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.
The Sound That Transcends Time
Those who have experienced these drums speak of them with reverence. "Stunning looks and incredibly responsive with such a great tone that I'm sure will only grow more incredible over the decades," notes one awestruck owner. This isn't hyperbole—it's the objective reality of what happens when the world's most musical wood meets master craftsmanship.
When struck, these drums don't simply produce sound—they tell stories. The bass drum delivers a foundation that's both thunderous and nuanced, with a depth that musicians describe as "feeling it in your bones." The toms sing with voices that evolve from attack to decay, revealing new tonal characteristics with each listening. The snare, perhaps most remarkably, offers both the precision of modern engineering and the complex overtones of historical instruments.
These drums, quite literally, speak with their player's voice—"echoing feelings, ideas, and musical intention" in ways standard drums simply cannot.
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
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)
Shure SM57: Snare (bottom)
Kick drum: Audix D6x (external) and D6 (internal)
Earthworks SR20 Gen 2: Overheads
Neumann KM 184: Overheads
Coles 4038 ribbon: Room ambience
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen USB Audio Interface
Universal Audio Capitol Chambers
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, I bring not just technical precision but musical understanding to each recording. I've recorded with artists spanning from Gloria Estefan, Santana, and Julio Iglesias on their platinum albums to notable artists Missy Elliot and 50 Cent and Nelly and later recorded and toured with Joel Smallbone (For King & Country), Amber Brooks (GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter), 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.
