DRUMANDSTAGE FORUM

Are these DW’s answer to Sonor ‘Vintage’ line? Anyone have thoughts on the aesthetic, sound, etc?

I always thought DW's Jazz series was more closely aligned to the Vintage Series? https://www.dwdrums.com/drums/collectors-series/jazz/

I think the Slingerlands are their own thing, trying to recreate the best of what Slingerland used to make. I've only ever seen one of the original three ply kits and it was structurally so weak that you could push the shells out of round with your hands - I'd hope the new stuff is a bit better built than that.

Interesting. I was not aware of the Jazz series because truth be told I don’t stay abreast of drum gear rollouts. I just had a review of the new Radio Kings come into my YouTube feed because algorhythms and because reasons. BTW I live in Minneapolis Minnesota USA but I was touring New Zealand with my wife in a camper van in 2016 and we came across a little drum shop. I can’t recall the name of the shop or the proprietor but we had a nice time visiting him and trying out some of his vintage Premier drums.

That narrows it right down Mike - there's only one dedicated drum shop in the whole country these days! Do you know whether you were North or South island?

PapiMike wrote: Tue Dec 16, 2025 4:14 pm

Are these DW’s answer to Sonor ‘Vintage’ line? Anyone have thoughts on the aesthetic, sound, etc?

DW has offered these for more than a decade under the name "Classics".

They are still available https://www.dwdrums.com/drums/collector ... /classics/

DaveInNZ wrote: Tue Dec 16, 2025 4:55 pm

I always thought DW's Jazz series was more closely aligned to the Vintage Series? https://www.dwdrums.com/drums/collectors-series/jazz/

I think the Slingerlands are their own thing, trying to recreate the best of what Slingerland used to make. I've only ever seen one of the original three ply kits and it was structurally so weak that you could push the shells out of round with your hands - I'd hope the new stuff is a bit better built than that.

The Jazz Series are a copy of Gretsch USA Custom.

The Slingerlands built by DW have been available under their name for over a decade under the name "Classics" and are still available: https://www.dwdrums.com/drums/collector ... /classics/