Pearl Reference Snare Drum
What if each drum in your drum set was engineered as an instrument unto itself? Each tom designed to respond perfectly within the confines of its respective frequency without compromise over any other area of your kit. This is the mission behind Reference Series drums. A complete set of individually engineered, incredible sounding drums.

In 1999, Pearl began its most ambitious undertaking, The Masterworks Series, the world's first truly custom drums. Designed for the player by the player. Every aspect of the manufacturing process was custom made, from the number of wood plies, to the wood selection, to the final finish. Over the last five years, through arduous listening tests, Masterworks taught Pearl drum makers a great deal about drums and what makes the perfect shell. So forget what you think you know about drums and take a close look at Reference Series, the most acoustically advanced drums in the world. To fully understand the Reference Series you must understand that the desired tonal characteristics of a 10" tom are completely different than that of a 22" bass drum. Thus to use the same material in both drums would result in a compromise.

Reference Series drums use a combination of task-specific bearing edges and three time-proven woods: birch, maple, and African mahogany. Using maple as a sole material has long been the traditional choice for shells and for good reason. Maple provides smooth, well-balanced tone that is perfect for a 12" tom.

Subsequently, all Reference Series 12" toms are composed of six plies of maple; this is the only single wood shell in the series. Pearl's 10" and 8" toms receive four plies of maple with two inner plies of birch for cut and attack. And for maximum response, all 13" diameter and smaller toms have a rounded 45° bearing edge, and a more focused area for head-to-shell contact to boost mid- to higher-range frequencies.

Each snare drum shell is composed of a blend of woods totaling an incredible 20 plies. This extra thick shell ensures that no energy is lost through shell vibration and all energy is focused on moving sound waves. The shell's bearing edge is 45° to promote a focused contact area with the head for response and crack. Six inner plies of birch provide cut and attack while the outer 14 plies of maple provide warmth and solid midrange punch.

Reference Series snare drums are available in three different shell sizes: 14"x 5", 14"x 6-1/2" and 13" x 6-1/2" to suit individual preferences and tastes. The heart and soul of your kit is your snare drum and Pearl's Reference Series snare drums shine through loud and clear. Simply amazing volume.

The snare tension knob features a locking mechanism to maintain snare tension at all times. Simply depress the button and turn the knob simultaneously. The strainer lever features a Positive Lock system that, while in the "on" position, removes the possibility of accidentally turning the snares off without depressing a button on the lever.

With Reference Series, it's not about compromise; it's about every drum in your kit performing at its optimal capacity.

Order today with the no-risk assurance of our Total Satisfaction and Low Price Guarantees!

