I have come across your website and I have a question concerning about my pearl MlX series drumset that I have had since 1986. Their 29 birthday is coming up and I was wondering if this line of drum is going to be or has been a collective drum kit in the current or future. I have a six piece kit minus the matching snare that I foolishly traded away a few years ago.They are all natural maple finish and have used them for years now. Recently I have purchased a pearl mmx and use it most of the time now. But with the 4 ply shell the sound just doesn't kick like the old 8 ply shells pearl produced in this series. Masterworks has these type of shells but are just too costly. I have a 10,12,13,14-18x22 and an 18" floor tom. They just rock and best of all they look just as good as they did when I bought them with a few nicks that can hardly be seen. I have the orginal mounting plate of the kick drum which i know is very rare. Usually they wear out immediatly. I have yet to find a replacement plate that size. The new ones are a different size diameter. I have kept up and used all new hardware pearl has to offer.I have not changed the hoops though,I have thought about putting die cast hoops on them. Is this a good idea or should I just leave the orginal superhoops on them. Just give me your brief thoughts an if they are positive I should take a digital photo and get an appraisal. They don't make em like this anymore.