At the beginning of 2008, Pearl introduced the Vision series. The series was founded on the quality of its predecessor, the Export Series, which was then the best-selling.
The addition of 100% maple and birch shells on these new products was perhaps the reason they were seen as the best.
Today, we have the Pearl Vision, as one of the top drum sets on the market. Even though the Export name has been reintroduced, the Vision Birch Lacquer/VBL series. They are tagged as the most budget-friendly 100% birch shell pack.
I wanted to find just how good this shell pack is. And perhaps if there is any difference between the new Export under it. Or maybe what makes them less the top-notch Session and Masters series.
Features of the Vision Drums
I was recently checked some views on Drummer World Official Discussion Forum, which got me even more interested.
GetAgripsays “I believe all the Export kits are made of Poplar. Visions are birch/basswood, all birth, or maple. This added thickness of the floor toms is like the reference series, which give it more boom baby….”
Even before looking at this, I had already believed the Vision Series is made for quality. If you are looking to rock out with extreme power and projection, I believe this should be a choice that will get you there.
Configuration and construction
As the name suggests, the Vision Birch Lacquer (VBL) comes with 100% birch on the shells.
You will be happy to know each shell comes with Pearl’s propriety SST system. This is a great tech that uses overlapping scarf join seams that Pearl calls a “perfect air-tight fit.”
You can choose from three pre-configured kits available. The first is the ‘fusion’ setup that comes with 10-inch and 12-inch rack toms, with 14-inch floor toms and 20-inch bass drum. Secondly, you get the ‘fusion-plus’ with a 16-inch floor tom and 22-inch kick instead of the 14 and 20-inch. The last setup comes with a more traditional 12-inch, 13-inch, 16-inch, and 22-inch setup.
Apart from this build, there is a 14-inch by 5-inch Sensitone snare. And, unlike most drum sets in this category, you also get a Pearl 930 hardware pack that carries 930-series straight and boom stands. The h-hats stand is also including landside a 930 pedal (for those who have to use the flagship Demon Drive pedals by Pearl, you know what this means.)
The finishes
I have never thought finishes mattered a lot, as long as the drum sounded the way I wanted. Anyway, the finishes on the drums have compelled me to say something.
You will be impressed with the way VBL’s finish pops under the stage light. It only amplifies its quality. Besides, it makes the drummer more visible, even from the background.
There are five incredible lacquer finishes. I liked the natural finish more. But the Graphite, Fade, Prussian Blue, Black Burst, and Ruby Fade are equally great. Also, Pearl has included a few add-on toms which set more complete.
My test kit is a mid-configuration. It comes with the 16-inch floor toms and 22-inch bass with a natural finish.
The first thing you notice is extraordinary quality in this finish. It comes with a deep, glossy, and flawless touch that would not be in such a product a decade ago.
There are lugs on each drum, which reflects what you get with the Reference series. As if that is not enough, the die-cast bass drum hoops on the rubber gaskets keep the shell separate.
Pearl has included their ISS mounts for the rack toms. Also, each tom comes with Pinstripe batters, with the most Powerful on the bass drum.
Other notable features
The Pearl Visions are standard drums that will make you feel the adrenaline. They are easy to assemble, and their sound is incredible.
The sound
In the 1980s, birch wood was the choice of drummers. It wants on into the 1990s.
Birch is well known for reaching strong highs, reduced mids, and sturdy low end. These features make it well functional in a recording studio.
Today, we still find birch in making drums. And similar to maple, Bubinga, and other great flavors in the drumming industry, drum makers are using birch for hi-quality drum sets. You will get this quality in the VBL.
The five-piece kits feature a tow mounted rack tom, a floor tome, and a kick drum. They all come with standard tuning features that produce top-notch sounds. The combination of birch shells and beautiful edges on these drums offer a wide projection.
And this is why they are highly recommended for a studio situation. Also, it performs exceptionally in a live recording.
The snare
I cannot finish this review without talking about the sensitone snare. It is not only the birch shell that makes it sounds incredible. It also comes with a 5.5-inch by 14-inch Steel Sensitone features.
This feature will give you a beautiful crack combined with nicely playable tones. Since it is to a user, tune makes you feel very good under the hands. And that is all that mater ins a snare.
When you can tune and get great sounds from the drum, you can say something has made sense.
The innovative SR-900 Duo-motion snare from Pearl is included to easy conversation. This means you will ably shift from a side lever action to a Gladstone-version throw-off with easy. Such a feature is only found with this peace.
For drummers, the snare sound makes everything else sound better. Hence, a bad sound will not sit well.
The hardware
The inclusion of such innovative hardware is another point worth noting here. You will notice the I.S.S Tom Mounting System on the rack tom offers nice and easy to use functionality. You
You only need two tension rod-style screws to connect the two tom mounts. I think this is really cool because it makes everything seem so easy, yet with great resonance.
Another incredible feature is the 900 series Uni-Lock Tom Holders. They will easily get your drums in the right position.
They are echoed by the Reference-style Bridge Lugs. These lugs look really amazing with shiny chrome. Besides, the Recesses kick drum claws finishes everything up with a sleek appearance.
With these features, the Pearl visions are the most incredible sounding drums you will get at this price range. Even though the set may be a bit costly, you are sure to get back your investment.
When did the Pearl Vision Drums come out?
The Pearl Vision Drums, first introduced in the 1990s, quickly became popular among drummers due to their sleek design, versatile sound, and durable construction. The combination of high-quality materials such as maple and birch produces a warm and rich tone.
The patented Opti-Loc mounting system provides a secure and stable platform for the drums to resonate freely. These features make the Pearl Vision Drums a favorite among professional and amateur drummers, used in various musical genres and known for versatility and adaptability to different playing styles. Even today, they are still considered a top choice for drummers of all skill levels.
What weight did hoops come on the Pearl Vision Drums?
There are three common rims and hoops for modern drums; wood, die-cast, and flanged. Wood and die-cast metal hoops are much stronger than flanged ones.
Also, these hoops provide a firmer grip. They are heavier too, which ensures a more focused sound and less sustain. They are also applicable for those who need better projection with the rimshots and advanced tuning stability.
The Pearl Vision Drums comes with die-cast hoops on a rubber casket. This makes them effectively isolate the shells for a more focused sound.
These hoops are sturdy and long-lasting but lightweight to ensure the drum set does not weight too much. This makes more sense in terms of portability.
Conclusion
There is no denying the Pearl makes some of the best drum sets in the world. They have included this reputation and their focus on innovation in the Pearl Vision Drums.
You can’t go any further if you are looking for the most affordable 100% birch and maple drums. Also, the drums come ready for gigging, so you won’t have trouble setting your gear.
