Birch/Basswood

[twindrum]

What's everybody think of the birch/basswood shells. I really like the combo. I've had sets with all birch and birch/basswood. I actually prefer the birch basswood combo. I think that basswood, even though it's a cheaper wood, actually has some pretty decent tonal quality. I've said this in a few other threads, but I think that basswood fills in the low end and warmth that birch can sometimes lack. So you get the nice punch from birch with a little added low end. Of course I'm compairing two intermediate kits when I say I prefer the birch/basswood. I've never played a top quality masters series birch kit, but I can't wait to hear one of these vision kits.

[KickassDrummer]

If you haven't already, check out the video of Morgan Rose playing a Vision kit on the Pearl website. They sound terrific! But that aside, I think your assessment of the birch/basswood combo is accurate; this should be a fun set of drums.

[BoRn To Drum]

i recond it sounds like a session brx but thats my opinion
__MATT__

[KickassDrummer]

i recond it sounds like a session brx but thats my opinion
__MATT__

I assume you meant to say "Session SBX," since the BRX is (or was, rather) part of the Masters Series :) Yes, the Vision kit should have some of the SBX qualities, but as the OP said, some additional lows and mids due to the addition of basswood.

[JohnMuise]

my current kit is birch/basswood it sounds great, much better then popular :P

[Midnight Camel]

So i guess it's almost like an equivalent of Taye's Rock and Tourpro... can't wait to try one :)

[jaehyun89]

If you haven't already, check out the video of Morgan Rose playing a Vision kit on the Pearl website. They sound terrific! But that aside, I think your assessment of the birch/basswood combo is accurate; this should be a fun set of drums.
Really? I think it sounded really bad, but that's my opinion, I honestly think they could've made that kit sound much much better.

[Son of Shub-Niggurath]

I'd like to know how many plies are basswood and how many are birch.

[dubsnack]

I'd like to know how many plies are basswood and how many are birch.

.

[Niall McEvoy]

I'd like to know how many plies are basswood and how many are birch.
Me too, and where they're positioned in the shell, Al could you answer this?

[x A7X Drummer x]

If you haven't already, check out the video of Morgan Rose playing a Vision kit on the Pearl website. They sound terrific! But that aside, I think your assessment of the birch/basswood combo is accurate; this should be a fun set of drums.

........coming from a man who owns a ref? :p

[AL PERCIVAL]

Me too, and where they're positioned in the shell, Al could you answer this?

I'm fairly certain

toms
1 ply outer birch
2 ply inner basswood
1 ply inner birch

kick / floors
2 ply outer birch
4 ply inner basswood
2 ply inner birch

It has basically the same shell compostion the 1997 Starclassic Performer kit had before it went to 100% 6-ply birch in 1998.

And to be honest but also non-bias, I've heard them here at Pearl without the studio recording hoopla with Morgan Rose, and they sound phat and punchy right out of the box even with the pro-tone heads.

[Got_Milk]

Al, don't the toms have 6 plys? You've only got 4 there.

[AL PERCIVAL]

Al, don't the toms have 6 plys? You've only got 4 there.

ha! Simple Math ;)

Thanks! you are right! Here ya go!


toms
1 ply outer birch
4 ply inner basswood
1 ply inner birch

kick / floors
2 ply outer birch
4 ply inner basswood
2 ply inner birch

[MattKeaton]

This drum kit will kick butt. I just hate the idea of ISS mounts o_O Nor the hoops in lieu of SuperHoop II's. They aren't perceived as a replacement for the Session are they? They are really just glorified Exports more than Session replacements (sorry this question/comment has prolly been answered). But! Nothin' wrong with a beefed up Export, don't get me wrong! The birch/basswood will be awesome and if only the drum shop kept them tuned i'd look forward to hearing them :p
Cheers,
MD

[Son of Shub-Niggurath]

This drum kit will kick butt. I just hate the idea of ISS mounts o_O Nor the hoops in lieu of SuperHoop II's. They aren't perceived as a replacement for the Session are they? They are really just glorified Exports more than Session replacements (sorry this question/comment has prolly been answered). But! Nothin' wrong with a beefed up Export, don't get me wrong! The birch/basswood will be awesome and if only the drum shop kept them tuned i'd look forward to hearing them :p
Cheers,
MD

That's exactly what they are. The ECX and the MCX are closer to the Sessions than the Visions.

[MattKeaton]

That's exactly what they are. The ECX and the MCX are closer to the Sessions than the Visions.

