Tech Speak is a regular segment of the Pearl Drummers' Resources and features articles pertaining to Pearl drums and (sometimes) drumming in general. It is written by Gene Okamoto and Raymond Massey, Pearl's resident nuts and bolts guys.


Tech Speak

Let's get on with the show.

For my first act, I'd like to answer to the number one question we get at Pearl:
Q: "Why did Pearl discontinue birch?"
A: The Prestige Session BLX, were introduced in 1987. Featuring 6 ply 100% birch shells, they were noted for their quick attack, great mids and highs, and fantastic projection. They were also very reasonably priced-up to thousands less than competing birch and maple sets. They sold like hot cakes. In 1993, they were phased out and replaced by the Masters Studio, Pearl's new (at the time) 100% birch thin-shell set.

As with almost everything, inflation affected the cost of birch and over the years, birch prices inched upward until finally it equaled maple. With maple and birch drums selling for the same price, the demand for birch declined as consumers chose maple instead. This left us with very few options and in 1997, we discontinued birch from our line-up, thus ending The Birch Decade in Pearl's history.

Now for something completely different.

MASTERS MAHOGANY CLASSIC LIMITED EDITON
One of the biggest "buzzes" at the last Winter NAMM show was the introduction of Pearl's Masters Mahogany Classic, MHX. Full and fat sounding, they were an immediate hit with artists and dealers. Marvin "Smitty" Smith recently switched to MHX's on the Tonight Show and was immediately complemented by band members on its great sound. To paraphrase Marvin, "This came as a pleasant surprise because the band is tough to impress." So, what makes these drums special? One word: MAHOGANY!

SOUNDS FAMILIAR
The Masters Mahogany Classic are the only professional mahogany drums in the world today. However, mahogany drums are not new. American drum makers used Mahogany for decades and only since the middle '70's did maple become the prominent wood in drum manufacturing. Virtually all drum tracks recorded prior to this time featured mahogany drums...Ringo played mahogany drums on early Beatles songs.

LET'S CLEAR THE CONFUSION
There seems to be confusion, however, about mahogany, especially regarding price. Browsing our and other manufacturer's catalogs, reveals that almost all beginner and mid-range sets are made with mahogany. MHX's, on the other hand, are priced like professional maple sets. If they're all made from mahogany, why are the prices so different?

To answer this, you have to understand that there's mahogany and then there's MAHOGANY! Beginner and mid-range sets are made with Philippine mahogany. Philippine mahogany is an abundant and therefore relatively inexpensive wood. On the other hand, the Masters Mahogany Classics are made with African Mahogany. This is the real deal, the big Kahuna, the cat's meow. There are only three true mahoganies in the world and African mahogany is one of them. African mahogany doesn't come cheap thus explaining the price differences.

CONSTRUCTION
In the beginning of this section I mentioned older mahogany drums. I know I'm nitpicking but most of these drums were not mahogany, at least, not all the way through. Most vintage mahogany drums featured 3 ply shells made with mahogany and softer woods such as poplar. They were steam bent and joined at one seam. Maple glue rings were installed for strength and to help keep the drums round. This form of construction made the drums sound exceptionally warm. Unfortunately, by today's standards, the shells were not very rigid and they absorbed much of the sound; in other words, they weren't very loud.

The MHX's, on the other hand, feature 4 ply 100% African mahogany shells with 100% maple glue rings. They're formed using Pearl's exclusive Heat Compression Shell Molding System (HC/SMS) that assures tightly bonded and rigid shells. The combination of extra strength and 100% mahogany makes these drums "sing" loud and clear while still retaining the full, rich, warm "mahogany" tone.

FINISH
Speaking of vintage mahogany drums, did you ever see the finish on these drums? Most had lots of pits and valleys where the finish didn't fill...that's because mahogany is very porous and very difficult to finish. Now look at the Masters Mahogany Classic...smooth as glass- you can practically comb you hair in the reflection. They're finished in Red Mahogany (#141)...elegant and classic for generations to enjoy.

GOING, GOING...
Hopefully by now you're a little bit curious about the Masters Mahogany Classic's and want to check them out. That's good. I did my job. Bye. But seriously...they may be hard to find because they're limited edition. Ask your local authorized Pearl dealer to order a set (please be patient) and take them for a test drive. I think you'll feel as I do that they're worth the wait.

- Gene Okamoto