Pearl export user reviews ( 5/10) - 3 user reviews

• 12/07/11

  DubiousDubs's review "Spend your money on a maple set instead, skip this one."

  Overall Opinion

  Pearl doesn’t disappoint so long as you don’t set your sights on perfection. I owned a mid 1980s pearl export series back in the mid 1990’s and it was absolutely fantastic back then. If I was going to use that same set today, I wouldn’t be so amazed. Likely because in the last 15 years or so, drum shell manufacturing has become much less varied and more precise between different setups.
  
  
  
  But I digress, as I was recently at a weekend gig where there was only a Pearl Export series in red. I got to know the set really well over the next few nights, and I was surprised by how well the sound was, but at the same time I was relieved to stop using the set at the end of the weekend. Here’s why: 1. The set moved around a lot. The rubber bottoms to the floor tom were harder than I like and slid around the wood floor. I guess I should have procured a drop rug for the set, but it wasn’t my call. 2. the toms move around a lot. This is common with DW too, and I attribute this to the common use of simple hardware connections. I don’t mind this as much, but it can get annoying after a while, and it might rub against the body shell of the kick drum and etch and mark the set.
  
  
  
  If I can recommend a better bang for your dollar, go with a Yamaha stage custom. It’s not as common as this set, you don’t see everyone sporting one, and it sounds a lot better, and I think Yamaha really has their equipment together, from the manufacturing to the presentation. Little things are missing from this set, and in the bigger picture, when combined, leave me missing out on an experience by a long shot. I can’t say for sure totally what is wrong with this cheaper set, but for starters for the price, you should be getting a maple wood, but you are not.
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• 08/23/11

  yoTrakkz's review "Set is ok .."

  Overall Opinion

  The Pearl Export is a good starter set for up and coming drummers. Pearl has always prided them self on putting a quality product with a great sound. Pearl has a great reputation when it comes to music equipment. Unfortunately after play with this drum set it didn’t feel as good as it did on the higher in models that Pearl makes. The snare didn’t quiet sound like I liked it, and even after trying to tune it several times I still couldn’t get it to be how I wanted it. The toms are pretty good, cant really complain about them too much. They do tend to have a deeper lower more hollow sound than other Pearl sets that I have used or experimented with over the years.
  
  I have tried several Pearl models throughout my life, and this is the only one that I felt really fell short of my expectations out of pearl. But like I said, if this is your first set then its great. If you’re a beginner you definitely want to go with this set and get a feel for Pearl. But you will need to upgrade at some point throughout your drumming career.
  
  
  
  With knowing what I know now if I went back in time, I wouldn’t have got this set. Even though I am happy with the set, I would have just put out more money and got the upgraded version of this Pearl set. The price of this set is a little to high for the quality of it. You can get other sets on the market for a cheaper price that are the same as this Pearl Export. My advice would be to shop around and look at different brands if this is what your price range is when you are buying your drum set.
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• 10/11/09

  sanjuro's review

  Overall Opinion

  The Pearl Export series is an extremely popular drumset.  It is so common that I think I have seen more of these than any other set when gigging.  This is surprising, because I find the export series to be extremely overrated and overpriced.  For a kit comparable to that of a Yamaha stage custom, it is way too expensive for my liking when such good kits are available at this price.
  
  
  
  I have never owned an export, but I have played enough to know that they are not my style.  The tom shells have a really deep tone to them, but are difficult to get more musical qualities out.  If you like heavy toms this is ok, but they are limited in complexity.  The snare is decent, but rings more than necessary even when tuned with a thick batter.  The bass drum is probably the highlight, because it is extremely powerful.  However, it is not consitant with the toms and does not blend well.  One strong point is the hardware, which is actually pretty sturdy.  It is fairly similar to the hardware in the pro Pearl lines.  The drum lugs are easy to adjust and take off, though I don't like the look of them joining in the middle of the drum. 
  
  
  
  In general, I am a fan of pearl drums.  The higher end maple kits are amazing, and they offer many options.  However, the lower end Pearl Forum and Export can't come close to competing with the other comparable lines, such as Yamaha, Ludwig, or Gretsch.  I don't mean to judge a drumset too harshly, but I have played many different exports in many sizes and have not been impressed.  I would not recommend this, but for a similar price would spring for a Yamaha Stage Custom or a Gretsch Catalina.
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