Drummers

Torco1
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Torco1
Edited Date/Time 8/19/2012 1:57pm
Any of you drummers out there have any experience with the PDP X7 drum kit? It's their maple kit and I was wondering how good it is. Right now I have a Ludwig Element kit and I have the chance to get a PDP X7 for a killer deal but I wasnt sure if it'll be worth giving up my Ludwig for. I know the thing to do would be to play it, but I'm a little more curious about the durability and the craftsmanship. I know DW makes them and DW is a great company, in fact I had a PDP set years ago, but it was one of the lower end ones.....but it was still pretty nice. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!



This is what my Lugwig looks like........

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TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 8/15/2012 2:39pm
8/15/2012 2:39pm Edited Date/Time 8/15/2012 2:42pm
I've got the 5 pc version...in the Ansley Dunbar wannabe Silver-Sparkle wrap (Yes, I'm a child of the '70's, "Man").

You're looking at DW shells w/out the internal-stiffener rings & the lugs are an oval version of the DW round "Camco" lugs....and in some cases-fewer lugs (Snares and some Toms, I think...?)

The Floating-Mounts really do work and seem to have a no affect on tone like other mounting systems do. I use a PDP rack system, too. Everything stays RIGHT WHERE I PUT IT. Even when you move your set...VOILA...everything is where it belongs!

Truth: You're looking at "Mexican DW's" for the most part. I really think that this is the best set for the money. Same Maple as DW's and same tech/forming/disciplines...etc. They just happen to be made in the old Fender Factory in Ensenada...instead of Oxnard. Get this: It's safe to say that PDPs are more consistent than DWs do to the use of automation versus the "Hand-Built" DW's...what do you think...just, maybe...?

I use a combination of PDP/DW hardware and made myself (And DW) a snare that sounds virtually EXACTLY like what you hear on Wilk's snare on Audioslave recordings...except...without any editing! Carbon-Birch lam: 3 plies Carbon in and Out. PERFECT!

These things have awesome shells, Excellent HARDWARE (The stands are sooooo much better than the rest in this price range: See Mid-Hi-$ Yamaha/Tama for comparo), the Finish...yes...even my "wraps"...pretty damn nice...again...ESPECIALLY at this price!

Even the damn Pedal(s) are surprisingly good for a "pkg pedal".

If you have a specific pedal, hat & hardware combo that you like...it (your combo) may be better; but, like I said...really good drums for the money.

I'm guessing you might be in this just for the "Drums"/Shells?

You can't go wrong: I've recommended these "Shells" to people w/ pretty Hi-Dollar mind-sets...they've all been pleasantly surprised.

Good luck!

Manny

Note: You'll be stoked to notice some DW artists actually playing these shells due to the tonal range.

Edit: My bad, Quality, Durability, Hardware...etc.? I've had my set for 6 years...awesome. The fasteners are all DW quality, altho, sometimes from a Taiwan vendor versus some of DWs On-Shore vendors...and, guess what? I'm hearing the DW stuff has/is going off-shore for that stuff, too.
Mr. G
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Mr. G 8/15/2012 3:51pm
8/15/2012 3:51pm
I was going to add to this thread but after reading TeamGreen's post I got nothing. By the way how much is this "Killer deal"?
Torco1
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Torco1 8/16/2012 11:51am
8/16/2012 11:51am
TeamGreen wrote:
I've got the 5 pc version...in the Ansley Dunbar wannabe Silver-Sparkle wrap (Yes, I'm a child of the '70's, "Man"). You're looking at DW shells w/out...
I've got the 5 pc version...in the Ansley Dunbar wannabe Silver-Sparkle wrap (Yes, I'm a child of the '70's, "Man").

You're looking at DW shells w/out the internal-stiffener rings & the lugs are an oval version of the DW round "Camco" lugs....and in some cases-fewer lugs (Snares and some Toms, I think...?)

The Floating-Mounts really do work and seem to have a no affect on tone like other mounting systems do. I use a PDP rack system, too. Everything stays RIGHT WHERE I PUT IT. Even when you move your set...VOILA...everything is where it belongs!

Truth: You're looking at "Mexican DW's" for the most part. I really think that this is the best set for the money. Same Maple as DW's and same tech/forming/disciplines...etc. They just happen to be made in the old Fender Factory in Ensenada...instead of Oxnard. Get this: It's safe to say that PDPs are more consistent than DWs do to the use of automation versus the "Hand-Built" DW's...what do you think...just, maybe...?

I use a combination of PDP/DW hardware and made myself (And DW) a snare that sounds virtually EXACTLY like what you hear on Wilk's snare on Audioslave recordings...except...without any editing! Carbon-Birch lam: 3 plies Carbon in and Out. PERFECT!

These things have awesome shells, Excellent HARDWARE (The stands are sooooo much better than the rest in this price range: See Mid-Hi-$ Yamaha/Tama for comparo), the Finish...yes...even my "wraps"...pretty damn nice...again...ESPECIALLY at this price!

Even the damn Pedal(s) are surprisingly good for a "pkg pedal".

If you have a specific pedal, hat & hardware combo that you like...it (your combo) may be better; but, like I said...really good drums for the money.

I'm guessing you might be in this just for the "Drums"/Shells?

You can't go wrong: I've recommended these "Shells" to people w/ pretty Hi-Dollar mind-sets...they've all been pleasantly surprised.

Good luck!

Manny

Note: You'll be stoked to notice some DW artists actually playing these shells due to the tonal range.

