Pearl Reference Series

[spiritII]

http://www.pearldrum.com/thestory.html

It's an interesting concept, and the reasoning is sound enough, but one has to wonder how much better, if any, they sound. Thoughts anyone?

[Everything_and_Nothing_3:15]

I think they're nice drums but I want to hear and see them in person before I come to a final desicion about them, but I have not doubt that Pearl hasn't failed us.

[spiritII]

Of course, if they sound as good as Pearl say, they've just raised the bar for everyone else.

[Half Life]

I think the Reference drums are going to be something quite unique. If I had the opportunity to buy a new set of drums, I would definitely consider them, although I have a feeling they are going to be very pricey.

[Damo]

I dont see the big deal with them personally.

The Masters and Masterworks drums should give everything youd ever want in a drumkit.

[Carn]

I dont see the big deal with them personally.

-pearl promo talk-

Most brands have great sounding kits. If you get in a certain price league, a drumset will be of a such quality that the sound is good. All that remains is the fact if you like that certain sound.

Personally, I consider Pearl drums to sound like flat rat turds. But thats just my taste.

[White Riot!]

its a gimmick

basically pearl mixes and matches components of a drum kit and claims its the best. yeah right.

[RavEMasteR]

^I consider Pearl to be inferior to the likes of TAMA and Yamaha. I mean, they use, of all things, POPLAR (a very perishable wood) to make their Forum series. What does that say about their efforts in their kits?

I appreciate them trying to do what they can, but to just hand out to beginners stuff made to perish, that doesn't say much about their intelligence.

[Vater5B]

^I consider Pearl to be inferior to the likes of TAMA and Yamaha. I mean, they use, of all things, POPLAR (a very perishable wood) to make their Forum series. What does that say about their efforts in their kits?

Wow. My crappy Pacific kit was made from basswood. I guess DW doesn't put any effort into their custom made kits.

:thumb: Such flawless logic.

[Frankie-C!]

Gimmick.

[borge]

Since we're talking about Pearl, can anyone tell me how much a Pearl Sessions Smx Kit would cost?

[l3n]

The masterworks is already the ultimate in drum-making. Reference is just a masterworks 'configuration', number of plies, how many plies of this, how many plies of that, etc. They've said something about the mahogany/maple combination being the most popular out of all the masterworks order they've received, which explains the production of it.

[Rockin982]

Masterworks are great drums, but I wouldn't consider the the "ultimate in drum making". Check out http://www.globaldrumco.net/ . I had the opportunity to hear one of their snares, and let me tell you, they have left Pearl (as well as DW, Pork Pie, a bunch of others) in the stoneage. The purity and amount of resonance from the segmented shells is amazing, and the projection blows away all the ply-shell drums I've ever heard. Not to mention that making the shells this way allows for hundreds of times more customization in the woods used and thickness of the shell than ply construction. (Can you tell that I'm sold? ;) )

[l3n]

Well, they say you can't compare an apple to an orange..

[Carn]

Wow. My crappy Pacific kit was made from basswood. I guess DW doesn't put any effort into their custom made kits.

:thumb: Such flawless logic.

Pacifics get made in some factory in mexico and the manufacturing process itself has very little to do with DW. DW just brands it "Pacific by DW" so they can push more kits in the lower end segment of the market.

Basswood is a good wood. But you have high quality woods, you have shoddy quality woods. For example, a low-end kit wont have the same quality of mahogany as the mahogany in a high-end kit.

[l3n]

There are 2 kinds of mahogany.. the 'cheap' one, and the 'expensive' one.. the 'cheap' one is Phillipine Mahogany, the ones used in Swingstars/Rockstars if i'm not wrong. The expensive one, is the African Mahogany, coincidentally the same one that Omar Hakim's snare is made off *drools*.

[Carn]

wouldnt suprise me if there are 40 kinds of mahogany. The phillipine mahogany is also known as Luan btw

[-Funky monk-]

I personnaly dont like pearls, I rather a tama any day
Rockin982 what makes these snares soo good? because i heard one aswell and i basicly creamed myself at the great sounding drum.

[Rockin982]

The way a segmented shell is made, there are no plies. Instead, they stack little "bricks" of wood. Since it uses roughly 1/1000 of the amount of glue in a ply shell, it vibrates MUCH more freely and uniformly, producing a louder and purer sound. Very similar to the idea behind a solid shell, but much stronger because of the way it's constructed. Also, it allows you to use woods that are not conducive to ply construction.

