Should i get a session?

[PooHead]

I like to play hard rock music.. I was wondering if a session is the right way to go.. also does anyone know any website where i can get one for a really good price? im just a kid, but im a really dedicated drummer. i want a drumset that will last me a long time.

[new drummer]

i think you should go for the Pacific LX or CX... the CX is an all maple shelled drum for about almost half the price of the SRX... and it comes with cool looking wrap, i strongly reccomend them...

[PooHead]

I'd like to stay with a pearl.. :( i just trust pearl more than anyone else. are there any pearl drums that wold be goood for rock music?

[Monday317]

Nothing wrong with Exports--a lot of pros use them for gigs--if price is a serious factor for you. Therer are tons of threads on the forum on how to get the most out of them, but don't take that to mean they are not a great set to have! Many on the forum wouldn't have maple as their first choice for a kit.

MassMusic is a great bet for prices; also Midwest Percussion rates pretty good.

Good luck!

www.massmusic.net (okay, the site is awfully plain, but their prices are good)

www.midwestpercussion.com

[xxxDISENGAGExxx]

SRX has a thicker 7.5mm shell that really accels in heavy music (I just ordered an MRX which uses the same type of shell). Plus Pearl hardware beats the pants of Pacific. If you can get the extra $$ to get a Session instead of an Export (which is still a killer kit for gigging!) or similar kit and are serious about drumming, I'd say go for it. Invest in some decent hard cases to protect them, and you have a drum set that you can use until you become a rock star.

[PooHead]

im awfully confused.. one person sais go with pacific someone else says export (i already have one but its for my jazz band *i need a HARD ROCK SET*) and someone else says session, which oone?!?

[Monday317]

Poo-

I think what we meant to say was, that if you can afford them, go with Sessions, by all means. A great kit for what you want to do, and they are total Pearl to boot.

If the Sessions are too pricey, the next choice would certainly be Exports, assuming you want to stick with Pearl, which we think is a good idea. True, the Exports aren't maple--they're poplar--but they are a heck of a good kit, and they are often used by gigging pros, because they weigh a bit less than Sessions, while looking and sounding great.

Either way, you wouldn't be going wrong. It's just that the Sessions will run something like $500 over the Exports, depending on what your specific choices are. We all want you to get exactly what is best for you. Sorry for the confusion!

[new drummer]

think about it people, the exports are made of poplar, which are even cheaper than mahoghany! and they still charge more than most of the competition. i know most people here are biased towards pearl, but if you really want to be a good shopper, you gotta look at what the competition is offering too. i think you can trust the pacific CX and LX as much as pearl, if not, more. The Pearls are made over seas, but pacific has moved to Mexico to manufacture just the CX and the LX series, and remember, the CX and LX have thicker shells, 8 ply ALL MAPLE, keep that in mind, that should suit you for all of your hard rock needs. you would also be able to trust pacific because they are a branch of DW, which is also one of the most leading manufacturers of drums. sure the sessions would be nice, but would you be getting a good value as much as you'd get with the pacifics? you surely wouldnt, so check out www.midwestpercussion.com they have the LX which are a lacquer finish for $920 including hardware with a double pedal, and the CX is even a greater value, you can get it for $699 with hardware and they have cool looking wrap finishes.

[Braindonor]

You said you allready have an export, so why can't you use that? Just slap on some different heads, or tune them lower.

[PooHead]

my friend says he wants them, im not too fond of the sizes of the drums either.. i do have the money for my session.. thanks guys

[xxxDISENGAGExxx]

New Drummer, I'm not afraid to recommend brands other than Pearl when I think they are better. I personally use Tama and DW products instead of Pearl in some cases. Although the Pacific are 8 plys, the plies are thinner. (There is not a universal standard for ply thickness.) Any information I have found suggests that the shells are thinner than the SRX (which may be better for some drummers and some situations, I know, but generally not for unmiked hard rock).

The poplar in the Export gives a sound close to birch, which has great high-end cut for live unmilked situations. Some drummers may prefer this birch-type sound to maple. Pacific draws in a lot of buyers with the maple shell, unfortunately I don't see what else it offers. The quality of the hardware, general fit and finish, and most importantly the bearing edges are superior on either Pearl series. IMO, Pacific cuts too many corners just to get a maple shell at a low price point. Also, other kits in the Export-class like the Tama Rockstar are often more expensive than the Export so I don't think the Export is overpriced. I'm not attempting to trash the Pacific drums, I just don't think they hold up against two specific Pearl products: they are not as good as the Pearl Sessions and they're not necessarily superior to the Exports.

