Pearl professional DLX drum kit info....PLEASE !!!!

kudzu · 24th October 2005, 02:17 AM

I have a favourate kit.....Pearl professional DLX series....I'm lucky that my local rental company has all sizes of this kit...(When Dennis Chambers comes to the UK he uses the same kit I use...), I've used it on the last 3 albums I've done..(amazing recording kit)...recently took it out on the road for a few gigs (FOH engineer lovin' it

)...sounded f*ckin' great....
I need to know more about this series....I've searched but not much has come up....can anyone tell me anything about this series....or more importantly where I can get a hold of a kit.....please help

Zeppelin4Life · 24th October 2005, 03:31 AM

try the pearl forums at www.pearldrum.com

Bishbashbosh · 24th October 2005, 10:47 AM

The DLX is quite an old kit (I think it was discontinued in '89).... but it did rock!
When it was available it was Pearl's answer to the Yamaha 9000 - birch shells of a medium thickness, and available in a range of sizes including 'Jazz' depths (standard depth) which at the time not many companies were making- power sizes were all the rage!
The other pro kits available from Pearl at the time were the GLX range (which featured quick release lugs) and the original MLX series, which was the maple shelled version of the DLX.... It also featured separate lugs and a matt finished interior.
The GLX range was eventually discontinued, and the MLX and DLX were replaced by the new MLX and BLX ranges which were totally different beasts. They had long lugs (like the 9000) and had a high gloss interior, ultra hard laquer finish and thicker shells....... they also sounded like complete shit... (I had a BLX!)
The DLX in my opinion were great drums - well built, good design.....and a much more classic sound than the drums that came after them. Very versatile!
eBay would probably be your best bet for a kit (or Loot.com).... you would imagine there must be quite a few kits around because they were pretty popular in their time (second only to Premier in the UK).... and you shouldn't need to pay too much as it's an older set but not necessarily cosidered 'vintage!'
Good luck with finding a set.... if I see one knocking about I'll PM you

BigSticks · 23rd November 2005, 12:33 PM

Afraid the Pearl DLX is a rare bird in the UK. Only two I tracked down are in pro recording studios.

**toolskid** · 23rd November 2005, 12:51 PM

There was a GREAT small red 'fusion' size DLX kit in Panic Rehearsal studios old north acton premises! Maybe so a search for them (they are still in business in north acton somewhere), as afar as I remember the owner was Patrick and he may sell it! Who knows!!! I really like these kits, great fun to play!!!

Gomez · 23rd November 2005, 06:28 PM

I'm sure I once hired a black DLX from FX retals in london...

Give them a ring?

BigSticks · 23rd June 2006, 04:34 PM

Oh - forgot to mention - I do actually have a DLX kit
24 bass - 12, 13, 14, 15, 18 toms + snare - rack mount. whole stack of Zildjian cymbals. 2nd snare, double bass pedal etc etc etc

Actual piccy of part of the kit to the left...

Best kit I ever played!!!

Nergretty · 15th October 2006, 09:14 PM

Hi There!

Pearl DLX is a great kit. I use mine all the time. Pics and sound clips here

www.live-drums.com and here

http://www.d1011820.dotsterhost.com/...pic.php?t=2494

Cheers

Nerg

chetatkinsdiet · 20th October 2006, 01:43 AM

If you like the birch 80s drums, look for a set of Tama Superstars. They're my favs out of the lot....Yam RCs, DLX, etc....
They might be easier to grab in the UK.

m

Bishbashbosh · 26th October 2006, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chetatkinsdiet

If you like the birch 80s drums, look for a set of Tama Superstars. They're my favs out of the lot....Yam RCs, DLX, etc....
They might be easier to grab in the UK.

m

Great drums..... but REALLY rare in the UK.
At the time of the Superstars, Tama did not have a regular distributor..... it was only when the Artstar II and the Granstar came out that many pro Tama kits were available easily here through FCN.
The Granstar was also a birch shelled kit..... never really liked it though.... probably because the covering was about 1/2" thick and dampened the shell so much!!!

