Old is New?

[Jez]

Please let me know your thoughts on this. I'm a bit worried about all the marketing that goes into selling a new series of drums. I've been drumming 17 years now and following the development of drums in that time. What I've seen seems to add up to silly marketing in order to sell trends and "technology" to the latest generation of drummers not old enough to know better. Case in point - Pearl Reference drums.
First of all - rounded bearing edges - I have a late 70's swingstar 8X12" tom with rounded edges. Throughout the years, we have been told that the 45degree double cut edge or whatever "sharp" edge allowed the head to seat properly, the head to resonate etc. I have more trouble getting heads to sit nicely on my Omar Hakim snare and my Sensitone steel than on my beginner's swingstar tom. In terms of sound, maybe Pearl has the right idea, but it took 30+ years and a custom drum building program to learn this?

Thick shells/thin shells - First the was MLX, a relatively thin shell (beautiful drums), then the CZX, heavy and very thick (Sonor competitor?). If you read the literature at the time it explains how and why the thick shell is superior. Several years later the MMX appears, thin 4 ply shells with reinforcing rings in the manner of the "vintage" drum. Beautiful drums too. Old suddenly = better? Shortly thereafter, the Masters Custom Extra, which eventually becomes the MRX reappears, featuring shells of similar design to the MLX. Which leads to the question "why was it ever discontinued to begin with?" Was the thin MMX shell really not what drummers wanted at the time or did Pearl shoot themselves in the foot by advertising the thin shell as superior when perhaps some didn't think so? Hopefully, it was just a matter of Pearl wanting to offer more options.

Deep toms, shallow toms, xtra accel fast quick toms - Shallow toms good, deep toms good, shallow good, deep good no lets try making them in between sizes and call them whatever synonym for "fast" that hasn't been trademarked by another company. Again, did it really take that long for someone to figure it out? Same goes for deep kicks, remember people trying to connect two 24" kicks to make monster cannons? Alex Van Halen? Is the two extra inches really worthy to be dubbed "innovation"?

I'm not trying to insult Pearl or accuse them of false marketing, as I've played all of the kits mentioned except the Reference series and they are all amazing drums. However, I find it annoying when drum series A that had nothing wrong with it is suddenly replaced by a newer series B which is accompanied by literature that seems to dispel the entire design theory used to sell series A. After all, Gretsch seems to have retained it's legendary reputations (yes they have had very lean times too) with minimal shell alterations. I'm a big fan of choice, but I feel it is misleading to younger players when advertising says that the newest is the best, especially when the newest turns out to be the oldest thing under the sun. I also feel that perhaps it is repsonsible for a lot of the threads that turn into heated arguments over whether "Pearl is better than brand x" or "is the grade a maple in Masters better than the Maple in Sessions" to "I'm getting my first kit, should I get Export or Masterworks?" I never heard any complaints from players of MLX, MMX etc and certainly never heard anything wrong with those drums on famous recordings or live shows. In fact the only negative things that I've heard about any drums have been in the consumer aftermath that followed the publicity surrounding said drums' successors. "Those drums? No rubbish, look the new series has hand machined stainless steel tension rod receivers" I'm exaggerating of course.
Drummers, especially the younger ones seem to trust the hype a lot more than their own ears. I'm only 27, but I'd rather hear the grizzled old veterans talk about when Ludwig and Gretsch were kings rather than listen to talk about air filled tom legs, self muffling vented heads and S.U.S.P.E.N.S.I.O.N (tm) mounts. What does everyone think?

[bisonplayer]

Well said!

Pearls ad campaign did kinda make it seem like they were saying that the rest of their drums were crap...

[Thrush]

Every company does this tho. Take Persil washing powder. They come up with this new powder/liquid and say it is just simply the best ever. 2 months later they have a new one out and automatically the previous one becomes rubbish and not worth looking at let alone buying. Marketing is all about, well, marketing!

Choosing what is best for you tho, is a complete different story! And thankfully Pearl continue to make us such a wide variety of drums for us to choose what it is we want...

Now I liked the MLX and I like the Masters MMX etc, but I bought a CZX cos thats what I like best. If I prefer a reference over it in the future - maybe I will buy on of them - it is all about personal choice and preference ;)

[grypmatthias]

Good thinking there! But hey, intelligent people know how the world works - companies have to sell their stuff, we should buy it. But if we know this, we can take it into account when we want to buy drums.

