Premier Series Classic, Elite: Bullet Review

In October 2013 I picked up a fine Premier kit from the UK. Here's what I got:

• Premier Series Elite, Maple, 12x9 and 16x16 toms
• Premier Series Classic, Maple, 22x18 kick drum
• Update - Summer 2014: I added a 10x8 Maple Elite 

Update: January 2015
I love these drums more and more each time I play them! They are the only drums I've played that can actually make a set of Evans Hydraulic sound explosive instead of dead.

Now read on to see my original analysis and impressions....

Finish

• Lovely black sparkle with no flaws detected 
• Compared to the finish on the Natal I recently owned, this is superior
• In short, top-flight professional finish

Shells

• Thin maple shells - not reinforced
• Everything seems very round
• The toms have perfect edges
• Internal lacquer in order
• Very minor rough spot on the inside of the kick at the tom mount (where they drilled the hole for the tom mount)

Hoops/Rims

• The ultra-classy die-cast hoops on the Elite toms are my favorite thing about this kit
• They are elegant, tasteful, not too bulky
• Really lovely with their rounded lines, matching well with the oval Classic/Elite lugs
• The kick drum hoops were fine, flawless
• They are low-profile, which means you can position somewhat lower that with standard hoops
• Also, if you are sloppy, the low-profile hoops help prevent mistaken rim shots ;-)

Rods, lugs

• Standard rods; all were straight (which is not always such an easy achievement -- for example, on my Natal a few rods were a bit off)
• The design of the oval lugs is a matter of personal taste. I like 'em!
• One unique feature of these lugs is the "nyloc inserts" that are intended to prevent de-tuning. The inserts create a tighter feel when you screw in a rod. This makes a head change slightly more effort, in particular on the kick. I can't finger-tighten the kick rods as a result. 

Update: July 17, 2015: While playing a song in which I ride the rims pretty hard, three of the six lugs de-tune completely. It's safe to say the Nyloc inserts are pretty useless. Sorry to say.

• The kick claws are another favorite of mine. Check the design. Quite lovely.

Spurs

• The kick spurs are solid, they were squeaky and stiff on arrival, but a little silicon spray solved that 
• Originally I said "Not the smoothest gear I've seen on a high-end kit" but now that I've had it longer, I need to say this is a solid kit.
• For example, I also picked up a Yamaha Club Custom. While it is a different beast altogether, it feels very light in comparison. For a tour, I'd choose the Series kit. Solid gear.

Sound

• First off, let me say I tune with the assistance of a Tune-Bot
• With Ambassador X heads and stock Ambassador Clear reso I had trouble controlling head ring. That is, regardless of the tuning I always ended up with a very long resonant sound with a musical ring. This is not a problem in itself. In fact, it could be considered a great thing, as you probably know!
• HEAD COMBO UPDATE. Ambassador X top with Coated Ambassador bottom gave musical and pleasant tone at a relatively high tuning. I lost some of the explosiveness I had with the Clear Vintage Emperor, but the drums really sing now in a nice way. I chalk it up to the coated reso as a natural pair for the Ambassador X.
• When I switched to Clear Vintage Emperor, I found that this exceptional resonance became a huge asset. The drums became explosive, with a lovely low frequency musical tone. On other drums I've found Clear Vintage Emperor too dead for my taste. But they are truly wonderful on these Elite toms. It seems to be a great combination for a deep, explosive rock sound that is still lively and resonant. 
• The Clear Vintage Emperors also work well tuned up a bit to around a 2A. They lose a little of that "feel it in your guts" feeling, but give a more musical tone for pop or jazz.
• I really look forward to experimenting with other heads! My theory is that the 3mm undersizing of the shells helps exaggerate the sound and resonance of the head. 
• Maybe we can say that these drums favor "Head resonance" over "shell resonance"?
• For example, for rehearsals I put on some Evans Hydraulic Glass that I had on hand. On these drums, even the Hydraulic heads sing! I was amazed, but it's true. On my Yamaha Club Customs the hydraulics went THUD, but on the Series kit they actually ring out with a nice mellow note.
• So far my impression is that these drums have less of that "typical modern Maple drums" sound. Again, I think it has to do with the undersizing and extra "head resonance" over "shell resonance"?
• My impression is that I'm getting more attack and highs than I had with my Natal Maple. I reserve the right to add details here!
• On my Pearl MHX I found the die-cast "MasterCast" hoops deadened the sound, but these Premier die-cast hoops don't seem to have the same impact. I think they are simply lighter? Certainly they are prettier!

