Here we have a kit that I personally have some history with. This is one of the first Pearl Masterworks kits brought in to the UK by Pearl when they were still based in Milton Keynes back in year 2000. This particular set was one of 12 kits brought in as special collectors edition sets intended to showcase how versatile and truly custom this new flagship range would become. Each kit had a completely unique finish and shell spec, all the drum dealers in the U.K. were invited to a special launch event where the kits were unveiled and made available on a first come first served basis. At the time I was working for Cranes Music and I attended on their behalf with the intention of getting this very set for the store. How did I know about it? well I had some intel from Simon Jayes who at the time was working at Pearl doing their A&R. Many of you will better know Simon from his current business London Drum Company which he set up in 2004.
Simon told me about this incredible finish combo, remember at the time no one had ever seen a commercially available sparkle lacquer from Pearl, this was completely new ground! Well long story cut short the meetings on the day of the launch were set up in a particular order and this kit was long gone before I could get it ordered, Instead I had to settle for a Artisan Scuba Blue Tamo Ash and the first ever Carbon Fibre set, not bad runner up sets by any means, but I always wondered what happened to that Iridescent White Sparkle set.
Fast forward 20 years and it comes across the door here at Drumazon. I couldn't wait to see it, but I was expecting it to be very much looking like a 20 year old set, I was very wrong and there were immediately plenty of positives. The original Bass Drum Batter head with the Masterworks logo was present and barely used, the shells are immaculate, the Gold is in extremely good condition, the original certificate of authenticity and gold drum key are present and the kit is fully original in terms of its set up - still complete with its matching snare drum. Then one down point, the bass drum batter side hoop was slightly cracked and chipped. It wasn't right through but given the exceptional condition of the rest of the set it felt like a real pity so I decided to see what we could get done.
There was only one man who I knew would remember the kit and know if there was a potential fix - Simon Jayes! I made the call to Simon, he asked for the serial codes and some pictures and got straight on to it. Pearl wanted the original hoops sent to Japan, they knew the colour but were concerned about how much of the original sparkle fleck they had left and if they could match the white up. Via Simon they recommended making two brand new hoops incase there was a slight colour variation meaning the hoops would at least match each other. We agreed and asked Simon if we could also get a brand new Masterworks front head for good measure. Fast forward 4 months and a box arrives. The hoops were completely wrapped in brown paper and it was the moment of truth, how much of a match did we have - the answer - a complete 100% match. Pearl knocked this out of the park, the colour and fleck is identical to the original shells. The original hoops were the only part of the kit that had slight finish damage such as bass pedal rash and claw hook rub. These new hoops have essentially made the 20 year old set look like brand new again!
We were incredibly lucky that Simon could help us with this and that Pearl had enough fleck left to make these hoops which has restored this kit back to fully original status.
The shell spec on this kit is also really special, there is Birch, Maple and African Mahogany in varying amounts across the shells. If you want an absolute one of a kind Masterworks from the very beginning, this could be the one for you!
- 10 x 8 Tom - 4 ply Maple, 2 ply Birch
- 12 x 9 Tom - 6 Ply Maple with 2 ply maple re-rings
- 15 x 14 Tom - 4 ply Maple, 2 ply African Mahogany
- 22 x 18 Bass Drum - 8 ply Maple, 2 ply African Mahogany
- 14 x 5 Snare Drum - 6 ply Maple, 2 ply Mahogany
- 2000 Collectors Edition Masterworks kit with Certificate of Authenticity
- Finished in Iridescent White Sparkle Lacquer
- 24k Gold Plated fittings throughout
- All toms fitted with Opti-Mount suspension systems
- All toms and snare drum fitted with 24k Gold Plate Mastercast Die-Cast hoops
- Original Gold Pearl snare wire still fitted and in excellent condition
- SP-30 Bass Drum Spurs
- Original Masters Bridge Lugs fitted throughout with Brass inserts
- Stainless Steel Tension Rods
- Brand new Remo USA heads throughout including new factory Masterworks display head.
- Unique custom made and hand crafted kit, made by the master craftsmen at Pearl, originally completed in October 2000.
- Original Gold drum key included
- 3 x Pearl TH100s tom holders included
- Fitted with 2 brand new bass drum hoops, made by Pearl in 2020, brand new bass drum pedal plate protectors included yet to be fitted.
- Pre-Loved 9/10 Condition - Some light tarnishing on the Gold Plating, shells and finish are 100% immaculate.