I'd probably pass on the MCT unless it was on sale for a giveaway price. And even then, I'd only buy the 24/13/16.
You heard the Superstar Classics ?? Those sizes would be a grand... brand new.
I've been rambling on in another thread about building a Keller kit and how much cheaper it would be and how production drums never check all the boxes etc. But, I've got to say, the Masters Maple Complete in 24/13/16 gets about as close to checking all the boxes for me (at least in specs) without getting into the $2,000+ price range. I have to admit, I've had my eye on them for a while.
Never been able to play a set. There are YouTube videos on the MCT in the more basic 22/10/12/16 and 20/10/12/14 configurations. But, nothing on the 24/13/16. Bummer. The specs make me think Ludwig Classic Maple in the ProBeat configuration, which is what I would be trying to emulate with a Keller build. But, my experience with Pearl snares tells me that you can't judge them by specs alone. They get close, but they often end sounding . . . blah. Just my opinion, don't flame me.
And, I hate the finish options. First of all, there are only 5. 3 of them are, again, IMO, God awful sparkle lacquer jobs. They have fancy names, but thy are basically red sparkle, green sparkle and gold sparkle. The other two are, well, just boring. Matte black and some ugly fade job. I guess out of all those finishes, I would pick the black. Not because I like it, but because it's the only one I wouldn't hate. That's a big negative. I'd have to really settle for a finish if I bought a set of these.
But, in the end, sound matters. I was hoping Sweetwater would do a demo video of the MCT in the 24/13/16 configuration. They seem to have skipped it, even though they have been selling it for over a year.
If anyone has one and can upload a soundfile, I'd like to hear it.
I'd probably pass on the MCT unless it was on sale for a giveaway price. And even then, I'd only buy the 24/13/16.
....Of course nobody really talks much about them because the brand i.d. falls into that sort of vanilla category.
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.............https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv6-58mGrQE
I've been checking these out and they seem to be a steal of a kit.
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Of course nobody really talks much about them because the brand i.d. falls into that sort of vanilla category.
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.............https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv6-58mGrQE
I've been checking these out and they seem to be a steal of a kit.
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Of course nobody really talks much about them because the brand i.d. falls into that sort of vanilla category.
.
.............https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv6-58mGrQE
Not so long ago a Pearl kit was in the mcflurry oreo/smarties category with sparkles and caramel on top.
I think a little marketing budget is in order. Maybe they are big in Europe and Asia, which would explain the lethargy in North America.
I'll jump on the bandwagon when it passes if it sports bright shiny lights and cheerleaders.
I'll go on the record as having brought up this point with a couple of Pearl people at NAMM last year. I flat-out said if they didn't push that Export back in the 80s so much, they'd have more people into their professional lines. I was told that they're going to start promoting the upper lines more, and maybe offer incentives to dealers who stock the high-end drums. This would go a long way to giving potential customers an alternative whenever you walk into a Guitar Center or a Sam Ash. So hopefully we'll start seeing a change soon.
I'll be completely honest, Pearl was never really on my radar up until I really gave them a look at NAMM a few years ago, and had the president of the USA portion show me the Reference Pures along with his National Combo Marketing manager. Plus they seemed like real genuine people too, so that's always a plus. I knew big artists played them, but they did have this 'vanilla' vibe about the brand I couldn't put my finger on. I'm hoping this will change. Heck, they have Masterworks, which is like Sonor's SQ2, so you have the ability to create whatever you want. Who else offers that as part of the general catalog?
I'm 100% with you on this Bo.
A drummer friend of mine whom I shared a space with bought a natural lacquered finish reference (not pure) kit and it sounds as good as anything out there in that price range.
They absolutely need to put the word out, they have incredible gear, kits, pedals and hardware but we do not get the hype other manufacturers pay a hefty sum to create around their own products.
Go Pearl, make us believe once again !
True dat. I'm trying to help the cause.
And the shell structure makes a lot of sense to me, the snare and higher tom's birch composition and adding the warmth of mahogany the lower they go.
It's pretty brilliant if you ask me.