I for exaple, find it quite an intersting idea that the birch masters are much cheaper than the maple ones. If I buy a new drumset in the future, I will be sure to check them out: maybe I will like how they sound even more than the maple ones, and why shouldn't I buy these, then, right?

[fastprof]

I salute Pearl's effort to try something new (well old idea, fresh approach). When manufacturers try something different they gamble on capturing more market share, or a new market all together. We are the winners if we don't fall for every "run it up the flag pole and see who salutes" product that comes along. Gimmics and fads come and go, but because of ideas that not only work, but sell, the real innovations stick around. Manufacturers make money, win market share and reinvest into their products and their customers. You cultivate your market, and service their needs by being sensitive to changes in that market. I think Pearl has done just that, and have reaped the rewards of their success.

As for the gimmic of the week manufacturers: They are only selling what the public are buying. ;)

[insane65]

First off Jez, I enjoyed reading your post. After reading it I picked up the current Modern Drummer magazine (June) and turned to page 156. This page and the following 3 pages have small ads for everything from lighted sticks to custom drum builders. Superbeaters rubber bass drum beaters has an ad that claims that Superbeaters provide "better action and less fatigue than any other beater on the market". Quite a statement to make. I don't see anybody taking them to task over that claim. Maybe it's because that ad is one of 6 ads in the back of a drum magazine and not a full two page ad in the front of the magazine.

I have not used Superbeaters nor have I heard a Reference Series kit. To me the message is the same from both companies essentially saying "we have a fabulous product here and we think it's the best and we want you to own one". The buying public's ears will determine if the Reference Series is a hit and nothing more. The marketing campaign sure has us all taking notice.

[isaacledley]

I think more what Jez is saying is that they keep changing, and the younger drummers are getting mixed up. Because of Pearls large market share and almost peer presure like approach, people listen to what they say. And as for new drums, they have changed the mind dramaticly again and again. Thin shells to thick shells to thin shells with less depth then to thick shells with less depth. Maybe Pearl (and other companies) should have keept it in their pants while working out what is the best. I have nothing against Pearl, or any drum maker in particular- but flooding the market with hype about their innovative new drums is a bit of a sham to me.

[jpcdrummer]

I guess the real question is: Should I cancel my Reference Series order?

And if I don't cancel it, should I get the bracket on the bass drum or not? I have to decide this in a couple of days.

[Mikemeaner]

Actually I think your missing the point here. You mention all the different drums available thick shells, thin shells, rounded bearing edges and 45's.

Well the Reference Series takes all of the good points of each of those and puts them in the situation where they work best. "the desired tonal characteristics of a 10" tom are completely different than that of a 22" bass drum. Thus to use the same material in both drums would result in a compromise."

"Maple provides smooth, well balanced tone that is perfect for a 12" tom. Subsequently, all Reference Series 12" toms are composed of 6 plies of Maple. The only single wood shell in the series. The 10" and 8" toms receive 4 plies of Maple with 2 inner plies of Birch for cut and attack. And for maximum response, all 13" and smaller toms have a rounded 45° bearing edge."

"Beginning with the 13" tom and larger, Mahogany is added to the inner plies to increase the lower frequencies and accentuate the warmth of the Maple. The 14" toms and larger begin using our fully rounded bearing edge for even more shell contact. The 18" and 20" bass drums use 4 inner plies of Mahogany with 2 outer plies of Maple. As the size of the bass drums increase, so does the amount of Mahogany. The 22" and 24" bass drums incorporate an amazing 6 inner plies of Mahogany surrounded by 2 outer plies of Maple for the ultimate in solid responsive bass frequencies."

So as you can see the Reference Series offers in a standard kit the best of all of the worlds you speak of. Pearl is not saying rounded bearing edges are best or 45's are best, they are saying they are best in a specific applications. Same goes for the wood configurations. All the kits you mention above are built with one specific wood and one specific bearing edge. So to me thats like comparing apples to oranges.

I dont believe Pearl has said anywhere that the Reference Series is "better" than any of there other series of drums. What they do say is that after being in the drum manufacturing business as long as they have. They have developed a drumset where "each drum is designed to respond perfectly within the confines of its respective frequency without compromise".

All I can say is Pearl has raised the bar, and you can agree with that or disagree. But to say its a marketing ploy or trend for the latest generation of drummers not old enough to know better is not anywhere near correct. I believe its years worth of discussion with drummers and testing to get the best out of each drum!

