Search
Register
Only Admins can see this message.
Data Transition still in progress. Some functionality may be limited until the process is complete.
Processing Attachment, Gallery - 137.68685%

Vintage Pearl Snare or Not??

Posts: 234 Threads: 85

I ended up with this snare as part of a BOP kit I recently purchased and really don't know much about Pearl Drums. It says "All Maple Shell" but then Made In Taiwan. Some people had thought it to be the first series of what became the "Masters" drums, probably from the late 80's early 90's.

I took it apart and cleaned it all up and noticed that it is a high gloss piano type finish on the shell and the interior is clear coated maple. The snare is a bridge type with adjustments on both ends, and 10 lugs. It appears to have quite a few plies of maple making up the shell.

I have tried looking at the older Pearl catalogs on line but cannot find it.

Any help would be appreciated, as I probably will sell the thing and have no idea what to even call it, let alone what it might be worth. I would keep it but I am "way" over snared right now, as the thing sounds pretty sweet.

The owner of the kit I purchased said he got it from some studio as part payment years ago. I am a Rogers guy and have no clue about Pearl drums.

I have attached a couple of photos and also a link to more, showing before and after disassembly, cleaning and polishing.

http://www.pbase.com/nopork/pearl_snare

Thanks

Posted on 11 years ago
#1
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

Nice drum!

All maple shell, eight ply I think. Pearl 'super hoops' were standard, but the decals may be gone now...

Late 80's- early 90's vintage. "MLX" series if I remember correctly.

There is a MLX kit at Sam Ass near me right now in a bright/cobalt-ish blue lacquer finish (and the faux high-tension lugs) that looks like a new kit. I had to ask the guys because I thought it was a re-issue kit or something! (same badge)

Great sounding drums but not my cup of tea. Don't let the Taiwan badge fool you- look at the quality of drums out there now from that part of the world. These were probably the best drums coming out of Taiwan at the time!

I would think a couple hundred would not be out of line for that drum; maybe more to the right buyer. 10 lugs and sensitive snare adjustment both point to a higher-end drum, if the all maple shell was not a big enough clue... The black color makes it an easier sell since it will blend with any kit.

I bet the rim shot is especially nice and woody on that drum!

Cobalt Blue Yamaha Recording Custom 20b-22b-8-10-12-13-15-16f-18f
Red Ripple '70's Yamaha D-20 20b-12-14f
Piano Black Yamaha Recording Custom Be-Bop kit 18b-10-14f
Snares:
Yamaha COS SDM5; Yamaha Cobalt Blue RC 5-1/2x14; Gretsch round badge WMP; 1972 Ludwig Acrolite; 1978 Ludwig Super Sensitive; Cobalt Blue one-off Montineri; Yamaha Musashi 6.5X13 Oak; cheap 3.5X13 brass piccolo
Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 234 Threads: 85

Thanks for the information, I figured it was a fairly high end snare. The previous owner never really used it that much he said, and it was filthy when I got it from sitting uncased for years. No rust or pitting though so the dirt must have kept the rust at bay.

There is a "Super Hoop" decal still on the snare side hoop, the top one is the same kind of hoop but no decal.

It does have a killer rimshot.

Posted on 11 years ago
#3
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

I generally don't go for 'deep' snares myself, but have recently been eying a 13X6.5 snare drum...

Anyway, nice drum there. I'd probably keep it if I was into it for short cash, but if times were tough it would be gone long before any of my other snares...Hmmmm

Of course I say that but don't own it- something else may be kicked off the island if I had this.

Cobalt Blue Yamaha Recording Custom 20b-22b-8-10-12-13-15-16f-18f
Red Ripple '70's Yamaha D-20 20b-12-14f
Piano Black Yamaha Recording Custom Be-Bop kit 18b-10-14f
Snares:
Yamaha COS SDM5; Yamaha Cobalt Blue RC 5-1/2x14; Gretsch round badge WMP; 1972 Ludwig Acrolite; 1978 Ludwig Super Sensitive; Cobalt Blue one-off Montineri; Yamaha Musashi 6.5X13 Oak; cheap 3.5X13 brass piccolo
Posted on 11 years ago
#4
  • Share
  • Report
Action Another action
Something else here