Dw Drums Serial Numbers
Well I'll take a stab at it.From the photo showing the old style tom mounts used as opposed to the newer STM style that puts the kit at around 2002 to 2003. I got my CX maple in late 2003 and the newer STM mounts were being marketed in their catalog. DW was still selling add-on toms with the older mounts that they had in inventory. I know this because I ordered an 8' tom as an add-on and they sent me one with the older tom mount by mistake. Retailers only had these versions of Pacific kits if they were left over from older inventory.I'm not 100% sure about this but I do believe that the silver sparkle wrap was only offered in the CX line and all those drum shell packs were maple.You can also send an e-mail or call DW in California and they might be able to confirm based on serial numbers.
Based on the 2001 catalog, I would guess they are CX series based on the wrap finish. Silver sparkle is not in my catalog, but Pacific was fairly consistent about the CX designation as a wrap. The book says 'composite' shells, which you can safely take to mean Birch/Basswood or Lauan/fill-in-the-blank.
The clawhooks on the bass drum seem to indicate a generation or two prior to the 2001 catalog. Much more DW than the smaller type they have used for the last 8 years or so.Sidebar: I'm also guessing that these are the Pacifics that made so many enemies here in the States where quality control and such were concerned. DW was still in the early stages of development for PDP, and the work was farmed out to whatever import maker was doing things like that at the time. Based on the 2001 catalog, I would guess they are CX series based on the wrap finish. Silver sparkle is not in my catalog, but Pacific was fairly consistent about the CX designation as a wrap.
The book says 'composite' shells, which you can safely take to mean Birch/Basswood or Lauan/fill-in-the-blank. The clawhooks on the bass drum seem to indicate a generation or two prior to the 2001 catalog. Much more DW than the smaller type they have used for the last 8 years or so.Sidebar: I'm also guessing that these are the Pacifics that made so many enemies here in the States where quality control and such were concerned. DW was still in the early stages of development for PDP, and the work was farmed out to whatever import maker was doing things like that at the time. Do you have a link to that catalog by any chance? I have a kit very similar to this, cx series from about the same year but my bass drum claws are the solid type (not with the two hook type, as pictured).
I have a blue-ish wrap but the texture is identical to this silver sparkle. I was pretty sure my kit was maple, maybe with a layer or two of birch. The badges are very similar to this kit as well, mine clearly say CX-Series made in taiwan, it's not clear what the smaller print says on these badges though. Either way, great little cheap kits.
My DW kit is from the same era. I think the badge color/metal type can give you a hind at it's age, but it's not exact by any means. I know my DW's have a gold/brass badge with black writing. Prior to that I think they had silver badges with black painted writingk, but I could be wrong.
During the keller era they only had the 'kit/order' number inside the shell of each drum, as well as the serial number on the badge. Once they started making their own shells they started with the born on date, and then things get much easier. Or something to that affect. Hope that helps.James. My DW kit is from the same era. I think the badge color/metal type can give you a hind at it's age, but it's not exact by any means. I know my DW's have a gold/brass badge with black writing.
Dw Drums Serial Numbers 1
Prior to that I think they had silver badges with black painted writingk, but I could be wrong. During the keller era they only had the 'kit/order' number inside the shell of each drum, as well as the serial number on the badge. Once they started making their own shells they started with the born on date, and then things get much easier. Or something to that affect.
Dw Drum Set
Hope that helps. JamesMy kit is similar to yours, I think mine is older though.
Hexagonal vents, Mine originally had black badges with silver writing, with the DW logo and ' a quality instrument, made in usa' with a serial number etched at the bottom. There is nothing stamped inside any of the shells. I sent all the serial numbers and pics to dw via email and they couldn't really tell me much about it. I swapped the badges (a couple were scratched) as they don't sell badges, to avoid people building fakes. John Good from DW told me they will replace worn or damaged small parts like this if you mail them the damaged ones.
Dw Drums
They were very helpful. Yah, mine has the hex vents too. As far as the numbers inside the shell, they are between two of the screws for the lugs, and I think they are the same on all the drums.
My badges are I think made out of brass, with black paint. I can't think of the specific wording on the badges, they are at my studio so I can't check them right now, but I'm pretty sure that they are the same as the logos on their shirts and has. 'hand crafted drums','made in the use,' and they have the serial number at the bottom.
I'll try to remember to check them tonight when I go play.James.