taiko
Senior Member
I've just purchased one of the first DW Design Series Frequent Flyer kits and thought I would offer my initial thoughts on the kit. It has a 12 x 20 bass drum, 11 x 14 floor tom, and 8 x 12 tom tom with 5 x 14 snare. The design is simple and aimed at being easy to use and carry.
Construction
Well, it's DW, so it's superb. Not much to say beyond that. Everything is flawless. What I do like about the kit is that the hardware is light, yet sturdy. The bass drum mount for the tom is very nicely done. It's light and very easy to use and position. I'm quite impressed by this. Bass drum spurs are simple, elegant, and sturdy. Snare has the MAG throw off, but does not have the three position butt. The hardware is very nicely complemented by the DW 6000 series hardware that I have, to have a very easily transportable kit. Bearing edges are perfect, wrap is perfect, etc. I bought the White Onyx finish ply and it looks
wonderfully retro.
Sound
Of course, what matters most is the sound--and they sound great. They have a warm full tone. I put Acquarian Modern Vintage II heads on all of the drums and really love the sound. The bass drum comes with the DW pillow, which I don't like. With the MVII head on the batter side (with the built in felt) and a felt strip on the resonant side, the drum sounds amazing. I tend to prefer 20" over 18" bass drums for jazz, and this has the full depth of sound of a 20" bass drum. I like the sound better than a couple of 16 x 20 bass drums I've had (including a Ludwig Classic Maple). Toms sound very clear and warm. Once I removed the Remo/DW center dot head and put on an MV head, I liked the snare quite a bit, too. I have no complaints about the sound of this kit--in fact, I love it.
Use
I think it will be quite versatile, but I play mostly in small combo jazz groups. I think it will work great for trio or quartet work or even for larger groups. The bass drum has enough oomph that it should be acceptable for a big band as well.
Basically, I think DW has hit a home run here. This kit sounds wonderful and looks good doing it. It has all of the typical DW quality elements and is easy to move around. I've had several small, travel kits, including a Taye GoKit and Gretsch Catalina Club Street. None of them even come close to the DW. It's a bit bigger than the others, but it's worth it. I thought the Taye kit sounded really bad. The Gretsch kit is ok. The DW kit is fantastic. Of course, it costs more too--Taye kit is around $700, Gretsch around $600, and DW around $1200. The DW is worth the extra money, without a question.
I'm taking it on its first gig on Tuesday and will add anything that comes to mind. But if you want a compact, easy to move kit that sounds top notch, then the DW Frequent Flyer kit is the one you are looking for. I have some very good sounding drums, including a Canopus Neo Vintage bop kit and a Gretsch New Classic bop kit and I've owned kits like a Gretsch USA Customs in the past. This comparatively inexpensive DW is right in there with the best I've owned.
Construction
Well, it's DW, so it's superb. Not much to say beyond that. Everything is flawless. What I do like about the kit is that the hardware is light, yet sturdy. The bass drum mount for the tom is very nicely done. It's light and very easy to use and position. I'm quite impressed by this. Bass drum spurs are simple, elegant, and sturdy. Snare has the MAG throw off, but does not have the three position butt. The hardware is very nicely complemented by the DW 6000 series hardware that I have, to have a very easily transportable kit. Bearing edges are perfect, wrap is perfect, etc. I bought the White Onyx finish ply and it looks
wonderfully retro.
Sound
Of course, what matters most is the sound--and they sound great. They have a warm full tone. I put Acquarian Modern Vintage II heads on all of the drums and really love the sound. The bass drum comes with the DW pillow, which I don't like. With the MVII head on the batter side (with the built in felt) and a felt strip on the resonant side, the drum sounds amazing. I tend to prefer 20" over 18" bass drums for jazz, and this has the full depth of sound of a 20" bass drum. I like the sound better than a couple of 16 x 20 bass drums I've had (including a Ludwig Classic Maple). Toms sound very clear and warm. Once I removed the Remo/DW center dot head and put on an MV head, I liked the snare quite a bit, too. I have no complaints about the sound of this kit--in fact, I love it.
Use
I think it will be quite versatile, but I play mostly in small combo jazz groups. I think it will work great for trio or quartet work or even for larger groups. The bass drum has enough oomph that it should be acceptable for a big band as well.
Basically, I think DW has hit a home run here. This kit sounds wonderful and looks good doing it. It has all of the typical DW quality elements and is easy to move around. I've had several small, travel kits, including a Taye GoKit and Gretsch Catalina Club Street. None of them even come close to the DW. It's a bit bigger than the others, but it's worth it. I thought the Taye kit sounded really bad. The Gretsch kit is ok. The DW kit is fantastic. Of course, it costs more too--Taye kit is around $700, Gretsch around $600, and DW around $1200. The DW is worth the extra money, without a question.
I'm taking it on its first gig on Tuesday and will add anything that comes to mind. But if you want a compact, easy to move kit that sounds top notch, then the DW Frequent Flyer kit is the one you are looking for. I have some very good sounding drums, including a Canopus Neo Vintage bop kit and a Gretsch New Classic bop kit and I've owned kits like a Gretsch USA Customs in the past. This comparatively inexpensive DW is right in there with the best I've owned.