Premier Drum Series
Premier has a rich history in the music industry. Used by famous drummers ever since, it's clear why percussionists use the Premier brand over and over again. In this article, we look at how the brand has expanded over the years and why there's no better time to choose Premier than now.
HISTORY OF PREMIER Drums
Premier combines powerful quality with experience to deliver professional sound with all of their instruments. Originally founded in 1922 by Albert Della Porta, Premier repaired and manufactured drums for other companies. In 1925, Premier started producing their own branded drums - then branched out to become one of the UK's largest percussion and drum manufacturers.
1937 saw the birth of the low-cost Olympic brand, which over the years provided a new generation of players including Larry Mullen (U2) and Paul Thompson (Roxy Music) with their first drum sets.
During World War II, Premier worked to help the war, shifting production to anti-tank gun sights and sockets for radar equipment. During this time, the Premier factory in London was destroyed by bombs, resulting in a complete relocation to Leicester. Since then, Premier has invested significantly in molding to secure the company's long-term future.
Many of Premier's innovations can still be seen on drums, percussion and hardware today. For example, the iconic 1965 snare 2000 featured a parallel action snare, which can still be seen on Premier marching snare drums today.
While manufacturing products that revolutionized drum kits, Premier also revolutionized a new technology never seen before - the Kenny Clare Resonator Kit, released in 1973. This set features a dual-case with a normal and a normal finish. thinner resonator liner on the inside, separated by space.
With its 100th birthday approaching, Premier continues to be the leading brand in the music industry, used by great drummers such as Keith Moon (The Who), Philip Selway (Radiohead) and Chris Sharrock (Oasis).
WHAT CAN THE PREMIER Drums ADD TO YOUR PLAY?
Over time, Premier has evolved with modern drummers, providing drums and percussion for beginners and professionals alike, and helping drummers through each stage of their playing journey. . By considering what drummers need and want from a drum set, drums and Premier hardware power your playing, ensuring a comfortable playing experience that takes full advantage of the kit.
With quality you can count on, Premier is sure to be great for you. Not just through the drum kit but also in other aspects of the playing experience like the hardware. Each rack has a sturdy frame to secure your drums in place and withstand constant use.
It is no coincidence that Premier has been the number one choice of drummers for many years. Premier's ability to grow with drummers is one of the key factors to the label's success. By providing quality instruments and equipment for both performers and casual drummers, Premier has become a trusted brand.
POPULAR DRUMS PLAY PREMIER
Premier has a lot of good drummers on their roster. Their popularity in contemporary music has increased throughout the years. Drummers like Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix), Philly Joe Jones (Miles Davis), Clem Burke (Blondie), Phil Collins (Genesis), Matt Helders (Arctic Monkeys), Rick Buckler (The Jam). This extensive list of drummers shows how Premier helped shape a generation.
Ringo Starr famously played the Premier set during his first gig with The Beatles at The Cavern. While Matt Helders played the Union Jack Design Drum Kit at the Olympics and on tour. Recent drummers flying the Premier flag include Colin Jones from the indie rock band Circa Waves.
Jones won the Premier Elite in the Silver Sparkle Lacquer, using the drum set for their latest tour. As well as Haydn Evans from the indie rock band Sundara Karma, who plays Premier Elite Gold Sparkle Lacquer.
WHAT'S SPECIAL OF PREMIER Drums?
Premier has been at the heart of music since the jazz era of the 20s, with countless different artists playing Premier Kits and percussion. Not only is it one of the UK's oldest surviving major drum manufacturers, Premier certainly has a long history of making quality products.
Premier manages to pack the features of the past, present and future into each product – taking elements that have shown success in previous models and adapting them to the modern environment. . Premier has not only made its mark in the world of mainstream drums but also in the world of marching drums.
As the industry leader in the world of marching drums, the Premier HTS snare drum is the most successful tube snare drum, having won more championship titles than any other.
Premier bases their products on drummers, with a deep understanding of the wants and needs of performing and casual drummers. With the introduction of various new technologies, Premier has become a trendsetter for the drumming industry, creating equipment and features that we take for granted in the modern world of drumming.
This includes features like flat stands, which provide increased stability and efficient use of any performance space. Another Premier creation includes the two-way pedal beater.
One of the most revolutionary innovations from Premier was the introduction of free-floating cases for snare, tenor and marching bass. Furthermore, Premier is known for introducing tension rod drums instead of stringing to army drums, which made easier adjustments to snare drums modernizing the marching drum world.
PREMIER Drum SERIES
What are the current products Premier offers? Premiers design has something for everyone, no matter what your playing ability. With so many ranges to choose from, here we've broken down what each set can bring to your playing, allowing you to choose the best one for you.
POWERHOUSE
The Premier Powerhouse Drum Kit is an entry-level drum kit, designed to look and feel like a professional drum kit. Boasting poplar bark and a host of signature Premier features, the Powerhouse is a great place to start your drumming journey.
