Pearl Masterworks Drum Set Comparison - 4 Kits Head to Head!

[@drumcenternh]

If you are interested in any of these Masterworks kits, they are available at a HUGE discount because they are demo models from NAMM! Links are in the description.

[@supmet2]

I wish I could! But unemployment here in Florida means no gigs and I'm afraid there wont be any for quite some time. I have had one gig in 4 1/2 months with no other income. All of these kits are beautiful and sound amazing. I love the comparison videos. I play a lot of different kinds of music and I'm always left wondering what some of the kits/lines with a 20" or 18" bass drum and smaller toms would sound like in a higher "jazz" tuning. I realize jazz kits don't sell as much.

[@bradleyhauser9065]

Our church will soon be looking to purchase a new set. And will be shopping around for price quotes. Could you email me the prices of kit 1,3,4 Thanks. [e-mail]

[@adamfrost8417]

@@bradleyhauser9065 hi, Bradley. The prices of the kits are in the description. Just click on the links.

[@cszetela1]

Beautiful Pearl kits.

[@jamesfoglesong8643]

Are any of these available still? Tried calling but not going thru

[@DrummerGrrrl]

"There's NOTHING you can't do with the Pearl Masterworks series..." I can't afford them, so there's one thing! LOL.

[@frankburdodrums8984]

Yea really. If I'm spending that kind of bread I'd rather have DW or Ludwig.

[@Nariji197]

@@frankburdodrums8984 Subjective.

[@frankburdodrums8984]

@@Nariji197 No fact.

[@pbldrum]

@@frankburdodrums8984 Do you mean the tubby DW? I'll take Pearl anyday. They've come a long way.

[@frankburdodrums8984]

@@pbldrum No I mean the equally priced ones. Them Or Ludwigs.

[@davidwilcox9944]

Yes!!!! Finally somebody who knows how to actually demo a kit!!! Nicely done!

[@drumcenternh]

Glad you enjoyed it, David. There's more on the way!

[@GT-fx8fd]

Yeh this guys decent unlike the bloody 'Owner' of the store who just plays shit 4 year old childrens grooves on the bass, snare and hi hat when it's a bloody drum shell review.

[@TheBeakertube]

@@GT-fx8fd why'd you put that in single quotes?

[@jamesspafford5985]

Definitely the Maple/Mahogany!!!

[@Sam_McClurg]

Exactly what I was going to say definitely has more punch to it

[@ramencurry6672]

It really depends on the style of music. With some styles, you want less aggressive and more mild sounding Tom Toms. With other styles, the opposite.

[@aaronspektor2624]

15 yrs ago I ordered a MW kit in yellow metallic laquer w black hardware. After debating I ordered it in the Reference wood combinations. Birch maple in small toms and maple mahogany in the floors. Its the best combo there is.

[@ThruAWiderLens]

Love the sound of the birch gum kit. And that Shimmer of Oz finish is outrageous!

[@frankspikes7858]

It's almost too pretty to play. Lol

[@tommytruth7595]

@@frankspikes7858 The word "pretty" does not come to mind.

[@frankspikes7858]

@@tommytruth7595 How about lovely? Lol

[@wenosaracheno3942]

The birch mahogany was amazing!

[@susanmaggiora4800]

Owen Saraceno Yeah, I thought they sounded the most ‘classic’ of the group.

[@The-LongRoad-Home]

Excelsior 🙌

[@oldmanhendo7183]

It’s birch/gum. And there was also a maple/mahogany. Came back to edit my comment. I didn’t get to the last kit yet, birch/mahogany lol

[@wenosaracheno3942]

@@oldmanhendo7183 that’s fine! No sweat

[@jasonconnolly6085]

Both the maple/mahogany and birch/mahogany sound like they feel amazing to lay into. "Buttery slice" as Shane would say haha. That kick on the birch/gum is ridiculous though. Hard to pick a favorite here but I think for the way I play I like the birch/mahogany.

