My 1st Post - Need Advice Buying 1980s MMX/MLX Pearl Kit - Please Help !

[RudimentalDrummer]

Hi everyone.

My friend wanted to sell me his Black Coloured 6pcs MLX/or MMX (I'm not sure) but it's a 1980s Something Kit for USD730.00.

So-called 6pc is actually 5pc because the Kit only has Pearl Original MMX/MLX

1 10" Tom
1 12" Tom
1 13" Tom
1 16" Floor Tom
1 22" Bass Drum
1 Pearl Hi-Hat Stand
1 Pearl Cymbal Stand
1 Camco Foot-Pedal (?????)

But for the snare I have to choose between a Ludwig or Yamaha. I asked him "How come the Entire Kit don't have the Original Pearl Master Snare Drum"...He told me "When I ordered this Kit - I did not ordered the Snare with it and it really cost me USD3000 back then in eg 1985".

Dear forumers...Is he telling me the truth (About The Original Pearl Master Snare don't comes with it) and (Original Price he had Paid back then in 1980s something for this Kit)

I do not know the condition of this Kit but he used it for playing live in a club and recording purposes.

About this Pearl 1980s MMX or MLX Kit - My friend said it's a Professional High End Kit but there are 2 version. If it's a Laquer One (it's better) compared to a Laminated Type.


Please help, as I really knows nothing about Pearl Drum Kits and I had never own one. I currently have (1) a Gretsch Catalina Jazz Kit (2) a 1982 Yamaha 5 Series Stage in Mint Condition - which I'm keeping....But

I have to sell my 9pcs Yamaha Stage Custom (Make In Japans ones - 1997 Last Batch) to have this 1980s Pearl MM something Drum Kit. Me wify don't allow me to keep more than 3 Kits, so I have to let go one Kit.

Thank you all and appreciate your kind & value advice before I buy or not to buy this Pearl Kit by this week...

PS: - Do you all have pics of this Kit for me to view, so I know I'm getting what he is going to sell me is correct ...Thks again

Rudi aka Eric

[Base]

If the kit is dating from the 80s it must be (in my opinion) a MLX (if it´s laquered). I don´t remember the name for the wrapped model. I own one and have played it foe many years. You should find plenty of pictures of these kits in the MLX/BLX thread !It was the best quality Pearl offered back in those days! And since the stage customs are more of beginner/intermidiate level kind of drums (and since I´d always take Pearl over Yamaha ;) ) I´d gladly throw them out of the window if that ment I could replace them with a MLX!!! :D
If they are in good consition I strongly recommend buying them! You´ll be amazed at how they´ll blow your other drums away!
Good luck

[lavo]

What is on the badges? If they say "Pearl Masters Custom", they would have to be MMX, Masters originally was the 4ply MMX. They came out I believe in the early 1990's.
If the badges say "Pearl All Maple shell" they are the 6ply laquered MLX or covered MX series. Black was offered in both lines, as laquered piano black #103, or covered jet black #31. More info than you need eh?
Either way, make sure you know what your getting. If they are that old and he played out they would have to be rather beat up.
Good luck.

[Piksel]

for 800$, all that stuff is pretty good for a Masters kit.

IF it is a masters kit. MAKE SURE It's a masters kit. Tell him to take pictures of the badges.

A masters would run you a pretty penny, nowadays.

[lavo]

If it's from the 80's I don't think it's a masters kit.