Pearl Prestige Session Select kit?

[Stant Bryan]

I am the proud owner of a 5 piece Pearl Prestige Session Select drumkit. I have not been able to find out any info about them on the Pearl website and was wondering if anyone knew anything about them. I would like to know when they were made, where, and of what material. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[AL PERCIVAL]

Here is the history of the Prestige Select.......From Gene Okamoto:


The DX 7300 Series (covered finish) and the DLX 7500 Series (lacquered finish) were introduced in 1983 and featured 7 ply shells: birch (outside), mahogany (middle), and lamin (inside) for superb sound with fantastic low-end punch. Priced affordably, they nevertheless featured high-end components such as double braced hardware, Super Hoops, and Pinstripe heads. In 1985, a five-piece DX kit with 22” bass drum and hardware listed for $1650, the 24” bass drum version listed for $1720.

In 1986, the DX/DLX shared the spotlight with a similar but lower priced series, the WX/WLX World Series. In 1987, the DX/DLX were discontinued and replaced by the WX/WLX. In 1992, the WX/WLX became the SLX Prestige Session Elite. In 1994, the SLX became the SPX Prestige Session and SX Session Series. In 1997, the SPX/SX became the SRX Prestige Session Select. In 2001, the SRX Prestige Session Select became the SRX Session Custom. And finally, in 2004, the SRX became the SMX Custom 6 ply maple.

From 1997 to 1998, the DX Session (covered finishes) and DLX Prestige Session (lacquer finishes) made a brief “comeback” and featured 7 ply shells: maple (outside), mahogany (middle), and maple (inside). In 1999, they were replaced by the all maple SMX and birch SBX.

[Stant Bryan]

Thanks Al!

Thanks so much for your reply. I found it very helpful and informative. You are truly a Pearl drum expert. Thanks again. Stant Bryan

[weaselstomper]

I Have A Prestige Session Select 9 X 13 Tom-- It Is My Understanding That The Shells Are Maple And Mahogany (as Stated Above)-- The Reference Series Also Uses That Combination Of Woods On Some Drums, So It Must Produce A Good Sound But I'm Sure The Plies Are Different Etc-- Bottom Line-- They Should Be Nice Shells With A Nice Sound And I Would Guess Their Value Should Grow As "vintage" In A Few Years. So Take Care Of Them And Beware Of Updating Them, (changing Color, Hardware Etc)-- What Do You Have - Where Did You Get And Was It A Good Deal?-- I'm Fond Of The Pearl Stuff From That Era....

[KCDrummer]

http://www.oldbarbarians.com You have a right to be proud of your Prestige Session Select kit !! I have played a lot kits and haven't found one I would rather play. They sound GREAT and when you mic em up I would put them against any drum out there !! I play a Wine Red lacquer finished, 9 piece, 8x8,10x10,12x12,14x12,15x14,16x14,16x16, 22x18 and a Ludwig LM-402 snare with 13 cymbals. The only thing I did was add opti-mounts for better resonance and more secure mount on a double tier ICON rack. I would send you a pic if you wanted to see it.

[mellowship_slinky]

Here is the history of the Prestige Select.......From Gene Okamoto:


The DX 7300 Series (covered finish) and the DLX 7500 Series (lacquered finish) were introduced in 1983 and featured 7 ply shells: birch (outside), mahogany (middle), and lamin (inside) for superb sound with fantastic low-end punch. Priced affordably, they nevertheless featured high-end components such as double braced hardware, Super Hoops, and Pinstripe heads. In 1985, a five-piece DX kit with 22” bass drum and hardware listed for $1650, the 24” bass drum version listed for $1720.

In 1986, the DX/DLX shared the spotlight with a similar but lower priced series, the WX/WLX World Series. In 1987, the DX/DLX were discontinued and replaced by the WX/WLX. In 1992, the WX/WLX became the SLX Prestige Session Elite. In 1994, the SLX became the SPX Prestige Session and SX Session Series. In 1997, the SPX/SX became the SRX Prestige Session Select. In 2001, the SRX Prestige Session Select became the SRX Session Custom. And finally, in 2004, the SRX became the SMX Custom 6 ply maple.

From 1997 to 1998, the DX Session (covered finishes) and DLX Prestige Session (lacquer finishes) made a brief “comeback” and featured 7 ply shells: maple (outside), mahogany (middle), and maple (inside). In 1999, they were replaced by the all maple SMX and birch SBX.

Great information. Can anyone clarify what woods are used in the SPX series?

[Bodgit]

See post #4 gives a hint

https://www.pearldrummersforum.com/s...sion-series-it

[BadAstronaut]

Great information. Can anyone clarify what woods are used in the SPX series?

according to the catalog SPX was 7 ply Birch and Mahogany (Asian Mahogany that is)

See post #4 gives a hint

actually post #5 gives the info

[Bodgit]

Thanks BA, birch and mahogany is an interesting combination - crack from the birch and deeper tones from the mahogany so might be missing some mid tone stuff. So many combinations with wood types, plies, bearing edges etc all interesting stuff.

[3pearlkits]

Gene is awesome.
However there is a SLX Prestige Session Elite catalogue with a print date of January 1991.
http://catweb.tgtel.com/1991%20Prest...%20spreads.pdf

I'm not sure, but that seems contrary to a 1992 date...

[BadAstronaut]

Gene is awesome.
However there is a SLX Prestige Session Elite catalogue with a print date of January 1991.
http://catweb.tgtel.com/1991%20Prest...%20spreads.pdf

I'm not sure, but that seems contrary to a 1992 date...

yes it does .. stranger things have happened in the history of Pearl as you and I know

[Bodgit]

Gene is awesome.
However there is a SLX Prestige Session Elite catalogue with a print date of January 1991.
http://catweb.tgtel.com/1991%20Prest...%20spreads.pdf

I'm not sure, but that seems contrary to a 1992 date...

Do you know who's responsible for this archive of catalogues? Just looked at the root folder and there's a very comprehensive set going back decades. Just like to thank them.

[BadAstronaut]

Do you know who's responsible for this archive of catalogues? Just looked at the root folder and there's a very comprehensive set going back decades. Just like to thank them.

LDdrummer did it

[LongJohnA]

I'm trying to purchase a Pearl Prestige Session Select kit and was wondering if there was away to find out if they are birch or maple from the serial numbers?

Thank you.

[3pearlkits]

Hi and welcome to the PDF and the vintage section

If the badge says Prestige Session Select, they are from 1997 to 2001ish, and are 7ply 7.5mm Maple and Mahogany shells.

Other than the high end reference and masters series, the serial numbers are useful for insurance purposes, but give no information other than that.

edit: the Session Select series came with ISS mounts. Many people are ambivalent about them, but you might factor in an upgrade to Optimounts in your pricing discussions

Hope that helps...