Edit: My bad, Quality, Durability, Hardware...etc.? I've had my set for 6 years...awesome. The fasteners are all DW quality, altho, sometimes from a Taiwan vendor versus some of DWs On-Shore vendors...and, guess what? I'm hearing the DW stuff has/is going off-shore for that stuff, too.
Thanks for the info! Yeah, I would be getting the shells only and keeping my hardware.......my double pedal alone probably cost more than the shells. I was figuring that the shells themselves were probably the same as the DW and all the mounting hardware and other pieces are what's different between the two. My Ludwigs are birch but they do sounds really good......they have the floating toms as well. Thanks again!
Torco1
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Torco1 8/16/2012 11:56am
8/16/2012 11:56am
Mr. G wrote:
I was going to add to this thread but after reading TeamGreen's post I got nothing. By the way how much is this "Killer deal"?
Well, I guess its not a "killer" deal......but basically I would be trading my Ludwigs straight across for them. The PDP set is new too. The only reason I'm able to trade straight across is because my Ludwig set is a 9 piece and the PDP is only a 5 piece. Like I told Manny though, I will be keeping all my hardware which is really the most important (and expensive) part of the kit.....my Ludwigs anyway. I'll probably play them this weekend though to see if I want to do the trade. I could also trade them for a maple Premiere set as well......but I'm really not to familiar with Premiere at all.

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captmoto
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captmoto 8/16/2012 2:15pm
8/16/2012 2:15pm
Im the son of capt moto. I have been touring and dealing with different types of drums from working at guitar center. I personally had bad experiences with PDP drums. straight out of the box the moving parts would strip or break before they can even be displayed to sell. I'm not sure what kind of improvements they have made since but thats what I have dealt with in the past. As far as sound goes id choose the ludwig kit. If youre gigging alot then you need durablitiy and sound. Ludwig just has a stronger reputation over PDP, regardless of DW making it or not. Is this a hobby kit or a serious gigging type of set your looking for?
davis224
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davis224 8/16/2012 6:56pm
8/16/2012 6:56pm
Mr. G wrote:
I was going to add to this thread but after reading TeamGreen's post I got nothing. By the way how much is this "Killer deal"?
Torco1 wrote:
Well, I guess its not a "killer" deal......but basically I would be trading my Ludwigs straight across for them. The PDP set is new too. The...
Well, I guess its not a "killer" deal......but basically I would be trading my Ludwigs straight across for them. The PDP set is new too. The only reason I'm able to trade straight across is because my Ludwig set is a 9 piece and the PDP is only a 5 piece. Like I told Manny though, I will be keeping all my hardware which is really the most important (and expensive) part of the kit.....my Ludwigs anyway. I'll probably play them this weekend though to see if I want to do the trade. I could also trade them for a maple Premiere set as well......but I'm really not to familiar with Premiere at all.
I have zero drum experience, but felt like adding that my band's drummer is a Premiere die hard. That is all.
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 8/17/2012 3:01pm
8/17/2012 3:01pm
There are 2 (now 3, I hear) levels of PDP kits. The level we're talking about should have the "fine thread" DW style fasteners. Even the Snare.

FYI, someone in here actually uses Ti fasteners on his kit. He's a doucher.
Mr. G
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Mr. G 8/17/2012 3:34pm
8/17/2012 3:34pm
My last kit was premier and I had it for 39 years (got it at 8). It was worn out but survived gigging a lot. I even had one of the toms fall out on the 405 and survived.
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 8/17/2012 3:56pm
8/17/2012 3:56pm
Mr. G wrote:
My last kit was premier and I had it for 39 years (got it at 8). It was worn out but survived gigging a lot. I...
My last kit was premier and I had it for 39 years (got it at 8). It was worn out but survived gigging a lot. I even had one of the toms fall out on the 405 and survived.
Damn, that's Drum-Abuse!

Are you Keith Moon?
Mr. G
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Mr. G 8/17/2012 5:57pm
8/17/2012 5:57pm
Mr. G wrote:
My last kit was premier and I had it for 39 years (got it at 8). It was worn out but survived gigging a lot. I...
My last kit was premier and I had it for 39 years (got it at 8). It was worn out but survived gigging a lot. I even had one of the toms fall out on the 405 and survived.
TeamGreen wrote:
Damn, that's Drum-Abuse!

Are you Keith Moon?
Yea you think my parents got their moneys worth! Made all through the 80's in the Van Halen tribute band, through the 90's with the progressive/funk/ rock band and through the longest run in the adult contemporary rock band. Whew!
Funny but in the last band we did a ton of coffee house gig's, Translation: drums have to be hit so lightly they sound horrible or with those equally horrible "quiet sticks", made me think I should have had an electronic kit (nooooo). At least I could have brought the volume down with a somewhat decent tone and since we played everything from Queensryche to the Righteous Brothers I could have at least got the right sound and it wouldn't have had to set up the Alex Van Halen kit! What a pain.
Mr. G
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Mr. G 8/17/2012 6:01pm
8/17/2012 6:01pm
T Man 345 wrote:
I like this guys drumkit...



: )
Oh my God that was awesome! Didn't even lose time!
Torco1
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Torco1 8/19/2012 1:57pm
8/19/2012 1:57pm
TeamGreen wrote:
There are 2 (now 3, I hear) levels of PDP kits. The level we're talking about should have the "fine thread" DW style fasteners. Even the...
There are 2 (now 3, I hear) levels of PDP kits. The level we're talking about should have the "fine thread" DW style fasteners. Even the Snare.

FYI, someone in here actually uses Ti fasteners on his kit. He's a doucher.
When you say "fine thread" fasteners are you talking about the tuning lugs and the actual threads on them? If you are, the threads on these are pretty damn fine.

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