Upgrade or same?

[rossvz]

Hey everyone, I'm so excited to be on the NEW VISIONS SERIES FORUM! w00t.

Ok, so right now i have a pearl ELX export, fusion sizes. Would the VLX be a downgrade, upgrade, or basically the same kit? I was thinking of a session, which have now been replaced by the MCX series. Should i save more and go with the MCX, move to the VLX or get an entirely different kit? :rolleyes:

[44Ronin]

I think you should wait until the drums come out to make an actual physical inspection, after all , newer doesnt mean better

[maniac0796]

It's basically the same.

Mid quality birch against Poplar = the same thing pretty much

If i was you I'd save your money and buy something with a larger gap... For now, new snare, cymbals, heads....

[44Ronin]

It's basically the same.

Mid quality birch against Poplar = the same thing pretty much


Just like the Tama superstars eh? ;)

[twindrum]

Although the VCX would be a small upgrade from your ELX, I would save a little more for either the ECX or the MCX. Unless you really prefer the sound of birch in which case I'd say go with the VCX.

[Action Jackson]

I say save and go with Masters Premium. You get more options and a nicer kit all the way around. But that's just me.

[rossvz]

I say save and go with Masters Premium. You get more options and a nicer kit all the way around. But that's just me.

Yeah, this is what I'm thinking, I just wanted to see how the new Visions compared with the ELX.

[teej]

Definitely just upgrade to a higher end kit. Going from exports to the Vision is only upgrading minor things such as wood, but as maniac said earlier 'Mid quality birch against Poplar = the same thing pretty much'. Also i believe the hardware is a bit upgraded on the visions like tom arms. I presume hoops are still 1.6mm.

[Midnight Camel]

Definitely not a worthwhile upgrade, if I were you I'd consider a masters level kit for when you upgrade. or at least a NEW export (basically old SMX)

[AL PERCIVAL]

The super-high gloss UV finishes on the Vision kits are absolutely spectacular for kits in this price range.

[teej]

That does look quite hot.

[DD_drummer44]

mmmm... you can see the wood grain.... :-)

[McEvoy]

What about the ECX? Are they a better upgrade then the old exports?
And does anyone have any pics for the ECX? Haven't seen any yet.

[teej]

Only upgrade there is the wood and tom arms.

[rossvz]

so a MCX is comparable to what was a session?

[teej]

I think its closer to the masters line but at session prices?
Or was it compareable to sessions at export price? I forgot what it was =S

[Genius Switch]

I made a separate thread to debate the new Vision and ECX series. Check it out.
http://www.pearldrummersforum.com/showthread.php?p=1851846844

[corrado]

MADE IN CHINA!!!! SONOR and MAPEX BIRCH and MAPLE kits are MADE IN CHINA thats why they are so affordable, so i'm thinking who ever making the shells for Pearl are using the same wood sonor and mapex are using, but different process, sounds like being racist not really just staying away from chinese made product they dont believe in copyrights or patents and pretty will takeover the world and Americians will have to across their borders to get jobs hahahahahahah

[Son of Shub-Niggurath]

MADE IN CHINA!!!! SONOR and MAPEX BIRCH and MAPLE kits are MADE IN CHINA thats why they are so affordable, so i'm thinking who ever making the shells for Pearl are using the same wood sonor and mapex are using, but different process, sounds like being racist not really just staying away from chinese made product they dont believe in copyrights or patents and pretty will takeover the world and Americians will have to across their borders to get jobs hahahahahahah

...okay........

[AL PERCIVAL]

MADE IN CHINA!!!! SONOR and MAPEX BIRCH and MAPLE kits are MADE IN CHINA thats why they are so affordable, so i'm thinking who ever making the shells for Pearl are using the same wood sonor and mapex are using, but different process, sounds like being racist not really just staying away from chinese made product they dont believe in copyrights or patents and pretty will takeover the world and Americians will have to across their borders to get jobs hahahahahahah


Actually our shells and shell making is proprietary (exculsively and unique to Pearl Corp). We do not use the same shells or shell manufacturing process that Sonor and Mapex may or may not use.

[corrado]

Yes, I agree bout the shell construction process, but why than are they made in China cheap labor cost to compete with sonor, mapex and other drum companies that have their drums made in china.What wood Chinese, Canadian or Americian maple or birch. Dont get me wrong i really like in Pearl kit and hardware that was my first choice, but looking at the badge and seeing Made in China is just weird.

[Son of Shub-Niggurath]

There are many high-quality products made in Chinese factories.

[corrado]

Okay, such as?

[Son of Shub-Niggurath]

I've never heard anything bad about Sonor or Mapex.

[MattKeaton]

Okay, such as?

