DUEL of the MASTERWORKS :) - Two Pearl Masterworks Comparison

Tempo is 108 - alternating between both kits. Which Masterworks kit do you like better?
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~Jeff Wald~
Masterworks specs and tour video: • Pearl Masterworks tour...
The kit is basically in Pearl Reference Specs except all have at least 2 plies of mahogany on the inside (which is stained red) and adding 4 plies w/ the floor and even more mahogany with the Gong & kicks. The rest of the plies in each are maple except for the snare.
We named the finish Red Bubinga Burst. I had them darken 25% of each drum to the edge. The gong is 40% fade only on the head side b/c its single headed. The only regret is that on the smaller drums you really can’t tell b/c I didn’t think about the rims covering the edges. Oh well, still looks amazing in person.
Snare (Mic’d with Audix i5)
14x5.75". 10 ply, 12.5mm "Regular" - 2 inner Birch, 7 ply Maple in the middle, 1 ply outer Bubinga. It also has the triple snare throw off. This thing looks amazing and lets you choose 3 different 6 strand snares allowing you to mix and match all of them. However, I've been using a 24 strand one from another Pearl snare for years.
Toms (Mic’d with Audix D2)
6x7" Rack Tom - 6 ply, 7.5mm "Regular"; 2 inner Mahogany, 3 ply Maple in the middle, 1 outer Bubinga; Edge is Rounded 45 degree
8x7.25" Rack Tom - 6 ply, 7.5mm "Regular"; 2 inner Mahogany, 3 ply Maple in the middle, 1 outer Bubinga; Edge is Rounded 45 degree
10x7.75" Rack Tom - 8 ply, 7.2mm "Thin"; 2 inner Mahogany, 5 ply Maple in the middle, 1 outer Bubinga; Edge is Rounded 45 degree
12X8.5" Rack Tom - 8 ply, 7.2mm "Thin"; 2 inner Mahogany, 5 ply Maple in the middle, 1 outer Bubinga; Edge is Rounded 45 degree
13x9.5" Rack Tom on left - 6 ply, 7.5mm "Regular"; 2 inner mahogany, 3 ply Maple in the middle, 1 outer Bubinga; Edge is Rounded 45 degree
Floor Toms (Mic’d with Audix D4)
14x13" Floor Tom - 8 ply, 10mm "Regular"; 4 inner Mahogany, 3 ply Maple in the middle, 1 outer Bubinga; Edge is Rounded 45 degree
16x15" Floor Tom - 8 ply, 10mm "Regular"; 4 inner Mahogany, 3 ply Maple in the middle, 1 outer Bubinga; Edge is Rounded 45 degree
Gong Drum (Mic’d with Audix D6)
20x15"- 8 ply, 10mm "Regular"; 7 ply Mahogany, 1 ply Bubinga on the outside. Fully Rounded Edge. Finish is a fade from the head down instead of the burst like the rest b/c of it being single headed
Kick Drums (Mic’d with Audix D6s)
22x17 kicks. 10 ply, 12.5mm "Regular"; 6 inner are Mahogany - BOOM!! The middle 3 plies are Maple and the outside Bubinga.
Overheads (Mic’d with two Audix SCX-25A)
Cymbals from left to right:
17” Sabian Xtreme China regular finish
10” Zildjian K Splash
14” Hi-Hats: K Custom Session (Steve Gadd model)
19” Zildjian K Dark Crash
20” K Custom Session Ride (Steve Gadd model)
14” Zildjian Mastersound as second hi-hat
18” Zildjian A Custom Crash

[@SPACEMAN_fkYT]

Red for the sound, Blue for the finish.

[@JeffWald]

thanx spaceman!

[@HenkJanDrums]

Nice video. Great drumming. Good recording mixing sound. 2 nice drum kits.

[@vincentquattrocchi7924]

Personally the keeper for me Would be the red kit for life . Tight ,Articulate, resonant, has a lot of depth....🥁❤🥁❤🥁

[@JeffWald]

Thanx Vincent! Its a keeper for sure - not going anywhere :). I'm loving both of them and am having a blast expermenting w/ blue

[@hyzeronhisrizer]

Great playing, Jeff...as per usual! Ok....in the overall looks department, that blue is fantastic - even nicer than ole red! Snare sound I prefer red, but bass drum is new blue all the way! Toms on both kits are sooo close, I can't pick one over the other. Both of my Pearl kits are Vision all birch, which are nice, but these Masterworks kits of yours are simply outstanding in every way: looks, sound, fit and finish! Superb!

