Pearl is certainly at the upper limit of a very short list of high quality drum kit manufacturers. Their drums can be found in both jazz clubs and rock and roll venues, and it is a true testament to the quality of their products that they can support such a diversity of playing styles. They offer both individual drum components as well as pre-composed drum kits.

Pearl's Masterworks line is their top offering and it offers the ultimate in customization. Every single piece of a Masterworks Pearl drum set is hand assembled by a master Pearl drum craftsman. They actually do everything from hand selecting the various woods for the shells all the way to actually die-casting and then plating the hardware. These are serious drum kits for serious musicians.

When you choose to purchase a Pearl Masterworks drum kit you actually get to choose the type of wood you want your shells composed of. You can have them made from North American Maple, Scandinavian Birch, or African Mahogany. Additionally, you get to choose the actual thickness of the shells and the particular type of plating you want on the hardware.

While their Masterworks series can be quite pricey, Pearl also has some great lower priced options available. For example, their Sound Check line is considered their entry level kit, but it still packs a lot of punch. It comes with nine ply seven millimeter mahogany shells, and double-braced hardware. The Sound Check kits come in both Jet Black and Red Wine finishes. For those who are interested in collectible instruments, you can also find great vintage Pearl drum sets as well as simple used Pearl drum sets. Vintage instruments can be a great way to get a 'playable' piece of history.