I finally set in the pearl decade maple 7 piece drum set in my studio, and the first thing I noticed wasn't really requirements, but how much space this massive kit needs. If you're utilized to a regular five-piece setup, relocating up to a seven-piece is a bit of the wake-up contact for your ground plan. But truthfully, once I sitting behind it and started hitting these thin maple covers, the footprint didn't seem to matter as much. It's plenty of drum regarding the price, and it bridges that awkward gap in between "my first kit" and "I'm a professional now" surprisingly properly.
Pearl invested about ten years developing this line—hence the name "Decade"—and their own goal was to create a thin, all-maple shell that wouldn't break the particular bank. Usually, whenever you see the seven-piece kit from this price, you expect some corners to be cut, maybe in the wood quality or even the hardware. Yet after spending the few weeks beating on this issue, I've found that it holds the own against sets that cost twice as much.
The Deal with Those Thin Shells
The particular standout feature of the kit is the shell construction. We're looking at 6-ply, 5. 4mm 100% maple shells. If a person aren't a gear nerd, here's the reason why that matters: thinner shells tend to vibrate more freely. Think that of it like a thin wine glass versus a solid coffee mug. If you hit a slim maple shell, this resonates with this warm, punchy shade that feels extremely "pro. "
Most entry-level kits use heavier, cheaper woods such as poplar or basswood, which could sound a bit "boxy" or even dead. The Pearl Decade Maple 7 piece drum set has a lot of "sing" to it. The sustain is lengthy, and the tone is bright but with enough low-end warmth to keep it from sounding shrill. I noticed this especially on the rack toms. They possess a very clear, melodic note that makes tuning them a thrilling time rather than a chore.
Why Seven Pieces?
You may be wondering if you actually need seven drums. It's a valid question. The standard configuration usually gives you 3 rack toms (8", 10", and 12") and two floor toms (14" plus 16"), along along with the 22" punch and the 14" snare.
Having that 8-inch tom is some sort of game-changer for fills. It adds this high-pitched "pop" that cuts right via a mix, especially if you're playing fusion, gospel, or progressive rock. Then you possess the 16-inch flooring tom, which offers that deep, bowel-shaking rumble for large rock beats. Getting all five toms at your removal gives you a huge melodic range. You can do all those long, cascading floods that sound like a thunderstorm moving across the area.
That said, you don't have to use all of them all the time. Occasionally I'll just pull the 10" plus 16" for the smaller gig, and the kit still sounds cohesive. It's the versatility that will makes the seven-piece setup worth the particular investment. You're ready for any musical technology situation.
Exactly how It Actually Noises within the Room
Let's talk regarding the kick drum first. A 22x18 maple kick is usually pretty much the standard for a reason. Out of the box, with all the stock heads, it's got a good thump. Once I actually threw a muffled go on there plus a small cushion inside, it converted into a canon. It has that will classic maple "oomph"—plenty of attack yet with a heavy, resonant after-note that feels really satisfying in your chest.
The capture drum is possibly the only area where I felt I might desire an upgrade eventually, but for the kit-included snare, it's surprisingly good. It's a matching 14x5. 5 maple snare. It's snappy plus sensitive, though it can be a little ringy if a person don't use several dampening. I place a small amount of gel on the edge, and it dried up perfectly. It's perfect for backbeats, though in the event that you're a heavy hitter, you may find it lacks the "crack" of the metal snare.
The toms are the stars of the show here. Mainly because the shells are usually so thin, they react to actually light touches. In the event that you're a powerful player who likes to play ghost notes or smoother jazz patterns, these shells will respond to you. When you lay into them, they project enough to fill a medium-sized venue without even requiring mics.
The Hardware and Build Quality
Pearl includes a reputation for building hardware that could survive a nuclear blast, and the particular Decade series doesn't really deviate from that. It uses the particular NDL lugs, which are low-mass to permit the shell to vibrate more. They will look sleek and modern, which We appreciate.
The Opti-Loc mounting program is another large plus. It attaches to two associated with the tuning mounting bolts and one associated with the air ports, suspended by silicone. This means the tom isn't "choked" by a support bolted directly in to the wood. Whenever you hit the particular tom, it wobbles a little bit (which could be odd if you aren't used to it), but that move is what allows the particular drum to sustain.
One particular thing to keep in mind: setting up up five toms requires a little bit of patience. You've got three stand toms to mount on the stop drum and on separate stands. It takes an additional to get the perspectives perfect so a person aren't striking the wheels or reaching too far. But when you lock those Uni-Lock tilters into place, they don't budge. I've played several kits where typically the toms slowly sag over an hour-long practice, but these types of stayed exactly where I put them.
A Real Chat About the Stock Heads
I have to become honest here—every drum kit in this particular price range includes "demo" heads. They're fine for the first week, yet if you really want the pearl decade maple 7 piece drum set to appear like a professional studio kit, you're going to want in order to swap them away.
We switched the stock clears for some covered dual-ply heads upon the toms, and the difference was night and day. It took aside some of the plastic-y overtones plus brought out that will deep maple warmth. If you're budgeting for this package, throw in another hundred bucks for the fresh set associated with heads. It'll create the kit sound like it cost $2, 000.
Could it be Too Big for Gigging?
This is the "elephant in the area. " Lugging the seven-piece kit in order to a local bar gig is an option. If you have a van plus a drum technology (or an extremely helpful bass player), go for it. When you're cramming almost everything right into a Honda Civic, you might find yourself leaving several drums from home.
However, the beauty of the pearl decade maple 7 piece drum set is the fact that it's modular. To get a little jazz gig, I'll take the give up, snare, 12" stand, and 14" floor. For a steel show, I'm bringing the whole castle. The shells are light because they're thin, so even though there are more of them, they will aren't back-breaking in order to carry.
Conclusions
At the end of the day, the pearl decade maple 7 piece drum set is probably among the best values on the particular market right this moment. It gives you the "pro" maple audio without the "pro" cost tag that usually arrives with custom or even high-end lines.
It isn't perfect—the stock heads are just okay, and it's the lot of gear to maintain—but the good qualities heavily outweigh the particular cons. It appears beautiful (Pearl's lacquer finishes are top-tier), it sounds resonant and musical, plus it gives you the freedom to try out almost any style associated with music. Whether you're students looking in order to upgrade your setup or a gigging drummer who needs a reliable, versatile workhorse, this kit is definitely a solid wager. Just make sure you have enough room in your vehicle (and your house) before you draw the trigger.