[@masoudkeramat2796]

This Is The Closest That I Can Get to this kits, so thank u!

[@dreamdrummer01]

Maple/Mahogany for me!!!! So sweet 👍

[@drumcenternh]

Good choice!

[@jeromelester8]

It's the perfect ratio between punch, warmth and clarity.

[@dougryrie]

Maple/mahogany all the way. Great video 🙌🏻

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks, Doug. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@adrianpunga1998]

Maple/Mahogany anyday! Such an amazing combo! thank you for putting the time and effort into this video guys.

[@drumcenternh]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@DavidEpstein]

These all sound incredible, but that birch gum kit is my favorite.

[@curtishinkle7885]

shimmer of oz, birch, mahog is my fav!!!! ITS BEEEAUTIFUL!!!!

[@pfunnk14]

The birch/gum kit is the best IMO. But if you gave me any for free I wouldn't complain. 🤷‍♂️

[@fubar1217]

Agreed. To me, it has better sustain and a nice round tone.

[@igorstankovic3275]

me too, only i thing birch mahogony bass drum sounds best, but all in all birch/gum.

[@billyrhythm]

Interestingly, that's the one I liked the least.

[@davidquintero6887]

Exactly, and usually this is a very sensitive topic. At the end is a matter of taste. Pearl is actually, putting allot of the Masters Series, but leaving the huge gap on the birch. I own an old Master Studio, with the Diecast hoops, full birch. Dud, any ware, any time, at the studio, recording, live, the sound is huge, deep with attack. It can be tune flawlessly, and the hardware respond perfectly, even it has around 15 years.

[@paistefever]

Anything involved birch, to me, is always has that extra bite of awesome :)

[@Drumming-Life]

I love your high end kit reviews. No other drum shops produce this content. As a young drummer, I only dreamt of the day that I could buy drums like the one’s showcased in your videos. Now that has changed, I will buy from the one store that provided priceless insight to which kit best suits my style, Drum Center of Portsmouth! Love you guys and look forward to doing business with you soon.

[@drumcenternh]

Thank you. We appreciate your support!

[@EricWilliamsDrums]

Maple/mahogany really stood out, if I had to pick one that’d be my choice. They each have a specific profile which was really cool to hear in the comparison of kits in this range side-by-side. The maple/gum sounded great as well as the birch/mahogany. Floor toms and kicks were amazing and the 12’s were solid but I could pretty much do without the 10’s for each of them. Could be the room or tuning but they all sounded like they didn’t quite belong or fit in with each recipe from a tonal perspective. Overall these are amazing kits, if you have an opportunity to get one, do it!

[@ramencurry6672]

Pearl means quality. It’s the drums pros use.

[@cszetela1]

They are all gorgeous. My favorite is the natural finish Maple/Gum.

[@sarahmeghan5529]

Pearl really invaded my dreams with that "Shimmer of Oz" kit!

[@bradleyhauser9065]

I like the tone of the Maple/Mahogany on the floor Toms but like the tones on the Birch upper Toms . This was a big help.

[@aaronspektor2624]

Order them in “reference” series shell combos its perfect

[@jesuslebron9421]

For me the Birch/Gum had the best sound...Deep tight and a beautiful tone!

[@michaelmalodrums9674]

Love the birch mahogany the best ! Nice attack but also rich and deep tones !! And the bass drum was the fullest sounding 👍🏼

[@rylieriley]

Great demo! I've seen so many drum kit demos where the drummer spent 90% of the time playing snare and cymbals and I didn't get to hear what the toms sounded like. It can be frustrating. The drummer in this video made sure he played the toms a lot, which I really appreciate. That's how a kit demo should be done.

[@drumcenternh]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheDrumphile]

I'm a life-long Pearl guy, so thanks for this! I've become a bit of a maple-snob, so I wasn't surprised that I liked the maple-mahogany and maple-gum best! I thought I'd prefer the maple-gum more, but with those heads and hoops I think I liked the maple-mahogany just a bit more. Would love to see a video of the effect of FatTone Hoops vs. SuperHoops vs. DieCast Hoops on some of those toms. Especially Maple-Gum or Maple-Mahogany.