Love those Superstars though!!

stonewall40 · 16th November 2006, 05:56 PM

I have a set of Pearl Professional DX Series.

No "L" in the name. Are the DX's the same as the DLX's? I think they're birch, but was told at one time that they might be a blend of different woods. Does anyone know the difference?

Not my main kit anymore, but man they recorded great!

Kudzu, I might be persuaded to sell them, they are just sitting around collecting dust.

Jax · 18th November 2006, 12:18 AM

I had the MLX kit in the mid 90's. The DLX sounds like a different beast, but here's what I remember about my MLX:

The kick was great but had a small tuning range. When it was in that range, it produced a sexy, round and controlled thump. It didn't require alot of muffling (maybe it was the heads I used, dunno). The toms were cool, especially the 16" floor, but I remember the two racks being hard to keep in tune and to tune at all. Maybe mine were in need of some bearing edge work.

Over the years I've seen about 5 DLX and a few MLX kits for sale at one of my favorite local drumshops "Sam Adato's." I sold mine to a Chinese Christian minister for $800 and included a 2 hour video-taped drum lesson. He was taking the kit back to China to setup a music school for children. Anyway....

GavJenx · 14th December 2006, 11:50 PM

Hi mate,just read your massage and i might b able 2 help u.i have a pearl professional dx kit that im lookin to sell if the price is right.its 9 ply maple,power size.phone Tony on 07923322681 for more info.nice

Pete S · 17th December 2006, 06:29 PM

If Kudzu has questions re this set, I'd be pleased to try to answer them at

pdspain@optonline.net

Best.

Pete

glennDLX · 13th August 2008, 02:58 AM

Sorry for the huge bump.

The DX had 7 ply birch/mahogany/lamin shells and wrapped finishes.

The DLX was the lacquered version.

I have a 10/12/13/14/16/22 DLX but I'm yet to tune it so I can't give an opinion on sound.

HeavyG · 14th August 2008, 04:34 PM

...the Pearl DLX series was a high quality birch drum...and this supports my assertion that wood type doesn't really mean much in terms of the quality of the drum. Lots of "gurus" like to scream about Maple...but there are plenty of other top quality drums that use something other than Maple. Kudos to you for not falling for the hype and marketing glitz around maple...funny thing was, when Yamaha's Recording line came out BIRCH was touted as the high end of their line.

You have a great quality kit that has your "personalized" sound...that is all you can ask for as a player.

stonewall40 · 14th August 2008, 04:43 PM

great post! so true!

It's funny how some people, myself included, can get all self consious about not having a maple kit.
My DX's sounded really great to me. They recorded very well.
Way different than my 6 ply maple kit.

HeavyG · 15th August 2008, 04:02 PM

Yea...its all about the TRUTH. Don't listen to all the bias and "spin"...listen to your ears. A host of greats have gotten All World drum tone from birch, mahogany, bubinga, ash, poplar, zebra...hell, even clear acrylic. Let your ears decide...and my ears say that birch sounds OUTSTANDING. I have heard more crap like "all the greats played maple"...

Please, stop yourself...you shouldn't comment on things you know NOTHING about or have such a personal bias that your opinion is of little help to the person who asked the question.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Professional Drum Samples for RnB & HipHop	nikthegrik	High end	60	23rd May 2007 08:01 PM
Drum People: Gretsch w/ pearl hardware question	Jonk	So much gear, so little time!	2	2nd March 2006 03:45 PM
Need contact info for Mission Professional!!	Junkie	So much gear, so little time!	1	18th January 2006 07:28 PM
Recording drum tracks with electronic drum kit!?!?!	lnd	Music computers	2	15th December 2003 02:44 PM

