Introducing Reference One

The Best Elements from Both Reference Recipes.

Delivering the best features of Pearl's original Reference and Reference Pure Series drums, Reference One is an uncompromised, total percussion instrument where every element combines to create a drum sound you've never experienced.

Uncompromised Sound and Quality.

Each reduced-thickness EvenPly shell in the Reference One set is fitted with MasterCast Die-Cast hoops for a radical combination of sustain and attack. Included with Reference One, Pearl’s R2 Air Tom Suspension System delivers perfectly balanced, weightless tom mounting for high-yield tonal clarity.

The Reference One Experience.

The Reference One shell and hardware Recipe elevate the professional drum set experience with shells that are tuned to draw the best tones from of each drum. 8" and 10" shells are EvenPly-6 (5.4mm) Maple/Birch for more attack and higher pitch. The 12" tom (the "Middle-C" in the Reference tom spectrum) is all Maple for the tonal center. 13," and larger toms add Mahogany inner plies to lower pitch and add tonal depth. Floor Toms and Bass Drums are an 8-ply Mahogany/Maple fusion to maximize bass frequencies.

The Reference Recipe: Engineered to Produce Sonic Excellence.

The foundation of the Modern Hybrid Drum Concept.

Model Number: Reference One Series (RF1)

Pearl’s Reimagined High-End features the newly enhanced hybrid drum concept of Reference One Series, refined for sonic purity to fit the most discerning environments and players. A true Pearl original with a fresh new vibe, Reference One features premium North American Maple, Birch, and African Mahogany shell plies, with each drum having a custom shell, edge, and thickness profile to best suit its place in the total drum set. Its expressive tone produces a wide tuning range, enhanced bottom end, and smooth sonic push.

SHELL: Maple, Birch, & Mahogany

SNARE: EvenPly-Six Maple/Birch Matching

13x6.5, 14x5, 14x6.5

LUGS: Low Mass STL Single Swivel Lugs

HOOPS: MasterCast Hoops

TOM MOUNTS: R2 Air Tom Suspension System

CHOICE OF TOM BRACKET: Pearl's Traditional 7/8" Pipe Receiver or 12mm L-Arm.

TOM HOLDERS: Choice of Pearl's Traditional 7/8" Pipe Holder or 12mm Solid L-Arm (Sold Separately)

HEADS: Smooth White Coated Ambassador (Tom) Powerstroke 3 Coated (Bass)

HARDWARE: Chrome (Standard) Black Chrome, Nickel, and Black Nickel (Special Order)

INCLUDED ACCESSORY: Bass Drum Muffler (BDMF)

• A Lighter, Thinner Shell

30% thinner plies create a shell with enhanced sustain and resonance.

• Sonically Proven Performance

Prime Maple, Birch, and Mahogany panels from our Masterworks vault.

• Nuanced Near Field Sound

Increased resonance, bottom end, and tone from the heads to your ears.

SHELLS

INDIVIDUALLY ENGINEERED TO MAKE YOU SOUND (AND PLAY) BETTER.

Derived from the shell blends of the sonically optimized Reference Recipe, each Reference One drum shell is comprised of thin premium wood layers. The resulting EvenPly shells beautifully capture every nuance of your unrestrained drumming voice.

WHAT'S INSIDE: Discover the Elements of Superior Drum Tone.

It Starts with Superior Shell Technology.

Using the worlds first high temperature hydraulic curing system, Pearl’s SST method was developed to craft a multi-ply, bonded drum shell with single-ply resonance and strength. This proprietary technique begins with hand-selected premium hardwoods chosen for their unique acoustic attributes. Each layer is milled to precise thickness and bonded into 2-ply panels. Our trademark overlapping scarf joint seams are added to ensure a perfect air-tight fit. The wood plies are saturated with Pearl’s exclusive “AcoustiGlue”, which permeates every pore and dries to the exact consistency of the wood for optimum resonance.

Finally, the plies are formed in high-temperature molds with 1000 PSI of hydraulic pressure; producing the ultimate air chamber for optimal resonance, extreme strength, and superior tone. All shells are tested for flatness and roundess before drilling and assembly to assure supreme head-seating and tuning.

The Acoustic Properties of Reference Shell Woods.

The Reference Recipe draws from each wood's acoustic strengths. 

By blending panels from three time-proven hardwoods, each drum can perform to its intended task at optimal capacity.

Shell Woods

Maple

Maple's rich lustrous lows and evenly-balanced mid and high frequencies have made it the preferred hardwood for wide sonic range and acoustic balance, and the most accepted premium drum shell material. Its fine grain and smooth, even texture also make it an excellent canvas for transparent finishes.