[@aaronspektor2624]

Maple gum w diecast will give you Grestch but netter tuning control and hardware and finish

[@hanahan88]

I can't stop watching this video with my headphones on! WOW WOW WOW!!! I have 4 Pearl kits Reference, Reference Pure, Masters Maple, Masters Birch...these Masterworks kits are all SUPERB examples of Pearl's quality and attention to detail. My favorite was probably the Maple/Mahogany but I'd take any of them. I LOVE that Shimmer of Oz...BLING BLING BABY!!! I will say, for ME, I love the Reference Pure shell recipe the best. Thanks guys for another great video. I watch them ALL!!!! Kudos from Nashville!

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks for watching, Danny. We appreciate you.

[@marcusbrown87]

Maple Mahogany and Maple Gum amazing! Gotta love Mahogany

[@shawncartwright338]

Great comparison! My ears kept coming back to the Birch/Gum kit! It sounds the most 'interesting' to my ears. The Birch/Mahogany kit was probably a close second... Thanks for making this vid!

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks for watching!

[@Dicastdemon]

Love that sound of the last kit. There all very nice

[@learnngwell]

You guys always have the best reviews. Thank you!

[@Vefanian]

+1

[@drumcenternh]

Glad you like them Stephen!

[@Customwinder1]

The Birch Gum stands out for me. Not only does it sound great but that finish ! It looks great Thanks for the video guys 👍

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks for watching!

[@richs8404]

My favorite was the Birch/Mahogany set. Great video!

[@drumcenternh]

Good choice!

[@TrackDrums]

Birch/Gum kit. Great sound! 👍

[@paistefever]

Amazing demo, guys, as always! I'm a birch guy, so birch ones sound to me, the best :)

[@mediumstudio]

all great kits - both of those sparkle finishes are amazing!

[@billbobaggins801]

Birch/gum! Amazing sound and all I need is my Paiste 2002s and holy ........well!!!!!! Well done Pearl.....

[@RTEllis]

Another job well done!!! I'm actually partial to the birch/gum kit! I was surprised by how good that combo sounds! That 60 degree edge on the bass drum shook the walls when I cranked the home theater sound! Super job DCP amigos!

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks so much Rusty and good choice!

[@erikondrums]

The Maple Gum is my bag. But I was surprised by the sheer vintage vibe of the Maple Mahogany! Great video!

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks, Erik. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jamespenney9375]

Birch/Gum sounds amazing...love the attack of birch drums. They all sound great.

[@Handsome_Ry]

Maple/Mahogany was unbelievable, those small Toms WOW!

[@timlovegrove1097]

Love the Primus "Making Plans for Nigel" snippet in there - that EP has one of my favourite drums sounds ever on it!

[@adamfrost8417]

That's Herb. Herb the ginseng drummer.

[@BobbyJetty1502]

Herb Von 20x20 kickinstein. I've stolen so many licks from him in the early 90's I should be doing 25 to life!🥁🙈🙉🙊

[@jmart9414]

I'm just beginning to play ... Yeah I'm quite late in learning but found this most excellent example of Pearl descriptions and sets.Thank you so much. My kit has a Pearl Kick and floor tom. It's a 5 peice and has various other pieces. Just purchased a snare: 14 x 6.5 and thats ok for now. This is so helpful you'll never know.👏👏👏Big thanks!

[@drumcenternh]

Glad it was helpful!

[@willrockdesigns]

One of these days! Wow they sound good. Great job.

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks!

[@dancalabrese3523]

A tie between the Maple/Mahogany and the Birch/Gum, which just sounded so unique, but maybe I was listening with my eyes to that kit.

[@edwardk3]

I feel the same!

