I just got a DW Acoustic EQ 6x14 snare

[marquisjohnson22]

I have wanted a DW Acoustic EQ for some time now, but I could never get my hands on one. I wanted to find a used one for a good price because I was not going to pay $900-1100 for a new one. In my searching, I would rarely see used ones come up on the market. It seemed that most owners of the drum loved it and I loved the sound of the drum too.

Well my new coworker had one and he was in the market for a new "vintage" sounding kit to replace his Gretsch catalina club that was falling apart. I traded him my old vintage Reuther ( Pearl stencil kit) 3 piece drum kit and a 6.5x14 10 lug brass snare from the mid eighties for the Acoustic EQ. The DW was his only snare so I had to throw a nice snare into the deal. I just got that Premier snare and hated to see it go, but I was getting back the snare that I've wanted for a while and I just put a DW Collectors Nickel over brass snare on layaway.

The DW is a cherry satin oil finish with chrome hardware. The only thing missing is the May Acoustic System badge and the lever for the vents has a very very small rust spot, but it's in overall great condition. The shell is essentially a 10+6 with adjustable vents. He had a Remo Powerstroke head on it so I'm going to replace that with either an X14, a coated Ambassador, or an AmbassadorX.
Then I'm gonna put a 3 position butt plate on it.

I'll post pics when I get a chance.

[xJcx]

What brass snare did you trade?!?!?!

[marquisjohnson22]

It was a Premier 6.5x14 10 lug brass snare. I was really digging that snare until I heard the DW Black Nickel over Brass in the same size. It is still a very good brass snare though.

Here is a link to a snare exactly like the one I gave him, except mine was in better condition.

http://www.drumatix.com/lf-sn-188.html

[xJcx]

You fool! Do you know what you have just done?!?!?!

[marquisjohnson22]

What did I do?!?

[xJcx]

.idk.
cant tell what youve done till i see some pics of the snare

[mpthomson]

It was a Premier 6.5x14 10 lug brass snare. I was really digging that snare until I heard the DW Black Nickel over Brass in the same size. It is still a very good brass snare though.

Here is a link to a snare exactly like the one I gave him, except mine was in better condition.

http://www.drumatix.com/lf-sn-188.html

It's a Premier 21, I had one for years. Fabulous sounding drums.

I have to say I always felt the DW EQ drum was a solution desperately searching for a problem. I don't think that the small number is down to people wanting to hang on to the drums I think it's that most people realised that it's a very expensive gimmick at the new price and they've only made a very small number of them.

[marquisjohnson22]

The Premier brass is a great drum no doubt, but I like the Acoustic better. What some people may classify as a gimmick, others may classify as an alternative option to suit a particular taste. DW does sell a decent amount of them, but they are more of an acquired taste and just one option among many. Some people like this drum But they dislike VLT shells, or 10+6... or some of the other options from DW or other companies alike.

The person I got the drum from had it since 07 and it was his only drum that whole time and he loved it, but it was time for a change and he needed other gear as well, which I was able to provide. I've met a few owners of the drum and they all speak very highly of it, and most that I have spoken to plan to keep I indefinitely in there snare arsenal. My coworker whom I got the drum from wasn't planning on getting rid of it either until I convinced him to try the Premier brass and offered to solve his problem of needing a new kit, and even then he went back and forth on the decision. It is mostly non owners of the drum who don't like the drum or the idea of it. With the vents closed, it essentially sounds like a 6x14 10+6. With the vents open, it comes a live a little more, and the snares get more sensitive. The tone seems to raise as well. I definitely heard and audible difference and I liked them both but it wasn't as if the vents turned it into two completely different drums which is what it seems like a lot of people expected.

I tuned it up with a Remo Controlled Sound and I played it at work. On of my regular customers came in and remarked on how good the drum sounded as he was coming in... until he saw it was a DW. He immediately started ragging on it and the price of new DW drums being a ripoff, even after after telling me it was one of best snares he had heard. I only buy my gear used but in great condition, or new but at a heavy discount. I would never pay $800-1100 for a snare drum but I have 5 snares that go new in that price range. Ive learned how to acquire the gear I want without worrying about how expensive or "overpriced" it is. I also believe that all of the drums I have are well worth the new asking price based on sound quality, build quaility, and craftsmanship... even though I would never pay close to those full prices.