Tom mount

• Luckily I have a single tom mount since the double tom mount I've seen in photos is bulky and unattractive to me and some of my friends
• It's a standard old-school ball mount: solid and reliable
• The flush suspension system is elegant, but I admit I prefer solutions that don't mount through the tuning rods. This makes head change annoying. But the aesthetics are in order.
• With the flush mount, I was getting some buzz from the suspension mount making contact somewhere. It's the only problem I've had with these drums.
• Also, the metal on the suspension system is not filed very well. It sits very close to the drum, so the slightly rough edge could scratch the finish. I put a little electric tape on the rough edge just to be sure.
• Overall it seems the flush ISO suspension mount is the Achilles' Heal of these drums
• UPDATE September 2014. The excellent folks at Premier in the UK provided "British Collection" ISO mounts for my Elite toms. These work better with the die-cast hoops. While I still dislike "through the rod" solutions, the toms are floating nicely and all buzzing is long-gone
• TIP: If you pick up one of these kits with die-cast hoops, consider getting "British Collection" mounts. 

Elite with "British Collection" ISO mount

Overall build

• To me, this feels like any other solid modern Pro-level kit 
• High-end for sure, but this does not feel like an ultra high-end kit 
• Pardon the car analogy, but I'd call this a solid Honda or Mazda or even an Audi, not a Bentley (that's a complement, I think). 
• (Premier does have a "Bentley" line (One series, or their new Modern Classic) but they are in another price category.)
• If you can get one for a solid price, you will be happy
• Great modern drums if you get them for the right price (since the list prices I see on Amazon and many sites make no sense at all)

What's the difference between Classic and Elite?

Classic and Elite = Same shells

• As far as I can tell, nothing except the badge and the die-cast rims on the toms. 
• The finish is absolutely the same. 
• Based on my reading of Premier marketing material and other sites, Classic came only in shell packs in limited finishes. My kick was an orphan who is now happy with its Elite brothers.

Natal Maple Drums: Bullet Review After One Year

For a little more than a year I was the proud owner of a Natal Maple US Fusion X. This was the first Natal kit sold in Hungary, so I had no idea what to expect when it arrived. I was not disappointed.

Recently I decided to sell my Natal to a friend. But that does mean I don't love it. It really is a fine kit. If you see one for the right price and you need a modern kit, do not hesitate to consider it!!! Natal's pro kits are as good as anything I've seen from the production lines of Asia, Europe, or the Americas.



Lots of big tom runs in this track. Really a good example of the lively sound I was getting.


Sizes 
Short stack sizes, as follows:

• 10 x 6.5" 
• 12 x 7" 
• 16 x 14" 
• 22 x 18"

 Wood and shells

• Maple, nice and thin, and smooooth
• Fantastic edges coated with thin wax to make a nice bond with the skin
• Flawless -- Natal quality control seems to be working

Sound, tuning

• Lively, resonant, with a full, round tone
• Tons of attack thanks to the 45 degree bearing edges
• They tune up in a flash, and hold their tuning very well thanks to special nylon-dipped tuning rods 
• Very sensitive to smallest turns of the key

Lugs
Some friends really disliked the large round lugs, each emblazoned with a big Aztec-style sun. I kinda like them, but I admit they are a bit extreme.  I recently saw the new Natal Spirit mid-level kit and actually prefer the Spirit's smaller lug.  Still, they are well-made and do the job well. All lugs are well insulated with rubber gaskets, as you would expect these days.

Tom mount
The tom mount is probably my favorite part of the Natal solution. They really nailed an elegant mount, with the "RIMS-like" suspension system attached to two of the lugs.