Indeed. Thanks for the clarification :)

[Genius Switch]

anybody still confused about the differences between the new ECX maple export and the Vision series may want to read my other post.

http://www.pearldrummersforum.com/showthread.php?p=1851846699#post1851846699

[rejectedsuperstar]

honestly the wood compasition us great iv heard some say its comparable to a tama superstar if not better...cant wait till its realesed and some ppl get input on the set

[jrockdrumr]

I own a VSX in Gunmetal Sparkle kit (standard config.) and play it as a jazz/combo set w/out the 13" rack tom. I personally love the natural EQ of this shell composition! Live in smaller concert hall situations, I've actually purposely not miked my kit just to enjoy the natural tone of the shells along with my '86 World Series steel shell snare (14"x6.5"). These drums are AMAZING (for the price) and I actually prefer them to my old Starclassic maple kit in most situations. They have a lot of the same features!

[TamaDude]

My (newer) Superstar kit is birch/basswood and the kick drum is just nuts. The Accel-sized tom are punchy just not a round in comparison to some of my other kits that have deep shell depths. But still, a great wood combo for sure!

[mikey931]

I'm fairly certain

toms
1 ply outer birch
2 ply inner basswood
1 ply inner birch

kick / floors
2 ply outer birch
4 ply inner basswood
2 ply inner birch

It has basically the same shell compostion the 1997 Starclassic Performer kit had before it went to 100% 6-ply birch in 1998.

And to be honest but also non-bias, I've heard them here at Pearl without the studio recording hoopla with Morgan Rose, and they sound phat and punchy right out of the box even with the pro-tone heads.

i have to agree, i had to gig with mine without a channce to change the stock bass batter. couldnt believe the sound with a stock head!

[AL PERCIVAL]

Just click on the following link and just listen to Memphis Drum Shop's Cliff "Pee Wee" Jackson drum on a VSX birch/basswood kit. Only one overhead mic and listen how great it sounds.

http://www.memphisdrumshop.com/MDSHolidayGift/MDSHolidayGift.php


Birch/Basswood is a great combination. Great lows excellent mids with that birch EQ sound.

[Drum Rack]

I like to think of basswood as a cheap Maple.
My vision sounds terrific and the sound is unmistakable.

[nova]

That is a fine sounding kit!!!

[Akahito]

Good tone is not in the wood, it's in how well the drums are made. ;) Birch/basswood = win.

[jrockdrumr]

Hey Al, I've got a VSX in the discontinued Gunmetal Sparkle wrap, and I was wondering is there any way that I can still order an 8"x10" tom in my finish either direct from Pearl or from a dealer? I've checked with my local GC and they said I should be able to order direct from the factory? Is this right, and if so, then how do I go about placing the order?00**

[Chris_D]

Hey Al, I've got a VSX in the discontinued Gunmetal Sparkle wrap, and I was wondering is there any way that I can still order an 8"x10" tom in my finish either direct from Pearl or from a dealer? I've checked with my local GC and they said I should be able to order direct from the factory? Is this right, and if so, then how do I go about placing the order?00**

If Pearl have the drum in stock then any dealer should be able to order it for you. Perhaps send a pm to Al.

[pearlygates]

If Pearl have the drum in stock then any dealer should be able to order it for you. Perhaps send a pm to Al.
^^this^^

[AL PERCIVAL]

Hey Al, I've got a VSX in the discontinued Gunmetal Sparkle wrap, and I was wondering is there any way that I can still order an 8"x10" tom in my finish either direct from Pearl or from a dealer? I've checked with my local GC and they said I should be able to order direct from the factory? Is this right, and if so, then how do I go about placing the order?00**

jrockdrumr - please send me a PM (private message) as a reminder with VSX 10x8 gun metal sparkle in the subject line and I'll ask the factory for you. We are closed until Monday Nov 30th. Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

[Chad1200]

I love the birch/basswood combo of the VX drums.

I was doing soundcheck before a gig last year and after I was finished a drummer from one of the other bands asked if he could borrow my trigger module because his was acting up. "Triggers?" I said. "I don't use triggers." His jaw pretty much dropped. I 've gotten so many compliments on the sound of my kit. It make me feel really good that I didn't have to break the bank to get a great quality drum kit. Hats off to Pearl...I'll never play anything else.

[Akahito]

I love the birch/basswood combo of the VX drums.

I was doing soundcheck before a gig last year and after I was finished a drummer from one of the other bands asked if he could borrow my trigger module because his was acting up. "Triggers?" I said. "I don't use triggers." His jaw pretty much dropped. I 've gotten so many compliments on the sound of my kit. It make me feel really good that I didn't have to break the bank to get a great quality drum kit. Hats off to Pearl...I'll never play anything else.
Haha, great! :D I've also got countless compliments regarding the sound and playability of my VSX, as they're often used as backline on our gigs with multiple bands. I think the very best thing about the Vision series is indeed that in addition to having a reliable and durable drum kit for the road, you can also dial in pretty much any sound you like, and they deliver it 150% - quite uncommon for drums their price.