[Pissed off Dirty Drummer]

Meh, sounds good to me.

A bit of a gimmick, but it's not as if they arn't going to work :confused:

My school has a 15 year old pearl export, and after 15 years of being beaten up, it's still as sturdy as it was when it was bought..

I'm not to sure what that has to do with anything, but i geuss i was just saying how amazingly tough and well built pearls are.

[playwithfire]

The masterworks is already the ultimate in drum-making.I'd take a Sonor Designer over a Masterworks anyday.

[Seafroggys]

^^^Most definitly.

[Der Meister]

I'm more interested in the rounded bearing edge than the wood

[White Riot!]

pearl wasnt the first to do that........

[Der Meister]

obviously, most early drums had rounded edges but I haven't seen many recently

[Seafroggys]

Yeah, Sonor was the first one to go with the whole custom level thing (the designer series) in the early 90s....Masterworks didn't come out until like '97 I think.

[rockdrummer7]

I think this is the most profound kit that anyone has ever dared to make. Looking for years at what wood or wood combinations make each size sound better. Look at the design of the shells, the smaller toms (6-10) are both birch and maple to pull out that loud yet higher clean range. The 12" is 100% maple to make it stand out. Anything larger than 12" (13-18) are made of maple and African Mahogany to bring the lower end tones out and drive that bassy sound. The kick has both birch and African Mahogany to pull those lower tones with the clarity qualities in birch.

This kit is getting the best of every possible sound range that a drummer could ask for from the sound of a drum kit.

I will be buying one early on next year.

[Trev]

Congratulations, but you're a few months late.

[rockdrummer7]

That's OK, they'll still be there when I buy it smart guy

[rockdrummer7]

I've read some pretty interesting yet sorted views on this particular series and maker in general. What's the general consensus in here on what kit is the most dominant to you guys? DW, Yamaha, Tama, what? Somebody explain it to me?

[Panopticon]

there was definitely no need to bump a thread this old.

[Trev]

Fine, I take it back :(

Congratulations on your future purchase, but you're a few months late in explaining this when it was actually relevent.

And welcome to the forums. :p

Edit - I've read some pretty interesting yet sorted views on this particular series and maker in general. What's the general consensus in here on what kit is the most dominant to you guys? DW, Yamaha, Tama, what? Somebody explain it to me?

I believe the most recommended kit on the forum is the Sonor 3005, Sonors have a great reputation on this forum. I personally use a Premier.

[rockdrummer7]

For example, I have a Tama Starclassic Performer Fusion 6 piece (no snare), 100% birch kit. The kick sounds great, the 12 sounds good, the 14" sounds alright but everything else, no matter how easy the kit is to tune, sounds bad. Like it's empty. So what does that say to you Tama guys?

[rockdrummer7]

I guess what I'm getting at by asking you to defend the kits that you play is this, it boils down to what kind of experience you have under your belt. Are you novices or experienced musicians?

[rockdrummer7]

Sonor huh? Well, let's look at this from the best for your buck overall cost to the consumer. Where is Sonor made? Why does it cost sooo much? Why can't you get the same thing here in the states (so to speak)?

Sonor is a good company i won't deny that, however what about ordering parts, hardware design, mounting design? These are things that should also be taken into consideration as well as sound quality and tone. Don't you think?

[rockdrummer7]

Anyone care to answer?

[Panopticon]

not when you quadruple post.

EDIT: In a matter of 19 minutes.

[Futuro]

Sonor huh? Well, let's look at this from the best for your buck overall cost to the consumer. Where is Sonor made? Why does it cost sooo much? Why can't you get the same thing here in the states (so to speak)? 3005s are made in china, correct me if im wrong. Force 3005's are actually really cheap for the quality you get.

Sonor is a good company i won't deny that, however what about ordering parts, hardware design, mounting design? These are things that should also be taken into consideration as well as sound quality and tone. Don't you think? The hardware From sonor is sturdy as hell. I called a local drum shop, they have no problem getting any parts in for a sonor.

As far as sound quality goes, Compare any other kit in the 1000 dollar range to a sonor 3005.

