I've owned both, an early 90's Keller and 2005 Collectors. IMO, the Kellers just had a better tone. I sold both kits 2 years ago when everything closed and I stopped gigging, now I'm really missing the Keller kit. Playing Sonor SQ2's now. I really like the DW shell kit in this video but it's not a fair comparison since they have different heads not to mention, different sizes toms, 10,12,14,16 for the DW and 8,10,12,14 for the Keller. The suede heads are mellower, less attack and more tone and I admit, I love that tone.
This is interesting, as I have a Keller-shelled, square sized Collectors kit from 1998 and a gold badge Collectors kit from 2008. I think I may like my Keller shell kit better.
Cool comparison. To me, the more modern shells here sounded a little mellower, which is not a bad thing. But they both sound great. I have a mid-90s DW kit with Keller shells, and I love them.
Keller's are cool shells! I am toying with the idea of building up a vintage Gretsch bop set. 1/4 " shells of three ply maple poplar maple. Keller made Gretsch shells back in the day!
I bought yesterday at a Pawn shop here in Texas a 10, 12, 15 and 16 keller tom set …. 5 ply and an extra 5 ply reinforcement ring…. For just $110…. They sound amaring----!!!!!!!!!!!!
I bought a Dw "collectors serie" from 1995, at 2009. Until today I didnt know that its actually a keller shell set. In 2013 I bought brand new dw kit, a performance serie. At this time it was the cheapest dw serie you can get. I looked at the price for the performance serie today, and I am shocked because now its really expansive.
The Keller's sound better by at least a mile. I love DW's hardware and pedals, but I've completely lost faith in their drums, and the company for the most part. I'm not a fan of various business decisions they've made in the last few years, and they spend way too much time and effort with their "limited edition" stuff. On the other hand, I own a DW 9000 double pedal, and despite all the bells and whistles, it feels good, and it just works. And their various hardware pieces, such as the dogbone stuff, and their bass drum hoop clamps, are actually well thought out, and useful. But I'm just not impressed with their drums anymore. Thinner shells with less plies clearly do make a difference, and DW's "lowest fundamental pitch" philosophy, laminating 8+ plies in different patterns, seems to stop mattering as soon as you add hardware and heads. Everyone loves to complain about drum companies using Keller shells, but I mean, they clearly sound good.
I have a 94 Keller 6 piece kit. - And then I bought a jazz size bass drum for it in 95. It’s virtually never been played. I haven’t opened its case in 25 years.
They started doing their own shell in the end of the 90's but still used keller shells too. I think (someone might correct me) that they started making their own shell in like 1997 or 1998. It was a progressive change until they figured out how to make their own shells and produce enough for the demand. I think they completely stopped using keller shells in like 2000 or 2001. I found some infos about how to recognize them: "If you are trying to determine whether a specific DW is from the Keller shell years or a DW shell, check out the reinforcement hoop inside the shell. If the joint is a straight cut, it is from when Keller was supplying their shells." on another post someone said that DW joints are interlocking.
Great ‘in-the-pocket’ groove. In comparison the tuning in massively different, are the heads different? The second reminds me of a beautiful amber Pearl Masters Bob Amstrong had. The intervals between the toms was the I’ve heard to date. Chalk & cheese between that and his other Pearl Masters???? When tuned the amber toms just ‘sang’
interesting but it will be intersting to compare with same size kits.. I own a keller shel and a performance. I love them both, keller shell have a ''little twist and flavor' in them which I prefer
I have two kits from 2005, and exotic and a finish ply. Those Keller shels should way better and it drives me nuts! I may have some new drums built with the Keller shells and throw the hardware from my kits on it.
Yeah Our church just got a used DW collector series 1999 set. But although the badges are the same as in the video, we do not have them yet. But if they sound half as good as the ones in this video, we will have a jammin set!
If the sizes and shell layup were exactly the same, we would have a good sonic comparison. They are not. Another thing to consider is the 2006 kit. I honestly think that the DW kits made in the early 2000's were good, but not great. The shells they make now are WAY better than that era.
I may be in the minority here, but I prefer the Collectors. The Keller shell has a electronic sound. I have a custom made kit with Keller's (2010), and they don't sound like that. Mine are fat and rich sounding.
