I just had someone recommend Pearl Masters Premium Birch to me. I don't really have the dough to go for the Sonor S-Classix, nor am I really taken by them. I was settling on the Yamaha Recording Customs in 14x18 bass, 14x14 floor, 8x12, 7.5x10. But a drum dealer suggested to me that while the RCs are great, they're not really bop drums.
Now, of course, tons of jazz fusion players have used RCs in the past, and I've seen jazz players like Terri Lyne Carrington and Matt Wilson use RCs at jazz festivals (kits supplied by the event, not theirs).
So, I don't necessarily buy the RCs aren't bop drums argument. However, I am slightly intrigued by the Pearl MPB--they seem like good drums, more variety in finishes than the RCs, have die-cast hoops. I was recommended going with the 6-ply birch shell option (7.5mm thickness, I think) compared to the 4-ply/5mm option that has the 4-ply rerings.
Are the Pearls worth it? Or, is the history, YESS/roller-ball arm system vs. Opti-mount/tube arm system, and resale value of the RCs the better way to go?
Note: I would consider the Yamaha Absolute Birch, but I don't think I can order that kit with the old YESS system (i.e., I don't really want the new YESS with the big metal plate, which debuted at NAMM).
Perplexing decisions...
Now, of course, tons of jazz fusion players have used RCs in the past, and I've seen jazz players like Terri Lyne Carrington and Matt Wilson use RCs at jazz festivals (kits supplied by the event, not theirs).
So, I don't necessarily buy the RCs aren't bop drums argument. However, I am slightly intrigued by the Pearl MPB--they seem like good drums, more variety in finishes than the RCs, have die-cast hoops. I was recommended going with the 6-ply birch shell option (7.5mm thickness, I think) compared to the 4-ply/5mm option that has the 4-ply rerings.
Are the Pearls worth it? Or, is the history, YESS/roller-ball arm system vs. Opti-mount/tube arm system, and resale value of the RCs the better way to go?
Note: I would consider the Yamaha Absolute Birch, but I don't think I can order that kit with the old YESS system (i.e., I don't really want the new YESS with the big metal plate, which debuted at NAMM).
Perplexing decisions...