Thoughts on Pearl Drums (2024)

Also a fan of the snares, but not so much the kits. I share @GretschMan61 's thoughts regarding the sheer number of models, but being a fan of Tama I can hardly complain about Pearl's naming conventions!

I've always thought the Jordison signature was an underrated utility piece, I really like the Ultracast, and I love the Sensitone Heritages.

Been playing Pearl since the 90’s. I’ve owned or played most brands of kits but keep coming back to Pearl. However, Sonor has evaded my collection and I suspect that might be the next haunt.

Daydreams aside, I currently play a Music City Custom Masters Maple Reserve. That’s a mouthful! It was once called the MMX and currently the Masters Maple Pure.

Absolutely beautiful kit. Sounds great. Rock solid build. Love playing it and I might even convert it to the new tom mounts.

Is it my forever kit? Who knows. I do love the sound of Mapex Saturns, the look and sound of Ludwig CM’s wrapped in salesman sample, and of course Sonor’s high end kits…oh if only there was more space in the drum room.

Nate is incredible. He could make pots and pans sound like Masterworks!

DanRH said:

Nate Morton and Todd Sucherman sound great on theirs…I don’t know why they’re so dissed in the drum community. At least that’s my perception.

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My Export kit served me well from 1987-2000 .

rungeflash said:

I was checking out vintage pearl sets and this one popped up….1976 maple/fiberglass. Interesting shell for sure

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Wow! I’ve got one just like it except I have the COB snare.

JH

Absolutely love my Pearl session studio selects. SUCH good sounds from these and I always get compliments on them. My Masterworks rosewood snare is an absolute gem.

I'd love a masters maple gum.

Their elite brass timbales are top notch as well.

DustyDave said:

My early 90’s Pearl steel shell snare is killer.

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Yup. My only snare for a long time in the 70’s and 80’s.

I had a MMX kit in natural lacquer when I was in high school here in the pic. I had put some Yamaha wood hoops on the toms. This is the only shot I have of them. The only Pearl drums I have now are a couple snares, one of which is a B4514 COB snare a.k.a. the Stewart Copeland snare. Fantastic drum.

GretschMan61 said:

I have been wondering about Pearl Drums - they have never been on my radar and still aren’t to be honest . They do not seem to be that popular in my nick of the woods like they were back in the 80’s and 90’s . Personally I find the sheer amount of models confusing and makes it difficult to ascertain levels . Not to mention the similarity of names like Master , Master reserve , Master studio etc . Then all the various Sessions models and variations .
I am happy to see Pearl finally relented and brought out an L arm Tom holder . I don’t see lot of Masterworks kits out there , at least not in the quantity of Yamaha PHX and Tama Star kits .maybe I am looking in the wrong social media sites .
What are your thoughts on Pearl drums ?

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Hey guys, read Gretsch mans post bout the Pearl drums.
I've wondered the same thing, Session studio select, masters, etc.
i've been eyeing some Vintage kits and newer used.....
really curious on the sound, the prices i'm seeing don't seem bad.
I only own one Pearl kit now, its an Elx export. Just recently set it up (left handed).......which i am, however like to play that way sometimes.......
but i do love the way it sounds....the snare is not a Pearl, but sounds wicked.
would like to maybe pickup a sensitone down the road.

and i do own a Gretsch Catalina as well.

rungeflash said:

I was checking out vintage pearl sets and this one popped up….1976 maple/fiberglass. Interesting shell for sure

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Great kits! I got mine dirt cheap, 12”,13”,14”,18”,24” in red silk with original tomholders and floortom legs for $520 shipped! A 16” would be awesome to find in red silk to complete it. They’re punchy and even with old heads they have a nice low end.

I will admit to a perhaps irrational hatred of Pearl drums. They're boring and derivative. They've never really stood for anything distinctive. Their best products (UltraCast, Maple/Gum shells) are mostly knockoffs of other companies' creations. Those horrible tom mounts. The fact that you can peel letters off the bass drum logo head and spell Pear, Pea, Ear, Earl.

They absolutely make great products. I just never want them around me.

My only Pearl kit is a mid 1980s MLX, black lacquer inside and out. It’s a workhorse and still sounds great today. It’s a Porcaro configuration with a first generation Jamieson rack, but I typically use it as a 5-piece and the rack stays home.

It’s not my main gigging kit, but it’s perfect for any rock or country/rock gigs I do.

I have a few steel and brass snares as well and they are all very useable.

Disco Mystic said:

I like the sound of that kit Dennis Chambers plays. I think it's a Masterworks Urban Recipe.

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I love Dennis’ playing. He makes it look so effortless. But he always looks like he’d rather be doing something else.