Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated .

Amazon
5.0 (3)
$2,088.00
Reverb
5.0 (6)
$439.00 New
$344.00 Used
zZounds
5.0 (1)
$1,799.00
Gear4Music
£1,599.00

Average Price: $1,168

Standard/Professional

$999

$2500+

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High-end

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Description

Introducing the DW Design Series, a drum set that embodies the distinct and famed craftsmanship of DW. The Design Series bears a fresh and familiar look, boasting features like mini Turret lug, Remo USA-made Suede 'outline' logo heads, and a sleek silver and white badge. These drums are not just about aesthetics, they're designed to deliver. The shells are thicker and constructed to pack a powerful punch, with Vertical Low Timbre shell with a horizontal outer ply ensuring full, resonant, and responsive sounds.

This drum set is tailored to cater to a wide range of music styles. The 8-inch toms feature a 7-ply HVLT construction, while the snares carry a 10-ply HVX, and the 10-18 inch, alongside all bass drums, feature an 8-ply HVLT construction. The Design Series comes standard with a set of specially made heads by Remo for DW, ensuring maximum vibration and durability.

The drums are fitted with Chrome Standard Triple Flange Hoops, and DW's patented STM (suspension tom mount) system for maximum resonance. The Design Series also features the simple yet effective DW MAG Snare Throw-off System and the patented True-Pitch Tuning Rods for exacting tuning process.

Key Features:

  • Mini Turret lug and Remo USA-made Suede 'outline' logo heads
  • Thicker shells with Vertical Low Timbre shell and a horizontal outer ply
  • 7-ply HVLT construction for 8-inch toms, 10-ply HVX for snares, and 8-ply HVLT for 10-18 inch and bass drums
  • Standard Triple Flange Hoops and STM (suspension tom mount) system
  • DW MAG Snare Throw-off System and True-Pitch Tuning Rods
  • Components: Rack Tom: 8x10 inches, Rack Tom: 9x12 inches, Floor Tom: 14x16 inches, Bass Drum: 18x22 inches, Snare Drum: 5.5x14 inches

NOTE: Shell kit only. Cymbals and hardware sold separately.

Product specs

Brand DW
Model Design Series 6.5x14" Black Nickel Over Brass Snare Drum
Finish Black Nickel Over Brass
Year 2017 - 2025
Made In Taiwan
Categories Snare Drums
Diameter 14"
Shell Material Brass

FAQs

What is the shell material of the DW Design Series snare drum?

The DW Design Series snare drum features a shell made from brass, specifically with a Black Nickel Over Brass finish, which provides a bright and cutting tone suitable for a variety of musical styles.

Is the DW Design Series snare drum suitable for live performances?

Yes, the DW Design Series snare drum is well-suited for live performances due to its robust build and versatile sound, which can cut through a mix effectively.

What is the size of the DW Design Series snare drum?

The DW Design Series snare drum measures 6.5 inches in depth and 14 inches in diameter, offering a balanced sound with a good mix of body and attack.

Where are DW Design Series drums manufactured?

DW Design Series drums are assembled in Taiwan, utilizing high-quality materials and craftsmanship to offer a professional sound and performance.

How does the DW Design Series snare drum's sound compare to wood snare drums?

The brass shell of the DW Design Series snare drum provides a brighter and more resonant tone compared to wood snare drums, which typically offer a warmer and more rounded sound.

dw drums

dw drums

DW Design Series® - Brooks Wackerman & John Good

Video thumbnail for DW Design Series® - Brooks Wackerman & John Good by dw drums

DW Design Series® - Brooks Wackerman & John Good

dw drums

dw drums

Video thumbnail for DW Design vs. DW Performance vs. DW Collector's - Best Bang For Your Buck? by Drum Center of Portsmouth

DW Design vs. DW Performance vs. DW Collector's - Best Bang For Your Buck?

Drum Center of Portsmouth

Drum Center of Portsmouth

Video thumbnail for DW Design Series 5-Piece Drum Kit Review - Sweetwater Sound by Sweetwater

DW Design Series 5-Piece Drum Kit Review - Sweetwater Sound

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for Introducing DW Design Series® Drums - Extended Cut + Artist Reveal by dw drums

Introducing DW Design Series® Drums - Extended Cut + Artist Reveal

dw drums

dw drums

Video thumbnail for DW Design Series 4-piece Shell Pack Demo by Sweetwater

DW Design Series 4-piece Shell Pack Demo

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for DW Design Series in Smoke Glass Drum Demo by Sweetwater

DW Design Series in Smoke Glass Drum Demo

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for DW DESIGN SERIES (STUDIO QUALITY) by David Ruberto

DW DESIGN SERIES (STUDIO QUALITY)

David Ruberto

David Ruberto

Video thumbnail for DW Design Series 5-Piece Drum Kit Review by Nick Cesarz

DW Design Series 5-Piece Drum Kit Review

Nick Cesarz

Nick Cesarz

Video thumbnail for Dw Design Series VS Dw Collector's Series Comparison - Can you Hear the Difference? by Sterling R Jackson

Dw Design Series VS Dw Collector's Series Comparison - Can you Hear the Difference?

