DW (Performance Series) Bass Drums

[boomstick]

Update 9-17-24: I got one. See post #17.

-------------------------------------------------------

Looking for opinions on these drums.

A little background: I have a 20-13-15 maple kit that I’m happy with except for the 18” depth of the bass drum. For a while, I was thinking of cutting it down to 20x12, but more recently I’ve been thinking about displacing it with a larger, shallower drum like a 22x12 or 22x14.

Then I see that DW Performance Series drums can be purchased individually for a reasonable price. I’ve never owned any DW drums before, and I thought it might be cool to have just a nice bass drum of theirs, and I think the 22x14 will fit right in to my kit sound-wise. Also, the smaller Performance Series lugs are a close visual match to those on my current kit, and one of the available finishes is also close match.

So I’m wondering what other player’s experiences are with DW maple bass drums. Are they typically ok/good/great/amazing? And reviews of the Performance Series 22x14 in particular would be great.

 

[Rhyma Hop]

Looking for opinions on these drums.


So I’m wondering what other player’s experiences are with DW maple bass drums. Are they typically ok/good/great/amazing? And reviews of the Performance Series 22x14 in particular would be great.

I think the Performance kicks sound good but not as good as the Design series which is a little bit thicker. Which finish do you have on your kit?

 

[boomstick]

"Pewter Sparkle Finishply" is the one that matches my kit.

 

[Rhyma Hop]

.
Go for it if that is the one that matches .. Try to shop around for the lowest price.
BTW which series kit do you have?

 

[boomstick]

I have a Keller shell kit with round single-point lugs. So honestly, I could get a pretty close match to my exact specs with a custom build from someplace like Precision. But a cursory look a pricing seemed like the DW would be a bit cheaper, I presume since the Performace Series are somewhat mass produced, whereas Precision builds are custom? And as I said, I was kind of interested in having a DW drum in my small collection. But wanted to get opinions before making any moves.

 

[Rhyma Hop]

.
Yep Precision will charge quite a bit for the wrap and the work so I would just proceed with your plan.

 

[LudwigGuy]

I'd find a 3-ply 20x14 orphan.

 

[HowardW]

I've owned DW Performer Series, and I had the 16x20" bass. Loved it! It was easy to tune where I wanted, and (for me) the 16" depth gave me a slightly throatier boom than my previous 14x20 bass.

 

[Steech]

I had a DW Performance series kit and remember liking the 14x20 bass drum. But man, if you can try an individual Designer series kick then I’d probably go that route. More bang for yer buck.

Edit:

I always confuse the DW Performance with the SC Performers.

 

[Worldwide Webb]

I'm a thin shell guy. I have a DW Performance 18x14 kick that I can tune all sorts of ways. I have it tuned medium low now and it does everything well. It projects and, because of thin shells, it is also musical. With a thicker shell I think you lose a bit of the musicality. Plus thin = lighter weight for gigging. For me, Performance works.

 

[ncdrumr]

I have a 22x14 Performance bass drum with clear green Remo P3 batter and coated Emp reso w/5" hole. I have two DW kick pillows inside with small side against the heads. I really like it. It has great punch and low end.

 

[boomstick]

But man, if you can try an individual Designer series kick then I’d probably go that route. More bang for yer buck.

Interesting. Two votes for the Designer Series. Too bad the finishes are so limited on that line. I could probably get by with gloss black if the price was right, but even that isn't offered.

 

[boomstick]

I have a 22x14 Performance bass drum with clear green Remo P3 batter and coated Emp reso w/5" hole. I have two DW kick pillows inside with small side against the heads. I really like it. It has great punch and low end.

Cool. That's good to know, and pretty much what I would expect it to sound like, especially compared to my 20x18.

 

[Rhyma Hop]

Interesting. Two votes for the Designer Series. Too bad the finishes are so limited on that line. I could probably get by with gloss black if the price was right, but even that isn't offered.

Isn't the Performance kick right at 1k ? ..... You can get a 4 piece Design set for 1.5k

 

[boomstick]

Isn't the Performance kick right at 1k ? ..... You can get a 4 piece Design set for 1.5k

Yeah, that's the price. The thing is, I'm kind of attached to the unusually sized toms I've got going. My default setup here is a 13x10 tom, a 15x13 floor tom, and a 14x6.5 maple/bubinga snare. There's just something really nice about the way they all blend together, and I don't want to disrupt that. The only deficiency I'm hearing in the kit is the response of the 20x18 bass drum, and I also think the lower fundamental of a 22 might be a better fit.

Edit: Now I see the 22" Design Series kick only comes in 18 inch depth?? It's a deal-breaker if that's the case. I'm trying to get away from 18" depth.

 

[Bubba]

Looking for opinions on these drums.

A little background: I have a 20-13-15 maple kit that I’m happy with except for the 18” depth of the bass drum. For a while, I was thinking of cutting it down to 20x12, but more recently I’ve been thinking about displacing it with a larger, shallower drum like a 22x12 or 22x14.

Then I see that DW Performance Series drums can be purchased individually for a reasonable price. I’ve never owned any DW drums before, and I thought it might be cool to have just a nice bass drum of theirs, and I think the 22x14 will fit right in to my kit sound-wise. Also, the smaller Performance Series lugs are a close visual match to those on my current kit, and one of the available finishes is also close match.

So I’m wondering what other player’s experiences are with DW maple bass drums. Are they typically ok/good/great/amazing? And reviews of the Performance Series 22x14 in particular would be great.

I had a 22x18 DW performance series bass drum that sounded excellent. I don't think you want to go any shorter than 14. My Tama Starclassic is 14 and Yamaha Tour Custom is 15 deep

 

[boomstick]

Update: Was browsing Reverb last week and spotted this 22x14 Performance Series bass drum in discontinued Black Mirra finish, which is a black sparkle lacquer. It was listed as "mint used condition" which is my preference, so I jumped on it. It arrived today, and I spent the afternoon giving it a close inspection and installing my preferred heads. The mint description was accurate. It looks great so far. Build quality is very nice. Tuning and sound tests next.

Shown here with the two toms I'll be Frankensteining it with: Spaun Custom Maples in black sparkle wrap, 13x10 and 15x13:

Close-up of the finish:

Interior looks good: