DW PurpleCore™ | Shell technology explained (2026)

DW introduced its PurpleCore™ drum shell technology at the start of 2021. DW Drums are some of the best you can buy. The quality is outstanding and the company is consistently pushing the boundaries of what is possible. With PurpleCore™, DW managed to push them once again.

We first wrote this guide when PurpleCore™ was brand new. Five years on it is no longer the new kid, but it is still one of the more interesting shell ideas out there. So what is it, how does it sound, and can you still get one in 2026?

Let’s find out.

What has changed since 2021?

If you read the original version of this guide, here is the short version of what is different now.

• It is not new any more. PurpleCore™ is now an established option in DW’s Collector’s Series rather than a launch announcement.
• It is still made. DW dealers are still listing PurpleCore™ kits, shell packs and snare drums, in maple, cherry and mahogany versions.
• It is still Collector’s Series only. As far as we can find, PurpleCore™ has not trickled down to the Design or Performance Series.
• DW has a new owner. Roland bought Drum Workshop in September 2022, with DW’s existing leadership, including co-founder John Good, staying on at the time of the deal.
• We now have a better idea of the price. Spoiler: it is not cheap. More on that below.

What are DW PurpleCore™ shells?

DW has been trying to create a shell that features just short grains for some time. Most drum shells do feature short-grain plies but they are primarily made of long-grain plies.

Why short-grain plies?

Short-grains create a deep sound when compared to long-grains. The issue is that they have very little tension making it almost impossible to make a shell out of them. You need high tension to make drums shell hard and hold their shape.

Short-grain ply	Long-grain ply
Deep sound	High sound
low tension	High tension

This is why most drum manufacturers choose a combination of plys to get the sound and strength needed for a drum that lasts.

So how has DW overcome this issue?

DW has created a hybrid shell that is 9 plies with only one of them being long-grain. This is the PurpleCore™ drum shell technology.

The three inner cores are all purpleheart wood. Purpleheart wood is more dense than oak and provides ample attack and punch. Therefore this wood is ideal to act as the centre support for keeping these drums strong.

Of these three plies, one is long-grain and two are short-grain.

The remaining six short-grain plies that sit three on either side of the purpleheart come in either maple, cherry or mahogany.

The shells also feature an additional 3-ply reinforcement hoop inside the shell for extra support.

What do DW PurpleCore™ shells sound like?

They sound deeper than traditional shells whilst still maintaining the attack and presence you would want from your drum kit. DW calls it the lowest note timbre it has ever offered on a shell. This makes these shells ideal for a drummer who cherishes the sound of bigger toms without the need to have a bigger size kit. So rather than playing a 14”, 16”, 18” tom setup, you could have a 10”, 12” and 14”.

You can bring that big sound to gigs in smaller venues just by having DW PurpleCore™ shells.

Which outer wood should you pick? The usual rules apply. Maple gives you the most resonance and attack, cherry is a little warmer with a lovely clarity, and mahogany pushes the low end even further. If you want the deepest, darkest PurpleCore™ kit, mahogany is the one.

Have a listen to Thomas Lang playing a DW Maple PurpleCore™ Drum Kit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=zrKTJGYAB9c&feature=emb_logo

How much does a DW PurpleCore™ kit cost?

When we first wrote this guide we could only guess. Now we can say it plainly: a lot.

Because every Collector’s Series kit is built to order, there is no single price. Sizes, finish and hardware all move the number. As a rough guide, the PurpleCore™ shell packs we have seen listed by dealers run from around £3,500 for a small shell pack to well over $7,000 for a four-piece in a fancy finish. And that is before you add a snare, cymbals or stands.

There is one thing to mention. If you love the DW sound but not the Collector’s price, the DW Design Series gets you a lot of the way there for a fraction of the cost. You will not get the PurpleCore™ shell, though.

Where can I buy a DW PurpleCore™ Drum Kit?

The DW PurpleCore™ drums are part of the DW Collector’s Series range. These drums are made to order so they can be configured to your exact specification. This does make ordering a little trickier as you will need to find your local DW dealer and order through them. You can find USA distributors on the DW website.

Some dealers also keep the odd PurpleCore™ kit or snare in stock, so if you do not fancy waiting for a custom build, it is worth asking around. Second-hand is another option. Collector’s kits hold their value well, but you can still find used DW PurpleCore™ drums on Reverb for less than a new build.

Final thoughts

Just like everything DW makes, the PurpleCore™ kits sound unbelievable. The attention to detail and craftsmanship is first class and you won’t go far wrong buying one of these kits.

Five years on, PurpleCore™ has proved it was more than a launch-day headline. It is still in the catalogue and it still does something no other DW shell does: big, low toms from small sizes.

Our honest caveat is the price. This is a premium, built-to-order kit and you pay for it. If that is in your budget, go and hear one in a shop. If not, have a look at our guide to the DW Design Series, or ask our Gear Guru for some alternatives.