Warranty Information
The Pearl Lifetime Warranty is a statement of confidence to our customers to the reliability of Pearl products. Pearl drums, stands and hardware are designed and manufactured to the highest standards in quality, style, appearance and playing performance. This lifetime warranty reflects a tradition of excellence and a commitment to superior engineering and craftsmanship dedicated to you, the drummer. The Pearl lifetime warranty is our pledge to you that we will proudly stand behind our product for as long as you own it. Buy it once, play it for life.
WARRANTY COVERAGE/WARRANTY PERIOD:
General: Pearl drums, stands, pedals, parts and accessories except as noted herein, purchased from an authorized Pearl dealer are warranted to the original retail purchase and shall be valid by item as indicated below and is not transferable.
DRUM SET HARDWARE - LIFETIME WARRANTY:
Pearl warrants foot pedals, hi-hat stands, cymbals stands, boom cymbal stands, snare drum stands, floor-standing tom stands, floor-standing cymbal/tom stands, racks and rack accessories, cymbal holders, multi-clamps, claws, tension rods, swivel nuts, spurs, tom brackets, tom holders, strainers, and nuts and bolts to be free from defects in material and workmanship to the original owner subject to the conditions and limitations set as follows. Pearl will, at its option, either repair or replace any of the aforementioned Pearl pedals, stands, and drum parts purchased from June 15, 2009 that proves defective by reason of improper workmanship or materials. Replacement pedals, stands, and drum parts will be provided by Pearl on an exchange basis and will be either new or refurbished for the exact model under warranty. This warranty does not cover normal wear and tear or any damage to this product that results from improper installation, accident, abuse, misuse, natural disaster, repair or modification. This warranty also does not apply to any product on which the original identification information has been altered, obliterated or removed, has not been handled or packaged correctly, has been sold as second-hand or has been resold contrary to the US export regulations. As a condition to the obligation of Pearl to repair or replace such product, the product must be returned to the original authorized Pearl dealer where purchased together with proof-of-purchase satisfactory to Pearl. The warranty applies to the original purchaser and is non transferrable. All freight to and from Pearl is to be paid by the customer.
EXCEPTIONS:
Cables for cable hi-hats are guaranteed against defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of the original purchase. Any electronic devices are subject to their individual warranty.
DRUM SET SHELLS - LIFETIME WARRANTY:
Pearl warrants drum set wood and metal shells to be free from defects in material and workmanship to the original owner subject to the conditions and limitations set forth below. Pearl will, at its option, either repair or replace any drum set wood or metal shell purchased after January 2007 that proves defective by reason of improper workmanship or materials. Repaired or replaced drum set wood or metal shells will be provided by Pearl on an exchange basis, and will be either new or refurbished to be functionally equivalent to new or in the event Pearl discontinues the product model, a comparable current model shell will be substituted at the discretion of Pearl. Colors often fade with age and/or can be affected by sun, smoke, or other factors; therefore color matching cannot be guaranteed. Discontinued colors cannot be reproduced. This limited warranty does not cover normal wear and tear or any damage to this product that results from improper installation, accident, abuse, misuse, natural disaster, repair or modification. This limited warranty also does not apply to any product on which the original identification information has been altered, obliterated or removed, has not been handled or packaged correctly, has been sold as second-hand or has been resold contrary to the US export regulations. As a condition to the obligation of Pearl to repair or replace such product, the product must be returned to the original authorized Pearl dealer where purchased together with proof-of-purchase satisfactory to Pearl. The warranty applies to the original purchaser and is non transferrable. All freight to and from Pearl is to be paid by the customer.
LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
Shells (Marching): Wood marching shells are guaranteed against material failure or going out of round for a period of three (3) years from the date of the original purchase.
Drum Hardware (Marching): Drum hardware such as lugs, claws, tension rods, swivel nuts, strainers, and nuts and bolts are guaranteed against material failure and manufacturing defects for a period of one (1) year from the date of the original purchase.
Drum Hardware (Concert): Drum hardware such as hoops, lugs, claws, tension rods, swivel nuts, tom brackets, tom holders, strainers, and nuts and bolts are guaranteed against material failure and manufacturing defects for a period of three (3) years from the date of the original purchase.
Marching Carriers: Marching carriers are guaranteed against material failure and manufacturing defects for a period of one (1) year from the date of the original purchase.
Marching Cases: LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY! Pearl rotationally molded marching cases are covered by a LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY and are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship to the original owner. Pearl will, at its option, either repair or replace any rotationally molded case that proves defective by reason of improper workmanship or materials. Replacement rotationally molded cases will be provided by Pearl on an exchange basis and will be either new or refurbished for the exact model under warranty.
Educational Percussion (Snare Kits/Bell Kits/Percussion Learning Centers): Pearl Educational Kit products are guaranteed against defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of original purchase.
Adams Products: All Adams Products are guaranteed against defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of original purchase. Mallet bar sets are entitled to one (1) free tuning during the period of one (1) year from the date of original purchase. Individual bars may be exchanged as often as necessary during the period of one (1) year from the date of original purchase. For rosewood and padouk bars, Pearl/Adams highly recommends waiting for nine (9) months from the date of original purchase before exchanging or tuning the bars.
Pearl Percussion Products: All Pearl Percussion Products are guaranteed against defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the date of original purchase with the exception of rims, lugs, tuning plates which are warranted for one (1) year. Cajon shells are warranted for two (2) years excluding the playing surfaces which are not warranted. The head on the Fun Drum is not warranted.
Pearl Taiko heads are warranted to the original owner for (1) one year from the date of purchase. Breakage prior to (1) one year is covered under warranty. It is the owner’s responsibility to adequately package the drum and send it to a Pearl authorized service center for repair at the owner’s expense. Pearl will repair the damaged head(s) as quickly as possible and prepay the return shipping. Breakage due to normal wear and tear or abuse is not covered under warranty.
Finish: Except for “special finishes" (see below), both the lacquer finish and covered finish on Pearl drums are guaranteed for one (1) year; however, Pearl does not guarantee against deterioration by reason of corrosive atmosphere, extreme temperature or other external causes.
GENERAL CONDITIONS OF WARRANTY
This Warranty Does Not Cover: This warranty shall not apply to the following: sticks, brushes, beaters, springs, straps, slings, heads, wire snares, cable snares, gut snares, snare cords/straps, cymbals, bass drum hoop protectors, or damage resulting from misuse, negligence, and/or alterations or additions to the product after acceptance. Pearl’s warranty does not apply to failures caused by the following: a.) Improper maintenance or repair, including the installation of parts or components that do not conform to the quality and specification of the original. b.) Instruments that have been altered, modified or have been damaged through misuse, negligence or improper operation. c.) Instruments whose trademark, name or identification number has been changed or removed. d.) Instruments subjected to abnormal strain, neglect, abuse, modification or exposure to extreme variances in temperature or humidity. e.) Special Finishes - Drum hardware and stands ordered with Black Chrome plated, Gold plated, Satin Chrome plated, Black Nickel plated, and lacquered finishes are highly sensitive to cosmetic damage that can occur during normal handling and use. Therefore, no warranty of any kind, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, is provided against cosmetic defects or appearance damage to these finishes. The obligation created by this warranty is limited to repair or replacement of the defective item at Pearl’s sole discretion.
Owner’s Responsibility: It is important that the owner/user be familiar with the proper maintenance and use of their Pearl instrument. Keep this warranty and proof of purchase in a safe place. Be prepared to provide purchase information to avoid undue difficulties in determining eligibility for warranty protection. If any service is not performed by Pearl, it will terminate this warranty.
To Obtain Warranty Service: Warranty service may be obtained by first notifying the Pearl dealer from which the product was originally purchased. Upon notification, the Pearl dealer must obtain Return Authorization from the Pearl Customer Service Department. This number must be written plainly on the outside of the package or the returned shipping carton will be refused. Returned merchandise must be accompanied by a copy of the original sales receipt. All freight and insurance must be prepaid by the original owner. Pearl will stand return freight, provided the defect is adjudged to be covered by warranty. Merchandise found to be not covered by warranty will be returned freight collect.
Warranty Limitations: This Limited Warranty is exclusive and made in lieu of all other warranties, and all implied warranties, including without limitation any warranties of merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose which are hereby expressly disclaimed. In no event will responsibility be accepted for incidental or consequential damages of any nature whatsoever. Some states do not allow limitation on how long an implied warranty may last. Therefore, the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
Note: This WARRANTY applies to the United States only and may vary in other countries.

