PDP By DW Concept Maple Shell Pack Review – Worth the Price?
We spent some time with the PDP Concept Maple 7-piece kit. Right away, it offers a solid mix of quality and value.
The sound is warm and full. Those maple shells create a tone that works in lots of styles.
The hardware isn’t flashy, but it feels durable enough for regular use. Assembly took a bit of effort, especially with the bass drum and floor tom.
The finish is clean. The drum sizes make this kit pretty versatile.
The snare stand and cymbals aren’t included, so keep that in mind if you want a complete setup.
Overview of the PDP By DW 7-Piece Concept Maple Shell Pack
This 7-piece drum set feels well-built. The maple shells deliver a warm, full sound.
The hardware is solid, though it doesn’t come with stands or cymbals. You’ll need to buy those separately.
Assembly isn’t instant, especially for the bass drum and floor tom. Still, the design makes it pretty straightforward.
Tuning can be tricky at first. Swapping out the stock heads helped the sound a lot.
The finish looks clean and professional. It suits a range of music styles.
Key Features
We spent time playing this kit and noticed a few things that really shape how it performs. The drum set balances solid build quality with some smart design touches.
Some parts make tuning easier and sound more consistent. Others could use a little work.
Dual-Turret Lug Design
The lug system uses a dual-turret style. This helps keep tension even across the drumhead.
Tuning feels smoother and more stable during long sessions. But the lugs are a bit bulky and can slow down quick changes.
True-Pitch Tension Rods
The True-Pitch tension rods match the threading on the lugs. That reduces binding and makes tuning more precise.
The rods turn easily, which saves time across multiple drums. If you’re not careful, though, the easy spin can lead to over-tightening.
Mag Throw-Off Snare System
The snare strainer uses the Mag throw-off. It’s smooth and reliable when switching snares on or off.
It feels sturdy and responds quickly, which is handy between songs. The chromed snare wires sound crisp, but fine-tuning the tension is tough without clear markings.
7-Ply Maple Shells Construction
The shells are 7-ply maple, giving warmth and brightness in tone. This build gives a nice balance of punch and resonance.
The toms and bass sound clear without too much deadening. The snare shell is thicker—10-ply maple—so it’s more focused and controlled, though maybe a bit less lively.
The pearlescent finish looks great but can show scratches with heavy use.
Versatility and Customization Options
This drum set offers good flexibility since it’s a shell pack. You can pick your own hardware and cymbals to fit your style.
The 7-piece layout covers a wide range of sounds. That’s useful for both practice and gigs.
Tension rods and claw hooks make tuning straightforward. It’s easy to switch between music genres.
But since hardware isn’t included, you’ll need to invest more to finish the kit. The pearlescent finish looks sharp, but it doesn’t change how the kit plays.
Build Quality and Finish
The kit’s build feels solid for the price. The maple shells are sturdy, and the chromed lugs and claw hooks add a tough touch.
The dual-turret tube lugs look classic and hold tuning well. The finish stands out with its pearlescent white coating.
It’s clean and smooth, but we did spot minor imperfections on a couple drums. The lacquer holds up to regular play and looks good under stage lights.
Pros and Cons
We found some clear strengths and a few drawbacks during testing. Here’s what stood out.
Pros
- Good Sound Quality: Maple shells produce a warm, rich tone that fits many styles.
- Solid Hardware: Chrome hardware feels sturdy and reliable.
- Nice Finish: Pearlescent white is eye-catching and clean.
- Versatile Set: Seven pieces mean lots of sounds and setups.
- Easy to Upgrade: Swapping drum heads improves the sound noticeably.
Cons
- Hardware Not Included: You’ll need to buy stands and cymbals separately, which adds to the cost.
- Assembly Needed: The bass drum and floor tom take some time to put together.
- Tuning Can Be Tricky: Getting the drums perfectly in tune isn’t always easy.
- Limited Accessories: If you want a full ready-to-play package, you’ll need extra gear.
Customer Reviews
The drum kit delivers solid sound quality right out of the box. Many users love the maple shells, especially after swapping out the stock heads.
Some buyers were frustrated about the hardware not being included. Assembly takes a while, especially for the bass drum and floor tom.
The kit is a good value for the price, with sturdy construction and a decent finish. Tuning can be a challenge, even with electronic tuners.
Key points from customers:
- Great sound after custom tuning
- Hardware sometimes missing or needs upgrade
- Assembly required
- Good price for quality balance
Frequently Asked Questions
We ran into a few common questions while using this kit. Here’s what came up, based on our experience and what others say.
What are the notable features of the PDP Concept Maple shell pack?
The 7-ply maple shells and thicker 10-ply snare give a solid, warm tone. The STM suspension mounts help toms ring clearly.
True Pitch tension rods make tuning smoother. Die-cast claws on the bass drum add stability.
The finish is tough and looks sharp, but you’ll need to buy heads and hardware separately.
How does the PDP Concept Maple compare to the original DW line?
The Concept Maple keeps the DW style but comes at a more affordable price. The sound and build are good, though not as refined as the high-end DW Custom Shop models.
It’s a step up from entry-level sets, but it doesn’t match the precision and tone of prime DW drums.
Is the PDP Concept Maple shell pack suitable for professional gigs?
Yes, the kit can handle gigs if you set it up right and use decent heads. The shell quality and hardware design make it reliable on stage.
Some pros might find tuning tricky at first, especially compared to higher-end kits. For most small to mid-sized venues, it performs well and offers a good mix of sound and durability.
What sizes and configurations are available in the PDP Concept Maple Series?
The standard set we used was a 7-piece pack. It includes multiple toms, a bass drum, and a snare.
The series lets you flex the configuration if you want to add or swap drums. Typical sizes cover the popular options, so you can build your preferred setup.
Can beginners effectively use and grow with a PDP Concept Maple set?
Definitely. This kit is a great way for beginners to start since it’s built tough and sounds better than most cheap drums.
Tuning takes patience, but it helps new players learn drum care and setup. As skills improve, the maple shells offer room to grow without needing to upgrade right away.
What has been the feedback from users on the PDP Concept Maple shell pack?
Users seem to really appreciate the sound quality and the solid build, especially for the price. A lot of folks who swapped out the stock heads noticed better tone and found tuning easier.
Some people did get frustrated by the lack of included hardware. Tuning isn't always straightforward at first, either.
Still, most agree it's a worthwhile buy. You get features you'd expect on pricier kits, though you'll probably need to add your own hardware and upgrade the heads to really get the most out of it.