[Inspector]

Dont pick on pearl all drum company's do this. You mentioned the czx and the mmx and how the czx thick shells were said to be superior. Sonor said the same thing about the signature series, but now have thin delite series with reinforcing rings for the "vintage" drum. TAMA, YAMAHA, had thick shelled drums (Artstars,Rock tour customs) For many years DW preached about the benefits of maple but now make birch shells. So why dont you make a thread for each company and criticize.

[isaacledley]

I guess the real question is: Should I cancel my Reference Series order?

And if I don't cancel it, should I get the bracket on the bass drum or not? I have to decide this in a couple of days.



Woah. Don't even think about ruining a perfectly good drum with one of those damn BB3 mounts. Gosh!

If you do get your reference series, don't get the tom mount. Just use a clamp...


As for if you should cancel it or not, who knows. Just you. If you can afford it, and its the sound you want, buy it.

[MIKEWORSECHANCE]

hilarious absolutely hilarious,

why is it that people think they know more about drums than a company that has spent years trying to "perfect sound"

just because the reference may sound better than a masters dosent make a masters crap

crawl out of your arses and listen to yourselfs !

+

i was at a dealer show with pearl recently and asked raymond massey if the bb3 on the bass drum made a difference his reply was

on a thin shell on a 20" or 18" bass drum maybe it does dampen the sustain but on 22 and above no it does not affect the sound at all

but lets face it an undrilled bass drum looks much cooler !!!

everyone needs to give pearl a break, they are only trying to improve drums! as if thats a bad thing!

i have an mmx i love it

i have ordered a reference kit
and after playing one at the show i am sure i am going to love it too........

[isaacledley]

Ok Than...enjoy. No one is bagging Pearl, or anyone really. I think the point is that drum makers have been getting us to buy the best sound for a long time, I think it's about time they work out what works and what doesn't.


Your right, the sound isn't effected much, but imagine how much more street cred you'd have with a virgin bass drum:p Hahah.

[Dft]

I've realized that when it comes to different option at the same quality level, none are better than the other... they're just different. They all sound good in their own way, thick or thin, shallow or deep, wide or narrow drums tuned high, medium or low on round or sharp bearing edges on whatever suspension system, made out of whatever soniferous wood... there's only so much you can do with a wood cylinder to make it "better" than another. The cycle goes: an "innovation" is introduced, it gradually becomes the standard, then the old way to do it, which lingered as a hip alternative, becomes the new innovation wrapped in some market campaign to newish drummers that think they know everything, thus it starts over. Look at birch vs. maple, birch is making its comeback, in a few years it will be back at the top like in the 80's, just watch.

[jpcdrummer]

Ok, folks, I was being facetious about cancelling my order. That is never going to happen for several reasons. First, I really like the drums and the concept. As I've said before, the mixed woods kit holds lots of appeal to me but I didn't think I had the knowledge to create a Masterworks kit. That would be a shot in the dark.

Second, I need a kit with a 20" bass drum and 14" floor tom. I already have MRX and BRX kits so I don't want another one of either of those. So what does one buy (sorry, I'm firmly in the tank for Pearl)? Reference is the logical choice. If it ends up sounding like an MMX, fine with me! I don't want an MMX because I am concerned about the thin shells and versatility of the toms. Some of you will scream at me for that but that's how I feel and felt about it when I got my MRX. And BTW, I highly doubt it will sound like MMX, that just doesn't compute with me.

Third is the rounded bearing edges. I was playing a friends Ludwig kit he bought new in the 60's and it sounded awesome with modern heads tuned properly. Totally rounded bearing edges. Floor toms were incredible. It was then I decided to get something with two floor toms and rounded bearing edges. This was several months BEFORE Reference came on the scene. Once I saw it, I knew it was the real deal for me based on my recent experience.

As for the bass drum bracket, that is a decision I MUST make this week. I am concerned about the versatility of the kit in small clubs. I suppose I could always add it later if I find a problem with set up. I have never had a bass drum without a bracket so it is unknown territory for me. Obviously, ultimately it is my decision but I appreciate the input. Anyone else want to chime in on the topic?

Thanks,

j

[Roar!]

This is a very interesting thread for me. I'm highly considering a Reference kit. I think I am being sucked in by a the advertising though. Does anybody know if it's really uber-awesome. I think its pretty cool but that's what Perl wants me to think.

I have no idea why im ven postinf something.....Im just all stressed out about this.