Birch

A straight grained wood with a fine, even texture, Birch is known for its strength and resilience. It provides a lively interior springboard for sound waves, which in turn creates a noticeable increase in the higher frequencies. This makes it the perfect interior for smaller tom-toms. Birch’s tightly bound network of cells also promotes a perfect balance of mid-range frequencies, with a smooth transition from the lower register to middle register.

African Mahogany

African Mahogany is a relatively “soft” hardwood that dramatically boosts lower frequencies. This bass boost effect is likely due to its loosely packed cellulose network, creating a natural resonator for powerful lower frequencies. This predisposition for powerful lows and bass response makes it a logical tonewood for larger toms and bass drums and smooth sonic transition into the mid-range frequencies.

Tonally-Optimized Blended Shells

Accentuating the Pure Nature of Each Drum.

Reference One 8" and 10" drum shells combine Maple and Birch for more attack and higher pitch. The 12" tom (the 'Middle-C' in the Reference One tom scale) is composed of 6 plies of Maple for added body. 13" tom and larger Reference One toms feature added Mahogany interior plies to increase lower pitch and accentuate Maple's tonal warmth.

Bass drums feature a thicker fusion of Mahogany and Maple for the ultimate bass frequency response, proving that it’s not about compromise with Reference One. It’s about every drum in your kit performing at its optimal capacity.

BEARING EDGE

Standard 45°

Pearl's standard 45° bearing edge creates a tightly focused shell contact area. This creates an ultimate sonic balance between power, sensitivity, volume, and resonance.

Rounded 45°

The Rounded 45° bearing edge creates an increased level of contact between the shell and shoulder of the head, increasing attack, projection, and sonic punch. It also creates a balanced interaction between each wood ply, allowing smaller toms to sing with amazing clarity, without premature delay. The journey of the energy from the head to the shell is given a much more direct path with the rounded edge.

Fully Round

The Fully Rounded bearing edge raises the overall contact area from the shell to the head. This allows maximum kinetic energy transfer from the strike, resulting in maximum punch and wide low-end response. This creates sound pressure levels that are felt just as much as they are heard, making it excellent for bass drums and larger toms to increase punch.

Shell Thickness and Bearing Edge

Task-Specific Edges

The 45° bearing edge on Reference One 8" to 13" toms receives a rounded apex to increase head contact and add a degree of tonal control. Drums 14" and larger combine a fully rounded bearing edge and Even 8-ply shell for increased shell/head contact and low-end sonic emphasis. Finally, Reference One Snare Drums EvenPly-Six Maple/Birch snare utilizes Pearl's standard 45-degree edge for sharp, focused spike and sensitivity.

For a complete breakdown of the Recipe on each Reference One drum shell and size, see this chart.

8” and 10” Toms

Shell: EvenPly-Six (6-ply,5.4mm) Maple (4) Birch (2)
Edge: Rounded 45°
Sound: Extra cut/projection, higher pitch

12” Toms

Shell: EvenPly-Six(6-ply,5.4mm) Maple
Edge: Rounded 45°
Sound: Warm, punchy mid-note

13” Toms

Shell: Even Ply Six(6-ply,5.4mm) Maple (4) Mahogany (2)
Edge: Rounded 45°
Sound: Punchy, Mid/Low Tone

14 and 15” Toms

Shell: EvenPly-Six (6-ply,5.4mm) Maple (4) Mahogany (2)
Edge: Fully-Rounded
Sound: Sustained low-range warmth

16” Toms

Shell: EvenPly-Six (6-ply,5.4mm) Maple (2) Mahogany (4)
Edge: Fully-Rounded
Sound: Warm, sustained bottom-end

14” Floor Toms

Shell: EvenPly-Eight (8-ply,7.2mm) Maple (4) Mahogany (4)
Edge: Fully-Rounded
Sound: Controlled low-end warmth

16” and 18” Floor Toms

Shell: EvenPly-Eight (8-ply,7.2mm) Maple (2) Mahogany (6)
Edge: Fully-Rounded
Sound: Controlled bottom-range power

18” and 20” Bass Drums

Shell: EvenPly-Six (6-ply,5.4mm) Maple (2) Mahogany (4)
Edge: Fully-Rounded
Sound: Quick, Punchy, Powerful Low-End

22” and 24” Bass Drums

Shell: EvenPly-Eight (8-ply,7.2mm) Maple (2) Mahogany (6)
Edge: Fully-Rounded
Sound: Powerfully Articulate, Booming Bass

NEW HARDWARE

R2 AIR TOM SUSPENSION SYSTEM & GYROLOCK-L TOM HOLDER

A giant leap in drum resonance physics, the R2 Air Tom Suspension System improves overall tone by delivering true, uncolored sound from each rack tom, creating a transitional bridge to floor toms. Combined with Pearl's first L-Arm, the GyroLock-L, R2 Air creates the world's most adjustable and tonally pure drum mounting platform.

