By Contributing Author Dango
Read our comprehensive DW Design series review to find out if this drum set is a good fit for you!
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Drum Workshop, or DW, has been one of the leading drum manufactures for the past 30+ years and they have finally introduced a very price-friendly line with the Design Series kits.
These drums are 100% North American maple shells made to DW specs and standards.
This is not a beginner kit, and it is not lacking in any area of quality on the build, edges, or hardware.
What makes this kit unique for DW is that it’s the first DW kit made overseas to keep costs down. Previously, only their PDP lines were made outside of the US.
While made with North American maple shells, these kits are assembled in Taiwan, which helps to keep the cost of the kit low.
You are buying a real DW kit, but one that’s put together at a lower price point. We will also get into a few of the ways they were able to cut some other costs.
- Includes 5.5x14" Snare, 8x10" & 9x12" Mounted Toms, 14x16" Floor Tom and 18x22" Bass
- Made with thick North American Maple shells finished in steel gray and incorporated with HVLT, Design Series shells are full, resonant and responsive with a sound that packs a punch
- Featuring DW's most popular sizes in F.A.S.T (Fundamentally Accurate-Sized Tom) depths and the specialty lacquer finish in Steel Gray makes for a stylish kit
Quick Overview of the DW Design Series
The DW Design Series is not a custom kit from DW, this is a pre-configured kit, with limited sizes and finishes. This is the only way to get the cost so low and keep the quality this high.
So you’re looking at standard size kick and toms, but several different kit configurations options.
They even offer several add-ons and a killer brass snare in this line. There are some very nice wrap finishes, as well as some classy lacquer finishes.
The DW Design Series drums look and feel like DW, but they really stand out with their sound.
I personally own a DW Collectors Series, a Performance Series, and a Design Series, so I feel very comfortable explaining the differences.
I use all three kits regularly and the Design series almost weekly for pro gigs in Nashville.
At a Glance: Key Features of the Kits
The Design Series kits have tons of Pro features that we’re used to on all Dw kits, making them a really attractive option for a lot of drummers.
The toms feature STM tom mounts, True Pitch Tuning rods, Mag throw off, and a mini turret lug that looks like a baby DW lug. A lot of players actually prefer these smaller ones.
The shells are a new DW configuration called HVLT – which are Vertical Low Timber shells and an outer ply of horizontal.
DW is really the only company who varies their shell orientation in so many different ways based on John Goode’s research.
These shells are thicker than standard Collectors maple, and they are definitely a little punchier. They can be used in any musical situation but will certainly appeal to rock players with some good volume.
The kick sounds fat and full, and is very noticeably DW. I can usually tell a DW kick drum with my eyes closed.
The toms have a quick punch to them and are easy to tune up. All of the maple snares have some great pop to them, and still sound full and woody.
They also offer an Acrylic 5-piece kit that’s super dope in this price range. I like the sound of maple better, but I went through an acrylic phase like a lot of guys do.
And finally, they offer a couple smaller configurations (the Mini Pro kits) that are great for small venues or lower volume settings.
The finishes can change occasionally or every couple years, but as of now, they have 2 wraps, and 5 lacquers. Honestly, I’m surprised they even offer lacquers at this price point.
I own the black satin lacquer which is a flat black, and I get compliments on it almost every gig.
Both of the current wraps look extremely “DW” in nature and I would love to play either of them on tour. I actually prefer wraps for touring because they don’t scratch, but the Mini Pro kit is only available in a lacquer thus far and it’s what I currently own.
What Configurations are Available:
- The Standard 5 piece kit: 22×18 kick, 10×8 & 12×9 toms, 16×14 floor, 5.5×14 snare
- The Acrylic 5 piece kit: same sizes
- The Frequent Flyer Kit: 20×12 kick, 12×8 & 14×11 toms, 5×14 snare
- The Mini Pro Kit (18/13): 18×14 kick, 10×6 & 13×9 toms, 5×13 snare
- The Mini Pro Kit (16/12): 16×14 kick, 10×6.5 & 13×9 toms, 5×12 snare
- Several add ons available including: concert toms, piccolo toms, a pancake drum, as well as 2 smaller rack toms and 1 larger floor tom for both maple and acrylic.