Delivering high and low frequencies to allow for plenty of presence, the durable construction makes the Powerhouse ideal for both performance and recording.
The 1.5 mm three-flange ring fitted to this kit enhances the durability and clarity of the case, while the wooden bass drum ring adds a nice touch to the overall aesthetic.
Available in 20'' x 16'' and 22'' x 16'' bass drum sizes, the Powerhouse set is something for everyone. Powerhouse has four classic upholstery finishes, including:
• Blue Groove
• Red Groove
• Silver Grove
• Galactic Black
Premier Powerhouse comes complete with all the hardware you need to get started. Hardware includes a hi-hat stand, boom cymbal mount, snare holder, single boom holder and kick pedal.
All racks feature double bracing and are built to exceptional quality, while the Snare rack features a step-in tilt for precise positioning.
APK
Premier APK is perfect for both practice and performance. Boasting an all-birch shell, the APK is ideal for many drummers, delivering a balanced sound with exceptional bass. What's more - their durable construction makes them ideal for stage and studio applications.
The 1.5 mm three-flange ring fitted to this drum set naturally increases the durability and clarity of the case. Available in 20'' x 18'' and 22'' x 18'' bass drum sizes, the APK caters to everyone. One of the most eye-catching elements of any Premier drum kit is the finish, and the APK doesn't disappoint.
The APK is available in 5 different finishes, including:
• Sky Blue Sparkle wrap
• Gunmetal Sparkle
• Polar White
• Lunar Silver
• Solar Red
As with most Premier drum sets of this type, there is an option to purchase the APK as a shell pack or with hardware. Hardware includes a hi-hat stand, boom cymbal mount, snare holder, single boom holder and kick pedal.
All struts are double braced, allowing for excellent balance and tolerance for even the most aggressive players. The snare holder features a step-by-step tilt allowing for precise positioning.
XPK
Suitable for a wide range of music genres, XPK provides a sound suitable for any playing environment. The all-birch shell provides exceptional power, producing a clear powerful sound when struck.
This set excels in performance and studio play situations. A standout feature of the XPK is the smart translucent finish, available in 4 lacquer case choices including:
• Translucent Sapphire
• Translucent Emerald
• Translucent Ruby
• Translucent Black
Aside from the XPK being the premium XPK, this drum set is a bit different with a distinctive aesthetic. Featuring a combination of ash wood grain and black hardware, the premium XPK has a high-quality look. The all-birch finish delivers a bright tone with optimal tonality to suit a wide range of musical genres.
The premium XPK is available in four satin finishes including burnt orange, black ash, ocean burst, and cherry burst.. Perfect for any percussionist who wants a unique looking drum set.
HERITAGE
The Heritage Drum Kit is the face of Premier's rich history. The Heritage line brings 70s style with modern technology.
The chrome ISO mount ensures full-bodied sound can be obtained from the housing, reducing the amount of power lost when mounting a traditional drum. The case is crafted from 7.5mm 100% birch, while the Heritage set offers five case finishes, including:
• Gray Pearl
• Lunar Silver
• Burgundy Pearl
• Cosmic Blue
Available with or without hardware, the Hearitage drum kit delivers significant power and projection boost to deliver smooth, balanced drum sound – perfect for a wide variety of music genres. With a choice of three kick sizes from 16” to 20”, the compact nature of the Heritage range makes it ideal for touring and large spaces.
GENISTA
The Genista comes with the option of birch or maple shell, which is a great way to tune your drum kit to the type of sound you want to achieve.
7-layer shell construction provides clear articulation with a powerful mid-attack and low-level punch. Specifically, toms and floor toms are less than 3mm in size for precise tuning and sound quality.
Though it's worth noting that if you're looking for a louder cut then birch bark would be a better fit. While maple bark provides a medium volume. An impressive range of finishes is available with this set offering refined aesthetics from high-gloss lacquer to classic upholstery. Include:
• Bright Gold Sparkle
• Silver Sparkle
• Orange Sparkle
• Purple Fade Sparkle
• Cherry Fade
To complement the existing delicate finishes, the Genista also features a lacquer finish on the inside of the case, providing an enhanced tonality. Available as a 4pc or 5pc setup, the Genista lineup features iconic Premier Genista lugs.
KEY FEATURES OF EACH SET
Genista includes features ideal for experienced drummers. With the choice of birch or maple, you can tailor the sound you want to achieve and thus choose the right set for you.
If you desire a classic feel with the practicality of compactness, then the Heritage line is a great choice. APK and XPK provide high-quality drum kits suitable for a wide range of applications, while Powerhouse is the perfect starting point for any drummer.
See more:
How to Choose Drumsticks By Type, Size, Weight
10 Questions To Ask Before Buying Your First Drum Kit
10 Best Drum Kits For Beginners
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