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Mexican Made PDP Drums

Posts: 786 Threads: 154

First off, I know that PDP drums are far from vintage but I thought some of you might find some info I recently got to be interesting.

I have always kinda wanted a DW kit. I know they hold kind of the "holy grail" of drums to some people. I personally would rather have multiple kits than one super expensive kit like the DW's.

This got me thinking about PDP though. They are designed by DW but are way cheaper. I had heard rumors that the Mexican made maple kits used the same shells as the DW collector series drums (but no re-rings). So, I figured if I could find one of these kits I would be pretty close to having a DW kit at a fraction of the cost.

So, I contacted DW directly and they confirmed that the PDP maple kits (LX, CX & MX) that were made at their Mexican factory (now closed) used the same North American Hard Maple shells that they use on their DW kits.

I ordered a used MX kit for $300 shipped. It has a lacquer finish that is kinda scratched up. As some of you know, I like to recover drums, so I ordered some gold sparkle material that I am going to wrap them with.

The bearing edges etc. are awesome on these shells. The date stamped in each shell says 2007. The air vents are threaded and it has the stm suspension mounts and has a 10 lug kick drum....very nice drums!

I will post pics of the re-wrap after I get it finished :)

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Posted on 4 years ago
#1
Posts: 2753 Threads: 132

The PDP factory in Mexico was in space leased from the Fender production facilities in Ensenada, Baja California.

No matter how far you push the envelope, it is still stationery.
Posted on 4 years ago
#2
Posts: 786 Threads: 154

From leedybdp

The PDP factory in Mexico was in space leased from the Fender production facilities in Ensenada, Baja California.

Cool....thanks for the info!

Posted on 4 years ago
#3
Posts: 137 Threads: 25

I've owned a couple of PDP kits over the years, and my son plays a PDP FS kit now. I always liked the tone of them, and the 800- and 900-series hardware quality is great! The only thing I didn't like about the mid-2000s PDP drums was the mounted floor tom. But adding legs would cost about $60 for parts and an hour of labor; since you're going to recover yours, might as well add legs!

Current sets
2018 Precision Drum (natural maple, 10/12/13/16/20)
Gretsch USA: 1958 3-ply (white pearl, 12/16/20), 1976 6-ply (12/13/16/22), 1998 6-ply (walnut, 8/10/12/14/16/20)
Slingerland: 1963 (BDP, 13/16/22), 1966 (Sparkle red, 13/16/20)
Posted on 4 years ago
#4
Posts: 2753 Threads: 132

I second the motion to make the floor tom a true floor tom. I'm an old school guy who is very uncomfortable with floor toms that hover off the ground and mounted toms that are not mounted on the bass drum.

No matter how far you push the envelope, it is still stationery.
Posted on 4 years ago
#5
Posts: 786 Threads: 154

Good idea guys on the floor tom legs! I don't really like that heavy of a drum on a tom arm mount. I'm strapped for cash right now, but since there aren't any extra holes in the drums (because it currently uses the suspension mount), I can do it whenever I get the chance :)

Posted on 4 years ago
#6
Posts: 1041 Threads: 64

I wouldn't mind finding either a CX Series or Platinum Series. Both are great sets from what I've seen and heard. I believe the Platinum Series are in the same ball park as the DW Performance Series.

-Justin

"People might look at you a bit funny, but it's okay. Artists are allowed to be a bit different."- Bob Ross

"After silence, that which comes closest to expressing the inexpressible is music..." - Aldous Huxley
Posted on 4 years ago
#7
Posts: 6363 Threads: 223

I owned a PDP X7 kit about 6 years ago. Yes, they were made in Taiwan, but had some of the best craftsmanship I've seen on a drum set. Even the air vents were die-cast and easily removed from the shell. I made some changes to the kit...Yamaha "YESS" mounts, Mag strainer on the snare drum. However, out-of-the-box, they were a very well-made set of drums. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another!

-Mark

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Posted on 4 years ago
#8
Posts: 6363 Threads: 223

ardrummer!

It will be easy to re-wrap your PDP kit. As you noted, the air vents are easily removed. My PDP used logo badges that were attached with machine screws and nuts, which were also easy to remove. I'm guessing that your kit is the same?

-Mark

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Posted on 4 years ago
#9
Posts: 137 Threads: 25

From Brewkowski

I believe the Platinum Series are in the same ball park as the DW Performance Series.

Having owned both, I would put the PDP Platinum more like the DW Design Series than the Performance Series, especially the snare drums. But to be honest, I don't see much difference in quality between the Design and Performance lines.

I wonder why DW keeps all three lines? It seems that the price points between PDP Platinum and Design are roughly the same, and build quality between Design and Performance seems roughly the same. I can see where such similar lines cannibalize each other's sales.

Current sets
2018 Precision Drum (natural maple, 10/12/13/16/20)
Gretsch USA: 1958 3-ply (white pearl, 12/16/20), 1976 6-ply (12/13/16/22), 1998 6-ply (walnut, 8/10/12/14/16/20)
Slingerland: 1963 (BDP, 13/16/22), 1966 (Sparkle red, 13/16/20)
Posted on 4 years ago
#10
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