Sterling R Jackson

Sterling R Jackson

Video thumbnail for DW Design Series Drum Set Review (Studio Demo) by Gideon Waxman

DW Design Series Drum Set Review (Studio Demo)

Gideon Waxman

Gideon Waxman

Reviews

PROS

  • Immaculate Cherry Stain finish is visually stunning

  • Toms offer lovely sustain and easy tuning

  • Snare drum is crisp with a balanced ring

  • High-quality Remo drum heads included

  • Solid, durable hardware provides stability

  • DW bass drum pillow and memory locks included

  • Top-notch build quality appeals to all skill levels

  • Kit delivers majestic tones suitable for various genres

  • Excellent tone depth, even at higher tuning levels

  • Competitive price for high-end quality

CONS

  • Toms require separate clamps for mounting on cymbal stands

  • O-rings may be needed to limit resonance

  • Bass drum dampening pads are subpar and may need upgrading

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about DW Design Series.

Comparisons

  • The DW Design Series is comparably priced with high-end kits like Tama Starclassic and Mapex Saturn, offering similar professional-level quality.

    Source
  • DW shells are sometimes deemed too thick, affecting sound quality; some prefer Keller shells or brands like Mapex or Sakae for thinner shells and better sound.

    Source

Build quality

  • The Design Series features smaller turret lugs, which some prefer over the larger ones on the Collectors Series.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Acrylic kits from the Design Series offer more punch and are ideal for amplified performances, though they resonate less than wood in practice rooms.

    Source
  • DW kits hold tuning well at low tensions, providing fat, deep tones without excessive overtones, ideal for low-tuned genres.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Despite being mass-produced, the Design Series maintains high-quality materials and craftsmanship akin to more customizable, hand-assembled kits.

    Source
  • The note-stamping system on DW shells is often seen as marketing rather than practical, as tuning by ear or using a tunebot works better.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Toms often require tuning adjustments for optimal sound; some users find them too resonant and need to manage resonance to prevent muddy fills.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Stock DW heads are criticized, with users recommending American-made or Evans EC2 heads for improved sound.

    Source

User experience

  • Some owners find DW's tom mounting system too loose and challenging during setup, especially for frequent gigging.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The used market is saturated with high-end DW kits, leading to lower resale offers, such as $1500 for a 5-piece Collectors kit.

    Source

Critic Reviews

DW Design Series Kit review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The DW Design Series Kit stands out for its superb build quality and impressive sound, offering exceptional value for money. Crafted in Taiwan, the kit maintains a high standard akin to its American-made counterparts, featuring hand-picked North American Maple and unique HVLT shell construction. The sound quality is remarkable, with the bass drum delivering a punchy, deep tone and the toms providing clear articulation. Despite the limited choice of finishes and add-ons, this kit is poised to satisfy both aesthetically and sonically, making it a worthwhile investment for drummers seeking professional quality without the hefty price tag.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
timvandenhoven

Kick-ass sounding drumkit

I have this kit for two years. And it still shines on stage. The tones you'll create with this kit are majestic. When you buy the full kit you'll get two simple dampening pads in de bassdrum. They are not so good, I've bought the Evans EMAD to make the bassdrum more punchy. All the toms are easy to pitch. The snare you get with this kit is good enough. The sound it creates is very good when you use a single ply drumhead.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Travis Barker uses DW Design Series

Travis Barker

Drummer

Blink-182

...
Verified via Photo

In this video and many others you can see Travis using this kit

See how Nick Jonas uses DW Design Series

Nick Jonas

Singer, Guitarist

Jonas Brothers

...
Verified via Photo

This was clearly used for the concert scenes of JONAS L.A.

See how Nik Hughes uses DW Design Series

Nik Hughes

Drummer

Bush

...
Verified via YouTube

Nik Hughes is confirmed to use a DW Design Series drum kit, as seen in the "Nik Hughes - Bush - Tour Kit Rundown" video at 0:15, where the kit is identified as a DW Design Series maple drum kit. The video, produced by Modern Drummer Official, further discusses the kit's specifications at 0:45, including 12×10, 16×14, and 18×16 toms, along with a 22×18 kick drum. This information is verified by Modern Drummer, a credible source within the drumming community.

See how Walfredo Reyes, Jr. uses DW Design Series

Walfredo Reyes, Jr.

Drummer

Chicago

...
Verified via YouTube

Reyes jamming along with Daniel de los Reyes on the Design Series.

See how Ryan Boone uses DW Design Series

Ryan Boone

...
Verified via THE BARONS

You can see Boone playing DW in the majority of pictures as well as his Stubblefield set

Album Usage

The DW Design Series has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use DW Design Series, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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