It is common practice for well-regarded brands to devote part of their effort to developing more affordable models under a second brand. That way they reach a segment of the market the first brand doesn't cover, widening the potential customer base as far as possible. Often both brands share the same setup, since they belong to the same racing stable, but in this case it looks like the young driver is trying to outshine the team boss. He doesn't quite manage it, but as they say, he shows promise.
You could also say that education begins at home. Forget private schools; if the atmosphere at home is right, your kids will at least turn out well on track. It may not seem like it, but I'm still talking about drums, and specifically about this surprising 805 model from PDP, a subsidiary of the prestigious DW.
First Impressions
Just by opening the boxes you can tell this is serious. Perfect packaging shows the manufacturer's intentions. Steer clear of those who claim to care about their instruments and then ship them in battered boxes or flimsy wrapping. In this case, the pieces are packed with care, using maximum-protection materials.
As you take out the components, you can't help noticing the black hardware, which matches the shells and forms a harmonious whole. An interesting detail, since touches like these seem more typical of high-end or stratospheric models. DW belongs to the latter, and the fact that PDP has adopted a delicacy like this shows that the younger brother learns good habits from the elders, as long as they are well mannered. We will find more similarities.
On the other hand, it is striking to find a configuration like this one. Let me explain. A standard kit would logically have a 22" bass drum, a 14 x 6.5" snare and 12, 14 and 16 toms, the last one on the floor. The model we are reviewing has a 20" bass drum, which could almost be called standard, with a 13 x 7" snare, a touch deeper but smaller in diameter than a "normal" one.
There are surprises with the toms too. In this configuration we get a 12 x 8" rack tom, which for a "first tom" might seem a bit large next to a 20" bass drum, although its dimensions are more or less logical.
The key point, however, is that it comes with two floor toms, one 14 x 12" and one 16 x 12". For one thing, the lack of a second rack tom signals a preference for the ride cymbal, which takes its place. The floor toms also stand out for being shallow, which gives sound qualities we will analyze later.
As for the hardware, the set consists of a snare stand, bass drum pedal, hi-hat stand, a straight cymbal stand and a boom stand. Naturally it comes with the six legs of the two floor toms and a tom holder (or L-arm), finished with a clamp to attach it to a cymbal stand. Both the holder and the floor tom legs are painted a nice black, matching the shells, as we noted earlier.
It comes standard with PDP heads, although the logo of the prestigious Remo brand can be seen in small print. On the bass drum they use single-ply heavy heads with an inner ring, on both the batter and resonant sides. On both toms they are single-ply, while the snare gets a coated white head with the lug numbers printed in tuning order. It is interesting to follow that order.
Materials
The shells are made entirely of birch, no small thing. Along with maple, it is the most prized wood for building drums and is used to make high-end models. In the midrange it is mixed with other woods, and in the entry-level range it is barely found, at most as a final ply for luster. Therefore, given that the woods used to build the shells are the key point of a drum kit, we should consider this model among the high-end ones from the start.
And as part of that respect for the material and its sound, none of the shells is drilled more than strictly necessary. The rack tom is held by a holder on a cymbal stand and a clamp on the tom, saving two important holes: one in the tom itself and one in the bass drum. And again we have to talk about construction techniques more common in the high end than elsewhere.
Speaking of which, we need to look at the hardware attached to the shells. In the lugs we recognize the rounded style that identifies DW drums, though in a slightly modified design. These pieces receive the tension rods that tighten the hoops (and the head they hold).
The hardware that comes with the set is midrange. The metal is not very thick and the cymbal stands have only one extension, unlike the two found on higher-end ones. However, they have double-braced legs, on both the cymbal stands and the snare stand, which always adds stability when they take their load.
The bass drum pedal has a single chain, a somewhat narrow beater and a flat base that rests on the floor. This detail is a fundamental component of any bass drum pedal that wants to be stable. It also has Velcro on its underside to secure it to the carpet. The beater falls short, being too small and somewhat fragile. The bass drum's volume suffers and the felt face has limited durability.
The hi-hat stand lacks that flat plate for stabilization and instead has two rods. This system is more classic and gives a bit of wobble to the hardware with the cymbals on top.
Sound
First we look at the bass drum. The brand includes a pillow to fit inside it and eliminate unwanted resonances. This gives a much drier sound (almost too dry) and a defined one, helped by its 20". The final sound is very tempting, though it falls a little short of what is desirable.
On the snare, the combination of 13" diameter and seven inches of depth gives a very defined, full sound, with considerable volume and an excellent balance of definition and body. At high tunings (the first ones you should try, in order to seat the heads) it comes across as a snare of great power and warmth, while at low tunings its 13" gives interesting definition to fill notes.
The toms respond quickly to the first trial tunings, with great balance and tone. This can only be a sign of very good shell construction, inherited from the experience of its parent brand.
The two floor toms show here why they are 12" deep, bringing great definition to a sound that is powerful in the low end, since they are Goliath toms. In addition, their birch plies guarantee a rounder sound with better-controlled overtones than other woods.
Keep in mind that it has no second rack tom, so it is a kit that could satisfy a jazz player as easily as a rock drummer looking for definition on the snare and punch on the toms.
The 805 Range
The model we reviewed is the Black with black hardware version, which I think needs no translation. However, within the same range we can find red, white and blue shell finishes (along with some picturesque checkered models), and red, white, green and black hardware.
This model is also made with a 24" bass drum, a 14x7" snare, and 13x9" toms, the rack tom, with 16x14" and 18x16" Goliaths. In this other configuration the floor toms do have a more standard depth, along with the snare, but the 24" bass drum stands out. Curiously, they do not make this model with a 22" bass drum.
Final Conclusions
On the plus side, we should highlight its construction materials, a clear commitment to creating a quality instrument, and attention to aesthetics and detail beyond what the retail price suggests.
On the minus side, the simplicity of its hardware. The issue is not that it is bad, since it is midrange and in keeping with the price, but rather that everything else is far above what you can expect from a drum kit that costs €995, VAT included.
With that in mind, the overall assessment has to be good.