[@JeffWald]

thanx for the input my brother! Its like someone said - its like trying to pick which of your children is your favorite :). Both are totally different and both have exceptional qualities. I'm just gonna keep one "kid" up until I grow weary of him, then put up the other "kid". hahaha

[@hyzeronhisrizer]

@JeffWald LOL Right?! Whichever kit you're playing that day is tremendous - not a bad "problem" to have!!

[@GG-sb8fd]

I’m still drooling over the red kit since you first got it! Not sure its tone can be improved on! The blue is very close but the deep lush tone of mahogany is simply beautiful

[@JeffWald]

hahaha, thanx man

[@TomCawoski]

Jeff, both kits look and sound great. Not an easy choice to choose one or the other. There is a bit of a difference on the snare I notice though. Remo head on the one and Evans on the other and they're not tuned the same but again, they both sound good but I think I like the tighter red one a bit better. When you tune the toms, are you going for certain pitches for each drum? I'm also curious on how you are EQing on the way into your DAW. That kick has to have some EQ on it I'm guessing. Thanks for sharing... Congrats on the new kit!!! 😎🎶

[@JeffWald]

Hey Tom! Yeah, I use the tunebot to recall frequencies (I did a video on that in 16 or 17), just like a guitar player uses a tuner. The video I put up yesterday (freestyle on MW) I had tuned the 10, 12 & 13 up a little higher & when I went to log them they were F C A F C - not planned but thats what they were, which I think sounds great. EQ'ing on the way in is only on the kick & snare & OHs which isn't alot, just enough to carve out some junk first. I'm using the WA-273 EQs on all 4 of those channels. The toms are all in the WA 412s which has no EQ. I'm probably gonna do a vid of the raw sounds b/c when I've been researching - THAT's what I want to hear/know! The preamps def give them all a warmer/colored sound vs the SL32s that I'd been using for 3 yrs. That has a more brittle sound when comparing and I had to use a lot of EQ to get away from that (any video before Feb 2024 is the SL32s) And yes on the snares - very different. But I first shot the red b4 I picked up blue and when I set up blue I was digging the snare sound like you hear it, didn't realize til I'd already shot blue what I difference in tuning I had. Oh well :) Thanx for chiming in!

[@TomCawoski]

@@JeffWald Yes, the F C A F C tuning works well for your kit. I play Yamaha Maple Customs and have 8" 10" 12" 14" 16" toms and I'm in a similar tuning range. Very cool on the Warm stuff. I've got two UA x8p interfaces for my drums and I'm using their Neve 1084 for the mic pre emulation with some minor EQ for kick, snare and overheads, no EQ on the toms. Like you, I'm still experimenting and researching (oh what fun lol!!!) I'll have to check out your "raw" tracks video. when you do one. It would be interesting to compare your EQ with what I'm doing going into the DAW. I saw your tuning video and the Tune Bot numbers chart - very cool - you might have to update it for your Blue tuning. I have my bottom head about a minor third higher than the batter head. I mainly use the Tune Bot to "record" tunings that I like and therefore can recreate a particular sound if/when needed. I'll probably have to do a video at some point but I don't really have a nice room like yours, lol... I have a few snares and tend to use whatever suits the song. Generally speaking I like a medium to tight tuning but not crazy tight like a tabletop. I know people who do that and don't care for that sound. Thanks for the videos and for your response!!! 😎🎶

[@russmartin6763]

Both are beautiful. Both sound excellent. That said, i gotta side with ol' red..........

[@JeffWald]

Thanx Russ! :)

[@larrytate1657]

Both sound great but the red is a lil tighter low end imo which I prefer slightly. But the blue is nicer finish.

[@JeffWald]

Thanx Larry! I'm loving both

[@facelen4321]

The blue one sounds more open. It resonates more. Beautiful. Both are great, but the blue one wow.

[@JeffWald]

thanx for the input! I've tuned it up a little higher now and wow - it really opens it up. I'll keep posting stuff, I love geeking out on this type of stuff :)

[@markmainchannel]

Red kit sounds more "studio" like, if that makes sense? Warm, thuddy, notes cut out quickly. Blue kit more "Open" and has more resonance. could be the way they are recorded? Both are great. The blue snare is definitely tuned lower and has a nice fat sound.

[@JeffWald]

Thanx Mark! Yea man, makes sense. I'm still tweaking w/ blue but have a blast experimenting, not feeling stuck into any one tuning

[@Rick-m3c]

Great sound demo Jeff. Loved both kits. If I had to choose, I'd go with the Maple Gum. And since it's a customizable Masterworks, I'd make the bass drums all Birch.

