Wondering same thing as OP. Maple/Gum is a big step up in price and trying to determine if the upgrades justify the cost.
It really depends on the sound your after, I’m not sure that it’s enough to justify but here’s some things to consider.
(I don’t think I’d be able to hear much of a difference as they both share a high degree of maple.)
Firstly, this series is marketed to have that locked in studio sound, and I’m sure they’ve made sure it fits the bill in trifecta of sound, quality, and looks.
Also, it stems from the fact that there were a limited number of the maple gum’s in production, due to popularity they’ve specifically rolled these out in more ‘affordable’ outfit in the first step or line of the Masterwork’s series.
Pearl tapped into their Masterworks, Reference, and Music City lines to appoint the kit with high quality features that come together pretty well, well above the class of MMC and what my STS has.
From the Music City series, they’re lending their Music City Custom program.
You get a wider array of painstakingly beautiful finishes and a little more configuration array, and hand lacquers that come from Reference series.
For instance the Maple Gum series go through a 26-28? step process to ensure the quality standard, so there’s more time in that. Examples such as hand rubbed maple, and all their lacquers are done by hand.
From the Reference/Masterwork’s series, they really took it up another level with hardware appointments.
Here are some highlighted differences from the MG and MMC such as -
Maple Gum:
- lb200 floor tom bracket
- aluminum opti mounts
- Sp300 bass spurs
- Mastercast or die cast hoops
- Outer 60 degree bearing edge
- Remo USA
Master’s Maple Complete:
- Lb40 floor tom bracket
- black and chrome opti mounts
- Sp30 bass spurs
- Superhoop II or 2.3 mm triple flange hoops
- Remo UT
- 45 degree bearing edge
- Both come with the cl bridge lugs for enhanced shell vibration
If your mind compels, you can research each of these considerations and compared features, and decide if it’s worth it or not to you.