Am I missing something here?

[Bozzio868]

I was dead set on getting an MMX kit until these came out..but the thing is...whats the big deal with Reference anyway? the lugs are ugly, not that many color options...whats the hype? what am i missing here? 00**

[AL PERCIVAL]

I guess you're missing this........ read up and make yourself proud.......

http://www.pearldrummersforum.com/showthread.php?t=75205

[Just_Dan]

yeah but if you get the right stuff combination wood, colour wise your lugs will suit it andthey look like beasts.

[AL PERCIVAL]

Believe me, those new lugs look a lot nicer in person when your looking at the entire kit than from pictures.

[Bozzio868]

i like what I was reading, but I dont like the few colors I have seen..and Im into black hardware...

[Chris309]

I like the Reference Series finishes. They're very appealing for sure. But I like some of the Masterworks finishes better. And I like satin chrome a lot. But I do like what they've done with the Reference Series shell composition and bearing edges. So it's a dilemma.

I would personally buy a Masterworks in the finish I wanted with the satin hardware and the same shell composition as the Reference Series. Then I would get a professional to recut the bearing edges the same way the Reference Series are cut. Problem solved, then I'd have the best features of both series.

[Xplora]

i like what I was reading, but I dont like the few colors I have seen..and Im into black hardware...
So basically, you're complaining that Pearl didn't give YOU exactly what YOU wanted?

Pearl is a mass market instrument manufacturer. They make the best decisions they can to meet the demands of the most people. If you don't fit into that category and aren't happy, tough luck. They will make more money by restricting choice while the market decides if it will pay more for the combination woods. Remember their job is to make MONEY, not make drums, or make you happy.

The Me Generation needs to get their head around this concept: The customer is no longer right; the company only conforms to the customer's demands when it is profitable to do so.

[Roger~Me~RogeR]

He only said he was into black hardware, get a grip. If Pearl offers black hardware on Masters, why wouldn't it be profitable to offer it on Reference kits? Is there a shortage of the colour black or something?

[Ratamatatt]

So basically, you're complaining that Pearl didn't give YOU exactly what YOU wanted?

Pearl is a mass market instrument manufacturer. They make the best decisions they can to meet the demands of the most people. If you don't fit into that category and aren't happy, tough luck. They will make more money by restricting choice while the market decides if it will pay more for the combination woods. Remember their job is to make MONEY, not make drums, or make you happy.

The Me Generation needs to get their head around this concept: The customer is no longer right; the company only conforms to the customer's demands when it is profitable to do so.

Economics in a bottle. Thank you Mr. Friedman. :rolleyes:

[doomonyou]

So basically, you're complaining that Pearl didn't give YOU exactly what YOU wanted?

Pearl is a mass market instrument manufacturer. They make the best decisions they can to meet the demands of the most people. If you don't fit into that category and aren't happy, tough luck. They will make more money by restricting choice while the market decides if it will pay more for the combination woods. Remember their job is to make MONEY, not make drums, or make you happy.

The Me Generation needs to get their head around this concept: The customer is no longer right; the company only conforms to the customer's demands when it is profitable to do so.
Damn brother! I think that is the most accurate phrase I have ever read anywhere on the web! BRAVO!! :D

[brandrum]

bozzioOu81...you're missing all kinds of stuff.

[DeepThought]

Masters was only chrome at first, give Reference time. More stuff will come.

[shakermaker1983]

I would personally buy a Masterworks in the finish I wanted with the satin hardware and the same shell composition as the Reference Series. Then I would get a professional to recut the bearing edges the same way the Reference Series are cut. Problem solved, then I'd have the best features of both series.

Masters was only chrome at first, give Reference time. More stuff will come.

I agree with DT! Also, I think it will be the same with Masterworks. I believe in the future they're going to get bearing edge choice, and 20 ply snares!

Chris, I wouldn't ever have the courage to have someone cutting anything from my masterworks kit :D I'd rather wait a year to see if Masterworks get bearing edge choice ;)

[emofreak03]

Thats why he did say a pro. I would trust the guys at Pork Pie with my bearing edges. They do great work and many big name drummers use them for work like that.

