What is included in the 3-piece shell pack?

The shell pack typically includes a 24-inch bass drum, a rack tom, and a floor tom. It does not include a snare drum, cymbals, or stands, which must be purchased separately.

What material are the shells made from?

The shells are constructed from 7-ply maple. This wood is chosen for its warmth, resonance, and versatile tonal profile across various tuning ranges.

What is the purpose of the natural maple hoops?

The wood hoops provide a vintage look and a warmer, more organic sound with less 'ring' than metal hoops. They also produce a unique, soft rimshot and cross-stick sound.

Does the kit come with a snare drum?

No, this specific configuration is a 3-piece shell pack. A matching Concept Maple snare drum would typically need to be added separately if required.

What tuning system does the kit use?

It uses the True-Pitch tension rod system. These rods have more threads per inch than standard rods, allowing for finer adjustments and better tuning retention.

How is the rack tom mounted?

The rack tom utilises the STM (Suspension Tom Mount) system. This allows the drum to be mounted without drilling into the shell, preserving the drum's natural resonance.

What kind of drumheads are included?

The kit is factory-fitted with Remo drumheads. These are high-quality heads designed to complement the maple shells immediately.

Is the Walnut finish a wrap or a lacquer?

The Walnut finish on this model is a premium lacquer. This allows the natural grain of the wood to show through while providing a durable, high-gloss or satin protective layer.

How does the 24-inch bass drum affect the sound?

A 24-inch bass drum provides more volume and a deeper sub-bass frequency compared to standard 20-inch or 22-inch drums. It is ideal for rock, blues, and other genres requiring a big sound.

Are the claw hooks on the bass drum durable?

Yes, the kit features heavy-duty die-cast claw hooks. These are designed to provide even tension across the wood hoops while maintaining a vintage aesthetic.

Can this kit be used for jazz?

While the 24-inch kick is large for traditional bop jazz, the maple shells and wood hoops provide the warm, resonant tone often sought by jazz drummers in larger ensemble settings.

How does this kit compare to the PDP Concept Maple with metal hoops?

The Classic version with wood hoops has a warmer, more controlled sound and a more vintage appearance. The standard Concept Maple with metal hoops tends to have more 'cut' and a brighter rimshot.

Gear article

PDP Concept Maple Classic 24" Shell Pack Walnut with Natural Hoops

The PDP Concept Maple Classic is a three-piece acoustic drum shell pack designed to provide a vintage aesthetic and warm, traditional tone through all-maple construction. Featuring a 24-inch bass drum and distinctive natural wood hoops, it bridges the gap between classic design and modern manufacturing durability.

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Overview and Design

The PDP Concept Maple Classic shell pack is a boutique-inspired drum kit that emphasises resonance and a 'throwback' visual style. The kit is built around 7-ply maple shells, a wood choice historically favoured for its balanced frequency response. The most striking visual and functional feature is the use of natural maple wood hoops on both the toms and the bass drum, secured by vintage-style die-cast claw hooks. This specific model features a Walnut lacquer finish, providing a dark, sophisticated contrast to the light-coloured natural hoops.

Hardware and Componentry

Despite its vintage appearance, the kit incorporates several modern hardware innovations developed by DW (Drum Workshop). Key components include:

True-Pitch Tension Rods: These feature a finer thread pitch than standard rods, allowing for more precise and stable tuning.
STM (Suspension Tom Mount): A system that allows the rack tom to vibrate freely without the dampening effects of hardware bolted directly to the shell.
Dual Turret Lugs: A signature PDP design that ensures even tension across the drumhead.
Remo Drumheads: The kit comes equipped with industry-standard heads to ensure high-quality sound out of the box.

Sonic Character

The combination of 7-ply maple and wood hoops results in a warm, 'round' tone with a focused fundamental pitch. The 24-inch bass drum provides a significant low-end punch and air displacement, making it suitable for genres that require a powerful foundation. The maple hoops contribute to a shorter decay and a warmer rimshot sound compared to traditional steel triple-flanged hoops, lending the kit a more organic, 'woody' character that sits well in both studio and live environments.

Market Position and Comparisons

Positioned in the mid-to-high tier of the drum market, the Concept Maple Classic competes with other vintage-style or high-performance kits. Alternatives include the Ludwig Neusonic series, which offers a hybrid shell and modern aesthetics, and the DW Performance Series, which provides a more contemporary high-end experience at a higher price point. Compared to smaller kits like the Sonor AQ2 Safari or Yamaha Rydeen, the PDP Concept Maple Classic's large 24-inch kick drum and all-maple construction place it in a category focused on volume and tonal depth.

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Frequently asked questions

What is included in the 3-piece shell pack?: The shell pack typically includes a 24-inch bass drum, a rack tom, and a floor tom. It does not include a snare drum, cymbals, or stands, which must be purchased separately.
What material are the shells made from?: The shells are constructed from 7-ply maple. This wood is chosen for its warmth, resonance, and versatile tonal profile across various tuning ranges.
What is the purpose of the natural maple hoops?: The wood hoops provide a vintage look and a warmer, more organic sound with less 'ring' than metal hoops. They also produce a unique, soft rimshot and cross-stick sound.
Does the kit come with a snare drum?: No, this specific configuration is a 3-piece shell pack. A matching Concept Maple snare drum would typically need to be added separately if required.
What tuning system does the kit use?: It uses the True-Pitch tension rod system. These rods have more threads per inch than standard rods, allowing for finer adjustments and better tuning retention.
How is the rack tom mounted?: The rack tom utilises the STM (Suspension Tom Mount) system. This allows the drum to be mounted without drilling into the shell, preserving the drum's natural resonance.
What kind of drumheads are included?: The kit is factory-fitted with Remo drumheads. These are high-quality heads designed to complement the maple shells immediately.
Is the Walnut finish a wrap or a lacquer?: The Walnut finish on this model is a premium lacquer. This allows the natural grain of the wood to show through while providing a durable, high-gloss or satin protective layer.
How does the 24-inch bass drum affect the sound?: A 24-inch bass drum provides more volume and a deeper sub-bass frequency compared to standard 20-inch or 22-inch drums. It is ideal for rock, blues, and other genres requiring a big sound.
Are the claw hooks on the bass drum durable?: Yes, the kit features heavy-duty die-cast claw hooks. These are designed to provide even tension across the wood hoops while maintaining a vintage aesthetic.
Can this kit be used for jazz?: While the 24-inch kick is large for traditional bop jazz, the maple shells and wood hoops provide the warm, resonant tone often sought by jazz drummers in larger ensemble settings.
How does this kit compare to the PDP Concept Maple with metal hoops?: The Classic version with wood hoops has a warmer, more controlled sound and a more vintage appearance. The standard Concept Maple with metal hoops tends to have more 'cut' and a brighter rimshot.