My products :D
www.zanelo.com.au
:p

[MattKeaton]

It is certainly an upgrade. Brass swivel nuts, funky lugs, new finishes, steel Vision snare drum and new hardware that you may or not prefer to the 800 series stuff that came with the Export (if that's what you've got...).

However, I totally agree with "If i was you I'd save your money and buy something with a larger gap... For now, new snare, cymbals, heads...."

I am certain I will LOVE the sound of the Vision series. The only reason I upgraded from my 1996 ELX is because I couldn't get additional toms to match - Exports are fine kits to own. So, like i said, I agree with the above. Just purchase some extra things that you dig instead of upgrading to something so similar.

Having said that, if your kit is poplar Vision would sure be something to consider, but it depends on the prices of competing and alternative products.
MD

[Son of Shub-Niggurath]

Okay, such as?

My metronome, tuner, CD-player, modem, XBox controller, and DVD-player were all made in China, and they all work perfectly well.

[corrado]

oh. you mean your local Wal-mart if you wanted to impress me with you debating skills. you can only name products not by name brand out of thousands of products china makes thats all you can think of. you dont see plasma, high def TV's and high def DVD and Blue Rays players made in china who plays X-BOX? its all Sony Playstation 3 and they're not made in china.

[hsktang]

My personal opinion is they are downgrading. A sale person from a musical store told me that they are using cheaper wood in order to compete. Also, the Vision models are make in China. I don't mean Chinese don't make good products. I am referring to the manufacturing experience rather.

[Against]

Spend a bit of cash, get an MCX.

[corrado]

EXACTLY!!!!!!!! well said AGAINST.

[Patrick_]

I'm pretty much in the same boat. I was planning on buying a Session kit, and there's actually some pretty good deals on them. But I'm not sure if I have the money to go up a line above...

[PanamaDrummer911]

oh. you mean your local Wal-mart if you wanted to impress me with you debating skills. you can only name products not by name brand out of thousands of products china makes thats all you can think of. you dont see plasma, high def TV's and high def DVD and Blue Rays players made in china who plays X-BOX? its all Sony Playstation 3 and they're not made in china.
There are thousands of more xbox users than PS3 users.

go away

your paragraphs confuse the hell outta me.

[Son of Shub-Niggurath]

Spend a bit of cash, get an MCX.

Not everyone can afford an MCX.

[AL PERCIVAL]

My personal opinion is they are downgrading. A sale person from a musical store told me that they are using cheaper wood in order to compete. Also, the Vision models are make in China. I don't mean Chinese don't make good products. I am referring to the manufacturing experience rather.

Vision is the exact specs the 1997 Starclassic Performer was (Birch/Basswood). Gretsch Catalina's, Mapex Pro-M's, DDRUM Dominion series are all semi-pro kits (like the Vision) made in China.

[Tom Reyns]

Do it like I did, make a jump from Forum to Reference. You'll notice the difference then! :p

[rossvz]

Do it like I did, make a jump from Forum to Reference. You'll notice the difference then! :p

hahaha. I'm sure. I think its weird, because the MCX is more expensive than the sessions were, so now i'm debating what to do. Its all so confusing really. :D


Btw, how did this thread turn into a Made in China Sucks thread?

[PearlDrummerMan0000]

EXACTLY!!!!!!!! well said AGAINST.

... As others have said not everyone can jump from bottom line to top. Plus go with an ECX still maple minus the masters logo.

[gra7]

Ok, so right now i have a pearl ELX export, fusion sizes. Would the VLX be a downgrade, upgrade, or basically the same kit? I was thinking of a session, which have now been replaced by the MCX series. Should i save more and go with the MCX, move to the VLX or get an entirely different kit? :rolleyes:

I don't feel there is much difference between the ELX and the VLX, except for the hardware upgrade.

You can make your ELX sound much better by putting an EMAD on the kick and clear emperors on the toms. I would also get a professional line snare as the export snare is ok but not the best.

Then save up for a kit you really want or buy some new cymbals if your satisfied with the way your ELX now sounds.

[MattKeaton]

My personal opinion is they are downgrading. A sale person from a musical store told me that they are using cheaper wood in order to compete. Also, the Vision models are make in China. I don't mean Chinese don't make good products. I am referring to the manufacturing experience rather.

I don't mean offence but your opinion is quite unfounded. + the salesperson was probably merely trying to flog stuff he had on the floor... As soon as he gets Visions in he'll probably change his story to get rid of those instead... Check em out when you have a chance you could be pleasantly surprised ;)

[skywalker2]

There seems to be a lot of, 'its just the same, different hardware'.

