Older kits.Which is best? DLX,BLX,CZX or MLX?

[Lycanthropunk]

Hi all! I'm a tad confused about older Pearl kits, and I wonder if anyone can help me. What is the difference between a DLX, a BLX and CZX Birch; and also between a MLX and CZX Maple? How do they compare to their new Masters counterparts? I'm looking for a new 4 piece at the mo, and because I can't quite afford a new Masters I thought I might try an older kit. I play metal and need something EXTREMELY loud, punchy and cutting. Which of the above would you recommend? Sorry, so many questions!!

[PADman]

Welcome to the fourm and I'm sure you'll get the answers you're seeking from more old timer Pearl players soon.

If you're lucky enough to find a used CZX kit in either maple or birch you would be buying one of Pearl's loudest mass production drum lines ever made. They had more plys and are thicker than anything offered now with the possible exception of Masterworks. The stiffness of the shells transmit more energy to the heads and hence greater volume. Good luck!

[1ordinary-guy]

Not sure about the difference between the DLX and BLX, other than the BLX had the long, one-piece lugs (like Yamaha Recording Custom) on the toms and bass drum.

The MLX looked identical to the BLX, but was the Maple version with 6 ply shells, so it would be the equivalent to today's MRX or possibly the SRX. Probably closer to the SRX because Pearl only introduced die-cast hoops in recent years and the MLX had Super Hoops.

CZX were the top-of-line Pearl in the late 80's/early 90's when extremely deep toms and bass drums were the rage, and initially were offered in only one colour; a Bird's Eye Maple finish with a rich champagne stain (slightly darker than Platinum Mist). I still remember the ads with Greg Bissonette behind the monster double-bass CZX kit showing "square-sized" toms (ie: 10"x10", 12"x12", etc). In about '92, I saw another Pearl CZX ad in Modern Drummer featuring Greg Bissonette and some other drummer indicating that Pearl was offering the CZX drums in various sizes (not just the big deep drums) and in ANY finish available in any line from Pearl. The drumset in that ad was the gorgeous Sequoia Red that Pearl used to offer and in my opinion is the most gorgeous shade of red Pearl has ever applied to a drumset. When I ordered my Masters Custom Extra (replaced the MLX, predecessor to the MRX) kit in '98, I insisted on that finish and got it!

Hope that helps... maybe someone else can help fill in with more info.

Colin

[1ordinary-guy]

OOPs! I guess I should have read the original start to this thread more carefully. Obviously you know which drums were birch and which were maple. Sorry about that! Here's what I know from my personal exposure to these various drums over the years (someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

The DLX series are the oldest series of birch drums in the list you asked about and had the old, ugly (in my opinion) pre-1987 Pearl lugs that most Pearl drumsets at that time had. The DLX were replaced in the late 80's by the BLX series, which had the long, one-piece lugs similar to Yamaha's Recording Custom. I'm not sure if there was any difference in the birch shell contruction between the DLX and BLX.

As I said above, the MLX were Pearl's equivalent to the current MRX in the late 80's/early 90's and were the best you could get from Pearl until the CZX maple came on the scene. Again, the CZX maple were all about thicker, deeper shells, ultimate projection and only one finish to begin with, but the line expanded to include Birch shells and eventually into a custom series, almost like the current Masterworks series, but with fewer options.

I'm not sure when the MLX, BLX and CZX series all went away, but sometime in the mid 90's Pearl decided to name their drum lines and the Masters series was born, along with the discontinuation of the long lugs and thick shells. The 6-ply maple shell of the MLX went away for a brief period of time when the new 4-ply Masters series maple drums came along, then was re-introduced a few years later as the Masters Custom Extra and is now just known as the MRX.

Again, someone please correct me if I'm wrong about any of the points above!

Cheers,
Colin

[Lycanthropunk]

Cheers for your help, and nice kit by the way! From the sounds of it a CZX sounds like exactly what I need!! All I've got to do is try and find one!! Is there anyone who might know where I can get hold of one in the UK?:cool:

[StixNSkins]

:eek: GEEZ! I'm surprised that nobody mentioned the good ol' Super Pro GLX series. Not too many people know they ever existed though... They were introduced in 1985 & only produced for 3 or so years. They featured 6 ply maple shells, Superhoops, and Super Gripper Lugs. The legs were hinged with a threaded brass piece, that when tensioned, kept the lug casing closed. These, I think, preceded the MX & MLX & were then produced in parallel with them for a while. The GLX's were also lacquered on the inside of the shell to match the outside finish. These were Pearl's top of the line in their day...