[jpcdrummer]

Ha ha, classic. Well, the short answer is: drum uberness is in the ear of the beholder! My advice, if you don't have faith that this is for you then WAIT, WAIT, and WAIT some more. Time will tell if it is a great product or not. Those of us who have ordered them will surely tell you when we get them. Now some will say they are great just because they don't want to look like an idiot for spending all that money. So just in case, go to a store and try them for yourself.

And remember, free advice is worth what you pay for it!

[Stu]

It's going to be a good product, no doubt.

Jpcdrummer: I find it much easier positioning a tom on a stand then on a bass drum bracket, I would say order without.

I enjoyed the original post. Some good and valid points. Whatever Pearl (and the other companies) did in the past and why I can only speculate. However, Pearl at least gives us the choice now of thin or thick shells, birch, maple mahogany...a combination of all three in ref or MW drums; different bearing edges in the top lines.
Now we can make up our own minds as to what we want and what sounds best.

[jpcdrummer]

Thanks Stu, I have ordered the bass drum without the bracket. What the heck, I'll try it and see what happens. My only concern about the tom stand is in small clubs, things tend to get knocked around and I just have visions of the thing falling over and damaging either the bass drum or the tom itself. At bigger venues, I use a rack so it's not an issue.

Oh well, we shall see. Now I have to decide if I want a 13" tom or not.

Decisions, decisions...

j

[Hook]

good thread guys.

[nastynorski]

Well said Jez, I think your coments of the new line of drums is on the mark and no different than a new vehicle. There are only so many ways to build a wooden drum with animal skin stretched over the top for sound. Some of the old concepts were state of the art. Now days with new technology that 'state of the art' concept can be improved upon.

I have paid attention to this forum and others for a long time now , if nothing else to learn all I can to be a better drummer. I have noticed just as Pearl has that all the big name drummers such as Chad Smith, Dennis Chambers, David Garibaldi, all have their kits built to the specifications that,through experience, sounds good to them. The combination of woods and plys and heads etc are all personnal choices for these well seasoned drummers.
If I were to order custom drums, I would not know where to start. Pearl has made it easy by combining the most popular or most requested woods and plies and put them into the 'kit' and called it Reference. Now my choices for drums like the big guys are playing are offered all together.
By the way did you know you can buy a 2004 or 2005 bed matress, they change the color to make a new model for the coming year.

[nils]

Hi,

I'd like to add some thoughts I already did in another thread.

The sound drummers want to hear changes over the decades. Just listen to records from different eras. It depends on many factors like head choice, tuning, playing style and also wood type and bearing edges.

My early 80's BLX drums have half round bearing edges. They are very awesome to me. I mix them with BRX drums from 2003. They match perfectly IMO. (Click link in signature).

If the taste changes over the time and we come back to a design principle that was fashionable several decades before, what conclusions that we can make from this are relevant ?

Suggestions:
- it is like the clothing fashion thing, history develops in circles
- as bearing edges and wood type are not everything, there is a lot to do about the drumsound WITHOUT buying new gear
- if I like my current sound, I don't have to follow trends

Now the question is, do you win anything, if you change your drums, but are lacking something in the other sections ? Is the new design really what matches your taste or is the first question rather what your taste IS ?

Nils

[deus62]

My first post.

I agree with the original statement that lots of what we get to hear is hype. Hell, it's business. BUT ...

my advice would be to simply sit down behind one of these and play. I got the chance (and I even got the chance to try different skins on the toms) and I was blown away. Way back when, I played a Sonor Bubinga set which, at the time, seemed the ultimate set for me. I have since gone electric (Roland) and whenever possible have tried various Pearl, Tama and Sonor kits at gigs. I've also played the Masterworks (albeit, not my own) extensively and the new Reference series is begging me to re-enter the acoustic world. To my ears, these new cans get as close to my idea of overall sound (!) quality as can be. I've never tried a kit which sounded "rounder" than this. Tuned properly (and I guess everyone here knows that for a kit like this that is ABSOLUTELY essential) thiese drums just smoke your ears. After almost an entire afternoon behind a full kit I'm at a loss for words, especially since it is exactly what I've always wanted from a set of drums.

Time to start saving.

And, to get back to the point, the hype is certainly called for here. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a lot of caompanies getting into the copying game here.
Very soon.

[jpcdrummer]

Well, that is music to my ears deus62. I have ordered these drums on faith and to hear that I was right to do so is quite comforting. And I'm sure there are others in the same boat here.

