Message from the President
It is a great honor and pleasure for me to announce that this year, 2021, marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of Pearl.
Pearl began in 1946, founded by Katsumi Yanagisawa, in a small backyard workshop in Tokyo, Japan, to produce music stands for the Japanese domestic market. Recognizing the increasing demand for percussion instruments, Katsumi soon decided to start making drums.In 1968, Pearl met an outstanding Flute technician who had the skill and craftmanship to enable Pearl to start Flute manufacture.
From these humble beginnings, Pearl has grown to become the iconic brand and global leader it is today. It has been a long and evolutionary journey.
We greatly appreciate musicians, our various business associates, partners, and friends all of whom have supported and worked closely with our company throughout the years. Without you, we would not be where we are today. We are continuing our commitment to creating instruments of outstanding value and driving market innovation.
This is our 75th birthday.
We want to celebrate our history, enjoy the now and innovate for the future.
President and CEO Max Iishi
75th Anniversary Video
Pearl History
- Product
- Corporate
- Artist
ProductsHistory timeline
ProductsHistory timeline
ArtistHistory timeline
CorporateHistory timeline
ArtistHistory timeline
1946.4.2
Pearl founded by Katsumi Yanagisawa
1952
Becomes 'Pearl Musical Instrument Co'
1956
Begun exporting products from Japan
1957
Mitsuo Yanagisawa, Katsumi's son joined the company
1961
Established worldwide headquarters and built a 15,000 square foot factory in Chiba Japan
1962
Katsumi Yanagisawa becomes Chairman. Mitsuo Yanagisawa becomes President of Pearl
1964
Deluxe Combo / Modern Jazz / Valencia drums introduced
Jazz Festival Snare drum introduced
1966
President Series introduced, the first drum set to carry the Pearl name
Jimmy Takeuchi
1968
Super Deluxe drums introduced
Pearl factory in Chiba has expanded and the Pearl Flute Division has established
George Kawaguchi
Motohiko Hino
Masahiko Togashi
1972
Artist drums introduced
President export drums introduced
"One-Piece Core-Bar" and "Pinless mechanism" introduced
1973
Crystal Beat Acrylic drums introduced
Built a 93,000 square foot factory in Taiwan
Cesar Zuiderwijk
1974
Jupiter Snare drums introduced
Ed Shaughnessy
Art Blakey
Cozy Cole
Shelly Manne
Louie Bellson
1975
Butch Miles
Larrie Londin
Paul Humphrey
Russ Kunkel
Peter Criss
Buddy Harman
James Gadson
1976
All Maple shell Giant Step (GX) drums introduced
Uni-Lock Tom Holders introduced
Johnny Yoshinaga
Gary Husband
Hiro ☆Tsunoda
1977
Stix Hooper
1978
Giant Step Artist (GAX) drums introduced
VARI-PITCH System introduced
Jerry Carrigan
Chester Thompson
Alphonse Mouzon
Mark Brzezicki
Roger Hawkins
1979
Established Pearl International Inc. in Nashville, Tennessee, USA and Pearl Music Ltd. in the United Kingdom
Pete York
Shuichi “PONTA” Murakami
1980
Export Series drums introduced
Syncussion 1 Percussion Synthesizer introduced
Nicky “Topper” Headon
1981
Blues Flavor (BX) drums introduced
1982
Extender drums with timpani-style oversize heads introduced
Thom Hannum
Jeff Porcaro
Phil Collins
Mel Lewis
Ian Paice
Jim Keltner
Billy Hart
Naranda Michael Walden
1983
Free Floating snare drums introduced
Championship Maple marching drums introduced
DR-1 "Porcaro" Rack introduced. Pearl's original rack for drums designed by Jeff Porcaro
Takeo Moriyama
Rikiya Higashihara
Garfield Cadets
1984
Fightman Electronic Practice Pad Set introduced
Professional Series (GLX, MLX, MX, DLX, DX) introduced
Super Gripper Lug System introduced
Tony Allen
1985
Drum X, Programable Electronic drums introduced
Double Drum Pedal System introduced
A second flute factory in Taiwan opened
Steve Ferrone
Atushi Sugahara
Kenwood Dennard
Butch Trucks
Frankie Banali
Tico Torres
Satoshi "JOE" Miyawaki
1986
Syncussion X Electronic Drum Set with digital wave analog processing introduced
Championship Series marching drums introduced
Production of Pearl Flute PF-995, PF-885, PF-771, PF-651, PF-531, PF-511 series began
Dennis Chambers
Eric Singer
Omar Hakim
Tommy Lee
Munetaka Higuchi
Makoto Takahashi
Kyoko Tomita
1987
RH-800 Remote Cable Hi-Hat introduced
Yutaka Odawara
Eiji Kikuchi
Kohta Igarashi
Sterling Campbell
Rikki Rockett
Santa Clara Vanguard
Marvin Smitty Smith
1988
Custom Z, Zenithal Resonator Series introduced
Tetsu
Miki "mittan" Tsunoda
Steven Adler
Gregg Bissonette
1989
Custom Classic snare drums (One Ply Steam-Bent) introduced
Double Chain Drum Pedal introduced
The tag line "The Best Reason To Play Drums" introduced
Toshi Nagai
Takashi Numazawa
1990
Free Floating marching snare drums introduced
Pearl International Inc. changed its name to Pearl Corporation
Robby Ameen
Sumire Yoshihara
Chuck Tilley
Lucas van Merwijk
Michael Cartellone
Bill Berry
Will Calhoun
1991
Championship Series marching carriers introduced
Prestige Session ELITE (SLX) introduced
Hammered metal snare drums introduced
Chad Smith
Masayuki Muraishi
1992
PHN-1 Headjoint introduced
John Wooton
1993
Classic Maple (MR) Series introduced
Masters Series introduced
Pearl Music Ltd. changed its name to Pearl UK Ltd.