These configurations are super versatile and well thought out. I have the Mini Pro kit and gig with it regularly in coffee shops, bars, and small stages.
The Frequent Flyer kit is great for a jazz setup and can also double on these small gig stages. The basic 5 piece is pretty impressive to be in maple and acrylic for the same price point.
The Pros OF A DW Design KIT:
Let’s take a look at the aspects that bring the biggest value with this kit.
- The sound of these drums is great–it’s obvious this is a pro level kit.
- The price is so good, considering the quality of the drums,, coming in between roughly $1150-$1700.
- The various add-on options are really impressive and could fit almost anyone’s specs to get their setup sizes.
- The finishPly wraps and the lacquers are very impressive and none of them look cheap.
- The build quality is so sturdy and these drums will not break easily, especially the hardware.
- DW has some of the best customer service in the industry, and I can attest from touring with their drums for over a decade all over the world.
- The Design Series brass snare is a great addition and comes in 5.5 or 6.5×14. Several of DW’s top guys prefer this snare to the Collector’s model. I like both, they’re just different sounding.
The Cons of a DW Design Series Kit:
With the reasonable price of the kit comes a few tradeoffs, so let’s take a look at those.
- As of right now, 22” is the largest kick size, which will eliminate some players who prefer a 24.
- The stock snare is a 5.5×14 and for most players nowadays, they may prefer a 6.5. I guess DW found this was the most efficient way to make these kits, but I wish they would add a 6.5 to the lineup as an add-on.
Who is the DW Design Kit Best Suited For?
This kit is designed for the working drummer. These kits are built for gigging and recording.
The shells are very close to the Collector’s series and made to high standards. You are not buying a beginner kit, and these are better quality than even the highest-level PDP kits, which are also nice.
If you don’t need a weird size tom, or a custom kick drum, and you will be happy with a basic configuration, then this is the kit for you.
This kit will be great in rock, pop, jazz, latin, worship, and many other styles. You can find DW artists using the maple or the acrylic kits on tour.
The DW Design Series is also ideal for anyone who doesn’t have the big budget for a custom kit
DW Design Series Drum Set Pricing
The acrylic kit comes in at around $1700, and the maple at around $1650.
The Frequent Flyer kit comes in at roughly $1350, and the Mini Pros are around $1250 and $1150, depending on sizes.
The brass snare is $320 in the deeper size and any of the maple snares are $290 when purchased separately.
To be honest, these prices are amazing for anything made by DW.
If you need something in a lower price range, check out my list of the best drum sets under $1000.
Alternatives to The DW Design Kits
A Few alternatives to the Design Series that are worth checking out are the Gretsch Renown Series– maple shells, the Tama Superstar Hyperdrive- maple shells, and Pearl’s Session Studio Select – birch and mahogany shells.
All of these are in a similar price range, as all 3 of these kits are made overseas. They’re all good, solid kits and it will completely come down to preference of the player.
For my money, the DW Design is a no-brainer here.
Final Verdict: Are these Drums Worth It?
The bottom line is: this is a great kit at a great price. It would be an incredible first pro kit for anyone who has started seriously gigging.
It is also super easy to tune and records well, so a lot of players are using them for their home setup doing drum covers.
The only thing more impressive from DW that is still fairly price-conscious is the Performance series, which is another step up.
It also has limited sizes and finishes, but it is made in the US factory in CA by the same people building Collectors Series drums.
So if you can justify the slightly higher prices, the Performance Series is the actual best deal DW offers.
With that said, I’ve never known anyone disappointed with a Design Series kit, including myself.
For under $2K I don’t think you can buy a better quality-built drum kit that’s brand new.
- Includes 5.5x14" Snare, 8x10" & 9x12" Mounted Toms, 14x16" Floor Tom and 18x22" Bass
- Made with thick North American Maple shells finished in steel gray and incorporated with HVLT, Design Series shells are full, resonant and responsive with a sound that packs a punch
- Featuring DW's most popular sizes in F.A.S.T (Fundamentally Accurate-Sized Tom) depths and the specialty lacquer finish in Steel Gray makes for a stylish kit
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