[Chris309]

Thats why he did say a pro. I would trust the guys at Pork Pie with my bearing edges. They do great work and many big name drummers use them for work like that.
Yeah exactly. BELIEVE ME it would have to be someone with a lot of experience and credibility. But in the end, you'll achieve the same result, that was my point.

[shakermaker1983]

I was referring to the fact that I'd never "tweak" a Masterworks shell, no matter who does that... but that's me ;)

[Bozzio868]

that was very interesting..a person ranting on about how i should bow down before the company that was rated #1 for customer service and satisfaction, lol. im sure people would be giving the company such high ratings if they werent interested in customer satisfaction..and then i also like how a person can tell ME im missing stuff and not even have the decency to scroll back up the page 2 or 3 posts to see if he spelled my SN right, lovely. lol. However, Chris said what I was thinking about...get a MW kit in the same configurations as Ref, so I get the SOUND of Ref but the look that I want from MW...then have someone do the bearing edges the way its done with the Ref series.

[Chris309]

However, Chris said what I was thinking about...get a MW kit in the same configurations as Ref, so I get the SOUND of Ref but the look that I want from MW...then have someone do the bearing edges the way its done with the Ref series.
Yeah, I mean that's the only way at this point to achieve the same results. Until Pearl either allows the bearing edge choices on the MW or they allow the RF to be customized finish/hardware wise.

I mean, I'm not upset at Pearl at ALL for it being the way it is now. Hell, Pearl is easily one of the most customization friendly companies out there. And I'm really not talking about the "custom" companies that all use the same stock Keller shells. I'm talking about the big brands that use all thier own shells and hardware. So I think it's cool if they want to just offer the RF for a year or so as stock kits and keep the bearing edges and 20 plys shells out of the MW line for now.

But I've noticed a lot of posts here expressing displeasure over that. I think people need to calm down a bit. Let Pearl do their thing.

[Bozzio868]

I hear all of that. DT said it best..Masters started out as chrome only for hdwr..I understand that. Its a new series for crissakes, they have to get the pieces made to a certain level so they can be stocked at stores..once thats done, theyll most likely start on the colored hardware. but then theres the color issue..to me..Ive only seen a few colors from this series that i LIKE..not that id want. These all look like covered finishes..I like the whole glossy drums that you can clearly see the woodgrain through..especially the exotic woods like tamo.

[Xplora]

Give it time mate... like I've said a dozen times, the most important thing to remember is that Pearl doesn't know if Reference is going to sell. They are making possibly the most expensive "standard" line of drums in the world right now and its entirely likely that the public won't buy them because they cost too much. They will have a test run of Chrome until they can confidently start pushing the Reference line with more options. Remember the EXport black hardware "20th Anniversary" kits? Test run for a year, then they made them a permanent feature because they sold well.

I think its great that the Masterworks lugs are being made available in a lower line, even just in chrome ;)

[pelaminack]

I think you guys are right on target. Pearl's number one objective is to provide a return on investment for their shareholders. Their number two objective is to satisfy their customers.

Pearl has invested huge resources into bringing the Reference Series to market. There were huge initial outlays of time and capital. Now Pearl has to wait and see if this new product is going to sell. They need to keep their variable costs down as low as possible until they begin to repay some of the initial investment for this product line.

I'm sure that if Reference drums start selling consistently, you will see more options in the near future. For now though, Pearl has a huge chunk of capital hanging out there needing to be recouped before they add anymore costs to the equation.

[Fixxxer]

do you really NEED black/satin/gold hardware? I mean ****, i think the reference series looks classy as hell without fancy hardware, or any of that jazz...CHill guys

[Xplora]

We don't NEED Satin hardware...

but given a choice I would definitely prefer non Chrome hardware. Satin or Black Reference makes my pants tight!

[wood]

I ordered my reference kit on the first week in feb from mass music.They do most drum gear at 50% off retail.But you have to call.so I got a 20x16 12x9 14x14 14x6.5 in purple craze retail was 5000 I spent 2500 also buying from out of state I dont pay the state tax. I dont think that's too much for a drum kit this good.I won't get them till may.I talked to guys who were at the namm show and they all said these drums kill.