·         R2 Air Tom Mount Suspension System

A revolutionary tom isolation mount that unites the separate components of the drum set.

·         Single Swivel Lug

(STL100) Features a pivoting brass tension casing for even tuning and reduced contact.

·         MasterCast Die-Cast Hoops

Gives each drum added weight for tonal body and increases volume in each stroke.

HARDWARE

HARDWARE ELEMENTS FINE-TUNED FOR OPTIMUM DRUM PERFORMANCE.

Each Reference One tom shell is fitted with MasterCast Die-Cast hoops, the revolutionary R2 Air Tom Suspension System (with your choice of tom arm brackets,) and Pearl's self-aligning STL swivel lug.

·         Maple/Birch Shell

EvenPly-Six, 5.4mm shell blend for balanced pop and crisp sensitivity.

·         Single Swivel Lugs

With less direct shell contact than any other Pearl lug.

·         MasterCast Die-Cast Hoops

Gives each drum added weight for tonal body and increases volume in each stroke.

SNARE

 A SINGLE HIT IS ALL IT TAKES.

The foundation of the Modern Hybrid Drum Concept offers a smooth balance between pronounced cut and refined tonal punch; Reference One Snare Drums' combination of premium shell and re-established hardware materials create a distinct sonic projection.

CONFIGURATIONS

SUGGESTED SHELL PACKS

 20×14 Bass Drum
12×8 Tom
14×14 Floor Tom 

RF1P903XPS/C
Premium Finish with Standard Mounts

RF1C903XPS/C
Custom Finish with Standard Mounts

RF1P903XPL/C
Premium Finish with L-Arm Mounts
RF1C903XPL/C
Custom Finish with L-Arm Mounts

SUGGESTED SHELL PACKS

22×16 Bass Drum
10×7 Tom
12×8 Tom
16×16 Floor Tom 

RF1P924XSPS/C
Premium Finish with Standard Mounts

RF1C924XSPS/C
Custom Finish with Standard Mounts

RF1P924XSPL/C
Premium Finish with L-Arm Mounts

RF1C924XSPL/C
Custom Finish with L-Arm Mounts

SUGGESTED SHELL PACKS

22×18 Bass Drum
10×8 Tom
12×9 Tom
16×16 Floor Tom

RF1P924XESPS/C
Premium Finish with Standard Mounts

RF1C924XESPS/C
Custom Finish with Standard Mounts
RF1P924XESPL/C
Premium Finish with L-Arm Mounts
RF1C924XESPL/C
Custom Finish with L-Arm Mounts

SUGGESTED SHELL PACKS

24x14 Bass Drum
13x9 Tom
16x16 Floor Tom

RF1P943XPS/C
Premium Finish with Standard Mounts

RF1C943XPS/C
Custom Finish with Standard Mounts

RF1P943XPL/C
Premium Finish with L-Arm Mounts

RF1C943XPL/C
Custom Finish with L-Arm Mounts

Stock and Special Order Finishes

Premium Tier Finishes

#100 Wine Red

Special Order

#102 Natural Maple

Special Order

#103 Piano Black

Special Order

#109 Arctic White

Special Order

#119 Matte Black

Stock

#142 Rootbeer Fade

Special Order

#152 Antique Gold

Special Order

#155 Scarlet Fade

Special Order

#342 Vintage Tobacco Burst

Special Order

#355 Antique Walnut

Special Order

#831 Matte Olive Burst

Special Order

#844 Satin Rose Gold

Special Order

#859 Putty Grey

Special Order

#886 Deep Redburst

Special Order

#887 Natural Cherry

Special Order

Custom Tier Finishes

#195 Crystal Rain

Special Order

#198 Shimmer of OZ

Special Order

#376 Ultra Blue Fade

Special Order

#377 Scarlet Sparkle Burst

Special Order

#393 Purple Craze II

Stock

#824 Satin Charred Oak

Special Order

#836 Red Burst Stripe

Stock

#854 White Ice Swirl

Special Order

#855 Black Oyster Swirl

Special Order

#856 Red Oyster Swirl

Special Order

#857 Sunburst Redstripe

Special Order

#858 Kobalt Blue Fade Metallic

Stock

#885 Cherry Amber Fade

Stock