Finish
The White Metallic lacquer finish was nice, but not amazing. I also saw a Silver Sparkle kit recently and also found it less-than overwhelming. The natural finishes I've seen are more impressive. For example, the Natal Bubinga with a natural finish is truly lovely (much more so in person than in photos).  I should note that the Natal Spirit kit I saw also had a fantastic vintage natural finish. For a mid-level kit, it impressed me as much as any of the natural Yamaha Absolute finishes I've seen!


(This is an updated version of an older post about my Natal kit, originally published in June 2012)

Video: Pearl MHX and Ludwig Classic Maple

I managed to make some decent demo videos of my 2004 Pearl MHX (now owned by my friend) and my other friend's Ludwig Classic Maple (early 2000s).

Both were recorded with a single Audio-Technica ATR 25 stereo mic with a Canon HD10 camera. I always do a little Bo Diddley thing for these demos. That way you can focus on the drums, not the cymbals (or my playing)!

Regarding the snares used, here's a good chance to compare the much less expensive Pearl Sensitone Elite Aluminum with the famous Ludalloy Supraphonic.  Honestly, if you just need a solid player's aluminum drum and don't care about resale value, consider the Pearl. Or try to hunt down an old Beverley Cosmic 21.

We tuned the Pearl MHX nice and low to bring out the characteristics of these drums: big and fat.  We used the High Resonance relationship described in the Tune Bot Tuning Guide (bottom head slightly higher, but not too much). The tom hoops are Pearl die-cast.

• 13x9 with Ambassador X, tuned to a G with Tune Bot
• 16x16 with Ambassador X, tuned to a C with Tune Bot
• 22x18 with Powerstroke 3
• Pearl Sensitone Elite Aluminum 6.5" (SuperHoops) with Ambassador X14 tuned to F# with Tune Bot

My friend with the Ludwig puts moon gel on all heads, even the resonant side. The snare also has some. I wanted to demonstrate my friend's preferred sound. I wouldn't tune this way, but he does a great job and drums sound superb. His bottom head is quite a bit higher than the top. If we use the terms described in the Tune Bot Tuning Guide, he's at what they call Medium Resonance.

• 13x9 with Ambassador top and bottom, tuned manually to an A
• 16x16 with Emperor top, Ambassador (Ludwig) bottom, tuned manually to a D
• 22x16 with Powerstroke 3
• Ludwig Supraphonic Ludalloy 6.5" with Ambassador tuned manually.

Ludwig Classic Maple? As good as they say?

My friend Bali is a much bigger drum geek than I am. You can tell by his gear. Dig this. He's got a Ludwig Classic Maple in Silver Sparkle with 13x9, 16x16, 18x16, 22x14.  He tells me it's from early 2000s. He's also got a 14*6.5 Supraphonic snare.  Not bad for a kid from Budapest.

How does she sound? Pretty fine!
Check out this demo video we made or check it out on this fine track from The Walrus, featuring Noel R Mayer on vocals and Balázs on his fine Ludwig drums with Ambassadors on top and bottom . 




This is a great song if you are into classic Anglo-American rock sounds. Maybe one of the better songs you've never heard. And now you know all about the drums.  And you are happier because of it.

My Buddy's Tama Starclassic Maple

I share a practice space with a great drummer here in Budapest named Bence Bátor.  Bence plays a mid-2000's Tama Starclassic Maple.  Every so often I get to use his kit, and I gotta tell you, I just love it.  It's a standard 10*8, 12*9, 16*14 set-up.  What I love about these drums is that you don't have to hit hard at all, and POW, they just come alive. He just fit the kit with Vintage Emperors, and man, it's just a joy to play. I love my Pearl MHX, but you really have to whack it to get the life out of it. Not the Starclassic Maple. It's a much livelier play.

You can hear Bence and his kit on these tracks.  Some really great sounds on some fine tracks.


On this next one the drums are dampened quite a bit to create a "certain" sound that works quite well even if it doesn't illustrate how well the drums resonate.



He also has an 8 inch deep Tama Bubinga snare which is certainly one of the finest drums I've ever played. I'm pretty sure he's playing it with an Evans HD Dry on the tracks above. Top stuff.

Here's a video I made of his kit using my Tama Mastercraft (Imperialstar) snare from 1983