Pearl

Pearl

83

Also known as: Pearl Drums, Pearl Percussion, Pearl Flutes

Unclaimed

Pearl was founded in 1946 by Katsumi Yanagisawa in Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan, initially producing music stands for the local market. As the company's reputation for craftsmanship grew, it pivoted to percussion instruments. Katsumi's son Mitsuo joined in 1957 and formed a division to expand exports globally. In 1966, Pearl introduced the President Series—its first professional drum kit, developed ...

more

Pearl was founded in 1946 by Katsumi Yanagisawa in Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan, initially producing music stands for the local market. As the company's reputation for craftsmanship grew, it pivoted to percussion instruments. Katsumi's son Mitsuo joined in 1957 and formed a division to expand exports globally. In 1966, Pearl introduced the President Series—its first professional drum kit, developed with the input of jazz artists Art Blakey and J.C. Heard—making Pearl the first Japanese drum brand to break into the U.S. and U.K. markets.

Pearl's lineup spans acoustic and electronic drum sets, hardware, marching percussion, and concert percussion. The Export series has long served as an entry point for beginner and intermediate players, while the Masters and Reference lines offer higher-grade maple and mixed-shell construction for professional use. At the top end, the Masterworks series provides fully customizable shell configurations, wood choices, and hardware finishes. In 1968, Pearl expanded beyond percussion by opening a flute manufacturing facility at its Chiba, Japan headquarters; Pearl Flutes have since earned recognition among students, educators, and orchestral players worldwide.

Pearl's artist roster spans rock, jazz, metal, and pop. Notable endorsers have included Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe, Joey Kramer of Aerosmith, Ian Paice of Deep Purple, and Mike Mangini of Dream Theater. The company maintains manufacturing and distribution operations across Japan, the United States, Taiwan, and China, with North American operations headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.

Pearl has 1021 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Drums, Snare Drums, and Drum Sets. Their gear is featured by 273 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Metal, and Pop. Notable users include Omar Hakim, Chad Smith, and Jon Larsen. Pearl's catalog spans the full price spectrum — from entry-level options to high-end flagships.

Artists Who Use Pearl

Omar Hakim uses 20 Pearl products

Omar Hakim

Drummer, Keyboardist · Dire Straits

Chad Smith uses 17 Pearl products

Chad Smith

Drummer · Red Hot Chili Peppers

Jon Larsen uses 14 Pearl products

Jon Larsen

Drummer · Volbeat

Samus Paulicelli uses 13 Pearl products

Samus Paulicelli

Guitarist, Bassist · Goatwhore

Joey Kramer uses 10 Pearl products

Joey Kramer

Drummer · Aerosmith

Shaun Foist uses 10 Pearl products

Shaun Foist

Drummer · Breaking Benjamin

Jen Ledger uses 9 Pearl products

Jen Ledger

Singer, Drummer · Skillet

Flo Mounier uses 9 Pearl products

Flo Mounier

Drummer · Cryptopsy

Yuji Adachi (You) uses 9 Pearl products

Yuji Adachi (You)

Guitarist, Composer · DEAD END

Joey Jordison uses 8 Pearl products

Joey Jordison

Guitarist, Drummer · Slipknot

Morgan Rose uses 8 Pearl products

Morgan Rose

Drummer · Sevendust

Chad Sexton uses 8 Pearl products

Chad Sexton

Drummer · 311

Harry Miree uses 8 Pearl products

Harry Miree

Drummer

Ray Luzier uses 7 Pearl products

Ray Luzier

Drummer · Korn

Matt McGuire uses 7 Pearl products

Matt McGuire

Drummer

Trey Williams uses 7 Pearl products

Trey Williams

Drummer · Dying Fetus

Arejay Hale uses 7 Pearl products

Arejay Hale

Drummer · Halestorm

Matt Halpern uses 6 Pearl products

Matt Halpern

Drummer · Periphery

Tony Allen uses 6 Pearl products

Tony Allen

Drummer · The Good, the Bad & the Queen

Todd Sucherman uses 6 Pearl products

Todd Sucherman

Drummer · Styx

Community setups featuring Pearl

Show yours
jcthe7

jcthe7

Gear IQ 126

thetrespasers

thetrespasers

Gear IQ 223

jimdegroot

jimdegroot

Gear IQ 370

matthew_shelley

matthew_shelley

Gear IQ 214

jamescassidy

jamescassidy

Gear IQ 897

nikos_bartsokas

nikos_bartsokas

Gear IQ 119

matthew_shelley

matthew_shelley

Gear IQ 214

mokkamonkey

mokkamonkey

Gear IQ 270

chriswas

chriswas

Gear IQ 592

chriswas

chriswas

Gear IQ 592

wj2006

wj2006

Gear IQ 9157

scottdrummer

scottdrummer

Gear IQ 89

patrick_richardson

patrick_richardson

Gear IQ 833

alvin_feitsma

alvin_feitsma

Gear IQ 67

scottdrummer

scottdrummer

Gear IQ 89

luis_dj

luis_dj

Gear IQ 1527

leodallaverde

leodallaverde

Gear IQ 60

jcthe7

jcthe7

Gear IQ 126

sacha_il_bove_show

sacha_il_bove_show

Gear IQ 937

D

dmitry

Gear IQ 80

Gear Guides featuring Pearl

Are you on the Pearl team?

  • Be the first to know when an artist is spotted using Pearl gear
  • Curate the Pearl catalog, images, and product details
  • Respond to community photos and reviews of Pearl gear
  • See how Pearl gear is trending on Equipboard