Need your thoughts on tone/feel of MRV vs Ref. Pure

[Master88]

Well, I recently sold my 8 piece double kick MCX kit and I'm stuck on which kit will give me the sound I'm looking for. Don't get me wrong, The MCX are fantastic drums. The build and quality are exceptional but just not my sound. I'm thinking of ordering a Music City Custom 8,10,12,14,16, 22 in either the MRV or Ref. Pure series depending which one will give me the sound I'm after. Tho I hate the look of DW drums, I recently played a DW collectors maple kit and was blown away at the sound of the kick and especially the toms. They had that beautiful warm, round, low end that I'm looking for. It had everything that the MCX was missing. I'm aware of the shell differences/ thickness and build between the MCX, ref. Pure and the MRV so I know I'll be going after thinner shells.
My question is... Which Pearl shells mentioned above will give me that warm, round, low end that I'm after? I'm thinking the 4ply, 5mm MRV shells might be what I'm looking for but I'm unable to find either the Ref. Pure or MRV anywhere to road test them. What do you guys think?..... Thanks!

[MattKeaton]

Well, I recently sold my 8 piece double kick MCX kit and I'm stuck on which kit will give me the sound I'm looking for. Don't get me wrong, The MCX are fantastic drums. The build and quality are exceptional but just not my sound. I'm thinking of ordering a Music City Custom 8,10,12,14,16, 22 in either the MRV or Ref. Pure series depending which one will give me the sound I'm after. Tho I hate the look of DW drums, I recently played a DW collectors maple kit and was blown away at the sound of the kick and especially the toms. They had that beautiful warm, round, low end that I'm looking for. It had everything that the MCX was missing. I'm aware of the shell differences/ thickness and build between the MCX, ref. Pure and the MRV so I know I'll be going after thinner shells. My question is... Which Pearl shells mentioned above will give me that warm, round, low end that I'm after? I'm thinking the 4ply, 5mm MRV shells might be what I'm looking for but I'm unable to find either the Ref. Pure or MRV anywhere to road test them. What do you guys think?..... Thanks!

I'm not shopping for a new kit right now but in any event I am in the same position as you. I get to watch videos etc. but I can't test anything out

Based on what I have investigated previously, this is a no brainer. The MRV seems to me, based on my limited understanding, exactly what you are chasing. I say this from the point of view that I completely relate to your entire post. I haven't played a Collectors but my reaction when I heard the recording was like yours.

[steadypocket]

If the DW spoke to you, why aren't you considering them? Price? Brand loyalty?

[Bri6366]

If the DW spoke to you, why aren't you considering them? Price? Brand loyalty?

I'm wondering the same. The MRV would be closer to the DW than Ref Pure.

[BadAstronaut]

If the DW spoke to you, why aren't you considering them? Price? Brand loyalty?

the answer to your question was in his post .....

Tho I hate the look of DW drums, I recently played a DW collectors maple kit and was blown away at the sound of the kick and especially the toms.

To OP .. the MRV would be closest in terms of shell construction .. I owned an MMX years ago and it had what you seek, although if edges weren't so sharp and were rounded 45's it would be even better IMO .. but please test out kits first and decide for yourself

[richie rich]

Buy the music city in the MRV shells those are the one's with the MMX rerings that is what you are after. Order and wait 14days.

[Master88]

If the DW spoke to you, why aren't you considering them? Price? Brand loyalty?

Thanks for the replies guys...There are several reasons I prefer Pearl over DW such as build quality inside shells are not up to Pearl quality imo, the turret lugs are hideous to me and DW warranty cannot touch that of Pearls lifetime warranty. Other than the tone of DW shells, I'm not impressed. It looks like, as others have noted, that the MRV will be more of what I'm looking for as far as tone goes. I travel quite a bit with my job and I have yet to find either the MRV or Ref. Pure within 300 miles of home to test drive. I even drove all over Atlanta, Ga. Looking and had no luck. Another question considering finishes for MRV series.. I see that Pearl Europe offers the MRV line in a Deep red sparkle that is not included in the Pearl USA finishes or even Music city custom finishes. Does anyone know if the Pearl Europe finishes are available at all in the US?

[MattKeaton]

Thanks for the replies guys...There are several reasons I prefer Pearl over DW such as build quality inside shells are not up to Pearl quality imo, the turret lugs are hideous to me and DW warranty cannot touch that of Pearls lifetime warranty. Other than the tone of DW shells, I'm not impressed. It looks like, as others have noted, that the MRV will be more of what I'm looking for as far as tone goes. I travel quite a bit with my job and I have yet to find either the MRV or Ref. Pure within 300 miles of home to test drive. I even drove all over Atlanta, Ga. Looking and had no luck. Another question considering finishes for MRV series.. I see that Pearl Europe offers the MRV line in a Deep red sparkle that is not included in the Pearl USA finishes or even Music city custom finishes. Does anyone know if the Pearl Europe finishes are available at all in the US?

