Need help figuring out what I have (Masters Maple Premium content)

[TheSnick]

I got a 3-piece kit that I got used from someone who got it used. It is a GREAT kit but I'm struggling to figure out what it is exactly that I have.

It has been rewrapped and the badges have not been reinstalled, also the lugs are from the Reference series (the ones with the hinges). So the looks won't tell us much.

However, the labels inside the shells say "Masters Maple Premium".

What's interesting is the toms and kicks don't have the same shell composition:
12x8 Rack Tom - 4-ply + rerings
16x14 Floor Tom - 4-ply + rerings
22x18 Bass Drum - 6-ply, no rings (NB: while the new wrap makes it appear virgin, it originally had a 2-tubes tom mount, the holes are still there)

The bass drum has the two oddly located vents (golden ratio or something?)

I'm not aware of Pearl offering such a config ever, though I understand that maybe in the late 00's Masters could be custom ordered?

[insane65]

Hello, sounds like a real frankenkit. Post pics if you can please

[Jutt8]

Definitely sounds like Masters Premium and they did come in 4 ply with 4 ply rings and 6 ply versions in both maple and birch with golden ration air vents which are at the lower 1/3 of the drum. Pics would help.

[TheSnick]

Here is the only picture I could quickly find.
As I said, it's a total custom job so my only hints as to what it is are the labels inside the shell (which all say Masters Maple Premium) and the shell comp (4-ply + ring on the toms, 6-pl on the kick)

This is literally the best sounding kit I've ever played.

EDIT: Also, as you can see it has triple flanged hoops. Although that doesn't mean much, it's easy to rehoop a couple toms if you're not a diecast fan.

[TheSnick]

Definitely sounds like Masters Premium and they did come in 4 ply with 4 ply rings and 6 ply versions in both maple and birch with golden ration air vents which are at the lower 1/3 of the drum. Pics would help.

Interesting. As you can see from the pic I posted above, the air vents are on the top of the shell.
Unless by lower you meant away from the batter head, in which case yes that is correct.

[AL PERCIVAL]

On the Masters Premium, the air-vent is top off center (from front view) like yours.

[TheSnick]

On the Masters Premium, the air-vent is top off center (from front view) like yours.

Thanks!

So I guess my kit is "legit". I'm gonna go with the assumption that the 4-ply toms and 6-ply kick were just a custom order. It is actually a really cool combo. Toms have perfect amplitude envelope, and the kick can shake the walls unmic'd.

[Jutt8]

One more mind scrambler! Those lugs are Reference lugs, not Masters lugs. That is very unusual and not typical at all. Al, is the bolt spacing on the Reference lug the same as the Masters lug making it an easy swap out?

[AL PERCIVAL]

One more mind scrambler! Those lugs are Reference lugs, not Masters lugs. That is very unusual and not typical at all. Al, is the bolt spacing on the Reference lug the same as the Masters lug making it an easy swap out?

Both the standard classic Masters design lug CL100 and Reference BRL100 (swivel lugs) are 39mm or 1.535 inches hole-to-hole.

[TheSnick]

One more mind scrambler! Those lugs are Reference lugs, not Masters lugs. That is very unusual and not typical at all. Al, is the bolt spacing on the Reference lug the same as the Masters lug making it an easy swap out?

Yes, I mentioned this in original post. Another odd thing here, but... I like how they look

It's interesting because an earlier owner definitely went to town pimping this kit. The wrap job for example is 3 different pieces on each shell (there's also some "carbon fiber" looking wrap inside and outside the bass drum hoops), and a full complement of Reference lugs couldn't have been cheap. And it's not like anyone would be fooled and think "oh wow, this guy as a Reference kit!", especially with the clearly visible Masters labels inside the shells. It's just someone investing time and money to make his kit look unique, resale value be damned.

Yet... the wrap job is kind of amateurish. There are overlapped seams just flapping around, the kick has large "bubbles" where the wrap is lifted. The 3 pieces are perfectly aligned and straight, but the overall installation is just lacking.

Still sounds killer though.

[Jutt8]

Yes, I mentioned this in original post. Another odd thing here, but... I like how they look

It's interesting because an earlier owner definitely went to town pimping this kit. The wrap job for example is 3 different pieces on each shell (there's also some "carbon fiber" looking wrap inside and outside the bass drum hoops), and a full complement of Reference lugs couldn't have been cheap. And it's not like anyone would be fooled and think "oh wow, this guy as a Reference kit!", especially with the clearly visible Masters labels inside the shells. It's just someone investing time and money to make his kit look unique, resale value be damned.

Yet... the wrap job is kind of amateurish. There are overlapped seams just flapping around, the kick has large "bubbles" where the wrap is lifted. The 3 pieces are perfectly aligned and straight, but the overall installation is just lacking.

Still sounds killer though.

You are right sorry about that : ). I forgot! You could always get that kit rewrapped professionally. It would drive me nuts have the wrap flapping around and not even and tight. It does look awesome with those Reference lugs and I know it sounds awesome!

[Mendell]

Great kits. I had a master premium birch and it is the best sounding kit I had. I still wonder why Pearl discontinued this line.

What does it look like under the wrap, can you see the old finish?