[@JeffWald]

There ya go man! Thanx for the input :)

[@BillRayDrums]

Why can't we get an easier question? They both sound magnificent, as do you my friend.

[@JeffWald]

haha, ok.... "why is the square root of pi??" Thanx brother, I'm having a blast experimenting with different tunings.

[@astrofranco]

In the description I read Sabian cymbals, but I see that the crashes are all Turkish, maybe there's an update to do?

[@JeffWald]

ha, yes, there is! Any video does a template that I've had for years so I just need to find where that is and update :). Thanx man!

[@sebavitali]

Red for Sound and Looks, all the way from Ushuaia to Alaska! best regards from Argentina

[@JeffWald]

Thanx!! Greetings from TN!

[@danickchagnon4338]

Great playing sir , beautiful kits , amazing set up ( audio ) is that a " le studio sign " from morin heights studio ? Cheers

[@JeffWald]

Yes, it is! There's a few companies out there that make LED signs and this was an option, one of my favorite things in here!

[@wilkinsnl]

Blue

[@edmondoification]

Io preferisco la Rossa! La cassa per me scende di più, e il sustain è più "lento"......La risonanza è più slow e più "appagante".

[@JeffWald]

Grazie per il tuo contributo, Edmond! Mi sto ancora divertendo tantissimo lavorando con quello nuovo blu e la cosa bella è che quello rosso è proprio nell'altra stanza per quando avrò voglia di rimetterlo su di nuovo. Grazie ancora!

[@mlhbrx96]

It's as if Steve Gadd and Dave Weckl were playing for Spyro Gyra!

[@JeffWald]

ha, thanx man!

[@mlhbrx96]

Sonically speaking, both sound incredible! Im curious what the bearing edge specs are on Big Red, as there's just a bit more attack on those drums. Tone wise, it's hot butter on both!!

[@JeffWald]

Big red is rounded 45s on all except the gong and the snare. gong is fully rounded & the snare is sharp 45s. about to tweak some more!

[@mlhbrx96]

@@JeffWald I look forward to more! Cheers

[@backstab86]

red. i listen through youtube on a laptop, who cares about how they sound.

[@JeffWald]

thanx for the input!

[@gadymarcus2362]

Bello/Magnifico.😱✡️✡️✡️✡️✡️✡️

[@Videditor1067]

Did you drop the second red kick before getting the blue kit?

[@JeffWald]

I did. Only b/c when I'd get behind a single kick kit (say that 3x fast!) the HH felt more natural in the 10 o'clock position (overhead view) than around the 9 o'clock b/c of the 2nd kick in the way. I had had it positioned the best I could for years but getting behind a single... just felt more natural.

[@carlosleiva2825]

Do the mounts make any noticeable difference?

[@JeffWald]

They're both the same older optimounts so I don't have anything different to compare them with. However!... I'm looking into getting the newer R2 system w/ the L mounts for blue and I'll be able to A-B them if I do that

[@nickfarwell8104]

Between these 2 kits which one would you gig with?

[@JeffWald]

I'll be taking the blue out for some Elvis shows I'll be playing later this year in theaters. If it was a lower key type gig I've got an export that I'd bring

[@chrisdrums100]

What about a room mic or phone mic comparison?

[@JeffWald]

I'm going to do that with the blue one since its set up for now. Probably not gonna do a comparison video which would mean setting red back up since I'm not wanting to do that at the moment :)

[@edmondoification]

Grazie a Te e tanti complimenti per il bello e grande lavoro, per come suoni, e per come suonano le Tue batterie! È chiaro che DA QUI le differenze sono impercettibili. ..... Il giudice supremo in ultima analisi sei Tu e quello che senti sotto le tue mani. Great Job, Mr.Wald! Enjoy

[@JeffWald]

Thanx again Edmond! I'm just having a great time w/ this one. I'm just a student of the drums and this one is making me approach things in fresh way

[@terrileslie1777]

Hello, I noticed you have a Sonic Art Shirt on. Are you an acquittance of Chris's? Ward

[@JeffWald]

Indeed I am! Chris is a buddy of mine, hooked me up with some gold hardware for the other MW kit and we're supposed to talk tomorrow about fitting this w/ some of the R2 mounts & L brackets in Black Nickel :). He was also out to the studio in January when he was in TN. Great dude!!