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"["14X"6.5] An incredibly focused snare, the best of both Maple and Birch worlds" by Miguel - 1/28/2009 9:45:19 AM  Share Musical Experience: Style of Music: Hometown: All of it Afro-Cuban Jazz, Thrash/Death Metal Olympia, WA 6 people out of 6 found this review helpful I got the 14 by 6.5 version of this 20-ply Birch/Maple snare and I have to say it is quite dynamic sounding. It's applications are definitely more for rock/pop/metal and live stuff. The snare is sensitive enough that you don't have to hit it very hard to get it going. The sound range isn't incredibly wide on the snare, but the focused crack that this snare gives is uncanny. If you need it to get louder you don't have to hit much harder. But the "crack" hits both the high and low register pretty well with almost no mid-range "Boom," and "Crack," at the same time. The stroke rolls and accents, while controlling volume is a little difficult, are equally as defined and the responsiveness of the snare is super quick. The hardware is nice. They put good snare wires on the bottom. The lock on the snare strainer is easy to use: just click the button on or off. Like Pearl sez, the snares will not come undone no matter how hard you play unless you unlock them. The winding hardware for tighting the snares is pretty good too. All you need to do is twist the knob. The snare drum also comes with Emperor Coated head on the top and an Ambassador on the bottom. I'm not sure if I can recommend this for Jazz drummers, I play with 7A sticks and it seems like it might be too much but 14X5 model probably isn't as loud. If you use brushes they work well on this snare. All-in-all, I got mine for $499 and I have to say for the price, if you are looking for a well defined loud snare with many live and studio applications and your price range is between $300-900 , I can't recommend this one enough because the competition pales. The Tama Starclassic 12-ply Maple snare is the only thing that comes close but that's an entirely different sound. Was this review useful?