Can you buy raw Pearl shells?

[1988mlxs]

Looking to build a replica late 80's early 90's MLX 14x14 floor tom (after years of trying to find one). I finally have all the period parts to build one. I'm now on the outlook for a shell. I can buy a 6ply shell from Keller, which I may have to do. But I would munch rather have a true Pearl shell.

Thanks !

[Micah Korson]

Looking to build a replica late 80's early 90's MLX 14x14 floor tom (after years of trying to find one). I finally have all the period parts to build one. I'm now on the outlook for a shell. I can buy a 6ply shell from Keller, which I may have to do. But I would munch rather have a true Pearl shell.

Thanks !

You could buy this badge from EBay. I would have a custom drum company try to build the shell for you. I think Pearl can do the shell but I'm not sure if they have to sell you a complete drum
You would have to ask. They also would always put their badge on it.


https://m.ebay.com/itm/Drum-Badges-P...%257Ciid%253A8

[Bri6366]

You cannot buy raw Pearl shells. You could get a Masterworks tom made exactly to MLX specs, but if you're looking to put one together from existing parts getting a Keller shell would be the fastest path.

[MitchLyons]

You could try asking if they'll build your shell and then you send them your hardware and have them install it for you, just an idea, I'm not sure if they do that or not

[1988mlxs]

You could try asking if they'll build your shell and then you send them your hardware and have them install it for you, just an idea, I'm not sure if they do that or not

That would be kick @$$. But I'm 99.9% certain they won't. Oh well, Keller shell here I come!

[Big King]

Keller shell, with the appropriate badge seem like your best bet.

[melvinspeed]

I posted one for you in another thread that was on ebay last week. 14x14 MLX in sheer blue.

[Andy H]

I'd be very surprised if Pearl would sell just a shell. I used to work for Yamaha Musical Products in Grand Rapids, MI. They were very tight on their quality standards and wouldn't let anything leave the plant until it was 100% in compliance with Yamaha quality standards. At first, I fought the idea but grew to accept it. Think what would happen if years from now Yamaha (or Pearl) was confronted with warranty issues on custom-made, one-of-a-kind instruments. It's hard enough just to keep major model changes straight. I can't even imagine what it would be like having to manage tens of thousands of custom instruments.

Besides; once you venture into the custom business, the counterfeiting would be out of control. This would erode the brand.

I agree your best bet is to simply purchase an aftermarket Keller shell with holes drilled and bearing edges cut. Even better if you can simply pay a "real" custom shop to do it for you.

[CigarScott]

I'd be very surprised if Pearl would sell just a shell. I used to work for Yamaha Musical Products in Grand Rapids, MI. They were very tight on their quality standards and wouldn't let anything leave the plant until it was 100% in compliance with Yamaha quality standards. At first, I fought the idea but grew to accept it. Think what would happen if years from now Yamaha (or Pearl) was confronted with warranty issues on custom-made, one-of-a-kind instruments. It's hard enough just to keep major model changes straight. I can't even imagine what it would be like having to manage tens of thousands of custom instruments.

Besides; once you venture into the custom business, the counterfeiting would be out of control. This would erode the brand.

I agree your best bet is to simply purchase an aftermarket Keller shell with holes drilled and bearing edges cut. Even better if you can simply pay a "real" custom shop to do it for you.

I think part of the reason that Yamaha wouldn't sell raw shells back in the day was due to them not having access to them since Sakae was making their drums for them.

I was at Pearl's HQ in Nashville a few weeks ago and the only raw shells that they have in the US AFAIK are the ones used for the Music City Customs which are built using the Reference, Reference Pure, and Masters Maple Reserve "recipes". The 14" shells in the first two lines will have a couple plies of mahogany while the MMR shell will only be four plies with reinforcement rings which I don't think will sound similar to the MLX. I think his best bet is to set alerts up on Ebay, Reverb, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace for Pearl MLX and an orphaned 14" tom will eventually show up.

[1988mlxs]

I posted one for you in another thread that was on ebay last week. 14x14 MLX in sheer blue.

Link?

[1988mlxs]

Keller shell, with the appropriate badge seem like your best bet.

Definitely

[1988mlxs]

I'd be very surprised if Pearl would sell just a shell. I used to work for Yamaha Musical Products in Grand Rapids, MI. They were very tight on their quality standards and wouldn't let anything leave the plant until it was 100% in compliance with Yamaha quality standards. At first, I fought the idea but grew to accept it. Think what would happen if years from now Yamaha (or Pearl) was confronted with warranty issues on custom-made, one-of-a-kind instruments. It's hard enough just to keep major model changes straight. I can't even imagine what it would be like having to manage tens of thousands of custom instruments.

Besides; once you venture into the custom business, the counterfeiting would be out of control. This would erode the brand.

I agree your best bet is to simply purchase an aftermarket Keller shell with holes drilled and bearing edges cut. Even better if you can simply pay a "real" custom shop to do it for you.

Definitely need someone to do it. I would be afraid I'd **** it up! Hahahaha.

[1988mlxs]

I think part of the reason that Yamaha wouldn't sell raw shells back in the day was due to them not having access to them since Sakae was making their drums for them.

I was at Pearl's HQ in Nashville a few weeks ago and the only raw shells that they have in the US AFAIK are the ones used for the Music City Customs which are built using the Reference, Reference Pure, and Masters Maple Reserve "recipes". The 14" shells in the first two lines will have a couple plies of mahogany while the MMR shell will only be four plies with reinforcement rings which I don't think will sound similar to the MLX. I think his best bet is to set alerts up on Ebay, Reverb, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace for Pearl MLX and an orphaned 14" tom will eventually show up.

I know of only one for sale in the US and its part of a kit. I found one in Australia a while back and the seller didn't want to ship. It sucked for me but I understood also.

[CigarScott]

My first kit was a Pearl Export kit from 1994-1995 in the color Deep Ocean which I think they made for only one year. I wanted to add a matching 4th tom to the kit and eventually was able to find a 14x11 tom on Ebay after a while. One will turn up eventually, especially if you aren't fussy about the color.

[therocker]

^^^ ...but he is fussy!