[@terrileslie1777]

@@JeffWald OK, Cool, I bought some gear from Chris on Reverb and since then, I have purchased from his store with very fast delivery, and with Awesome Customer Service. P.S. Very Nice Pearl's!

[@JeffWald]

@@terrileslie1777 Thanx man! He's a great dude. We ended up talking for about an hour a few nights ago.

[@RemoWilliams-jg4yb]

Both kits sing! What are you running on the kick drums for heads?

[@JeffWald]

The classics! Stock black remo's that you see in the pic - no muffling touching that side. Batter on red is the PS3 that it came with almost 10 yrs ago - I just put it back on last month. And I just did the same yesterday for blue but for this its probably the same - a Masters clear PS3. I've now got blue tuned down a little more so its even more cutting, not quite as much resonance as what you hear here. (here here!! haha). Anyway... muffling in blue is the Pearl pillow that it came with which is only touching the batter side. Basically the same for red - just a different thin pillow

[@RemoWilliams-jg4yb]

@@JeffWald Sounds great as usual! Playing is top shelf as well!

[@jcdrums2798]

Hello Jeff, great perf my friend

[@JeffWald]

thanx brother!

[@ianpaddick2003]

Now get a green kit in reference one specs!

[@JeffWald]

hahaha, negative. I'm done :)

[@NK-ov6kd]

Hi Jeff do you have experience with 20" by 14" deep Basedrum from Pearl? I think about Masters Maple Series

[@JeffWald]

not a 14" but I do have a MSX 20x16 that I have tuned like a jazz/Bonham kick - wide open. Its a great punchy kick as a 16, probably even more as a 14. Here's a link to the short clip kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipiTmn2ve511l7s&ab_channel=JeffWald. I've got one more video where I explain it a little more but the sound is a little distorted on the kick. But if you want to check that one out, here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoaUmailZsSNf7c

[@NK-ov6kd]

​@@JeffWald: thx. Cool sound. Help full to me.

[@johnquinn7671]

Red for sound

[@JeffWald]

thanx for the input!

[@goddamnzordan]

blue

[@JeffWald]

thanx man!

[@toddcooper5781]

Blue Kit

[@JeffWald]

Thanx Todd!

[@b5mike392]

Great comparison because your recording picks up the difference. Both sound amazing and would perfect for any style of music. My favorite…… the Red - Reference

[@JeffWald]

Thanx Mike! I'm still experimenting w/ blue, having a blast. Tuned them up a little higher just to see what that's like

[@HoldenMcG]

Both kits sounds top-notch, highlighted by that great fill work-out.👏👍👏 That blue color is so rich that I think I'd prefer that over the fade/burst if I was to nit-pick. Now, the next thing is to get another kit in white to complete a red, white and blue theme!

[@JeffWald]

hahaha, I actually have my 2003 MSX Retrospec in white marine pearl that has faded over time to a nice tobacco stained look. Thanx for the input brother!

[@Pearl3Drummer]

Both sounded fantastic and would find it difficult picking one over the other. Finish wise, always been a fan of blue. Thanks for sharing!

[@JeffWald]

Thanx for checking it out! I love that they're complete opposites and I don't have to choose - I can just swap them out if I want - or even mix them together!

[@jairoperez8914]

At this high level drums, it´s a matter of personal choice instead of which one it´s the best, both kits sounds beautiful!

[@JeffWald]

Agreed. I just like being able to share b/c there's been a lot of buzz about the maple gum shells and now I can compare for folks

[@ChristopherSmithNYC]

Red for sound Blue for looks. But both look and sound AMAZINGGGG!!!! Nice mix too!

[@JeffWald]

Thanx Christopher!

[@robertreedy414]

Both stellar,toms thunderous, ike blue bass drum better. Red bd punchier, but blue nice subsonic thing goin on. Flip a coin Blu gorgeous.

[@JeffWald]

Thanx Robert! They're both great, I'm totally happy & having fun w/ both

[@ShrinkRaptor]

Those toms sound so good!!

[@JeffWald]

Thanx! I love me some Aq's!!

[@ShrinkRaptor]

@@JeffWald how would you compare them to Evans or Remo? My experience so far has been that they feel a bit more muddy. Remo tends to have a natural note with more bounce and Evans are right in between both.

[@JeffWald]

@@ShrinkRaptor Sound wise they're the same (to me) as G1s or Amb's but I love that they aren't hazy looking like those are so that I can actually see the inside of the shells. Feel wise... I think they're about the same. Last vids of Red I had clear emps on the 14 & 16 & I couldn't feel a difference, but I may not be that tuned into it