[@Severen45]

I think I prefer the Maple/Mahogany and Maple/Gum the most. But all four sound fantastic.

[@anihorvath]

Thank you DCP for always giving us these amazing videos. I would love to hear individual tom notes more often so i can get a good understanding of the different flavours of the kits!

[@henriquepaff]

Maple/Mahogany is the best. The sound is perfect 😍😍😍

[@PercyTP5161]

I've always preferred maple kits, but damn,that birch/mahogany sounds incredible!

[@drumsandstix128]

They all sound top quality, my preference though is the birch gum mix. Thanks for making this vid it’s great to hear them all!

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks for watching!

[@b.p.879]

I'm a birch man and I really love thode last two!

[@WoodenMinds]

Birch/Mahogany was photo finish 1st place, closely followed by the Maple/Mahogany. I like the Maple/Gum in 3rd. As for snares, 1st place would be Maple/Mahogany and 2nd place Birch/Mahogany. Thanks, this is a fantastic video, just like the others!!!

[@drumcenternh]

We appreciate you watching. Thanks!

[@GunnerCustomGuitars]

Last kit sounded the best!! Birch/Mahogany, beautiful!!

[@timothymckenna1702]

Awesome video and absolute stunning sound and looking kits!

[@drumcenternh]

Thank you kindly!

[@mrnburcham]

Great demo. I gotta tell you the mahogany is the business! Sets one and four.

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks, Nick!

[@hedusoto6076]

You should put a WARNING LABEL at the beginning of the video: if you watch this, you may have the urge to set your current not professional set on fire.

[@drumcenternh]

Haha! Noted!

[@BobbyJetty1502]

AWESOME 🤯🤘

[@ramencurry6672]

Non pro kits are excellent sounding. It’s just that they tend to be weaker in build quality. If you’re not a touring musician, it doesn’t matter too much.

[@jamesfoglesong8643]

Geezus i love that birch gum! Shimmer has always been my fantasy finish

[@its.mikebro]

Maple mahogany is just amazing. Wow.

[@drummaman1]

Nice video, as usual, guys! 1. Maple/Mahogany 2. Maple/Gum 3. Birch/Mahogany (bass drum especially) 4. Birch/Gum (snare sounded nice) The sound differences are razor thin, any kit would sound fantastic in studio or on stage. I know Shimmer of Oz finish is not everyone's cup of tea, but I had the chance to be at NAMM in 2007 when they first introduced that finish, but with gold plated hardware. Every time you passed by the Pearl booth, your eye was drawn to that finish like a magnet! There was another finish, I don't know if they still produce it: black base with multi colored "holoflake" Rainbow Holoflake finish? Am I completely off? That finish is also amazing. Cheers!

[@ryanspeed4671]

Very nice video. Maple/Mahogany was my favorite and I loved the shimmer finish awesome!!

[@frankburdodrums8984]

Coming from a totally non biased perspective the winner is : The Maple/Mahogany set. That's what sounded the best to me. I've never liked or owned any Pearl drums so that's an honest opinion.

[@billyrhythm]

The mahogany sandwiches were my favorite, then the maple/gum. The only one I didn't really care for was the birch/gum. I also want to mention I appreciate the end of these videos where you go through each drum from each set. It's easier to compare that way.

[@drumcenternh]

Glad you enjoyed it, Billy. Thanks for watching.

[@jabezscratch]

They all sound amazing but I thought that the maple/mahogany set (first one) really stood out in that the sound was richer and deeper but still with some higher end pop to the toms. I have a Pearl Reference set (original not Pure) with a similar hybrid of woods (maple and mahogany) and it sounds similar to this set. Great video!

[@drumcenternh]

Thank you and great points!

[@robinjohnson6301]

For me the maple/mahogany is the best - it sounds the most full. Usually I don't care for 14" floor toms as I find them lacking in low end but the maple mahogany drum seemed to hold up pretty well! Though out of the snares, I liked the maple/gum the most.

