review: DW Collectors series and hardware

    Thanks that's a beauty, this Just re-enforces my desire to own one someday. Your problem with hanging floor tom is one reason why I would rather have legs on them. It must be tough to get 23" heads, How do the stock heads compare to the ec2's?
    Ludwig Classic Maple 22x16,10x8,12x9,16x16
    7" Moon Gel Practice Pad
    Sabian HHX Legacy

    Decide whether this is love for the craft or simply an ego thing

    http://www.redskymary.com/ NOT MY BAND, JUST A GREAT LOCAL BAND WHO SHOULD BE SOOO MUCH BIGGER IMO

  5. #5

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    Beautiful kit! I like where the rotos are!
    Quote Originally Posted by rickthedrummer View Post
    There is intelligent life out there. The problem is that there isn't any here.

    -Mike

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by MDK View Post
    Thanks that's a beauty, this Just re-enforces my desire to own one someday. Your problem with hanging floor tom is one reason why I would rather have legs on them. It must be tough to get 23" heads, How do the stock heads compare to the ec2's?
    Thanks MDK. Yeah, there are some things you just have to deal with, LOL. I bought this kit used from a store and did not have my say. Got a heck of a deal. Never thought I would own any kit of this caliber. The stock heads sounded great for four year old heads. This kit was built in September of 2009. When I got it, the stock heads were still on it. They were terribly loose and not tuned at all. They did tune up rather well for them being that old. I really have no complaints about the stock heads. I just put the EC2s on this summer. They really opened up the sound. The bass still has the stock head and still tunes and sounds nice. The only place I have found to get a 23" head is DW. With that being said, I think the next heads will be stock DW heads, even though there is nothing wrong with the Evans. They are made by Remo and sounded really good as I said earlier.
    1976 Tama Imperialstar Saturn 12+1 Platina6,8,10,12,13,14,15,16 concert toms, 16, 18 floor toms, 2-22x18 Bass drums.
    1971 5x14 Ludwig acrolite snare
    Tama metalworks snare 13x6
    DW collectors Maple Blue Glass7x8, 8x10, 9x12 rack toms, 11x14, 13x16 hanging toms, 18x23 bass, 8 and 12 timbale toms, 5.5x10 Ten and Six All Maple snare, 5.5x14 Supersolid snare, DW 9000 rack system, DW 5002 Double bass pedal, DW 5000 Hi-Hat stand, DW 9000 Snare stand.
    Sabian Xs20 cymbals: 16 & 18 crash, 20 ride, 14 hats, 8 splash, 18 china.
    Zildjian cymbals: 21 ride, 15 hats. All '70's era.

  7. #7

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    Default Re: Review: DW Collectors series and hardware

    Quote Originally Posted by FlyByNight View Post
    Beautiful kit! I like where the rotos are!
    Thanks FBN. I tried them everywhere and found this works best for me.
    1976 Tama Imperialstar Saturn 12+1 Platina6,8,10,12,13,14,15,16 concert toms, 16, 18 floor toms, 2-22x18 Bass drums.
    1971 5x14 Ludwig acrolite snare
    Tama metalworks snare 13x6
    DW collectors Maple Blue Glass7x8, 8x10, 9x12 rack toms, 11x14, 13x16 hanging toms, 18x23 bass, 8 and 12 timbale toms, 5.5x10 Ten and Six All Maple snare, 5.5x14 Supersolid snare, DW 9000 rack system, DW 5002 Double bass pedal, DW 5000 Hi-Hat stand, DW 9000 Snare stand.
    Sabian Xs20 cymbals: 16 & 18 crash, 20 ride, 14 hats, 8 splash, 18 china.
    Zildjian cymbals: 21 ride, 15 hats. All '70's era.

  8. #8

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    Default Re: Review: DW Collectors series and hardware

    http://s1294.photobucket.com/user/sh...ward1/library/
    This is the mount hitting the floor tom.
    http://s1294.photobucket.com/user/sh...27b04.jpg.html
    Another look off of the rack. You can see it does not touch while off of the rack.
    http://s1294.photobucket.com/user/sh...f13d2.jpg.html
    Ordered these rim protectors. Cut them down a bit.
    http://s1294.photobucket.com/user/sh...47841.jpg.html
    http://s1294.photobucket.com/user/sh...2c9b0.jpg.html
    Installed and trimmed to fit around the mount housing.
    http://s1294.photobucket.com/user/sh...aa1dc.jpg.html
    Much better. No metal touching the drum now.
    1976 Tama Imperialstar Saturn 12+1 Platina6,8,10,12,13,14,15,16 concert toms, 16, 18 floor toms, 2-22x18 Bass drums.
    1971 5x14 Ludwig acrolite snare
    Tama metalworks snare 13x6
    DW collectors Maple Blue Glass7x8, 8x10, 9x12 rack toms, 11x14, 13x16 hanging toms, 18x23 bass, 8 and 12 timbale toms, 5.5x10 Ten and Six All Maple snare, 5.5x14 Supersolid snare, DW 9000 rack system, DW 5002 Double bass pedal, DW 5000 Hi-Hat stand, DW 9000 Snare stand.
    Sabian Xs20 cymbals: 16 & 18 crash, 20 ride, 14 hats, 8 splash, 18 china.
    Zildjian cymbals: 21 ride, 15 hats. All '70's era.

