![[DFO] Drum Forum](https://www.drumforum.org/styles/drumforum/xenforo/logo.png){kind=logo}
What's Your Latest Drum Purchase?
- Thread starter Christian C.
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links like Ebay, Amazon, and others.
SchmuckyPutz
Very well Known Member
The Pearl Crystal Beat 50th anniversary kit I ordered last November finally arrived. With nicked bearing edges, a couple spots of foreign material in the cast acrylic, a rather chipped bottom edge on the
Free Floater shell, about 10" of rollercoaster calling itself bearing edge on the 16"ft, EVERY lug on the kit looking like it had been through 5 years of touring, and as an added bonus: an actual STAPLE stuck between the bd bearing edge and head! These were BARELY out of the molds and cooled off before they were machined: the fumes when I removed the heads damn near knocked me over! I asked for a hefty discount, along with a couple replacement lugs AND full warrantee to make it worth my while to keep them. My retailer told me that the Pearl rep just said send them back. I really love acrylic drums, and I DEFINITELY wanted to have this re-issue. WAY too many glaring flaws for my liking, though. What say you, Pearl gurus? This is my FIRST experience buying a new Pearl kit. Is this kit worth a second chance, or is TRUE Pearl quality a step or three up the product hierarchy?
Free Floater shell, about 10" of rollercoaster calling itself bearing edge on the 16"ft, EVERY lug on the kit looking like it had been through 5 years of touring, and as an added bonus: an actual STAPLE stuck between the bd bearing edge and head! These were BARELY out of the molds and cooled off before they were machined: the fumes when I removed the heads damn near knocked me over! I asked for a hefty discount, along with a couple replacement lugs AND full warrantee to make it worth my while to keep them. My retailer told me that the Pearl rep just said send them back. I really love acrylic drums, and I DEFINITELY wanted to have this re-issue. WAY too many glaring flaws for my liking, though. What say you, Pearl gurus? This is my FIRST experience buying a new Pearl kit. Is this kit worth a second chance, or is TRUE Pearl quality a step or three up the product hierarchy?
Spacerockfan
Active Member
I recently bought the Pearl Crystal Beat Ultra-Clear 3 shell kit (24/13/16) and I also ordered the 18x16 floor tom. I received the 3 shell kit about 10 days ago (just a few weeks after I ordered it). As far as I have been able to tell, all drums are flawless. I am very happy with them. Although, after reading your post I will very carefully inspect my 18x16 tom when I get it.
I think somebody at Pearl really screwed up with regard to your kit. I say get a replacement kit, and when your retailer gets it, you and the retailer should examine it together at the retailer's location.
I think somebody at Pearl really screwed up with regard to your kit. I say get a replacement kit, and when your retailer gets it, you and the retailer should examine it together at the retailer's location.
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links like Ebay, Amazon, and others.
SchmuckyPutz
Very well Known Member
Pearl has had a few years to work the bugs out, and the kits DO get decent reviews. I'm inclined to think demand for the anniversary limited edition colours was greater than Pearl had anticipated,
and they have to hurry them out of the factory while trying to keep up with orders. Mine looked like they were done in a hurry!
I think they sent you the 50-year-old kit, not the 50th Anniversary!!Pearl has had a few years to work the bugs out, and the kits DO get decent reviews. I'm inclined to think demand for the anniversary limited edition colours was greater than Pearl had anticipated,
and they have to hurry them out of the factory while trying to keep up with orders. Mine looked like they were done in a hurry!
Last edited:
No excuses for poor quality and workmanship. Unacceptable. Send them back.
DrummBumm89
Very well Known Member
Aren't most of the seamless acrylic kits coming out of the same factory?
I remember the Crush phase when they got real popular. $899 or something for the seamless acrylic, and they frequently looked pretty rough.
I remember the Crush phase when they got real popular. $899 or something for the seamless acrylic, and they frequently looked pretty rough.
Guess which brand sticks I bought
Roch
DFO Master
Tama 50th Anniversary Superstars. My local drum shop had these 80’s concert toms there at the time so I went for it. The 40 year old mahogany finish matched up almost perfectly. I’ve played four pieces all my life. This should be fun. I’ll need a bigger room.
cochlea
DFO Master
Wow, that is cool! How do you manage to navigate around that rather long pull rod on your hi-hat stand?
Roch
DFO Master
I
I’ll have to snip it. I just set these up for the first time. I haven’t even played them yet.
bluejacketsfan
Very well Known Member
Those look like a lot of fun to play!
Roch
DFO Master
So far, so fun. I haven't completely finished setting them up with cymbals, etc. as I have been too busy. I think I'll need to get a couple of boom arms. After playing a 4 pc for the last 35 years I thought I'd give myself some inspiration. I had a credit leftover after a few trades so I thought "what the heck". I would probably have just bought another snare drum with the money..I won't be carting these to my next Legion gig to play an afternoon of train beats with hot rods.
Markkuliini
DFO Master
Ludwig Black Beauty b-stock, 14x6,5. Gave it a polish and new heads.
Was first wondering why is a b-stock, but then I noticed these 3 spots under the flange of the bearing edge, where the black nickel hasn't attached. Lol.
Usually I have not been Ludwig fan (owned and sold about 10 different Supras, Acros, hammered bronze and one 5" BB ), but this one sounded fantastic right from the gate.
Was first wondering why is a b-stock, but then I noticed these 3 spots under the flange of the bearing edge, where the black nickel hasn't attached. Lol.
Usually I have not been Ludwig fan (owned and sold about 10 different Supras, Acros, hammered bronze and one 5" BB ), but this one sounded fantastic right from the gate.
Attachments
Roch
DFO Master
My local shop carries B stocks. I think that will be my next snare drum. I’ve never owned or played one.
krazedmjk
Well-Known Member
"Ludwig Black Beauty b-stock, 14x6,5. Gave it a polish and new heads"
no serial # or is the lighting?
3 spots inside most likely from not rotating the shell during final plating process (hangers)
no serial # or is the lighting?
3 spots inside most likely from not rotating the shell during final plating process (hangers)
vintagemore2000
DFO Star