I 've got about 12 or so pieces in the GLX in piano black. They are a rarity & very unique. My original 7 pc. kit was bought in 85 & was sold to me by a dealer who picked them up at the NAMM show that year. So, I probably have one of the first kits ever produced from that series.

Carry on... Excuse my rant! :D

[1ordinary-guy]

Oh yeah... those GLX were sweet drums. I still remember the Piano Black double-bass kit photograph from the catalog. I think I even had it up on my wall for a while Never saw such a kit in reality though.

Those snap-open lugs were cool, but I think Pearl discontinued them because it was rather easy to loose the inserts from them when open, weren't they? I seem to remember reading that. Remo made similar snap-open lugs on their Encore series of drums, which I had before my current Masters Custom Extra kit. Would be great if Pearl were to re-introduce these lugs, even if they are heavy.... they sure made tuning and head changes quick!

Colin

[StixNSkins]

That GLX kit you're speaking of is just about identical to the one I have. I have (2) 24" kicks, (1) 22" kick, (2) 18" FT (one converted w/JG-16), (2) 13" toms, (1) 10", 12", 14", & 16" toms all in piano black GLX. I love my GLX's - they sound great!

I asked Gene Okamoto why Pearl discontinued the Super Gripper lugs & he said that they were a production nightmare because of all the little pieces, the were significantly heavier than normal lugs, and because of the tension needed to keep the casings closed & from rattling, they limited the tuning range of the drum. All valid points...

I really want to build a matching 8" tom, but can't find any Super Grippers. If anyone knows where I can pick up 10 or so of them (tom size of course), please advise!

[k_macmillan]

Lycanthropunk.

I don't know about CZX, but if you check out Drumwright they are doing some pretty good clearance deals at the moment on masters kits. Might be quite close to you as well.

http://www.drumwright.co.uk

[krackbaby]

Don't forget that the CZX series was originally called the Custom Z when it debuted in 1989 and the slogan went something like.............."for those who consider their drumming an art, welcome the ultmate canvas".

I've always wonderd though, 14 years down the track............what happens to all these top of the line drums of years gone by? Where do they all end up? They are surely mass produced but why is it that they become so rare and scarce? Try getting your hands on a Custom Z in 2003..........no chance!

[DRUMBOO]

GLX

[Hoody]

CZX. Loudest muthas on the block.

[MBJ]

Back at P.I.T. in '92 there was one double bass lab that you could book for two hours at a time. While all the normal labs had cheap Remo or Yamaha kits, the kit in the double bass lab was a Pearl Custom Z. I only got on them a few times, but they were very nice, especially if you like really thick shelled drums.

[Ron "The Sledge"]

Custom Z's and CZX's show up occasionally on eBay. Some months back there were a few of those kits offered around the same time. They're out there, you just have to be patient.
I (finally) picked up, sorry- stole my MLX kit last year on eBay. I've always had a soft spot for MLX in #114 Liquid Amber and now they are mine, all mine!!! ;) (Can we get some Daffy Duck "woo hoos" going out there?) :eek:

[Andy]

Try getting your hands on a Custom Z in 2003..........no chance!

:cool: just got one in 04

[Marc Hughes]

Don't forget the MBX, which was the precurser to the BRX; but only in 4ply.

[drummerboyskank]

ive just aquired a Pearl CXZ kit and it is beautiful.This kit used to belong to one of my major influences...Stumpy Munroe from The Almighty and it has been used to tour and for recording more than 1 or there albums!
the drum sizes are as follows
2x22 kick
1x18 floor tom
1x16 floor tom
1x13 rack tom
1x10 rack tom

they are in a black finish with a strange sparkle that is red in some lights and goldish in others.

I have to say ..this kit is absolutely amazing...it has major projection...with a dark almost sombre tone....this is any rock or metal drummers wet dream...seriously...if they dont know it yet..they would if they tried the kit!!

so whos with me???who else owns one of these bad boys??


------------------------------------------------------

www.i-def-i.com

[MARKDRUMS1]

Over the years i have owned MLX,BLX,and my current kit CZX...As far as pure volume and attack in my opinion the Custom Z can't be touched by any other drum past or present :cool:

[Thrush]

Don't forget that the CZX series was originally called the Custom Z when it debuted in 1989 and the slogan went something like.............."for those who consider their drumming an art, welcome the ultmate canvas".

I've always wonderd though, 14 years down the track............what happens to all these top of the line drums of years gone by? Where do they all end up? They are surely mass produced but why is it that they become so rare and scarce? Try getting your hands on a Custom Z in 2003..........no chance!