I have V-drums as well and I must admit I could never exclusively play them. In fact, I've only played one gig with the electronic kit in the 4 or 5 years I've had them. I would say it was akin to sex with a condom, did the job but left me unsatisfied. :)

[drums558]

This is one of the best threads i've read on any bulletin board, I can't resist adding my 2 cents worth.

I have been playing drums for 35 years and have seen this marketing approach many times over. Sometimes it's just B.S. but this evolution only add's to the quallity of the instruments we play.

As long as there are great companys out there trying to improve the product they manufacture we will allways see add's for the latest and greatest improved product.

I have allways liked Pearl drum's, and played a Pearl birch kit in the early 90's, but have been loyal to DW for the last 10 years because I feel they care about making a product that a drummer will be proud to play. I am very pleased to see Pearl Drums researching the best way to manufacture each individual drum. Because of this I am trying to get the money together to get me a reference kit. Gimmik or not I asure you Pearl is thinking "Quallity" not "Gimmik".

By the way, I love all the old drums that were made before we had technology.

Because my drumming career has not taken off like I hoped it would (yet) I am also a production manager for a large areospace company and understand the work involved in launching a new product line and that the intent is ALWAYS to improve the product. This should be respected!!!

Reference series drums are the best approach I have seen yet!!

Jez, your thought's are great, you started an inteligent thread. Thanks for that.

[Steven Rose]

Like Drumms558 I can't resist getting into this either.

Jez, I agree with almost everything you said. Witness aerodynamics claims in cars. One year they say rounded body designs slip through the air better. Five years later they show a sharp edged body design in a wind tunnel and say its a break through in aerodynamics. The whole cycle then repeats.

However....

A year ago Dale's allowed me to perform a test. I fitted 5 12 inch toms with the same batter heads then used the same reso head for the bottom. The drums were from different manufactures. Some were maple and some were birch. I tuned all drums to the same pitch on top and bottom. The result was remarkable because the differences were so small between each drum. The guys in the store agreed. Under normal playing and recording conditions, no one will hear a difference.

I did not have any mahogany to try at that time but I have since tried my test with one maple and one mahogany. The difference here was much more pronounced. Mahogany definitely accentuates the low end, especially as drums get larger.

There are four points I would like readers to take away from this test. In my opinion:
1. Heads and tuning make the biggest difference.
2. Mahogany makes a significant difference.
3. The Reference Series uses mahogony so they will sound different than the maple and birch kits you are used to hearing.
4. Try this test for yourself. You will be amazed.
BTW: Dales now also sells Trick drums which are made of aluminum I think. They sound REALLY different and I like them.

Hope this helps someone.

[Greg M]

great thread guys, its nice to have a thread with intelligant comments and no arguing..

[x718x]

hilarious absolutely hilarious,

why is it that people think they know more about drums than a company that has spent years trying to "perfect sound"

just because the reference may sound better than a masters dosent make a masters crap

crawl out of your arses and listen to yourselfs !

+

i was at a dealer show with pearl recently and asked raymond massey if the bb3 on the bass drum made a difference his reply was

on a thin shell on a 20" or 18" bass drum maybe it does dampen the sustain but on 22 and above no it does not affect the sound at all

but lets face it an undrilled bass drum looks much cooler !!!

everyone needs to give pearl a break, they are only trying to improve drums! as if thats a bad thing!

i have an mmx i love it

i have ordered a reference kit
and after playing one at the show i am sure i am going to love it too........

try reading.
he clearly states that the company advertises the new series as being great and anything else is bad, making it seem as if their own other series are bad. no one said masters are bad

[Genius Switch]

Sticky!!!!!!!!!

[wood]

jpc my man. there is a way to take an optimount and bend it and use it as a mount on your kik drum.thats what Im going to do when my RF's come. some guy's do that on masterworks set's.look at older guys who are famous drummers and still playing gigs are they still playing there set's from the 50's 60's 70's not many.

[Jaguar]

Pearl are kind of reinventing the wheel IMO.
I'll stick with the same kind of drums that have worked for the past century, single wooded ;)

[Stu]

A year ago Dale's allowed me to perform a test. I fitted 5 12 inch toms with the same batter heads then used the same reso head for the bottom. The drums were from different manufactures. Some were maple and some were birch. I tuned all drums to the same pitch on top and bottom. The result was remarkable because the differences were so small between each drum. The guys in the store agreed. Under normal playing and recording conditions, no one will hear a difference.

