some newbie questions :)

[esu.chobo]

hi all drummers out there.

I'm planing to buy a new pearl set and don't know exactly what is the right one for me, MMX or Masterworks.

I'm looking for a mainly standard set:

22x18 bass
14x5 - 5.5 snare
10x8 tom
12x9 tom
14x11 floor tom
rack!

or something like that :)
I don't know much about the specific setting, like the (sound-)differences between 4 and 6 ply or Maple and Birch and so on. It would be nice you good help me creating a sexy set.

What would such a set cost (with hardware)?
Should i take a MMX or Masterworks?
Which Paiste cymbal set?
Does black hardware + Emerald Fade cost extra?


sorry for my bad english (i'm german) and thx for all replys,
chobo

Edit
What do you think of Chrome Yellow/Arctic White with Black Hardware? Could someone make a Photoshop pic of this colors?
And are there racks in black?
This is my old unsexy ELX set:

[Genius Switch]

Originally posted by esu.chobo


sorry for my bad english (i'm german) and thx for all replys,
chobo


Your english is better than most people on this board who aren't German.

I'm assuming that since you're considering Masterworks you have lots of cash to invest. MMX kits are sold in shell packs, you have to buy the stands and pedals seperately. A 5 piece MMX kit like you describe will run between $1500 and $2200 depending on where you shop. Masterworks will run between $2000 and $3100. Black hardware (lugs and hoops) and Emerald Fade shouldn't cost more, but you'll have to wait longer since most places only stock MMX Emerald Fade with chrome.

As far as Paistes go, trust your ears. I was very pleased with the way 802s sounded when recorded, and that's just their budget line!

[Ambion]

Hey

I'll just answer your questions in succession:

No, there are no black racks. However a can of spray paint will do just fine....just kidding, I don't suggest spray painting your rack, it might jam it up.
Pearl's website obviously does the most thorough job of explaining what each set sounds like, I suggest reading through. We don't know anything Pearl doesn't
a 14x11 floor tom? I assume that would be a hanging tom. A floor tom, at least as far as I know, implies legs.
If I were you, I would go with the masters. They really are very nice and come in all those sizes. Masterworks are when you really, really want some customization to your set. There is a sizeable price difference, so shop wisely.
Go with paiste signatures, they're without a doubt the best (and most expensive).

Hope that helps

[Fredzs]

the dr-80 is black . .

[Ambion]

Originally posted by Fredzs
the dr-80 is black . .

oo good point I completely forgot about the dr-80. Silly me.

[esu.chobo]

A 5 piece MMX kit like you describe will run between $1500 and $2200 depending on where you shop. Masterworks will run between $2000 and $3100

How do you come to $2000-$3100 ?

Bass Drum
$2.350

Snare Drum
$950

Toms
$880 (10x8)
$940 (12x9)
$1.020 (13x10)

Hardware
About $700+ ?

Cymbals
$600+

Result
$7440 !

[Butnutz]

you are lokoinf at the list price

if a drum in masterworks lists at 1500, expect to pay between 750-850 for it.
That means a 40-50% discount off of the list price.
with those sizes, id go for MMX, which should take less time, and cost you less you have more cash to invest in other equipment

[Jonathan_M]

Originally posted by esu.chobo
How do you come to $2000-$3100 ?


What ironcobra meant was $2000-$3100 being roughly the "street" price, or what you can get it for in working with your dealer. The prices in the MasterWorks pricelist here on the Pearl website are "suggested retail prices", significantly higher than what you can realistically expect to pay.

Do you have a Pearl dealer you are working with there in Germany? If so, I would pick out a kit in MasterWorks and get a price quote from them to help you decide.

[esu.chobo]

I don't have a direct dealer but im in practice at a drummer school where i can order my set and get some per cents.

What would this set exactly cost at a normal dealer:

Version 1) Masterworks: a finish i can't get on a Masters...something really creative :), chrome hardware, rack, best sounding ply/wood
Version 2) MMX: Midnight Fade, chrome hardware, rack, 4ply maple

22x16 Bass
14x5.5 Snare
10x8 Tom
12x9 Tom
13x10 Tom
14x11 Tom
any cymbalset: 14 hihat, 16 crash, 18/20 ride, 18 crash

thx for all replys

[Joey]

Dude, if you're gonna get a Masterworks, you might as well get a finish you can't get on a Masters...try something really creative. Just a thought.

[Jonathan_M]

I'm with Joey - If you're going to get a stock color, pick out the MMX, MRX, MHX, BRX you want and save some cash. If you're going to go the MasterWorks route, take some time to think about the color you want to go with. I'm sure you don't want to end up with a MasterWorks kit that is essentially the same as let's say an MMX - only you paid more and have the MasterWorks badges.

[esu.chobo]

i think like you, i'm going to get a own created finish. It was just a spontan example that i can compare the prices.

[Fixxxer]

Originally posted by Ambion
....Go with paiste signatures, they're without a doubt the best (and most expensive).



Yes, Paiste Signatures are amazing cymbals, but best is all relitive. If you have the money, get the Signature, because they will sound amazing, i have a few, they are fantastic, unbelieveable cymbals.....and the descriptions of the sounds on paistes website are dead on, they sound exactly like they say

(they aren't the most expensive, Traditional are slightly more)



but trust your ears



as for MMX vs. MW, if you plan to get the same kind of shells, they will sound VERY VERY similar (pearl uses same wood), so if you really want 4ply Maple, just decide by finish

but you can make custom plys in MW, you could put 2 maple, 2 maghony, or 3maple, 1 birch, WHATEVER! its the beauty of masterworks

about prices: you can find MasterWorks for half list price from Massmusic.net


they also have great masters prices, but they aren't half off, still goodprices though

[codi_rowe]

personaly, I would go with BRX Studio Masters. They have the most equalized sound. They have the highs and the lows. I'm tryin to save up now to get a BRX set. I think I'm gonna get them in Diamond Burst w/ Black Hardware (I know this is not an available color for BRX, but I talked to a Pearl rep. and he said I could special order it, which means 4-6 months). Although it would take a while to get my kit, we're talking about Masters, get what you want, you can have whatever you want (within reason;) ) Good luck with your decision. I HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR SET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!