  9. #9

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    ^Nice set up!

  10. #10

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    Nice drums, but bad design on the tom mounts.

  11. #11

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    gorgeous kit! Thanks for the review

  12. #12

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    Beautiful kit

  13. #13

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    Very nice! And great review.

  14. #14

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    Thanks everybody for the comments. I am by no means a professional reviewer, but maybe this will help someone.
    1976 Tama Imperialstar Saturn 12+1 Platina6,8,10,12,13,14,15,16 concert toms, 16, 18 floor toms, 2-22x18 Bass drums.
    1971 5x14 Ludwig acrolite snare
    Tama metalworks snare 13x6
    DW collectors Maple Blue Glass7x8, 8x10, 9x12 rack toms, 11x14, 13x16 hanging toms, 18x23 bass, 8 and 12 timbale toms, 5.5x10 Ten and Six All Maple snare, 5.5x14 Supersolid snare, DW 9000 rack system, DW 5002 Double bass pedal, DW 5000 Hi-Hat stand, DW 9000 Snare stand.
    Sabian Xs20 cymbals: 16 & 18 crash, 20 ride, 14 hats, 8 splash, 18 china.
    Zildjian cymbals: 21 ride, 15 hats. All '70's era.

  15. #15

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    Default Re: Review: DW Collectors series and hardware

    I liked the review. I have a set of DW Collector's Series in the broken glass finish. Mine have floor toms with legs and a 22" bass drum, but are otherwise very similar. I bought them new in the summer of 2008.

    As for heads, I too really like the stock heads. The only other ones that I've liked on the toms a Aquarian Modern Vintage. It gives it a very different sound, but I like them better than the Remo and Evans heads that I've tried on this kit. I use Remo Ambassadors on all of my vintage kits.)

    As far as bass drum batter heads, I use Aquarian Superkick II. Unfortunately, they do not make that head in the 23" size.
    -Mike


    "We don't stop playing because we grow old.
    We grow old because we stop playing."

    "I wish that my playing reminded people of Steve Gadd. But they seem to confuse me with his little known cousin... E."

    "Snare drums happen."

  16. #16

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    Thank you drummer. I love the broken glass finish. If I were to order a set, it would be that or a red glitter/glass. I will probably go back to stock heads on the next change. They impressed me being 5 years old and still tuned reasonably well.
    1976 Tama Imperialstar Saturn 12+1 Platina6,8,10,12,13,14,15,16 concert toms, 16, 18 floor toms, 2-22x18 Bass drums.
    1971 5x14 Ludwig acrolite snare
    Tama metalworks snare 13x6
    DW collectors Maple Blue Glass7x8, 8x10, 9x12 rack toms, 11x14, 13x16 hanging toms, 18x23 bass, 8 and 12 timbale toms, 5.5x10 Ten and Six All Maple snare, 5.5x14 Supersolid snare, DW 9000 rack system, DW 5002 Double bass pedal, DW 5000 Hi-Hat stand, DW 9000 Snare stand.
    Sabian Xs20 cymbals: 16 & 18 crash, 20 ride, 14 hats, 8 splash, 18 china.
    Zildjian cymbals: 21 ride, 15 hats. All '70's era.

  17. #17

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    Default Re: Review: DW Collectors series and hardware

    Quote Originally Posted by tamashane View Post
    Thanks FBN. You can see them here: http://s1294.photobucket.com/user/sh...59d08.jpg.html
    Or go to the DW discussions page. I think page 78 or 79 has the pics.
    Those DWs are just beautiful, Shane. I love that broken glass finish.

    If I may, there is a very simple way to fix the problem you are having with the suspension mounts rubbing against the drum shell: obtain some small rubber bumpers of the kind that stick to the bottom of many items. These are usually listed as "adhesive backed rubber feet" and are available at any home improvement store. With these, you simply need to stick them to the back of the suspension mount. You will not be able to see them at all, and no drilling involved.

    GeeDeeEmm

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