PDP By DW SHELL SET CONCEPT MAPLE FINISH PLY CM7 KIT 22" SATIN BLACK PDCM2217BK

Historical Context and Positioning Within the Range

The Concept Maple is presented as PDP's "top-line" series. It sits at the top of the range by incorporating design elements and hardware associated with the DW universe, notably features derived from the famous DW Collectors series. The idea is clear: to offer a highly refined kit designed for demanding drummers, with manufacturing focused on performance, tuning stability, and premium playing feel.

Available in various pre-configured kits, these drums also emphasize an evolutionary range logic: it is possible to add additional shells to adapt the configuration to your needs (more compact set, extended kit, second floor tom, etc.). The F.A.S.T. shell depths contribute to this modern positioning, tailored for versatility and efficiency in real-world situations.

Who This Drum Kit Is For

This acoustic drum kit is primarily aimed at intermediate to advanced drummers seeking a serious instrument capable of withstanding rehearsals, stage, and recording without compromise. The presence of three rack toms, two floor toms, and a 22-inch bass drum makes it a particularly comfortable set for drummers who like to build orchestrations, play tom runs, or have a wide range of pitches.

In terms of styles, European maple and this configuration are comfortable in rock, pop, funk, fusion, gospel, or variety contexts. The kit remains musical at low volume while offering the necessary projection when playing becomes more energetic. For a drummer looking for a versatile "main" drum kit capable of covering multiple repertoires with a single set, the Concept Maple ticks many boxes.

Features and Innovations

The core of the kit relies on European maple shells with a construction designed for stability and precision. The toms and bass drum in 7-ply offer a good compromise between resonance and control, while the snare drum in 10-ply gains rigidity, thus improving response, articulation, and rimshot power. The F.A.S.T. depths aim for a fast playing feel and a crisp response, particularly appreciated by drummers who alternate ghost notes, accents, and dynamic changes.

The STM tom suspension is a real highlight: it limits direct contact with the shell, helping the tom to breathe and maintain its natural sustain. The thinner True Pitch tension rods allow for more precise and gradual tuning adjustments, practical for quickly finding exact tension between songs or sessions. Molded bass drum claws are also featured, designed for durability and mechanical stability, useful when the bass drum endures repeated strikes with a beater or heel-toe technique.

Finally, the drum kit is equipped with Remo heads, a coherent choice to achieve an immediately usable sound. A DW MAG trigger is mentioned as available optionally on the snare drum, an interesting solution for those who want to blend acoustic and electronic elements (sample triggering, transient reinforcement, consistency in live contexts).

Sound Characteristics

European maple is renowned for its ability to produce a sound that is both warm and balanced, with rounded lows, present mids, and smooth highs. On a kit like this, it translates into toms that sing easily, with a clear attack and musical sustain without becoming overpowering. It is a wood particularly appreciated when seeking a versatile drum kit that accommodates both low, massive tuning and tighter, more "studio" tuning.

The 7-ply construction of the toms and bass drum provides firmness and a degree of control: you get solid projection and consistent response, useful for drummers who play loudly or want a clean sound in a dense mix (distorted guitars, keyboards, brass). The 22x18 bass drum combines depth and punch, with a generous low end and a usable attack, especially if you adjust the choice of batter head and damping level according to style.

The 10-ply snare drum enhances the impression of precision: the sound gains focus, with a sharp attack, better-controlled harmonics, and a good reserve of power. It suits both rock backbeats and more nuanced placements, notably thanks to sensitivity that will depend on tuning, timbre, and head choice. The STM suspension also helps keep the toms open and resonant, improving the feel under the sticks and the overall kit coherence.

Technical specifications