Pearl Reference Drum Kits

Pearl set out with a clear mission statement with the Reference series: individually engineered, incredible sounding drums. Where most kits are made with a uniform approach in terms of wood and configuration, Reference kits break the mould by utilising a different design for every shell. Different wood, thickness and composition. For brighter tones, the shells emphasise birch; for a healthy midrange, Pearl add maple to the mix; finally, for the heavier, deeper tones, mahogany is used. By carefully tweaking combinations of these three wood types across the tonal spectrum, the Reference kits offer textbook tonal accuracy that's hard to match.

Three types of bearing edges are then used - Pearl argue that this is just as important as the wood choice itself. They use a combination of 45 degree sharp bearings, 45 degree round bearings and full round bearings; combined with 6-ply, 8-ply and 20-ply (snare) thickness, they're able to further hone in on sonic precision. The final piece of the puzzle is Pearl's legendary SST (Superior Shell Technology); milling, adhesive and temperature treatment polishes off the process.

World-class hardware takes it to the next level. Bridge-style lugs and floor tom brackets deliver excellent resonance thanks to minimal shell contact, with the swivel function allowing perfect alignment without compromising tension or tone. The OptiMount suspension system goes further still, with zero shell contact, allowing the wood to do the talking! 

There are numerous configurations for the Pearl Reference kits, employing professional-grade manufacture techniques, materials and attention to detail. It's all finished off with their painstaking 31-step ultra-high gloss finishing process. All-in-all, Pearl Reference kits are uncompromising in their performance - drumming will never be the same again!