Pearl Fibreglass Advice - Just bought one

[barjack]

Phenolic is warmer and deeper than Fiberglass. Fiberglass is more thundering and projecting. It's hard to describe exactly what a phenolic shell compares to. They have the fatness and depth of mahogany or old 3-ply maple/poplar/maple, but the precision hits of a thin modern maple shell with sharp bearing edges. I'd go coated Emperor for open tone or either clear Pinstripes or coated EC2 for a fatter, wetter rock tone.

[Neaty]

Hi Neaty,
what you have got is NOT a fiberglass kit but a Phenolic shell kit, which is kind of like masonite, a synthetic wood composite probably closer to Remo's Acousticon shells. The brown colour on the inside of the shell is the sign of Phenolic. I saw an old PDF catalogue on this site several years ago from about 1977 from Gene Okamoto and it showed all the shell types that were available - maple, fiberglass, wood/fiberglass, seamless acrylic, phenolic, 9 ply hardwood aka luan/phillipine mahogany.

I have a 70's wood/fiberglass in red hairline finish - 22, 12, 13, 16, a 70's fiberglass in white - 22, 12, 16 and a 2005 Masters MMX in silver sparkle - 22, 12, 16. Your drums should be quite loud and punchy with a PS3 on the bassdrum and pinstripes or emperors on the toms.

I live in Melbourne, Australia and see a few of those Phenolic shell kits occasionally. What sort of music are you playing? I am playing in a country/rockabilly band - www.blackhillramblers.com

Good luck with your restoration on your new kit!
Cheers
Shrek.

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll go for Pinstripes for batter heads and ambassador reso's.

I got my drums out of the garage for the first time in about 2 years. When pay day arrives I am hoping to make a start with the restoration.

Phenolic is warmer and deeper than Fiberglass. Fiberglass is more thundering and projecting. It's hard to describe exactly what a phenolic shell compares to. They have the fatness and depth of mahogany or old 3-ply maple/poplar/maple, but the precision hits of a thin modern maple shell with sharp bearing edges. I'd go coated Emperor for open tone or either clear Pinstripes or coated EC2 for a fatter, wetter rock tone.

Have always liked Pinstripes so I think I'll for them. Thanks.

Just re-read through this thread. It seems my drums are a right motley collection of all sorts and probably never intended to be used in the manner in which I intend to, as a rock kit drummer!