DW Design Series Frequent Flyer Drum Kit Review by Sweetwater

[@jakeboutwell1069]

Finally, a video with the kit tuned well!

[@davidmcaninch4714]

You can always expect that when Sweetwater’s Nick D’Virgilio uploads.

[@ChromeBrulee]

I bought this drum a year ago. For home. Very good price/quality. Even with the original skins.

[@rhythmista7707]

Hi Nick !.. Hope there's a chance that the following message finds you.. You probably may or may not remember me, but we met a few years back at Mckibbins Pub while you were residing in Montreal and working with Cirque Du Soleil..You were living up the block from where i was living at the time..I was the drummer in the band that was playing there that night, who also happened to be the lead vocalist in that band.. It was great talking to you about everything drum related, your career and projects, and i thought you were a true gentleman, and quite humble.. The fact that you had recorded and toured with Tears for Fears among other artists, really blew my mind ;).. Great to see you doing these types of videos, and as always ,your drumming is superb.. ! Out of all the videos i've seen posted on the FF kit, this video , besides the one DW made with Peter Erskine, is by far one of the best, playing and audio wise.. Cheers !

[@sweetwater]

Hi blica 1! Thank you very much for the nice words and I most definitely remember Montreal and that pub. Montreal is a great town and I really enjoyed living there. The music scene, the food, and the history are really great and it also got me prepared for the winters here in Ft Wayne :) Keep on drumming and singing. It is a great combination that is always needed. Take care, Nick

[@rhythmista7707]

@109016336927527782355 Thanks my friend ! Still doing the gigs and still singing..Wouldn't have it any other way ;) In the process of revamping our website for new audio and videos as well.. If there was any place in the world to prepare you for harsh winters, it would be Quebec Canada ! LOL ! Take care and look forward to seeing more of your vids in the future.. Cheers !

[@roybeckerman9253]

What's the difference between this and the DW Mini Pro kit , in price and quality.

[@IamtheActionman]

Amazing drummer

[@milton.oliver2364]

DW Design Seires Frequent Flyer is so awesome Nick D' Vilargo

[@drummer083]

I bought one of these, and was shocked how heavy it was. The 8x12 tom weighed more than my 1966 14x22 Slingerland bass drum.

[@daveseemerollin6357]

Hit the gym stop being a biatch

[@phantompunchmotorizedbikes1624]

@@daveseemerollin6357 lol

[@flamecolumn]

Do you even lift, bro?

[@aidanschram9652]

I wish they still sold this finish

[@damienswan11]

schramschram they do now!

[@paddymcgee567]

Thanks

[@bigsquatchsasfoot1964]

In the uk you only get 4 crap colours it’s actually what’s stopping me buying one I’m hanging in there hoping for some better colours to turn up 🤔

[@EthanFurmanfurball]

hi would i be able to get this kit with a 10" add-on tom?

[@sweetwater]

Hi Ethan Furman! Give us a call at 800-22-4700 and we'll do what we can to help you out!

[@roybeckerman9253]

Just about the best sound , for this type kit, especially as you get older and want light drums to cart around.

[@bigsquatchsasfoot1964]

I here that brother ain’t that the truth 👌

[@baldurcassie]

All of the "these are way overpriced and (insert $500 kit name here) are just as good" commenters have eerily coincidental hearing issues. And a DW set, if afforded to you, would be completely wasted.

[@aviregal]

Couldn't agree more

[@billbishop5532]

It sounds like you just can't afford these

[@baldurcassie]

@@billbishop5532 you didn’t catch the gist of what I was saying. And I play DW. Derrrr.

[@michaelanderson2881]

Maybe not $500. But definitely $1000. There's no doubt DW kits are well made. But there's also no doubt they are a premium priced company--which explicitly means you are paying more for the name itself, and not necessarily better quality.

[@diegochangos]

I wanna buy everything drum you play.

[@kushking420]

Much better than the smaller Sonor kits

[@producer73]

Awesome!!!!!!! 12" depth bass drum!!!!! Tired of these deep kick drums.

[@theguywiththestrat]

How do you guys mic the kits during the demos? :-)

[@sweetwater]

Hi Bogdan Sipetic! We use a Rode NT4 Cardioid Condenser XY Stereo mic overhead, and a mic in front of the kick drum for low end. The kick drum mic varies by what we have available that day.

[@drummer083]

The kit sounds great, but there are a few things I don't like. First, if you use cases, you must remove the bass drum spurs and they don't pack up flush against the shell. Secondly, because the mounting brackets have the wing nuts to the outside, they require oversized cases. Not really well thought out.

[@billbishop5532]

I have the exact same kid I don't have any problems what you're talkin about

[@jordanmartin324]

Are there any compact kits good for rock?

[@sjpugsie]

Nick, became a fan from watching your Sweetwater videos. Very informative! I own a 4 peice Collectors and a few others. I play mostly funky, jazz, rock sort of a fusion thing. Just turned 50 and my Collectors are heavy to Cary around. I'm hoping by putting pinstripes on the toms I can get a heavier tone going on. can you tell me what you think about this. Like I said though I just ordered them. Better late than never ☺! Steve.

[@Esignam32713]

Would I be able to get die cast hoops with this set too?

[@raymondsullivanblum6060]

Hey Nick, what cymbals are you using in this video?

[@naranjasss]

you re a gread drummer, mate. which cymbals are u using there? thanks for the vid!

[@JazzDunn1]

Looks like k custom dark

[@totigerus]

Are there any add-ons you can buy for this kit?

[@sweetwater]

Hello, Totigerus! There are component drums available for the DW Design Series. The Frequent Flyer comes with 8x12 and 11x14 toms, a 12x20 kick and a 5x14 snare. You can also order separately a 7x8 tom, 12x14 floor tom, 16x18 floor tom, 18x22 kick drum and a 5.5x14 snare drum. Cody Kraus, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1766, [e-mail]

[@jw112mail]

You guys probably have in stock and sell more microphones than anyone in north america. Can you guys please use a few for these demos? thanks!

[@MentallyRetardedHamilton]

the whole thing about this is the smaller bass drum, all the videos avoid talking about it. The 12x20 bass does the job to provide a rich deep bass tone. All drummers should use this size for any gigs they have to set up themselves. Once you have roadie corporate slaves, be Van Halen.

[@bcancun123]

That bass drum

[@Hamptonflanagandrums]

$1300??

[@MELONenSURPRISE]

Nice sound but the price could be better

[@roybeckerman9253]

Phones are getting bigger.. drums are getting smaller 😃

[@MentallyRetardedHamilton]

stupid x stupid; this is a traveler kit, therefore make the bass claws and tension rods recessed so you can throw it in the car and not scratch the leather. Brilliant minds can figure that out at SPL drums, DW idiots nope.

[@MentallyRetardedHamilton]

when I ordered parts for my drumset because the previous owner has an angry GF who tried to destroy it, DW couldn't communicate with their Taiwan supplier to get the right parts for months of back and forth emails and receipt of the wrong parts. DW executives play golf and don't know their product, I doubt many of them even play an instrument.

[@MentallyRetardedHamilton]

the smaller size 11x14 instead of a regular 14x14 floor tom looks weird on legs, it should hang or be on a snare stand.

[@ryevick]

Man, that's a really nice kit.