dw's pitch matched families.

Thomas JABB · Fierce Puppy Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 237

I read that DW's pitch their drum kits so they sound better as a group. So, if I buy a DW kit all at once they will be pitch matched... But what if I order piece by piece? Is there a noticeable difference in sound? Do other companies offer something similar?

Thanks for the info in advance.
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ozma422 · Sea Monkey Joined: 14 May 2006 Posts: 14 Location: Jersey

Id actully like to know this as well, i only bought 3 pieces for now, planning on 2 or 3 more toms for now.

Dave from Perth · Not So Newbie Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 5

I added an 8 inch tom to my dw set-up.

When I ordered I was asked to submit the serial number and "tuning" of my 10 inch tom so that an appropriately matched 8 inch shell could be chosen at the factory to compliment the rest of my kit.

Hope this helps.

kenneth-ahrenkiel · Newbie Alert Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Posts: 4

from dw website:

"Once the shell is completed, a master drum technician begins the TimbreMatching(tm) process by tapping the shell to hear its fundamental pitch at the point where the shell resonates most freely (4 & 5). With the basic pitch of the shell determined, a "family" of snare drum, tom-tom and bass drum shells are chosen to fill the high, middle and low positions in the kit's frequency spectrum. Each TimbreMatched(tm) set of drums assures minimization of pitch overlaps and maintains the desired intervallic relationships. The shells are also inspected for consistency and richness of grain. Just before final assembly, a digital tuner is used to find the exact note-value of each shell. The note is stamped on the inside of each shell, indicating the drum's tuning "sweet spot" and later becoming a convenient reference point for tuning. The kit is then labelled so that its individual drums will remain together from this point on."

http://www.dwdrums.com/drums/shells/shellmaking.asp

sway · Tadpole Joined: 22 May 2007 Posts: 26 Location: U.S

Hey when you telly them your pitch of your kit and they send you another tom according to your kit and its pitch does that mean you cant tune your kit higher or lower? Or is that just what it sounds best at?

MagicMedicine204 · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 1:11 am Post subject:

It's just the note that the shell naturally vibrates at. It's still a normal drum, but that's supposedly the drums "sweet spot."
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