I just got one and it's 2005 ;) I ogt all 9 pieces of it too ;) And if I had the money I would have bought another (a third) kick drum I found on ebay and had it set up as a gong bass ;)

IMO (and I am biased cos I own one) the CZX is best. After that I probably prefer the BLX as I have a deep love for birch drums. Next to that the MLX, which is pretty much the same as my CZX just fewer plies and thinner shells.

All three lines were pretty much identical other than shell construction - all with the same lugs, spurs, floor tom leg brackets, bass hoops, steel toms hoops, etc...

I admit I do prefer the look of individual low mass lugs used on todays Masters series, but there is something about the long single piece hi tension lugs I do like at the same time.... And again, I prefer the ideology of non-pierced shells (virgin kicks and ISS/Optimounts) but at the same time, there is such a simplistic beauty to the older drums, even tho that have penetrated shells.

To clear up a point tho, the CZX, or Custom Z to give it it's full series name, was offered from 1988/89 upto about 1995, but was never a "mass produced" kit. It was a production line kit, but there were very few actually made. There was about 7 or 8 different "kit" configurations you could buy as a package, and only about 200 sets were made for each config (so I am told). You could buy add on's, but you had to prove you already had the CZX kit (proof of purchase type thing) before you could add another tom or kick drum etc, and I don't even think the snares were available seperatly. Kind of has a few references to todays MW don't you think? So even back then Pearl were playing in the "exclusive" game ;)

Later, around 1993 IIRC, (and not available to the UK market) the CZX Studio (same construction and ply's, but using birch shells, and actually called the SZX) came onto the scene with two colours available : Crimson Quartz and Champagne Quartz. Very soon after both the CZX and the SZX were given the option of stock colour laquers aswell (blue, white, black, amber, etc) and sortly after they were both series' were discontinued. I'm not sure ifthe MLX and BLX kits carried on for a while after that, or were also discontinued at the same time and the new MASTERS CUSTOM series was born as a replacement....

Click my sig for pics of my huge CZX double kick kit if your interested :)

[Thrush]

they are in a black finish with a strange sparkle that is red in some lights and goldish in others.

Your kit sounds a lot like a SZX (birch CZX kit) in Crimson Quartz - check out Andy's kit (he posted a few posts above you) as he has a CZX Studio in Crimzon Quartz.... Also Scarlet_Fade has one too....

[Suthiti]

I love my old Professional MX Series from Pearl drum, It's awesome drum always and versatile sound for any type of music

[nils]

Hi,

well, I love my old BLX from early 80's (indeed I own 2). It has a split lug design like the contemporary BRX => as you can see in my sig, I mix both series. Shell quality is equal. I switched from the old tommounts to ISS. Especially my BLX-snares (see avatar) are real killers.

The difference Between BLX and DLX is the 2 inner ply mahogany used for DLXs, while BLX are 100% birch => slightly enhanced bottom end for DLX.

All mentioned series were top of the line Pearl in former times and you can hear that. Never felt any reason to change my old drums for new, just wanted to add some small toms which weren't available in the early 80's.

And it's no wonder that you don't find so many of them on ebay. The people who own one (or more) usually don't feel any reason for a change.

[doublebass263]

mbx

[scarlet_fade]

so whos with me???who else owns one of these bad boys??


I'm with you bro...

http://www.sin-band.com/drums/czx1.jpg

[Blind Willie Watson]

.....And it's no wonder that you don't find so many of them on ebay. The people who own one (or more) usually don't feel any reason for a change.

Too true. My first and only kit was/is a DLX which my Dad bought me when I was 13 years old.... I'm now 29!! I have never felt the need to replace it as it does the job I need it for and still sounds like a top of line kit! Those 2 plys of Mahogany make a big difference in my opinion. I get an amazing kick sound!

Eventually, some day soon I will buy another kit... which will probably be a Reference; but I won't be selling the DLX! I'll be keeping hold of this beautiful piece of Pearl History.... get them in a recording studio and they sing!! :D

[Thrush]

There's a nice looking MLX/BLX combo kit on ebay at the mo... 22" MLX kick, with 12", 13", 14" and 15" hanging toms and steel FFS snare drum... Looks quite nice to me;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38097&item=7300501725&rd=1

[Thrush]

Interesting BLX kit on there too, I just found;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38097&item=7300423104&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

I'm guessing that originally it was natural finish (going on the colour of the bass drum hoops at least) and that it has been wrapped in a white marine pearl finish...

Be nice to buy that and strip the wrap off to see how good it is underneath :)