I did not have any mahogany to try at that time but I have since tried my test with one maple and one mahogany. The difference here was much more pronounced. Mahogany definitely accentuates the low end, especially as drums get larger.

There are four points I would like readers to take away from this test. In my opinion:
1. Heads and tuning make the biggest difference.
2. Mahogany makes a significant difference.
3. The Reference Series uses mahogony so they will sound different than the maple and birch kits you are used to hearing.
4. Try this test for yourself. You will be amazed.
BTW: Dales now also sells Trick drums which are made of aluminum I think. They sound REALLY different and I like them.

Hope this helps someone.

Sounds like an interesting thing to try. I have two 10" Maple toms...one MRX and one MMX (long story as to how that I won't get into here). To my ears they essentially sound the same. Maybe on a slightly larger tom I would notice more of a difference.

I also have a MHX kit. The sound difference to the Maple Masters kit is pretty dramatic. When my mum came to visit, I played her both kits, and she could tell the difference straight away...she even used words such as 'deep' and 'mellow' for the MHX and 'bright' and 'punchy' for the MRX. I was so proud of her!!

So I whole heartedly agree with you about the Mahogany.

[humdrum]

As stated by a few, this is a good thread.

My only statement on this is that, in the business world, (and Pearl Drums is a business) marketing new products is a must to survive.

If Pearl did not market new products, they would fold. Just a fact of the business world. To market a new and improved product, you must justify why the product is better. I think that the Reference Series (different woods, bearing edges, new Optimounts and lugs) is a good example of this. Their marketing department had their act together on this one. After all, it worked on me (I might not be a good example because I am Pearl Drum crazy to start with).

The only thing (I think) that Pearl did not forsee is the timing of their marketing release. It may have been a bit premature due to the fact that timely delivery has not been met. I was told by my locale drum shop that my new Purple Craze kit would arrive by June but am now told November of this year due to the number of orders placed. I chose to wait it out.

One more thing I just thought of is the marketing release could have been governed by this years Winter NAMM Show. I wonder now in retrospect what it would have been like for Pearl to release the Reference Series at the 2006 Winter NAMM.

For the most part humans are not accustomed to change but change can be good thing. Just think how boring it would be if drum companies would year after year sell the same product.

I still tip my hat to Pearl for the Reference Series Drums!

[pearlBRX]

likein the drums?

[bigtone23]

Pearl are kind of reinventing the wheel IMO.
I'll stick with the same kind of drums that have worked for the past century, single wooded ;)
Sorry, but that is not entirely true.
There has been monowood drums forever-since hollowing out a tree. But... the most popular drums up until the 80s mostly have had mixed wood shells. Look at those great sounding pre-1990s Ludwigs, Slingerlands and Rogers-these all used various combos of maple, mahogany & poplar (Ludwigs and Slingerlands were primarily poplar-and look at the beating poplar takes as a "cheapo" wood on forums-but that's another thread). Birch was mixed into the Rogers shells, too. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it wasn't until 1979 when Rogers released the XP-8 (8-ply maple Kellers) was a true monowood shell widely available commercially. That great "Gretsch" sound?-Maple and gumwood Jasper shells. Sonor's original S-Class of the 90s had a maple/birch shell that players really liked the sound of.
Look at Kellers latest offering-a new version of the vintage maple/poplar/mahogany shell. Monowood shells were also marketing "hype" starting in the 80s.

Anywho...

This may be the most intelligent thread I've seen in many moons!

I truly believe that the References are not all gimmick, there had to be something done in the drum manufacturing world that was savvy yet not too out there to stay competitive in this mercurial market.

Remember Peavey Radial Pro 1000 drums? They sound awesome and really are well made, but they look a little marshmallowy relative to "traditional" drums. (Plus they were "Peavey," which has it's own stigma attached.)

References may be the next trend in kits producing a unique, non-compromised tone. Some of the theory was based on orders many made with their Masterworks-like the Mahogany plys on bigger drums. The theory behind them makes perfect sense.
If I could afford 'em, I would definately get a set of 'em.

[wood]

Also just to remind everyone - we are cutting down all the trees - woods like maple are becoming expensive thats part of the reason drums are so expensive.I beleive in the future using wood to build drums will be obsolete.I remember playing on some Vistalite's. deep, loud ,good drums.

[DrummerDudeDave]

The problem faced by 'marketeers' is making a new top-line seem fantastic without making the lower levels look like they were made by alcoholic chimps. Unfortunately, they often fail because they compare a top line to an entry level line, both produced by their company.