[rockdrummer7]

Well, $1000 range, umm, how about a SMX or BRX (Pearl)?

[rockdrummer7]

I didn't know that posting so many comments so far was an issue? I can't help it if I have a lot to say and type really fast!

[Trev]

There's an edit button for a reason. Anyway I'm pretty sure this thread'll be closed soon, DBJ is online.

[Futuro]

Well, $1000 range, umm, how about a SMX or BRX (Pearl)?The SMX does compare sound wise. As far as hardware goes I like the optimount system (Which I believe is on both of the kits you mentioned) But I would take sonors hardware anyday over pearls.


The BRX are 6 ply Birch (Im not sure how many plies but I think 6) But the sound fundamentals of the 2 drums will be completely different, So bringing up this drum was completely irrelavent.

EDIT To Postman: Why close it? He brought up a valid point, that was his opinion.

[Trev]

I don't deny that, but its just that most of the time old threads that get brought back from the dead get closed.

[rockdrummer7]

OK then, instead of using Pearl as an example, how about Yamaha's stage custom kit?

[rockdrummer7]

I mean look, I'm on here because the talk about the reference kit (which is what drew me in anyway). So now we've gotten off of that, cool, but it seems that some people in here "don't" like to really talk drums. That's the only reason I joined this thing.

[Futuro]

OK then, instead of using Pearl as an example, how about Yamaha's stage custom kit? Your point is irrelavent. They are Birch, and mahogony. Yammies are great drums (Especially there higher end) But there is no drum IMO the can keep up with the Force 3005, Thats' cost is in the 1000 range.

But, I have played the stage customs in fusion sizes, They were very cold sounding to my ear.

[rockdrummer7]

So you're looking at 100% maple kits then?

[rockdrummer7]

In that case there's the Ayotte custom kit, Taye's Studio Maple, Premier's maple series, Tama's Starclassic and many others that aren't mainstream kits.

[rockdrummer7]

Oh yeah, about the fusion size thing. It sounded cold because you can't always get the great tone out of a fusion tom (floor) versus an actual floor tom that stands independantly. 2 of my 3 kits are fusion kits and they don't have nearly the clear sound that my standard kit has.

[Futuro]

In that case there's the Ayotte custom kit, Taye's Studio Maple, Premier's maple series, Tama's Starclassic and many others that aren't mainstream kits. None of those kits are under two grand let alone one grand.

And yes, I was comparing Maple to Maple. Seeing as you were speaking of the force 3005...

Maybe you are correct that the BRX is the best Birch kit for the price, but doing so by acting arrogantly about it makes you seem like a twelve year old.

[Drum Phil]

Ive seen them in person. Who wants to touch me?

[playwithfire]

My good GOD. Are all of that guys 14 posts ALL in this thread? *edit* your posts buddy, it cleans it up and makes it easier for us to read...

As far as kit preferences, my favorite drums are DW, Sonor, and Yamaha. I don't like Pearl as a company, or Tama.

[Futuro]

My good GOD. Are all of that guys 14 posts ALL in this thread? *edit* your posts buddy, it cleans it up and makes it easier for us to read...He is new, it's expected.

As far as kit preferences, my favorite drums are DW, Sonor, and Yamaha. I don't like Pearl as a company, or Tama. I actually really like pearl, Those MMX make me happy :)

(I didn't say there thrones were good ;) )

[spike9908]

Ive seen them in person. Who wants to touch me?

so, ive played them in person.

I was really disappointed too. although they are good drums, they are WAY overpriced.

as for you 3005-SMX/other maple kits in that range, its all in the tuning. there are too many people here who lick Sonors corperate *** because they READ about how good sonors are on here, but never try them. never play them, just read about them.

i'm sure if you did a side by side comparison between 3005s and any other intermediate level maple kit that had the same heads on with the same tensioning, you wouldn't notice too much of a difference between them.

[Caleb3221]

The Sonor 3005s are the most reccomended in the mid range kits, but he was about to buy a referance, I thought? There is a bit of a discrepancy in quality. Very few people would reccomend a 3005 over a Referance.

My opinion, and what seems to be the opinion of many others on here, is that all really high end kits sound GREAT, but different, and its entirely personal preferance what you like. I was considering getting a Reference or Masters kit, along with DWs, Sonor Designers, and Yamaha Maple Customs. Eventually, after playing all the drums I could find, I setteled on the Gretsch USA Customs. No qualifiable reason, it just sounded best to me. If I had been a different player, I probably would have gone with a differnet set.

