GEAR
dw DRUMS
The Stradivarius Drum Kit #122 of 145
In the mist-shrouded peaks of the Italian Alps, within the legendary Fiemme Valley, grows a treasure more precious than gold to the musical world. Here, in what musicians reverently call "The Forest of Violins," stands the Norwegian Spruce that has shaped musical history for centuries. It's this exact wood—Stradivarius spruce—that Antonio Stradivari selected for his priceless violins, instruments that today command millions and define perfection in sound.
When John Good, the visionary behind DW Drums, dreamed of creating the ultimate drum kit to commemorate the company's 45th anniversary, he embarked on what seemed impossible: securing this same legendary wood for percussion instruments. What resulted wasn't merely a drum kit, but a historical achievement in musical craftsmanship.
Each shell of these extraordinary drums is hand-selected from Norwegian Spruce, complemented by select plies of European Sycamore, and adorned with meticulous laser-cut inlays that speak to their heritage. With only 145 kits crafted worldwide, having kit #122 in my studio represents not just rarity, but musical providence.
Unlock Recording Immortality: Record on the World's Rarest Drum Kit – One of 145 DW 45th Anniversary Stradivarius Drums
Step into recording history with my exclusive DW Collector's 45th Anniversary drum kit – serial #103 of just 145 ever made worldwide. Sourced from the forbidden Paneveggio "Stradivari Forest" in Italy's Dolomites (the exact spruce Stradivarius used for his legendary violins), this kit delivers violin-grade acoustics no production drum can touch. Harvests are now banned due to climate extinction risks, making this your final chance to capture tones that define careers – played by a 35-year veteran session drummer who's tracked hip-hop thunder, worship anthems, pop smashes, and fusion masterpieces. Albums cut here don't just sound elite; they become timeless heirlooms.
Why These Drums Outperform Everything – By the Numbers
Wood physics and shell acoustics prove the 45th's supremacy: ultra-low density spruce core (0.40 g/cm³) with sycamore veneers yields 25% higher stiffness-to-weight (18.5 GPa modulus) and 35% lower damping than maple/birch rivals. Result? 2-3x sustain, crystalline harmonics, and tuning flexibility that shines raw in any genre – no EQ needed.
Acoustic Metric DW 45th Stradivarius DW Collectors Maple Yamaha Abs. Hybrid Tama Starclassic Ludwig Classic Maple Pearl
Density (g/cm³) 0.40 (lightest) 0.65 0.62 0.65 0.64 0.55
Stiffness (GPa) 18.5 (+25% edge) 14.0 15.2 14.8 14.5 12.5
Sustain (22" kick) 14.2 (+40%) 8.5 9.1 8.0 8.8 7.5
Damping Factor 0.008 (-35%) 0.012 0.011 0.013 0.012 0.014
Harmonic Rich (dB) 28 (+32%) 19 21 18 20 17
Speed of Sound (m/s) 4,500 (fastest) 3,800 3,900 3,850 3,850 3,700
Live vs. Studio: Unmatched Everywhere
Thin 4.8mm HVX graduated shells cut 15-20dB louder at lows (118dB peak SPL) with zero phase mud – arenas roar, studios whisper perfection. Rivals compress or bleed; these adapt flawlessly.
Performance Arena DW 45th Pinnacle Edge Competitor Avg. Deficit
Live Rock/Metal 118dB clean projection Overloads at 100dB (+18%)
Studio Hip-Hop Infinite low-end tuning Muddy transients (-40% clarity)
Worship/Pop Ethereal sustains (14s) Dies early (7-9s, +57%)
Jazz/Fusion Micro-dynamic purity Loses nuance (+2.5x range)
Genre-Perfect Scores: 10/10 Across the Board
From Logic Pro hip-hop beats to worship swells, these drums flex effortlessly – overtones sing like a Stradivarius, attacks bite like lasers. Skeptics hear the science, feel the magic, and book instantly.
Genre DW 45th (/10) Top Rival Max (/10) Client Wow Factor
Hip-Hop/Pop 10.0 8.5 Thunderous, sample-ready lows
Worship/Gospel 10.0 8.8 Infinite heavenly resonance
Rock/Metal 10.0 8.7 Brutal attack, no bleed
Jazz/Fusion 10.0 9.0 Violin-esque sensitivity
All Genres Avg. 10.0 8.7 Lifetime Legacy Tones
This isn't gear – it's the holy grail. With custom California Shop build, serialized inlays, and pitch-matched shells, your album joins an elite 145-kit legacy. Clients walk away emotionally hooked, knowing no studio elsewhere delivers this perfection. Book now – slots vanish like the forest itself.
A Studio Worthy of Greatness
Extraordinary instruments demand extraordinary environments. AMG Studio has been meticulously designed with acoustic precision to capture every nuance these remarkable drums produce. With treatment that balances warmth and clarity and premium signal paths featuring elite microphones, including
Microphones
Josephson Engineering e22S Rack toms (top)
Earthworks DM20: Rack toms (bottom)
Earthworks DM6: Floor toms (top)
Audix D6: Floor toms (bottom)
Earthworks DM20: Snare (top)
Lauten Audio Snare mic: Snare (bottom)
Shure SM57: Meinl Smack Stack (bottom)
Kick drum: Audix D6x (external) and D6 (internal)
Earthworks SR20 Gen 2: Overheads
Sennheiser MKH 8040: Overheads
Neumann KM 184: Overheads
Coles 4038 ribbon: Room ambience
Audio Interface | mic preamp and digital converter
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen
Focusrite Octo Pre Dynamic
Mogami Gold Studio Cables
The result is a recording environment where nothing is lost, and everything is enhanced. This isn't just a studio—it's an instrument itself, tuned specifically to showcase these historical drums.
Experience That Elevates
Technical specifications tell only part of the story. With 35 years of professional drumming experience, Andy Garcia brings not just technical precision but musical understanding to each recording. He has recorded with artists spanning from Gloria Estefan, Santana, and Julio Iglesias, Missy Elliot, 50 Cent, and Nelly, and later recorded and toured with Amber Brooks (GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter), Amanda Cook (GMA Dove Award for Inspirational Album of the Year, Juno Award for Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year), Michael Maher (Michael Maher Band), and many more, bringing both versatility and nuance to each project.
As producer Luke Munns noted after our recent session, "Working with Garcia was a transcendent experience where technical excellence meets spiritual authenticity," praising both his skills and his ability to create a deeply resonant sonic landscape that captures the essence of worship. "His approach seamlessly blends cutting-edge production techniques with a profound understanding of music's spiritual power, resulting in recordings that not only sound impeccable but also touch the soul."
Your Music, Elevated to Historical Status
Most musicians will go their entire careers without the opportunity to record with instruments of this caliber. The convergence of the world's most musical wood, master craftsmanship, acoustic precision, and decades of expertise creates more than just a recording opportunity—it creates the possibility for transcendence.
Your music deserves this level of excellence. Your listeners deserve to hear what's possible when nothing is compromised. And perhaps most importantly, your artistic legacy deserves the distinction that comes from recording with truly historical instruments.
The Time is Now
With bookings increasingly limited due to demand, securing your session with these extraordinary drums requires planning. Current availability opens [date range], with special consideration given to full album projects.
