Pearl is one of the best-known drum makers in the world, and the MLX is part of their Prestige Custom line, built in the late 1980s into the early 1990s. It is an all-maple, 6-ply shell design finished in piano lacquer and fitted with Pearl's long hi-tension lugs. This one is a four-piece with 10x10 and 12x10 rack toms, a 16x16 floor tom and a 22x16 kick, finished in Sequoia Red. It suits players who want a warm, vintage-minded maple kit for the studio or stage.
This kit is in really good shape for its age. The finish is shiny and clean, and the maple grain shows nicely through the lacquer on every drum. The shells have very, very light scratches that you can't really see from any normal distance, and the bearing edges are clean and even. Most of the lugs show pitting, but the kit still presents well. The heads have some life left in them. The kick wears an Evans internal muffle pillow and a vintage Evans ported resonant head. These drums sound big and warm with loads of sustain, and the whole kit feels very solid. Tom mounts and floor tom legs are included, but no other hardware. Size-appropriate fiber cases come with the kit at no additional cost. They need to ship separately, which carries an additional shipping charge, so contact us before buying if you want them.
- Make: Pearl
- Model: MLX Prestige Custom
- Year: 1989
- Finish: Sequoia Red
- Shells: 6-ply all maple
- Sizes: 10x10 tom, 12x10 tom, 16x16 floor tom, 22x16 kick
- Serial Numbers: 10" tom 695479, 12" tom 699566, 16" tom 699601, 22" kick 699593
- Condition: Very Good
- Includes: Tom mounts, floor tom legs, Evans internal muffle pillow in kick, vintage Evans ported resonant head on kick, size-appropriate fiber cases (cases ship separately for an additional shipping cost). No other hardware included.
- Known Issues: Most lugs show pitting. Some hardware shows light pitting. Very light scratches on the shells and finish, barely visible at any distance. Heads have some life left. The kick resonant head is a vintage Evans ported head and the muffle pillow is an Evans; both are fitted, and we have not confirmed whether they are original to the kit.
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