[@andyham6094]

I’ve never liked 14 floor toms either till I got my starclassic Bubinga that came with 14x12 and 16x14 floor toms and with that kit I prefer the 14 over the 16 now. But I’ve played a lot of maple and birch kits with 14 inch toms and it def didn’t have enough low end. The bubinga offers the low end while having insanely good response and rebound.

[@bgp4923]

Primus version of "Making Plans for Nigel"! Nice touch. And great videos!

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks!

[@Bcwilderness]

spending decades recording drums its testament that good quality at source is vital for detail, its the diff from say using a ksm32 mic then switching up to an earthworks or shoeps for detail, we try to mix and control transients and internal dynamics as drummers but great kits the right head and stick envelope the player into the journey through a song way better when you have the best tools, long live the art and amazing stores like this, cheers guys

[@drumcenternh]

Cheers! Thanks for watching.

[@christopherdonegan1631]

I like them all, of course I do! but if pushed I would go for the Birch/Mahogany kit.

[@drumsandstix128]

Loved the green birch gum mix sounded great!

[@slavicharrystyles6914]

The Birch Mahogany was so unique. Loved the Maple Mahogany too. Sounds beautiful.

[@dmitrybogatsky1734]

Maple/Mahogany and Birch/Mahogany are the best :) first for funk, Fusion second for hard rock etc.

[@DustyCowdog]

That OZ sparkle has quite a unique quality to the look. I really dig it. But I dig them all. You folks are some dang good drummers.

[@drumcenternh]

Why thank you!

[@drummerbhoyshug]

To my ears it's the Maple/Mahogany 👍

[@Assimilator702]

Great compare guys. Pearl is really kicking up their game with the hybrid wood concept even though they’ve been doing it for longer than any company. They just don’t use it as much in a marketing angle as other companies. If I wasn’t a Tama diehard I would be playing Pearl.

[@tbsschiro1393]

I like the first set best. but im blown away by the birch gum set up!

[@DrumsJulz]

Maple/Mahogany for me and the maple/gum snare. Killer sound! Great sounding drums and superb video as always, kids! As it seems, i'm not alone in love with the maple/mahogany. Cheers from Brazil!

[@drumcenternh]

Cheers, Julz! Thanks for watching!

[@davidsuprenant893]

I've owned a ref. Kit and the quality and sound are phenomenal. I would love to own a masterworks kit especially at the prices listed here.Simply amazing. GREAT DEAL.WOW.!!! I paid more for my ref. Kit 5 years ago.

[@JulianFernandez]

You guys have the comparison video thing DOWN! Thx

[@drumcenternh]

Our pleasure!

[@richroth93]

Yeah the Maple/ Mahogany- oh man! Guess I know how to spend that cash when I finally give up the Harley. But for now I’ll endeavor to preserve with my exports.

[@DynamiteKid1224]

Birch/ Mahogany for me! Love it!

[@frankie_CALB]

To my ears and for my $$$, I’ll take the Birch/Mahogany all day!!!! 😱🔥😱🔥

[@cszetela1]

The Maple-Gum is my favorite with the matching snare drum.

[@petermasalsky8844]

Great job, guys. Just can't do that "Shimmer Of Oz" finish, though. I know some people will love it, and power to them.

[@susanmaggiora4800]

Peter Masalsky I really like it, but I think it’s cause I was just imagining how crazy it would look under lights.

[@Assimilator702]

Peter Masalsky Pearl does some of the best sparkle finishes in the business. Tama was doing great sparkles from 2006 to 2014ish but they almost abandoned them in the last few years.

[@petermasalsky8844]

@@susanmaggiora4800 You like it because you like it! You don't need any other reason. But it would be interesting to see them under stage lights!

[@petermasalsky8844]

@@Assimilator702 Got it! I've just never been a big fan of sparkle finishes. I'm glad you like it.

[@Tomtamo1]

Love the maple/mahogany kit !!!

[@greandre68]

Birch Gum , had the tone and body that I would love to play.

