How Much Are Used Pearl Drums Worth?

Renowned as a cheap, readily affordable starter kit for fledgling rockers during the 1950s and 1960s, Pearl drums have long been recognizable, even to non-musicians. For those hoping to unload their sets in hopes of making a killing, the picture is grayer, with values depending on condition, collector appeal and demand. As 2009 trends demonstrate, those looking for great deals should experience no real problem finding them--while sellers may end up struggling.

Types

If a quick glance of online search values and discussions within the drumming community are any indication, Pearl drums are hardly commanding the prices to match their vintage status. The proliferation of vintage drum websites, forums and online stores continues to drive down prices, which is how one drummer managed to buy a 1966-era kit from rival Ludwig for $500--about equal to the values recommended for newer drum kits. A typical online search shows ranges of $100 to $600 for Pearls, depending on the kit's condition, special features and historic relevance. Yet other brands such as Ludwig and Rogers beat those values, hovering between $600 to $1,000. Even Pearl's Export series, which ranks among its best-known products, can be had for mid-range prices of $200 to $300 per kit.

Considerations

Like any used musical instrument, assessing a vintage drum kit's value begins with its condition. A plethora of cracks, gouges, nicks and scratches reduces the total price that a seller can expect to gain. So does broken or missing equipment pieces, and any modifications that have been made to the kit--with replacement drum heads and shells being the major exception that vintage kit collectors tend to accept. The type of surface also makes a big difference, because collectors are looking particular finishes--such as the marine-white pearl surface associated with classic Ludwig and Slingerland drumkits, for example.

Significance

Supply and demand is only one reason why Pearl drums seem to lag notably behind their '60s- and '70s-era counterparts. With drummers and collectors of any stripe, the "coolness" factor cannot be underestimated--as Ludwig learned during the 1960s, when Beatles drummer Ringo Starr became its most famous endorser. The type of material also makes a difference, as one poster on the Pearl Drum Forum noted--snares made from single-ply designs tend to fetch more than their multi-ply cousins, a subtlety lost on the general buyer. Custom-built Rogers wooden snares can fetch $2,500, while other models net a fraction of that figure. In general, originality and rarity appear to be the guiding factors driving the vintage drum market.

History

Founded in 1946, Pearl's history began with the modest enterprise of manufacturing music stands. Four years later, however, the Tokyo-based company switched over to producing drum kits, marching-band equipment and percussion instruments, which it used as a springboard to enter the international marketplace. Pearl's President kit, rolled out in 1966, is generally credited as the first Japanese drum band to gain a foothold among British and American rock 'n' roll drummers. Known for its willingness to use unusual surfaces for its drum shells--notably acrylic and composites of wood and fiberglass--Pearl gained a reputation for durability that won favor with hard rock and funk players, such as Eric Singer of Kiss and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Potential

In hindsight, Pearl's determination during the 1960s to mass-produce and export as many affordable models as possible may have worked against long-term values for its products. Additionally, the greater preponderance of "name" users for rivals--as exemplified by the prominent display of Ludwig's drum logo on Starr's bass drum head--means that the coolness factor will not be far from most collector's minds. The ease of getting better deals online appears likely to continue driving prices downward on Pearl drum kits--creating a buyer's market that, if trends are anything go by, looks likely to prevail over time.

Resources

• Buying Your First Drumkit