Not really the best comparison because the Gold badge collectors were Keller copy shells not the current XYZ whatever shells they’ve been making since the silver collectors badge kits. Spoiler alert! Keller’s still sound better!
Kellers for the win. So cool
It’s kinda crazy how different they sound. The Keller’s just pop!
I've owned both, an early 90's Keller and 2005 Collectors. IMO, the Kellers just had a better tone. I sold both kits 2 years ago when everything closed and I stopped gigging, now I'm really missing the Keller kit. Playing Sonor SQ2's now.
I really like the DW shell kit in this video but it's not a fair comparison since they have different heads not to mention, different sizes toms, 10,12,14,16 for the DW and 8,10,12,14 for the Keller. The suede heads are mellower, less attack and more tone and I admit, I love that tone.
Keller for sure. I bought my DW in 1993 when they used Keller. Still absolutely amazing sound
This is interesting, as I have a Keller-shelled, square sized Collectors kit from 1998 and a gold badge Collectors kit from 2008. I think I may like my Keller shell kit better.
Cool comparison. To me, the more modern shells here sounded a little mellower, which is not a bad thing. But they both sound great. I have a mid-90s DW kit with Keller shells, and I love them.
Keller's sound smokin hot
Keller's are cool shells! I am toying with the idea of building up a vintage Gretsch bop set. 1/4 " shells of three ply maple poplar maple. Keller made Gretsch shells back in the day!
That’s why I fall in love with Noble&Cooley Drums , they use Keller shells, I didn’t know DW used Keller shells.
Keller shells are amazing!
I bought yesterday at a Pawn shop here in Texas a 10, 12, 15 and 16 keller tom set …. 5 ply and an extra 5 ply reinforcement ring…. For just $110…. They sound amaring----!!!!!!!!!!!!
I bought a Dw "collectors serie" from 1995, at 2009.
Until today I didnt know that its actually a keller shell set.
In 2013 I bought brand new dw kit, a performance serie. At this time it was the cheapest dw serie you can get.
I looked at the price for the performance serie today, and I am shocked because now its really expansive.
Dude holy shoot. I like the kellers attack more than the collectors. Just wow
Brilliant comparison and I’m a big fan of mounted floor toms.
Ooh yeah! I have a '97 Collectors with Keller shells and the 14'' and 16'' are suspended. They wobble and sing just right! I hate floor toms!!
Man I love the keller sound. I had a keller maple snare 14x6,5, but my deer old band mate sold it aswell as all my symbals 😏
The Keller's sound better by at least a mile. I love DW's hardware and pedals, but I've completely lost faith in their drums, and the company for the most part. I'm not a fan of various business decisions they've made in the last few years, and they spend way too much time and effort with their "limited edition" stuff. On the other hand, I own a DW 9000 double pedal, and despite all the bells and whistles, it feels good, and it just works. And their various hardware pieces, such as the dogbone stuff, and their bass drum hoop clamps, are actually well thought out, and useful. But I'm just not impressed with their drums anymore. Thinner shells with less plies clearly do make a difference, and DW's "lowest fundamental pitch" philosophy, laminating 8+ plies in different patterns, seems to stop mattering as soon as you add hardware and heads. Everyone loves to complain about drum companies using Keller shells, but I mean, they clearly sound good.
The punch from that DW snare is killer.
It’s not even just the sound the Keller’s give back more energy while hitting them feel wise
Do Kellers NOT have re rings? I believe the shells have thicker plies too. If so, the sound totally makes sense
I have a 94 Keller 6 piece kit. - And then I bought a jazz size bass drum for it in 95. It’s virtually never been played. I haven’t opened its case in 25 years.
The Keller toms sound phenomenal. I prefer the DW shell kick drum, at least in this recording. Thanks :)
amazing sounding.. I like them both..
Kellers all the way....I' so bummed I sold a dw Keller from 1998...was the best sounding dw kit I ever had...
I have a Pork Pie set with keller shells, are they fine?
Those Kellers sound so mean! Lovely indeed! Till what year Dw collector's featured Keller shells? Very nice and rare review, thank you
They started doing their own shell in the end of the 90's but still used keller shells too. I think (someone might correct me) that they started making their own shell in like 1997 or 1998. It was a progressive change until they figured out how to make their own shells and produce enough for the demand. I think they completely stopped using keller shells in like 2000 or 2001.