1994
Prestige Session (SPX.SX) introduced
yukihiro
JR Robinson
1995
Export the best selling drum of all time sold over 1,000,000 drums
Sakura
Shoichi Kubo
Music City Mystique
1996
50th Anniversary limited production snare drum introduced
Signature Series snare drums (DC, OH, CS, SF, IP, JJ) introduced
PowerShifter Pedal System introduced
Mahogany Classic snare drum introduced
Daniel Erlandsson
Julie Davila
Yoshihiro Ando
Cloyd Duff (Adams)
Lalo Davila
1997
SensiTone Custom Alloy snare drums introduced
Vinnie Paul
Scott Rockenfield
Tom Freer
Janos Balint（Flute）
Robert Van Sice (Adams)
1998
Masterworks Series introduced
Symphonic Custom snare drum introduced
Nate Morton
1999
Horacio Hernandez
Will Kennedy
Mike Mangini
Ralph Hardiman
Terence Higgins
Nexus
2000
Custom Classic "Legend" snare drums introduced
Carbonply Maple drums introduced
Vivo Headjoint introduced
PowerShifter Eliminator introduced
Pipe Band Series drums introduced
Philharmonic snare drums introduced
真矢
Chris Deviney
Jason Bowld
Benoit Fromanger（Flute）
Mike Wengren
Todd Sucherman
2001
Alto Flute introduced
Jaska
Toshiaki Ishiuchi
Nobuyuki Hirao
2002
Carbonply Maple introduced
UltraCast snare drums introduced
Forte Headjoint introduced
Pearl Music Europe established in the Netherlands
Masani Yanagisawa becomes President
Virgil Donati
Shane Gaalaas
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2003
Jyun-ji
Marc Quinones
Bobby Allende
Ben Johnston
Joey Jordison
Barry Kerch
Moose
Sammy Garcia
2004
"Masters Retro Spec MSX" introduced
Masakatsu Yanagisawa, Katsumi's grandson becomes President
Shinya
Kiyoshi Ijichi
Cynthia Yeh
Morgan Rose
Jesus Diaz
Jeff Prosperie
So Percussion
2005
Reference Series introduced
Reference Series snare drum introduced
Taiwan-made 505 Series, the first pointed arms for student flute, introduced
Pearl builds a 160,000 Square foot factory in China
Ricky Lawson
Kai Hahto
Troopers D&BC
Sammy Figueroa
2006
Masters Premium introduced
VISION Series introduced
First Piccolo flute was created with revolutionary material Grenaditte
Pearl Music Europe B.V
Warehouse expansion Groundbreaking Ceremony
Gene Hoglan
Ji Hye Jung
Matt Abts
2007
Pearl Music Europe B.V Facility Expanded
Jon Larsen
Moritz Müller
Dani Löble
Spirit of Atlanta
Nobuaki Kaneko
2008
Vivace Headjoint introduced
Pearl Flute 40th Anniversary model introduced
Bass Flute introduced
Opened the East Coast Distribution Center in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, USA
Aaron Draper
Fredrik Andersson
Third Coast Percussion
2009
Demon Direct Drive Bass Drum Pedals introduced
Calore Headjoint introduced
Chad Sexton
Jim Kilpatrick
George Kollias
Jim Babor
2010
ePro Live electronic drums introduced
CX AirFrame Marching Carriers introduced
RINA
Ray Luzier
2011
Reference Pure Series introduced
Tim Genis
Natsume
2012
Carboncore marching drums introduced
Demon Chain Bass Drum Pedals introduced
Baard Kolstad
Rhythm X
2013
Casey Cooper
Calvin Rodgers
Brian Frasier-Moore
Phantom Regiment
Jason Bittner
2014
First flute made of premium Ag997 silver introduced
Medalist Pipeband snare drum introduced
Hinanchu
Jen Ledger
Inferno
Joey Kramer
2015
One Touch marching snare strainer introduced
Contrabass Flute introduced, completes Pearl Flute's line-up
Roadshow Series introduced
Miguel Lamas
Gabor Dornyei
Nancy Zeltsman (Adams)
2016
Mimic Pro Electronic Drum Module introduced
Kid‘ｚ
Carlito Mendosa
Jocke Wallgren
Shannon Forrest
SORA
2017
Masterworks Sonic Select Shell Recipes introduced
malletStation introduced
Kanade Sato
TaRon Lockett
2018
Pearl Flute 50th Anniversary model introduced
e/MERGE electronic drum set introduced
Gaku Taura
Asuka Kawamoto
Matt Halpern
Matt McGuire
Lenny "The Ox" Reece
Chad Cromwell
2019
Masters Maple Gum introduced
Yoyoka
2020
Greyson Nekrutman
2021
SR-505 Trad Silent Strainer introduced
75th Anniversary President Series drums introduced
Masakatsu Yanagisawa becomes Chairman. Max Iishi Promoted to President & CEO
2021/4/2
Pearl celebrates its 75th Anniversary
The Pearl Family Bond
As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, we pause to reflect on the artists who represent our brand.
