Can't take PDP seriously somehow

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My big takeaway from this thread is that the drum shell itself doesn't much matter nearly as much as the brand. Not even close.

Yes, to a point. I play Gretsch because I like the sound, but I know I wouldn't buy a Gretsch shell pack if it had the badge and fittings of a Mapex. I am happy to pay extra because the appearance changes the way I feel about the kit and therefore the way I play it (and my enjoyment in a way that goes just beyond the sonics).

The problem with the PDP brand (and I say this, but maybe they sell lots of them and it's a great brand - it's only my perception) is that it's positioned (implicitly) as a lower quality brand that DW are ashamed to put a DW badge on. Shame as they can sound fantastic. Maybe they think it will taint the DW brand? But every other drum manufacturer puts their name to entry-level kits and we understand what's going on as consumers - who would turn their back on Gretsch USA because they make the Catalina Club - if you buy into Pearl, the Export doesn't taint Masterworks. (Infact, I wonder how much long-term brand loyalty Pearl gained from the huge success of the game-changing Export?)

It's not quite the same as Squire and Epiphone as they have significant heritage already, eg. John Lennon played an Epiphone Casino.

But I actually wonder if DW have an opportunity with the PDP. They could put out entry-level kits under the DW brand, and develop the PDP ‘concept’ idea. When you look at recent historyPDP has done lots of interesting things - great modular hardware, wood hoop production kits, BOA, cast snares - at great prices. I suspect that there is a 'design-lab' brand in there that could actually feel quite fresh and different if they could jettison all the things that make it feel ordinary (and the lugs : ) Maybe it wouldn’t work for us oldies, but having the latest tech at great prices could really appeal to younger drummers who don’t actually want their drums to look like the materials they are made out of?
 
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This would imply that PDP was unreliable, poorly assembled, and prone to failure without notice. Not the case in my use of PDP products.
The more apt comparison would be that DW is like Harley in that it's overpriced, everything is an option that costs more, and most buy it simply for the name.

Full Disclosure: I was a Harley tech for many years and after what I saw come into the shop and the issues the bikes had, you couldn't give me one. I'll stick with my super reliable Yamaha.
Oh I know..I was just joking really. Like I said..I played one. It was good. It was the maple wood hoop kit. Actually recorded with it and it was just fine. Stock heads, too..
 
As Imentioned in a previous post, I think DW would have been better off selling the PDP as maybe DW, Pacific model, rather than call them a completely different brand, Maybe not. The folks that own them seem to know their heritage and seem to like them.
 
When I really think about it and take into consideration how many brands and ranges are available today, is it really necessary to justify why a brand or range just doesn't do it for you?
 
When I really think about it and take into consideration how many brands and ranges are available today, is it really necessary to justify why a brand or range just doesn't do it for you?
Certainly isn't. When one decides to disparage a brand for any reason, they open themselves up for a critique. Sometimes it's best to just keep one's biases to oneself.
Opinions are like a__holes, everyone has one and most people don't want to hear it.
 
Certainly isn't. When one decides to disparage a brand for any reason, they open themselves up for a critique. Sometimes it's best to just keep one's biases to oneself.
Opinions are like a__holes, everyone has one and most people don't want to hear it.
If people stopped voicing their opinions on forum dedicated talking about a certain subject (i.e. drums) how long would said forum continue to operate? If I'm not mistaken, you just disparaged AMF_Harley in a recent post. I think you're going to have to write a separate set of rules for the forum that will delineate just what opinions are permitted. Keep me posted. ?

Also, the only thing I said about PDP was that I didn't like the lugs. Matter of taste. Don't forget DWorld has an ignore button if you don't like my opinions.
 
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I have to fess up that I am as averse to the PDP lugs as many are to my aesthetically courageous Pearl tom arms...but here’s a couple of cool vids for you PDP boys/girls (y) :D:
 
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If people stopped voicing their opinions on forum dedicated talking about a certain subject (i.e. drums) how long would said forum continue to operate? If I'm not mistaken, you just disparaged AMF_Harley in a recent post. I think you're going to have to write a separate set of rules for the forum that will delineate just what opinions are permitted. Keep me posted. ?

Also, the only thing I said about PDP was that I didn't like the lugs. Matter of taste. Don't forget DWorld has an ignore button if you don't like my opinions.
So, you took offense to me agreeing with you that it's not necessary to justify why a brand doesn't do it for you? ?‍♂️

As for the Harley-AMF merger, the debacle that created is widely known in the motorcycle world and would be disparaged by anyone who rides.

I'll just stfu then since my words aren't easily understood. And go buy all the Stage Customs with that free time.
 
As for the Harley-AMF merger, the debacle that created is widely known in the motorcycle world and would be disparaged by anyone who rides.
I owned and chopped a '74 shovelhead in the early 90's. The bike was great................ except for the drivetrain. :poop:

And go buy all the Stage Customs with that free time.

Excellent choice! I've heard that those blow any DW kit out of the water, value wise. And sound pretty damn close too! :devilish: :ROFLMAO:

?
 
This was before I discovered the cherry-mahogany shells and just learned to avoid their wood snares altogether. But hey, there are worse things one can flip-flop about. Maybe what I discovered is that I just hate maple ?

So what I'm hearing Mr. Politician, is that you can be bought. ;-)
 
So, you took offense to me agreeing with you that it's not necessary to justify why a brand doesn't do it for you? ?‍♂️

As for the Harley-AMF merger, the debacle that created is widely known in the motorcycle world and would be disparaged by anyone who rides.

I'll just stfu then since my words aren't easily understood. And go buy all the Stage Customs with that free time.

You can say whatever you want for all I care. Your post sure didn't sound like you were agreeing with me.
 
It's all about priorities. My old drum teacher's dream kit was a PDP. At the end of the day, most drums sound like drums. Don't buy into the marketing and you'll probably be a lot happier, and richer.
 
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