I found some infos about how to recognize them: "If you are trying to determine whether a specific DW is from the Keller shell years or a DW shell, check out the reinforcement hoop inside the shell. If the joint is a straight cut, it is from when Keller was supplying their shells." on another post someone said that DW joints are interlocking.
I agree with you. Those Keller shells we're bad ass. Beautiful sounding
Great ‘in-the-pocket’ groove. In comparison the tuning in massively different, are the heads different? The second reminds me of a beautiful amber Pearl Masters Bob Amstrong had. The intervals between the toms was the I’ve heard to date. Chalk & cheese between that and his other Pearl Masters???? When tuned the amber toms just ‘sang’
By the way : tasteful and groovy drummin 👍🏼. I like the small size with more tone more 😊
interesting but it will be intersting to compare with same size kits.. I own a keller shel and a performance. I love them both, keller shell have a ''little twist and flavor' in them which I prefer
those are killer sounding keller shells. How many ply are they?
I have no idea. It's standard shell that has been made for Dw
Super sound both.
Both sound great . 2 different animals though . Can’t say I prefer one over the other
I'm shocked, but the Keller shells sound better to my ears. They have more attack. Are the heads on both kits exactly the same?
No. Actually on Collectors exotic kit I've been using Suede Emperors. And regular coated Emperors on Keller kit.
I have two kits from 2005, and exotic and a finish ply.
Those Keller shels should way better and it drives me nuts!
I may have some new drums built with the Keller shells and throw the hardware from my kits on it.
Kinda hard to tell since the sizes are very different.
Both beautiful drums it’s just preference to yourself, me
Personally I love deep sounding drums that is resonant 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
love those keller! killer!
Wow..... I liked the Keller kit much better !
Me too. They sound great
Yeah Our church just got a used DW collector series 1999 set. But although the badges are the same as in the video, we do not have them yet. But if they sound half as good as the ones in this video, we will have a jammin set!
Imaš touch i grip velikog Simona Phillipsa i to mi se sviđa!Zvuk bubnja-vrhunski!pozz
Maybe a dumb question but I am assuming they are both maple shells and not birch?
'48 Radio Kings and '69 Ludwigs. Sold all the rest. Done!
Both are very nice......But I like the kellers the best.
Kellers had more mojo but that collectors snare is nice
Of course I like the keller shell better but, dw exotic kit is tined too low so, it is not so fare to compare two.
If the sizes and shell layup were exactly the same, we would have a good sonic comparison. They are not. Another thing to consider is the 2006 kit. I honestly think that the DW kits made in the early 2000's were good, but not great. The shells they make now are WAY better than that era.
So if I buy a ever buy A DW, Go for a Keller 99? Sweet thanks ! Haha
How many mm thick is the Keller shells? Thanks
I have no idea. Ask someone on Dw Facebook page. They're thin, thats for sure :)
@@janivelic2316 do the shells have re-rings? Thanks bud!
The Keller shells seem to have more attack and sing more.
Blush daBlush daBlush!!
Da. Ali je displaced u gridu. Počinje na 2.šesnaestinu👍🙌
Correct! Great playing!
Epic video
super helpful...thx!
Mraaaak!
fala Miki! :)
Kellers all the way!
I may be in the minority here, but I prefer the Collectors. The Keller shell has a electronic sound. I have a custom made kit with Keller's (2010), and they don't sound like that. Mine are fat and rich sounding.
Not really the best comparison because the Gold badge collectors were Keller copy shells not the current XYZ whatever shells they’ve been making since the silver collectors badge kits. Spoiler alert! Keller’s still sound better!
The comparison is a little suboptimal because of the smaller Shell sizes of the Keller
Yes. I agree. But the character is different not just because of the size. 3 toms are completely identical 10,12 and 14
More attack with the Keller shells.
Wild.. you mean to tell me that paying way more for exotic finishes won’t necessarily buy me better tone??!! (Spoilers: it’s true)
Keller….. !!!!!
The Keller set sounds terrible in my opinion
you must be a non keller dw collectors owner
The first dw sounds better
Kellers sound better.