[@themadmaddrummer]

Tony's getting better !!! sounding good. The Birch Mahogany kit surprised me. Sounded Awesome !!

[@drumcenternh]

Thank you sir!

[@corbinmcelroy1640]

First/second time watcher (just found this channel like 10 mins ago lols). First I have to say you guys are awesome musicians and make these kits sounds great, no matter what kits you play. I like the kits that go more towards the maple direction. Cant explain it but they just sound better to me. But I love the sound of the Tom's on all these kits. Keep up the awesome work guys. I'll definitely be doing a deep dive of your channel

[@drumcenternh]

Welcome and thanks for the kind words!

[@Lovelystevie]

I would choose Maple/birch rack toms and snare, Maple/mahogany floor tom and bass drum… Thanks for the great demo !

[@bogartsandoval]

Honestly, these Pearl Masterworks Recipes and the Tama Star line got to be some of the best sounding drums in the world.

[@inmemoryofin]

The Maple/Mahogany had just about the most perfect bass drum sound I've ever heard.

[@epdrummers]

🔥🔥🔥

[@user-su3ec2lh7c]

hearing the making plans for nigel drum intro from XTC at 0:27 was a nice surprise, as im a nigel myself :D and that sparkly green kit! my god, its beautiful, im guessing the name is a reference to the wizard of oz? SUCH a classy kit

[@supmet2]

I liked them best in reverse order from last to first. That being said my fave snare drum was from the second kit...the 5.5x14 maple. For me that's unusual because my favorite size is usually 6.5x14. The Mahogany bass drum (1st kit) was my fave.

[@tmaddrummer]

Birch Mahogany..... My Oh My! Then Birch Gum...... Then Maple Gum........ and lastly, Maple Mahogany...... and the Shimmer of OZ is oh so fine! Happy Independence Day DCP! Thanks and Blessings! (After careful consideration, I love them all)

[@doublea7054]

All kits rock! Birch/gum is my favorite

[@susanmaggiora4800]

double A Same. Although I didn’t like the snare quite as much as a couple others. I’m still trying to decide if i wasn’t persuaded by the finish🤣

[@mellifluousfable]

Yep.. Birch gum for me too. I don't think it was the finish because I went back between that and the final hybrid with the same finish and still like the BG the best over the BM. All lovely kits though! 👍

[@doublea7054]

Word Pearl 6 ply with reinforcement rings to boot... There's something to that

[@ianvjones]

Love the Gum combos. Hard to pick between the Maple or the Birch though

[@ezequieldaponte5346]

Maple/Mahogany!

[@BayouMaccabee]

Nice transition music...I always loved that drum intro for the Primus cover of the XTC song "Making Plans For Nigel". It's on the cool Primus EP named "Miscellaneous Debris".

[@drumcenternh]

You have excellent taste.

[@warrenbass66]

Either of the Birch’s sound best to me but especially the Birch/Mahogany! Would have loved to have heard that kit with a 14” deep Bass Drum instead of the 18” though. Great review.

[@junkandcrapamen]

Oh man that green kit is a beauty.

[@RazeTheWeak]

Maple/Gum for me. They had a brighter sound and the kick had more attack than the rest. Thanks for doing this!

[@jorgerodriguez7043]

Maple/Mahogany, nice, love it!

[@borispopovic2570]

Birch/Gum had a really nice clear, musical and yet rich and deep tone...except the bassdrum interestingly...there i prefer the maple ones, i guess magle/gum the most. But they all they sound great in the end! It seems to me, that DW and Pearl are soundwise closer to eachother than others Brands to DW. Even though, it's definitely not the same Sound. It's just a matter of Taste in the End. Great and enlightening Video, thx!

[@cobra1995xx]

I couldnt really pick lol.. they all sound awesome for tiny little different reasons 🤘

[@drumsavvy8224]

Would love to sit down and talk drums with you Shane..you guys are the best..love your channel.