24th October 2005, 02:17 AM	#1
kudzu Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scotland UK Posts: 707	Pearl professional DLX drum kit info....PLEASE !!!! I have a favourate kit.....Pearl professional DLX series....I'm lucky that my local rental company has all sizes of this kit...(When Dennis Chambers comes to the UK he uses the same kit I use...), I've used it on the last 3 albums I've done..(amazing recording kit)...recently took it out on the road for a few gigs (FOH engineer lovin' it )...sounded f*ckin' great.... I need to know more about this series....I've searched but not much has come up....can anyone tell me anything about this series....or more importantly where I can get a hold of a kit.....please help

24th October 2005, 03:31 AM	#2
Zeppelin4Life Gear maniac Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Latham, New York Posts: 243	try the pearl forums at www.pearldrum.com __________________ “I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying.”

23rd November 2005, 12:51 PM	#5
toolskid Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: london Posts: 2,123	There was a GREAT small red 'fusion' size DLX kit in Panic Rehearsal studios old north acton premises! Maybe so a search for them (they are still in business in north acton somewhere), as afar as I remember the owner was Patrick and he may sell it! Who knows!!! I really like these kits, great fun to play!!! __________________ Emre Ramazanoglu http://www.emremusic.com the wise man can pick up a grain of sand and envision the whole universe. The fool, however, will just lie down on some seaweed and roll around until he's completely draped in it. Then he'll stand up and go "Hey, I'm vine man"

23rd June 2006, 04:34 PM	#7
BigSticks Gear interested Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2	Pearl DLX Oh - forgot to mention - I do actually have a DLX kit 24 bass - 12, 13, 14, 15, 18 toms + snare - rack mount. whole stack of Zildjian cymbals. 2nd snare, double bass pedal etc etc etc Actual piccy of part of the kit to the left... Best kit I ever played!!!

24th October 2005, 10:47 AM	#3
Bishbashbosh Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London Posts: 551	The DLX is quite an old kit (I think it was discontinued in '89).... but it did rock! When it was available it was Pearl's answer to the Yamaha 9000 - birch shells of a medium thickness, and available in a range of sizes including 'Jazz' depths (standard depth) which at the time not many companies were making- power sizes were all the rage! The other pro kits available from Pearl at the time were the GLX range (which featured quick release lugs) and the original MLX series, which was the maple shelled version of the DLX.... It also featured separate lugs and a matt finished interior. The GLX range was eventually discontinued, and the MLX and DLX were replaced by the new MLX and BLX ranges which were totally different beasts. They had long lugs (like the 9000) and had a high gloss interior, ultra hard laquer finish and thicker shells....... they also sounded like complete shit... (I had a BLX!) The DLX in my opinion were great drums - well built, good design.....and a much more classic sound than the drums that came after them. Very versatile! eBay would probably be your best bet for a kit (or Loot.com).... you would imagine there must be quite a few kits around because they were pretty popular in their time (second only to Premier in the UK).... and you shouldn't need to pay too much as it's an older set but not necessarily cosidered 'vintage!' Good luck with finding a set.... if I see one knocking about I'll PM you

23rd November 2005, 12:33 PM	#4
BigSticks Gear interested Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2	Afraid the Pearl DLX is a rare bird in the UK. Only two I tracked down are in pro recording studios.

23rd November 2005, 06:28 PM	#6
Gomez Gear maniac Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 191	I'm sure I once hired a black DLX from FX retals in london... Give them a ring?

15th October 2006, 09:14 PM	#8
Nergretty Gear interested Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 3	Hi There! Pearl DLX is a great kit. I use mine all the time. Pics and sound clips here www.live-drums.com and here http://www.d1011820.dotsterhost.com/...pic.php?t=2494 Cheers Nerg

20th October 2006, 01:43 AM	#9
chetatkinsdiet Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,473	If you like the birch 80s drums, look for a set of Tama Superstars. They're my favs out of the lot....Yam RCs, DLX, etc.... They might be easier to grab in the UK. m

16th November 2006, 05:56 PM	#11
stonewall40 Gear nut Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 78	I have a set of Pearl Professional DX Series. No "L" in the name. Are the DX's the same as the DLX's? I think they're birch, but was told at one time that they might be a blend of different woods. Does anyone know the difference? Not my main kit anymore, but man they recorded great! Kudzu, I might be persuaded to sell them, they are just sitting around collecting dust.

