This is the CLASSIEST Drum Set I've Played!

Check out Musick Limited if you're in the USA and are looking for a Premier drum set!

Music used (background & playalongs)

I have never played a Premier drum set in my life and honestly have never even seen one up close. So to fulfill my quest of playing every drum set that exists, its finally time I change that! In this drum set review were taking a look at a Premier Genista 100SE and is one of a few kits released for their 100 year anniversary. Birch shells, undersized tom shells for clarity of tone and ease of tuning, and a vintage inspired red tri-band lacquer finish. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this kit SCREAMS quality. The hardware is beefy and the shells and edges are as smooth as can be. The level of detail put in this kit is shocking. I've been sleeping on Premier for sure!

The stock Remo (Taiwan) drum heads were used in the demo. A port hole was cut in the reso side bass drum and 2 t-shirts and a hoodie were used a muffling. A small piece of gaff tape was used on the batter side of the snare drum to cut a bit of the overtones.

I DID NOT Expect This Drum Set To Sound This Good! - $2,600 Premier Genista 100SE Drum Set

[Santaheckler]

So back around 1998 I wanted a DW kit like every pro drummer in the world at the time. Went into the drum shop and had “settle” for a dark red Premier Genista kit. Holy cow, what a blessing in disguise! The thin, slightly undersized shells are the only drums I’ve played that “sing” regardless of head age. They still sound good with some 15+ year old Remo suedes…but I changed them out for some CS dots. They are just unbelievable, high quality pro level drums. The hardware is meant to last a lifetime on and off stage. I’ve used these drum from punk, blues, hard rock, to country stages and they have never let me down. Ok, not the greatest jazz kit but that’s me. I’ll never sell them. Get yourself a kit and hold on!

[ramby]

That was probably one of my favorite grooves you’ve done, not to mention how TIGHT that kit sounded

[jamescanton]

As someone who played drums in the UK in school in the 90s it’s hard to forgive them for the Premier APK drums that lurked in every music room.

[darrylvandermerwe]

Let's take a moment and commend the flawless drumming here! Well done David!

[t.h.c.d]

Haha the bottom right pic you used at 0:37 is my kit in my old living room! The vintage original tri-band finish kits are great drums too. They were only cheap ‘student’ kits but had nice British made 3-ply birch shells. Always loved the quirky finish too.

[ianwaters]

I’ve always been a Premier fan. As a British drummer, I’ve grown up with this brand and it has never failed me from a £95 starter kit from the 60’s to my current XPK from the 90’s, I’ve found these to be great quality and durability and never had any issues. I was also a user of their marching drums which again have always been amazing quality and sound. Nice to see this awesome video and your faultless playing as always!

[tkvids]

Premier was also pretty big in the marching world in the 90's, specifically with Crossmen and Blue Knights. All those amazing Crossmen lines of the early 90s were Premier :)

[JohnLawrieTWS]

Was clearing out an old cupboard at the studio I work at and found an old Premier kit sitting in the corner and I've slowly been fixing it up. Such an underrated sound!

[MrDabbles]

Love all your videos but it’s also so awesome to see how your drumming skills have progressed over the years!!

[thetincan_man]

Those have gotta be some of the sexiest sounding toms I've ever heard

[AaronTremblay]

I haven’t been sleeping on them, just next to them! I’ve owned and loved my Premier Artist Maple kit for about 20 years now! I had originally bought a 5-piece, but added 8” and 16” toms to the setup so I could swap in different sizes when I wanted them. I love that kit!

[b.p.]

One of my fav things about Premier is that you can order their kits with floating-mount floor toms and do away with the legs if you wanted.

[jaghies]

I still play my premier kit, ive had for about 6 years now, still plays like a charm and i love it. Im in the US too!!

[marchingartsmarketplace]

Well built drums. When Premier closed the New Jersey warehouse ( pulling out of the USA), some friends dumpster dove and pulled out about 30 spare shells and additional parts. I still have a few in my shop.

[weschilton]

Wow, I had no idea that Premier made undersized shells! I thought that was unique to Sonor. I wish everyone did that, it really helps focus the tone and makes tuning so much easier. In the 1990s I had a custom set of drums made for me by the Eames Drum Company of Saugus, MA. They are also 100% birch and made their shells 3mm undersized, and heads just drop right on. I love those drums to this day, they have a TON of tone and sustain and a really wide tuning range.

[Brandondrumkc]

A good friend of mine had one of these back in high school and I was always impressed with it. His older brother had a pearl kit and the premier always sounded brighter and cleaner.

[CBRansom]

Was fortunate enough that our high school, (class of '84), used Premier drum sets exclusively for every music activity offered. They had 3 different kits for 2 choral groups and band. Always played well and held up to serious abuse! Love the kit you've featured here!

[Elkmonger]

I'm 52 and in High School we had a Premier drum set that sounded great. It had a Ghost pedal. You ever seen one? I've never seen one since. Here's a name drop for ya. My High School Band Director was Denny Seiwell's Brother and a hell of a trumpet player and drummer. I was a good drummer and did very well at the state orchestra level for High Schoolers. I was given a lot of attention and many songs were selected to cast attention on the percussion section. Plus Denny's brother was a great guy. Probably was the best influence on me out of any adult outside my family. He handled his business and was a great leader.

At that same time I was taking lessons from Jimmy DeGrasso BEFORE he moved out of Allentown, PA. It was through Jimmy I realized I probably wasn't going to a professional drummer. When you meet those types you realize they're just a little different. They're very good, technically proficient, and very creative. I became an Engineer - not the kind that drives trains :-( For District Band auditions you get a prepared solo usually a sheet full of junk you never seen before and you pick through it one measure at a time. This is no lie - once I looked at this thing and I'm thinking this is going to take a while. I hand it to Jimmy and he SIGHT READS it almost perfectly. It was then that I knew. Jimmy was a heck of a guy too. He'd chew your ass if you didn't practice. He would get pissed if you didn't have both oars in the water and put your back into it.

It's crazy looking back at things how two music teachers left such a positive influence on an engineer. Both those guys more than any professor.

Anyhow, I really enjoy your videos.


Take care.

[ItsJimbo]

I recently bought a vintage Premier Soundwave kit from circa 1980. Beautiful finish with a matching beast of a 14x8 snare drum. I absolutely love them. With clear CS heads on the toms they sound straight out of the 70's to me.

[GillBoldberg]

I used to own a Premier Gen-X kit and it was easily one of the best kits I’ve ever played. Very easy to tune and sounded amazing. I learned about them from seeing Scott Phillips (Alter Bridge/Creed) play them back in the day.