[rockdrummer7]

Whatever people!! i thought a message board was for messages or comments. I didn't know I was taking up your precious space, idiots!!

[rockdrummer7]

I do like Gretsch kits myself, even the Renown series is a high quality series with a good sound.

[Futuro]

We were speaking in Price ranges, and what you get for the price.

i'm sure if you did a side by side comparison between 3005s and any other intermediate level maple kit that had the same heads on with the same tensioning, you wouldn't notice too much of a difference between them.Besides the fact you will pay 500 bucks more.

[rockdrummer7]

I think you could have the same size drum from all intermediate priced maple kits...Pearl, Tama, Yamaha, Sonor, Pacific and whatever else. As long as they were all 100% maple kits with the same head same tension, they would sound different from drum to drum.

[spike9908]

I think you could have the same size drum from all intermediate priced maple kits...Pearl, Tama, Yamaha, Sonor, Pacific and whatever else. As long as they were all 100% maple kits with the same head same tension, they would sound different from drum to drum.

it would, but it wouldnt be a major difference that would make you love or hate it much more than any of the others.

[Damo]

Lets clear up a few things
But there is no drum IMO the can keep up with the Force 3005, Thats' cost is in the 1000 range.
Mapex ProM would be the closest.

i'm sure if you did a side by side comparison between 3005s and any other intermediate level maple kit that had the same heads on with the same tensioning, you wouldn't notice too much of a difference between them.
The sound would be the only similarity. Sonors have their own distinctive kick drum sound, which is probably the biggest thing Ive noticed about them, but the hardware stands miles above similar classed kits.

The other point is that there simply arent any other large scale serious maple kits in that price range, aside from (once again) the Mapex Pro M.

Oh yeah, about the fusion size thing. It sounded cold because you can't always get the great tone out of a fusion tom (floor) versus an actual floor tom that stands independantly. 2 of my 3 kits are fusion kits and they don't have nearly the clear sound that my standard kit has.
Thats just a ridiculous statement - Mounted toms will give you a slight bit more resonance, depending on what heads you use and how you tune, but that has nothing to do with clarity. I have floor toms that absolutely thunder. Floor toms that stand independently are usually deeper which gives them a slightly boomier sound than a hanging tom, but dont often cut too well with bands. Hanging toms are punchier in sound due to their lesser depth. They are alsoy more forgiving with tuning and are more portable. Thats why fusion kits are outselling standard kits 3:1 currently.

Sonor huh? Well, let's look at this from the best for your buck overall cost to the consumer. Where is Sonor made?
Force Series = China
S-Class, Delite, Designer = Germany
Why does it cost sooo much?
The high end gear costs a lot because of the quality. The Force series stuff is not expensive at all. In fact its better prices than most competitors when you consider the quality of what you get.
Why can't you get the same thing here in the states (so to speak)?
You can, you just have to look a little harder. Unfortunately not all companies are going to thrust a catalogue into your mailbox for you - youll have to go for a bit of a hunt. Hohner is the distributor for Sonor in the US.

however what about ordering parts,
Not a problem.
hardware design
Sturdy and attractive
mounting design?
Attractive, practical, minimal and diverse
These are things that should also be taken into consideration as well as sound quality and tone. Don't you think?
Very much so, which is why I have bought Sonor over any other company - dw, Pearl, Tama, Ayotte, GMS... You name it.

[rockdrummer7]

True. It just all depends on the sound you want.

[rockdrummer7]

I happen to like the big rock sound of the 80's.

[Damo]

^As do I - Im a child of the 80s after all...

But I can get just as big a sound on either kit - standard or fusion. The difference is that the fusion kit will have the extra punch on a live stage.

[aznriceball]

geezus, even after people explain to him he still doesnt go and just edit his million little posts into a larger, more relevant post. i would point out some flaws in the arguments of his but they've been pointed out a dozen times by them time im done reading this thread..

oh and proMs/cx's are kinda close to 3005...

and i havent played a 3005, but a band just played with one in an amazing finish out in the memorial union at ASU, and it was thunderous. i believe the snare was a designer though. too bad he had pinstripes on the rig..