[new drummer]

well... u can get an all birch shell for around $500 from pacific... they are the FS series, and the type of wood is important too in my opinion. i'm not trashing pearl drums neither. sure the srx's maybe better than the pacific's but they certainly do not offer the money value the pacific's offer. and the sound is more important than the appearance. the pacific's have finishes that are alright, mabye not up to pearl's level. you'll also find that the pacific's have more lugs than the pearl sessions, which is good because a kit costing as much as the sessions should have more lugs. you really can't go with either kit. my words may not affect you as much because i am only 13 years old, but i am basing all of this information on fact because i have researched both kits thoroughly... if you want a better deal on all maple shelled drums that sound awesome for the price of the average entry level-midlevel kit, i suggest the pacifics. but if you have the extra money to cash in just for the slightly better finishes and hardware of the sessions, then go for it :)

[Musician]

If you really have taken the time to check out one of those pacific kits, you will notice how that ALL-MAPLE-SHELL is cheaply made and fairly flimsy to boot. Hell, I couldn't even get the snare to crank up in a comfortable range one would expect for a maple snare!

Thats not to say those pacific kits are crap, just remember for any kit that cheap there is always a catch. Cheap hardware and cheap maple shells my friend!

If you think you absolutely have to have MAPLE and want to spend only 500 then you MIGHT be able to get a sound somewhere close to a real well made maple kit such as the sessions. But don't be suprised when comparing that the sessions are simply smoother and more solid sounding. That was my experience anyway because the SRX is clearly a professional quality shell with professional edges, the pacifics are not.

If it were me and had to choose between a session or pacific, I would spend the extra money and get quality. If I only had 500 then I suppose it could be a toss up but honestly I feel the poplar shelled ELX is of higher quality then those maple pacifics. Wood type doesn't mean anything if the ply and edge quality is inferior.

Again, from what I've tested the pacifics would make for a decent beater kit and the fact that it is a maple shell MIGHT have some merit, yet I didn't notice any big tonal difference between the pacifics and ELX. Now the SRX sounded quite different from the $500 pacific maple. The SRX reeks of masters-like quality and sound, the pacific does not.

Do your homework, be well informed and educated and YOU decide which is really worth it in the long run.

[bolookies]

theres nothing wrong with SRX for rock drumming, but i think the Export is a better series for a more rock type of playing.

[xxxDISENGAGExxx]

bolookies, how so? the SRX uses the same type of shell as the MRX, which is the preferred choice of a lot of hard rock and metal drummers. It is a louder, more aggressive drum by nature - strong in the upper mids and high frequencies. I'm using an Export kit in my hardcore band until my MRX comes in and although I think the Export is a killer drumset, the MRX is louder and has more cut (it also retains a little of that nice, warm sustain that maple is known for).

[Raven87]

I got my srx's in mid january and i love em. i mean i'm only 15, but i'm paying for them by myself.

i mean they sound awesome. the hardware that comes prepackaged is really awesome.
i recomend the fusion with the 22x18 bass. i have an a zildjian rock hi-hat and i love em. they just sound so sweet.

well all in all GEt the srx's(or masters but thats another 500-700 bucks.)

[Richard Skinner]

I checked out the Pacifics at the time I bought my Sessions. I was not impressed with Pacific's hardware, and totally trust the Pearl hardware to withstand just about any playing condition. As for sound my Sessions are way superior. BTW, I've owned only 4 sets since 1965, 2 Ludwig Classics, a Pearl Export, and now the Session.

[Steven Rose]

Hey Poo,

I always think the best advice for this type of question is let your ears tell you what you like. The best way to do that is to find a drum store that has all the brands you are considering. Go on a week day... you will get more attention from the sales guy, have less interuptions, and less noise to compete with. Than just keep playing each candidate untill your are sure.

It may take several days of this but in the end, you will know you have the sound you want.

Hope this helps.

P.S. This is why I never buy musical instruments or stereo equipment online. I want the stores to exist so I can take my time and listen to my options.