First off, lets analyze how big a difference 'hardware' can make. Rockstar vs. swingstar. Same shells, totally different hardware, one of them goes down as one of the best entry level kits in history, the other, well...i have no beef with swingstars, but that tom mount S-U-C-K-E-D.

Someone else said 'its just a wood upgrade.'


Um...yeah, right no biggie huh? Isn't this the essential thing that MOST affects drum sound at its most fundamental level? yes it is. In fact its one of the reasons many here say that the ecx is a bigger upgrade!

Its seems that its mostly export owners who are shunning the visions a bit, which i dont blame em its is better in virtually every way and pearl knew it HAD to be in order to stay competative.

Is the export a good kit? OFCOURSE! no one is disputing that, but very few compare the sound of their exports to rival a sessions, and apparently, the visions is just as good as that! (dont many here upgrade from exports to sessions? Then doesnt upgrading to a kit that has better hardware, lugs and shells and has a similar sound make sense?)

Yeah you could upgrade to a masters mcx, or fork out a little extra for an ecx and then spend about 300 bucks more for good hardware, but as good as the ecx sounds, its still shod with export lugs spurs and everything else, which negates the goodness of the 'i'm getting an all maple shell!' factor. The visions sound amazing, close or just about like an sbx and have brand new hardware to boot!

Not everyone has a lot of dough, and getting a kit with hardware is essential; it was ther reason i ruled out exports at one time,...i disliked the hardware, so a superstar was a 'better' buy. Now with the visions, this has changed. (not hating on the 800 series, but i personally disliked it and anything new from pearl in the hardware dept would HAVE to be a significant upgrade to be competetive, thus why i belive the 900 series is superior.)

Sure you could get a good kit for the money it would cost you to buy a visions and get new heads and some cymbals...but thats just the thing! You're getting the WHOLE thing! Not a shell pack w/out hardware, as good as the kit may be. and your still under 1k! The visions represents a VERY satisfying middle point for a lot of people.

Why buy a visions when you can get an ecx? Why buy an ecx when you get so much more from a mcx? Why not just spend a BIT more and get a full on masters!? Hell just go masterworks! its expensive but you can choose down to the nitty gritty! See what i mean? It can go on and on.

The visions IS an upgrade to the exports, its why they exist and the EX exports still exist as well.

Phew.

[Thrashed]

Excellent Post

[skywalker2]

thank you sir!

[The Dorian]

There seems to be a lot of, 'its just the same, different hardware'.

First off, lets analyze how big a difference 'hardware' can make. Rockstar vs. swingstar. Same shells, totally different hardware, one of them goes down as one of the best entry level kits in history, the other, well...i have no beef with swingstars, but that tom mount S-U-C-K-E-D.

Someone else said 'its just a wood upgrade.'


Um...yeah, right no biggie huh? Isn't this the essential thing that MOST affects drum sound at its most fundamental level? yes it is. In fact its one of the reasons many here say that the ecx is a bigger upgrade!

Its seems that its mostly export owners who are shunning the visions a bit, which i dont blame em its is better in virtually every way and pearl knew it HAD to be in order to stay competative.

Is the export a good kit? OFCOURSE! no one is disputing that, but very few compare the sound of their exports to rival a sessions, and apparently, the visions is just as good as that! (dont many here upgrade from exports to sessions? Then doesnt upgrading to a kit that has better hardware, lugs and shells and has a similar sound make sense?)

Yeah you could upgrade to a masters mcx, or fork out a little extra for an ecx and then spend about 300 bucks more for good hardware, but as good as the ecx sounds, its still shod with export lugs spurs and everything else, which negates the goodness of the 'i'm getting an all maple shell!' factor. The visions sound amazing, close or just about like an sbx and have brand new hardware to boot!

Not everyone has a lot of dough, and getting a kit with hardware is essential; it was ther reason i ruled out exports at one time,...i disliked the hardware, so a superstar was a 'better' buy. Now with the visions, this has changed. (not hating on the 800 series, but i personally disliked it and anything new from pearl in the hardware dept would HAVE to be a significant upgrade to be competetive, thus why i belive the 900 series is superior.)

Sure you could get a good kit for the money it would cost you to buy a visions and get new heads and some cymbals...but thats just the thing! You're getting the WHOLE thing! Not a shell pack w/out hardware, as good as the kit may be. and your still under 1k! The visions represents a VERY satisfying middle point for a lot of people.

Why buy a visions when you can get an ecx? Why buy an ecx when you get so much more from a mcx? Why not just spend a BIT more and get a full on masters!? Hell just go masterworks! its expensive but you can choose down to the nitty gritty! See what i mean? It can go on and on.

The visions IS an upgrade to the exports, its why they exist and the EX exports still exist as well.

Phew.

Preach