That is really unexpected. I thought that they all came from the same factory hence expected that the available finishes would be the same for each region. They are starkly different...

The red won't be available in Music City Custom as that range only includes wraps, from what I understand.

[Master88]

That is really unexpected. I thought that they all came from the same factory hence expected that the available finishes would be the same for each region. They are starkly different... The red won't be available in Music City Custom as that range only includes wraps, from what I understand.

Yeah, Pearl Europe always seems to have a finish or two different from what Pearl USA offers. Pearl Europe offers a finish called saphir Bordeaux which I don't see on Pearls site here in the states. Also looks like it has completely finished BD hoops, which the music city custom MRV does not. If all else fails, it looks like the MRV Kit in red sparkle is what I'll be ordering this week in 8,10,12,14,16,22

[richie rich]

OK You probably will not find many MRV on a dealers sales floor, Pearls most popular (2) kits are in most places the Masters maple complete and the Export lines. I read Pearl at some point in some US markets would have a Masterworks kit at some dealers. If you notice not all the big box stores have a DW collectors kit on the sales floor either so do not assume the Pearl MRV kits or the Music City Drums can not be ordered just because it is not on the Atlanta Area sales floor . The Music City in Red in MRV shells would sound and play great the 14days to get a custom pro level kit in sizes you want is the way to go . The MRV can be custom ordered in a Pearl Europe color just fill out the Masterworks order form and wait if you want. Pearl is selling the Music city line in a couple of different shells and people are placing orders. Remember The Music city Custom is a wrap and DW collectors "covered grade" is a wrap as well . I had a Collectors that was a wrap and I actually touched a Music City Custom both Wraps are quality. I prefer the MMX shell over the Collectors but again both are good Good luck I,ll send a pm

[steadypocket]

the answer to your question was in his post ..... To OP .. the MRV would be closest in terms of shell construction .. I owned an MMX years ago and it had what you seek, although if edges weren't so sharp and were rounded 45's it would be even better IMO .. but please test out kits first and decide for yourself

Indeed it was in his post. I obviously overlooked it. I get it. Aesthetics are just as important as sound to me. Gotta dig the look. I believe the MRV is the right choice for what you’re looking for. Pls share pics with us.

[Drumming-4-Life]

No matter what you choose, a Pearl drum will sound like a Pearl drum, and a DW drum will sound like a DW drum. Their shell construction and edges are totally different. You might not like the way DW drums look, but you like the way they are made BECAUSE their construction is what gave them their sound and responsiveness. I spent years trying to make Pearl drums sound like Tama drums, but they simply don't. They both sound good, and are made well, but Tama has the sound, attack, and responsiveness that I identify with. Another option is to explore the myriad of finish/hardware options with DW and see if there is one that deemphasizes the look of the lugs, and emphasizes the beauty of the overall drum.

For example, these DW kits have finish/hardware options that make the lugs look more subdued.





... and the lugs on this kit stick out like a sore thumb.



Of course, in the end you'll do what you want, but buying one brand of drums to sound like another rarely works out well. This same thing happens with other instruments as well, and has similar results. A PRS will not sound or feel like an Ibanez, but they are both nice instruments.

[Master88]

Thanks for all your replies and input. It's great to hear different input from different perspectives. D4L you make some interesting points in that it's hard to compare shells from different drum makers. They really are like comparing Apples to Oranges and it's hard to understand why, even when 2 different makers shells are very close in build.
Luckily, I was able to find and test drive an MRV Kit yesterday in Birmingham, Al. and tho it didn't sound identical to the DW collectors, it did have the same qualities in tone with the warm, round, buttery, eq'd tone that my ear seems to like. Especially the kick.. Such a round, low end rumble... The MRV is definitely the kit I was hoping it would be and I'll be placing an order next week.. Again, thanks for all the info and replies.

[Bri6366]

^Back in the 90s when the box stores actually had top end kits, you could sit on a Premier Signia, DW, Pearl Masters, Starclassic Maple, etc., and while they had their differences, they all had that round maple tone that brought me back to a maple kit.

[richie rich]

Cool Where was the MRV in Birmingham? Was it a color you liked? What were the tom depths ? Were you going to gig the kit you order? If so do you have any thoughts about a wrap or are you going to order a custom color in MRV? just pesky questions