18th November 2006, 12:18 AM	#12
Jax Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Rafael, CA Posts: 3,659	I had the MLX kit in the mid 90's. The DLX sounds like a different beast, but here's what I remember about my MLX: The kick was great but had a small tuning range. When it was in that range, it produced a sexy, round and controlled thump. It didn't require alot of muffling (maybe it was the heads I used, dunno). The toms were cool, especially the 16" floor, but I remember the two racks being hard to keep in tune and to tune at all. Maybe mine were in need of some bearing edge work. Over the years I've seen about 5 DLX and a few MLX kits for sale at one of my favorite local drumshops "Sam Adato's." I sold mine to a Chinese Christian minister for $800 and included a 2 hour video-taped drum lesson. He was taking the kit back to China to setup a music school for children. Anyway....

14th December 2006, 11:50 PM	#13
GavJenx Gear interested Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1	Pearl Professional DX Hi mate,just read your massage and i might b able 2 help u.i have a pearl professional dx kit that im lookin to sell if the price is right.its 9 ply maple,power size.phone Tony on 07923322681 for more info.nice

17th December 2006, 06:29 PM	#14
Pete S Gear interested Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1	A 7-piece Pearl DLX in excellent condition in New England, US If Kudzu has questions re this set, I'd be pleased to try to answer them at pdspain@optonline.net Best. Pete

13th August 2008, 02:58 AM	#15
glennDLX Gear interested Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1	Sorry for the huge bump. The DX had 7 ply birch/mahogany/lamin shells and wrapped finishes. The DLX was the lacquered version. I have a 10/12/13/14/16/22 DLX but I'm yet to tune it so I can't give an opinion on sound.

14th August 2008, 04:34 PM	#16
HeavyG Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 591	DLX ...the Pearl DLX series was a high quality birch drum...and this supports my assertion that wood type doesn't really mean much in terms of the quality of the drum. Lots of "gurus" like to scream about Maple...but there are plenty of other top quality drums that use something other than Maple. Kudos to you for not falling for the hype and marketing glitz around maple...funny thing was, when Yamaha's Recording line came out BIRCH was touted as the high end of their line. You have a great quality kit that has your "personalized" sound...that is all you can ask for as a player. __________________ Nelly Drummer, Vocalist, Project Studio Stunt Pilot “My vocation is more in composition really than anything else - building up harmonies using the guitar, orchestrating the guitar like an army, a guitar army.” Jimmy Page

14th August 2008, 04:43 PM	#17
stonewall40 Gear nut Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 78	great post! so true! It's funny how some people, myself included, can get all self consious about not having a maple kit. My DX's sounded really great to me. They recorded very well. Way different than my 6 ply maple kit.

15th August 2008, 04:02 PM	#18
HeavyG Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 591	411 Yea...its all about the TRUTH. Don't listen to all the bias and "spin"...listen to your ears. A host of greats have gotten All World drum tone from birch, mahogany, bubinga, ash, poplar, zebra...hell, even clear acrylic. Let your ears decide...and my ears say that birch sounds OUTSTANDING. I have heard more crap like "all the greats played maple"... Please, stop yourself...you shouldn't comment on things you know NOTHING about or have such a personal bias that your opinion is of little help to the person who asked the question. __________________ Nelly Drummer, Vocalist, Project Studio Stunt Pilot “My vocation is more in composition really than anything else - building up harmonies using the guitar, orchestrating the guitar like an army, a guitar army.” Jimmy Page

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread: