What is included in the PDP Concept Maple 4pc Shell Pack?

The shell pack includes a 20x16 bass drum, 10x8 and 12x9 rack toms, and a 14x14 floor tom. It is important to note that this is a shell pack, meaning hardware, cymbals, and a snare drum are typically sold separately.

What material are the shells made from?

The shells are constructed from 7-ply maple. This wood choice is preferred by many drummers for its warmth, resonance, and balanced tonal profile across low and high frequencies.

What is the benefit of the True-Pitch tuning lugs?

True-Pitch tuning rods feature more threads than standard rods. This allows for finer, more granular adjustments to the drum's pitch and helps the drum stay in tune longer under heavy playing.

How does the STM mount affect the sound?

The Suspension Tom Mount (STM) holds the rack toms in a way that avoids drilling into the shell or clamping too tightly. This allows the shells to vibrate freely, resulting in maximum resonance and sustain.

Is the 20-inch bass drum powerful enough for loud music?

Yes, despite being smaller than a standard 22-inch drum, the 20x16 bass drum in this kit is designed for high projection and bottom-end power. It is capable of standing its own in high-volume mixes, including metal and rock.

Are the drumheads of good quality?

Yes, the kit comes equipped with Remo drumheads. Remo is an industry-standard brand, ensuring that the kit has a professional sound character immediately after assembly.

What genres of music suit this drum kit?

The kit is highly versatile due to its maple construction and sizes. It is suitable for everything from jazz and blues to studio session work, rock, and metal.

What are die-cast claw hooks used for?

Die-cast claw hooks are used to secure the bass drum hoops to the shell. They are more durable than stamped metal versions and help maintain even tension on the bass drum head.

How does the Natural finish look?

The Natural finish showcases the organic grain of the 7-ply maple shells. It provides a classic, understated aesthetic that fits well in both vintage and modern stage setups.

How does this kit compare to the Tama Superstar Classic?

Both kits use maple shells and target similar price points. The PDP kit features DW-inspired hardware like True-Pitch lugs and STM mounts, which may appeal to those who prefer DW's engineering style.

Is this kit suitable for professional recording?

Yes, the 7-ply maple shells provide a warm and consistent tone that is often preferred by recording engineers. The STM mounts also ensure that no unwanted hardware rattles interfere with the microphones.

Does the kit include a snare drum?

This specific 4-piece configuration does not include a snare drum. It is designed to be paired with a snare of the player's choice to further customise their sound.

Gear article

PDP Concept Maple 4pc Shell Pack

The PDP Concept Maple 4pc Shell Pack is a professional-grade acoustic drum kit featuring 7-ply maple shells designed to balance vintage warmth with modern durability. Comprising a 20-inch bass drum, two rack toms, and a floor tom, this configuration is engineered for versatility across studio and live performance environments.

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Overview

The PDP Concept Maple series represents a flagship line for Pacific Drums and Percussion, a subsidiary of DW (Drum Workshop). This 4-piece shell pack is designed to provide drummers with high-end features at a mid-range price point. The kit includes a 20" x 16" bass drum, 10" x 8" and 12" x 9" rack toms, and a 14" x 14" floor tom. By utilising 7-ply maple construction, the kit delivers a resonant, warm character that is suitable for a wide variety of musical applications, from jazz to heavy metal.

Construction and Hardware

The shells are constructed from seven plies of maple, a wood known for its balanced frequency response and sustain. The kit is equipped with several premium hardware features borrowed from DW's engineering lineage:

STM (Suspension Tom Mount): A vibration-free mounting system that allows the rack toms to resonate freely without being choked by rigid hardware contact.
True-Pitch Tuning Lugs: These lugs feature a finer thread pitch than standard rods, allowing for more precise and stable tuning.
Die-Cast Claw Hooks: The bass drum is fitted with heavy-duty claw hooks to ensure consistent tension and durability.
Remo Drumheads: The kit comes standard with Remo heads, ensuring professional-level tone straight out of the box.

Sound Character

The maple shells provide a classic, warm fundamental tone with plenty of bottom-end power and projection. The 20-inch bass drum serves as a versatile foundation, offering enough punch for rock and metal while remaining sensitive enough for lower-volume jazz settings. The 7-ply construction ensures that the drums have enough structural integrity to project clearly in a mix, whether on stage or in a recording studio environment.

Market Comparison

In the sub-£1000 price bracket, the PDP Concept Maple competes with several notable alternatives. While the Yamaha Rydeen offers a more budget-friendly entry point with hardware, the PDP kit is targeted at those seeking the superior resonance of all-maple shells. It sits alongside the Ludwig Neusonic and Tama Superstar Classic, though it distinguishes itself through the use of DW-influenced hardware like the True-Pitch rods. For players requiring a larger footprint, the Sonor AQ2 or Natal Arcadia Acrylic offer different tonal profiles, such as the sharper attack of acrylic or the compact nature of the AQ2 Safari.

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Frequently asked questions

What is included in the PDP Concept Maple 4pc Shell Pack?: The shell pack includes a 20x16 bass drum, 10x8 and 12x9 rack toms, and a 14x14 floor tom. It is important to note that this is a shell pack, meaning hardware, cymbals, and a snare drum are typically sold separately.
What material are the shells made from?: The shells are constructed from 7-ply maple. This wood choice is preferred by many drummers for its warmth, resonance, and balanced tonal profile across low and high frequencies.
What is the benefit of the True-Pitch tuning lugs?: True-Pitch tuning rods feature more threads than standard rods. This allows for finer, more granular adjustments to the drum's pitch and helps the drum stay in tune longer under heavy playing.
How does the STM mount affect the sound?: The Suspension Tom Mount (STM) holds the rack toms in a way that avoids drilling into the shell or clamping too tightly. This allows the shells to vibrate freely, resulting in maximum resonance and sustain.
Is the 20-inch bass drum powerful enough for loud music?: Yes, despite being smaller than a standard 22-inch drum, the 20x16 bass drum in this kit is designed for high projection and bottom-end power. It is capable of standing its own in high-volume mixes, including metal and rock.
Are the drumheads of good quality?: Yes, the kit comes equipped with Remo drumheads. Remo is an industry-standard brand, ensuring that the kit has a professional sound character immediately after assembly.
What genres of music suit this drum kit?: The kit is highly versatile due to its maple construction and sizes. It is suitable for everything from jazz and blues to studio session work, rock, and metal.
What are die-cast claw hooks used for?: Die-cast claw hooks are used to secure the bass drum hoops to the shell. They are more durable than stamped metal versions and help maintain even tension on the bass drum head.
How does the Natural finish look?: The Natural finish showcases the organic grain of the 7-ply maple shells. It provides a classic, understated aesthetic that fits well in both vintage and modern stage setups.
How does this kit compare to the Tama Superstar Classic?: Both kits use maple shells and target similar price points. The PDP kit features DW-inspired hardware like True-Pitch lugs and STM mounts, which may appeal to those who prefer DW's engineering style.
Is this kit suitable for professional recording?: Yes, the 7-ply maple shells provide a warm and consistent tone that is often preferred by recording engineers. The STM mounts also ensure that no unwanted hardware rattles interfere with the microphones.
Does the kit include a snare drum?: This specific 4-piece configuration does not include a snare drum. It is designed to be paired with a snare of the player's choice to further customise their sound.