We relish being a part of this rewarding industry of building instruments that allow amazing artists to make the music that is the soundtrack of our lives.
Why have so many of the world’s best musicians placed their trust in Pearl?
Let’s listen as artists talk about the special bond of being a part of the Pearl family.
Some products shown in this advertisement gallery may no longer be available.
In celebration of Pearl's history of quality and craftsmanship, President Series Phenolic shells make a triumphant return in a Limited Edition, 75th Anniversary drum set. Exuding pristine vintage style with focused updated function, the hallmark appointments that made original President Series unique (like our "Battleship" lug, internal tone mufflers, and adjustable "Gullwing" style bass drum spurs,) are present, and visual touches like Pearl's elegant script badge and classic bass drum logo add to its old school swagger.
Phenolic Shell
Hermetically Pressurized phenol Shell.
This totally consistent, perfectly round, essentially cast/molded shell produces a uniquely-cutting clarity from the strike with quick decay and even midrange spread.
A testament to Pearl's 75 year odyssey of drum quality and advancement, Pearl President Series Deluxe drums are a modern take on a favorite from yesterday. Culled from the very origins of The World's Largest Drum Company, President Deluxe Series revives the warm subtlety of our original tone wood for a traditionally full, controlled playing experience.
Lauan Shell
Drawing from the very origins of Pearl's drum manufacturing history, Lauan was the source of the original "MIJ" (Made in Japan) sound. This darker-toned medium/hardwood was the basis of thousands of shells made by Mitsuo Yanagisawa in Pearl's Chiba, Japan-based drum factory starting in 1961. Loud yet subdued, Lauan has a deep, punchy wallop with plenty of top-end attack.
Features of President Series
Lugs
Cast in 1969 as "C-043" for Pearl's professional outfits (including President Series,) it has since been dubbed "The Battleship Lug" by collectors for its angular profile. The new BSL-100 features the same striking look and self-aligning design, but with a more robust casting for better tuning integrity.
T-Handle Bass Drum Rods
For classic hand-tunable function and a beautiful vintage look, Pearl's T-090 T-handle rods fuse with our new insulated classic Claw via a small extension sleeve (T-066.) The contact points of each Claw are insulated with felt to protect the bass drum hoop finish.
SuperHoop II
A sturdy triple-flanged hoop at optimum 2.3mm thickness, each is identity stamped and made for accurate and secure tuning in play without inhibiting overall shell resonance.
Remo Drum Heads
To make the most of the characteristics of each shell, Phenolic kits are outfitted with Coated Smooth White Ambassadors (batter/resonant). The President Series comes with CS Clear “Black Dot” batter heads.
Bracket
Features debossed Pearl logo, internal grip function for height adjustment, and angled T-nut for better case storage.
"Gullwing" Spurs
Using the LB-75 Bracket, each spur features an angle secure memory lock, retractable spike tip, and folds in to the profile of the kick drum for quick breakdown and set-up.
Internal Tone Mufflers
Dial-in the perfect amount of sustain with the IM-100W Internal Tone Muffler. Its robust tension dial and multi-layered felt dampening pad allows head contact under the batter from the slightest touch to full contact, for a wide range of tonal combinations.
Classic Logo / Classic Script Badge
The elegant identity of Pearl’s original script badge and classic bass drum logo can only be found on Pearl’s 75th Anniversary Limited Edition President Series kits.
Eric Singer / KISS
Mike Miley / Rival Sons
Jason Hartless / Ted Nugent
with the President Series Drum kit
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To Learn more about the President Series Phenolic Click Here.
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To Learn more about the President Series Deluxe Click Here.
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