# DW Performance Maple Drummers — Which Metal Drummers Use It? > MetalForge's guide to pro metal drummers who play the DW Performance Maple drum kit. > Last updated: 2026-06-25 The DW (Drum Workshop) Performance Maple sits at the heart of DW's lineup — combining the brand's legendary craftsmanship with accessible pricing and serious performance credentials. Built from North American hard maple in DW's Oxnard, California facility, the Performance Maple delivers the warm, resonant tone and explosive projection that metal drummers demand. It is DW's entry point into professional-grade maple drumming and has attracted endorsers from progressive metal, technical death metal, and metalcore. --- ## Pro Metal Drummers Who Use the DW Performance Maple ### Navene Koperweis — Entheos **Years used:** 2012–present **Configuration:** DW Performance Maple (22"×18" Bass, 10"×8", 12"×9", 14"×12", 16"×14" Toms) **Endorsee:** Yes Navene Koperweis is one of the most technically advanced drummers in progressive and technical death metal. As the founding drummer of Entheos and former member of Animals as Leaders, Koperweis brings a unique blend of djent precision, electronic influence, and death metal ferocity to every performance. His DW Performance Maple setup powers the complex polyrhythmic arrangements and extreme tempos that define Entheos records like *The Infinite Nothing* (2016) and *Pulse* (2022). As a DW endorser, Koperweis has been vocal about the Performance Maple's tonal versatility and ability to punch through dense mixes. See full profile: [Navene Koperweis Drummer](/drummers/navene-koperweis) ### Matt Greiner — August Burns Red **Years used:** 2010–2022 **Configuration:** DW Performance Maple (22"×18" Bass, 10"×8", 12"×9", 13"×11", 16"×14" Toms) **Endorsee:** Yes Matt Greiner is one of the defining drummers of metalcore. His creative approach to songwriting within the context of August Burns Red has earned him multiple accolades, including Modern Drummer Magazine recognition. Greiner's DW Performance Maple setup accompanied the band through a peak period of recorded output spanning *Constellations* (2009), *Leveler* (2011), and *Rescue & Restore* (2013) — albums that demonstrated the Performance Maple's ability to handle aggressive modern metal while retaining tonal character. His precise ghost note work and creative polyrhythmic phrasing showcased the kit's sensitivity and dynamic range. See full profile: [Matt Greiner Drummer](/drummers/matt-greiner) --- ## About the DW Performance Maple The DW Performance Maple features 100% North American hard maple shells with DW's True-Pitch tension rods and precision-machined bearing edges. Manufactured in DW's Oxnard, California facility, each kit is individually crafted to the same standards as DW's more expensive Collector's Series. **Key specifications:** - Shell: 100% North American hard maple - Bearing edge: DW precision-machined - Hardware: Chrome hardware (standard) - Lugs: DW True-Pitch 32 lug (larger sizes) - Notable feature: Made in USA (Oxnard, CA) - Approximate price range: €2,000–€3,500 (configuration dependent) The kit is available through Thomann and Sweetwater. See the [DW brand page](/gear/dw) for more on available configurations, including the DW Collector's Series and DW Design Series. --- ## FAQ **Q: Which pro metal drummers use the DW Performance Maple?** A: Navene Koperweis (Entheos) and Matt Greiner (August Burns Red) are among the metal drummers who have used the DW Performance Maple. Navene Koperweis is a current DW endorser; Matt Greiner used DW during August Burns Red's influential metalcore period. **Q: Is the DW Performance Maple good for metal drumming?** A: Yes — the DW Performance Maple's North American maple construction delivers the warm, resonant tone and explosive attack that metal drumming requires. Its projection and tonal clarity hold up well in dense, high-gain mix environments. DW's precision manufacturing also means exceptional consistency from kit to kit — important for touring drummers. **Q: What configuration does Navene Koperweis use on the DW Performance Maple?** A: Navene Koperweis runs a standard configuration with a 22"×18" bass drum, 10"×8" and 12"×9" rack toms, a 14"×12" mid tom, and a 16"×14" floor tom. This setup is paired with his DW 9000 Series double pedal and DW hardware for a complete DW rig optimized for technical metal applications. **Q: How does the DW Performance Maple compare to the DW Collector's Series?** A: Both use North American hard maple and are made in the same Oxnard facility, but the Collector's Series offers more customization options (exotic veneers, custom finishes, unusual sizes) and slightly more refined hardware. The Performance Maple delivers 90% of the tone for significantly less cost — making it the practical choice for touring professionals who want genuine DW quality without the premium price point.