Gretsch vs pearl

[cbean]

I've got a pearl export kit that I am wanting to upgrade, I am going to keep it but will be getting Gretsch cadalina maple or ash, are these two sets better than the export, as what I've herd it is but which is a better all around kit the Catalina maple or ash?

[CycleDude]

The Cat Maples are definitely a big upgrade to the Export.

I imagine the ash would be of comparable quality to the cat maple, but I don't know anything about the tonal difference between ash & maple to say anything.

I have the cat maple and love it. pull the trigger. You'll be happy!

[weezy]

I would consider both to be a significant upgrade over the export, but especially the maple kit. The cat ash kit is very punchy and dry. I personally find the resonance to be somewhat lacking, but that could be due to the heads and tuning of the particular kit I had a go at.

[cbean]

I could get the ash for $300 cheaper than the maple, is it worth spending the $300 or would it just be a big enough upgrade to just do the ash.

[weezy]

I could get the ash for $300 cheaper than the maple, is it worth spending the $300 or would it just be a big enough upgrade to just do the ash.

Let your ears decide. If possible, play both kits. If that's not possible, find a way to listen both kits. I think that the maple is a more versatile kit, but I can also see a niche where the ash kit work better than the maple kit. With the dry, attack biased sound, I could see the ash kit being very good for metal or punk.

[MDK]

How much are you spending and are the Cats Brand new?

[cbean]

yes they are new and i can get a surtain color ash kit for only 500! when other colors are 700-800 i dont know why? but the same configuratation for the maple are 800 or you can add two more toms for 200 more, when i got the export with hardware for 650

[myk]

Don't buy for the sake of saving $300, if you get the ash and don't like the sound you'll be kicking yourself, I've heard the same about the ash that it is dry as opposed to the great sound of maple,I would strongly encourage you to try both if you can

[N2Bluz]

I'm going to be the odd-man out on this. Having played both Catalinas and Exports on different occasions, I don't think there's much difference between them in terms of build quality or hardware. In fact, the Catalinas I've played (one Club kit and one Maple kit) were not built any better than Exports, but the Cat Maples did sound better....awesome in fact. Exports are really pretty good drums, just not exactly "choice" wood. Going to a Catalina Maple kit WOULD be a definite improvement in sound, but not really much of an upgrade in overall quality. I just don't want you to expect too much from any mid-line kit, regardless of the brand. If the sound is what you're really after, then the Cats would be great. If you're looking to upgrade both sound and build quality, spend the extra for Renowns, DW Performance, Tama Star Classics or something like that.

[jedi]

Cheap is what you want in a girlfriend ... not a drum set .

[CycleDude]

Don't buy for the sake of saving $300, if you get the ash and don't like the sound you'll be kicking yourself...... I would strongly encourage you to try both if you can

Look at KayGee's thread about buying what you want the first time around. Don't settle now and kick yourself later. It's more frustrating & expensive that way.

[drummerMD]

No contest.Gretsch all the way!

[noreastbob]

I'm not an expert on these choices but am pretty sure Exports are lower in the Pearl hierarchy than the Cats are in the Gretsch line. So yes, that would be an upgrade.
You would, of course, as stated, be best off playing and listening to them if possible.
My vote would certainly be maple, though again... your ears are the judge.

[Kevaruka]

Maple everyday. The Export though is a great kit with rock solid hardware.

[wOOdshedd]

This is going to depend a lot on what sound you are looking for. There are some who may argue that the tonalities of maple vs ash are minimal. I think that you may be amazed how different these two shells are in sound. Get the best you can afford, but please..if you can, let your ears be your decider. Don't go by what we or someone else tells you.

[MDK]

Yeah for that money there are a lot more options as well. I would not limit my research to just Gretsch. I sent you a pm.

[Ricardo]

maple everyday.

+ 1

[wOOdshedd]

Subjective^^^

[weezy]

Yeah for that money there are a lot more options as well. I would not limit my research to just Gretsch. I sent you a pm.

Mapex meridians can be had for 500. If you go used and are patient, you can get a used pro kit for 5-800.

[MDK]

Mapex meridians can be had for 500. If you go used and are patient, you can get a used pro kit for 5-800.

Actually they can be had brand new for $600 if you know where to look

[G-man]

I played Cats for a while. Loved them and their sound. You won't second-guess yourself if you go with the Gretsch.

[Ricardo]

Subjective

Wasn't the OP's question maple or ash ?

[wOOdshedd]

Wasn't the OP's question maple or ash ?

True.. I think someone mentioned Maple as better and I replied subjective

Play them both and let your ears decide. I prefer walnut and birch over both afore mentioned tonewoods. subjective..

[SunDog]

Maple for me as a rule of thumb. I've played a Catalina ash and it was definitely nice. Perhaps more "unique" but I still love maple. I like a lot of different woods though. They all offer something different. Make no mistake, good hand crafted drums, whether mahogany, maple, birch, oak, ash, walnut etc. sound better than cheaper drums in any of the same woods. C&C is making a luan drumset that sounds simply amazing. So at a certain point construction is what is important. That said I still like a maple C&C over a luan C&C.

[kay-gee]

Maple is far more recognizable and "typical" as it has been the staple ingredient in quality drums since almost forever.

all the best...