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Vintage-style wrap of marble/onyx design.

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Since its launch more than two decades ago, Pearl's Export kit has been the one kit even non-drummers have heard of. The words 'Pearl Export' have entered the modern lexicon for good reason - year in, year out, the Export outsells every other kit on the planet.

The Export range is split into three distinct tiers - the plain wrapped EX, the range-topping lacquered Select ELX and the boldly retro wrapped Radical EXR, which is reviewed here.

Poplar choice

The EXR is available in three shellpacks: the familiar 22 Fusion (22"x18" kick drum, 14"x5" snare, 10"x8", 12"x9" and 14"x11" toms) and the equally common 22 Rock (the same bass and snare drum with 12" and 13" toms and a 16" floor tom.

The third option, a funky sounding combination known intriguingly as 20 Rock, is comprised of a 20"x16" bass drum with the 14"x5" snare, plus the 10" and 12" toms and a 14" floor tom.

Across the entire Export range, a fundamental change in manufacturing has occurred. The shells, long made from mahogany, are now formed entirely from poplar. A combination of factors rather than a single reason influenced this material change, but supply was almost certainly one of the issues.

Pearl is making more and more Export kits every year and while poplar is sustainable indefinitely, mahogany isn't. The shell construction remains the same as before though - a 7.5mm deep, six-ply sandwich that is bonded with Pearl's signature scarf joints.

The wood is notably light in colour and the insides of the shells display the sort of brightness normally attributable to a coating of white stain. As it is, they have simply been sanded to a tidy finish. The bearing edges are suitably shipshape.

Outside, the vintage-style wrap of marble/onyx design is pretty spectacular. The chosen shade of blue really works for this type of finish and under lights, the kit looks stunning. The wrap goes under the name Blue Strata and is available in three other colours - black, white and red. An alternative to the Strata finishes (but very much in the same vein) is the Prism wrap which resembles a swirl. The choice of colours for the Prism finish is limited to blue and purple only.

Bridging the gap

Bridge-style ventilated lugs, imported from higher Pearl ranges, are in evidence on all of the drums and even the snare's double-ended lugs are bridged. The idea behind bridge lugs is to minimise contact with the shell by hollowing out the part of the lug that usually lies flat against the shell between the two fixing bolts. The resulting gap bears a marked similarity to the span of a bridge.

The distinct profile of the lugs shows off Pearl's fabulous chroming with great effect. A good deal of thought has obviously gone into the brushed metal badge worn by each of the drums as well. Though only a badge, it is perfectly in tune with the overall look of the kit and its subtlety allows the wrap and contrasting chrome lugs to shine.