Gretsch BlackHawk vs. Pearl Export

mani.augustine · #1 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008, 01:09 PM

Hi,

I am a beginning drummer looking for a good kit to get started on. Does anyone have any input/advice on the differences between a Gretsch BlackHawk and a Pearl Export kit?

I just bought a 4-piece Pearl Export with Pearl cymbals and throne for $400 on Craigslist just to get something to start on, but then I found the Gretsch Blackhawk 5-piece with Sabian (Solar?) cymbals for $325. I'm wondering if I should sell the Pearl Export and go for the Gretsch. Is it that much better of a kit for the price? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

*Mani.

CJDG · #2 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008, 03:48 PM

Keep what you have. You will not really notice much of a difference. Plus starting out on a four piece kit is a great way to start. Less to carry, less to fix, less to buy heads for, etc...

My advice would be to start saving a little bit at a time and run that kit into the ground. By the time you have enough saved you will be in a nice position to know what you really want/need out of a drum kit. Pearl makes nice kits.. but the cymbals will leave you wanting more. Replace them when you can.

slingerland · #3 (**permalink**) 12-28-2008, 12:08 AM

Mani, Augustine Both are good sets if I were you, I would stay with Pearl they make excellent sets and even though they are considered an entry level set you can still do gigs with them, the big change that you would have to make would be cymbals and since your a beginner you have time for that. Remember you know what you have but you don't know what you may get. Pearl is an excellent set and so is Gretsch stay with what you have.

GOOD LUCK SLINGERLAND

Church Drummer · #4 (**permalink**) 02-08-2009, 12:29 AM

I agree with the others, there is no reason to swap what you have for the Gretsch Blackhawk set. Keep what you have, and save up for a much bigger upgrade in the future when you have a better idea of what you want in a set.

kardavel1113 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-16-2010, 10:08 PM

I own a PREMIER set,it's double bass mixed,.. w zildjians.Have owned Ludwig,Pearl,Sonor,Tama and an older Slingerland.What I have found is it's first the quality of the Shell,then the PLAYER.The only WOOD that I've heard is the lesser is POPLAR,...however the Export series is Poplar,and they're not bad at all,in fact if a drummer knows how to tune,then you can pretty much do good with the export/pearl..they're good drums all the way as to my past experiences in the clubs,studio etc. The Sonor co. is like most others,~hey let's make oodles of different quality,uhh duhhh.but I will say all of them are good(SONOR),But wouldnt say any better than the Pearl.I've taken SOLID Maple OLD TAMA and put right next to my Premiere w mixed wood,eucalyptus~basswood,and some other masonite looking crap(but the drum sounds awesome,punch,response etc.) and you can't hardly tell.Anyway friend my best advise is this~PLAY WHAT MAKES YOU SHINE,AND FEEL GOOD PLAYIN'- THATS THE ADVISE FROM INDY PRO DRUMMER OF MANY YEARS...I.D. CONFIDENTIAL OH YEAH I'M BRAND NEW ON THIS SITE,SAYIN' HEY TO ANYONE.PEACE