Premier Cabria Series

I own an original 1998 5 piece Burgundy High Gloss laquered Premier Cabria and have been playing for 19 years now. I mean original because this was the year it was originally launched to the market by Premier. The differences between these and the newer Cabrias is pretty big. First of all the 1998 ones were made with a blend of two different woods wich are Eucalyptus on the outer ply wich is very similar to maple for good mid and high frequencies and Merranti wich is the same as Mahogany on the inner ply for thunderous low frequencies specially when tuned low and most important with a thickness of only 5.2mm on all the toms and snare drum while the bass drum is 7.7mm. This thin shell type is only found in high end top of the line kits as it gives the best sound of all for studio recording, small gigs or practice rooms while the thicker shells are more for live playing to project more volume but less sound quality due to the thickness of the shell the sound does not transmit with the same speed or pureness. All this to make a two ply sandwiched shell with not just good but a great professional sound that gives out perfect fundamental notes from each drum without any unwanted overtones obviously using the right drum heads and a fine tuning. I know this after years of playing and listening to other drum kits and definitely the thickness of the shell makes a HUGE difference on the Sound along with the blend of two different types of wood to merge the sonic features of both woods.

Apart from this they were the last ones still made in England with the Made in England badge on it. Since the 2000's they moved the manufacturing of this series to Taiwan and only the flagship series were still made in England. Nowadays the Cabria does not exist anymore, you can only find the APK series that was the one replaced by the Cabria in 1998 and the XPK, they both have 7.5mm 100% birch shells and are produced in Taiwan. They are not bad but definitely not the same as the 1998 ones.

And as if this was not enough the 1998 ones also come with high tension lugs for wider tone range and easier tuning that are finished in Premier's diamond chrome also a feature only found in much more expensive kits. And to finish it also came with quick sized toms for more definite attack and faster response than the more conventional standard giving more expression and character to your playing.

For all this said I give this kit a 10/10 without any second thoughts and to anyone out there who has the chance to purchase one of these, don't hesitate on it for a second and just buy it, I guarantee you won't regret it ever.

The Premier cabria is the perfect kit for any drummer out there looking for a good sounding, solid, gig worthy kit for a reasonable price. I bought the fusion kit just under two years ago, 22 inch bass, 10, 12, and 14 inch toms and the standard 14 snare. I bought the kit for just over £500, including hardware. The kit comes in many different finishes, all of which that i have seen have looked the part of a much more high end kit. My kit in a purple finish, and really does glow under the lights of the stage.

How it sounds:

I really do not think that there are many kits out there in the same price bracket that sound as good as the cabria. On the snare i use a black evans onyx head, and the factory head on the bottom with the original snare wires. Tuned high the snare produces a good solid crack, sharp rimshots, perfect for rock and pop music. I have also experimented with lower tunings, and have never been disapointed with the decent, solid, warm sound the snare provides me with. The snare is one of the best snares i have ever played on a begginer/lower intermediate standard kit, and is supprisingly universal, given that the right head is fitted for the job.

Moving on to the toms, i have them all fitted with evans g2 clear batter heads, and the original factory heads on the resonant side. Tuned high the toms produce a pleasent, warm ring. Tuned low they produce a solid, and supprisingly deep thump. The small 14 inch floor tom, when tuned low, is particularly punchy and has the sound of a larger drum. All in all, the toms sing when tuned high, and are capable of a pretty good deep thud when tuned low. Although i find a healthy midpoint is best.

Finally, the 22 bass drum. On the kick i have the factory resonant, and an evans EQ3 batter head. The kick produces a big, solid sound, and packs a fair amount of power and punch, equating for a pretty decent sound.

How is it on stage?

The kit is extreemely well built, as is the premier 2000 hardware i have with the kit. The kit stands up to regular gigging extrodinarily, and is as solid to play as it is in build. The kit gleams on stage and has the presence of a much higher end kit. The ISO mounting system also provides for very universal tom placement. My only complaints about the kit would be that the factory heads supplied are awful, and really do not sound to good. Plus my everplay head on the snare bust within a month. The only other things would be that the drums seem to go out of tune pretty quick, and that the tension screws on the toms are to close to the shell, meaning that often they scratch against the shell itself.

Good points:

. Brilliant value for money!!

. Well built, solid kit.

. Tone full, sounds more expensive than it is.

. Universal.

Bad points:

. Design flaw in the tension screws on toms.

. Very poor factory heads supplied.

Overall, the perfect kit for a begginer/ intermidiate drummer, or a drummer on a budget looking for a solid kit for regular gigging.

Absolutely great value I've owned Tama Rockstar, Pearl Export and Sonor Force 2000 as comparisons to these 2003 Laquered Cabria's. Firstly the Pearl gear was ok but terrible hardware, basswood sheels. Tama no complaints good sound just little irritation with some of the memorylocks,shells basswood I think. Sonor fantastic sound, quality hardware very heavy sheels Beech? was a forced sale regretably. No suspension mounts but didnt matter. The Premier Cabria's are only rivalled by the Sonor gear there is nothing in it really.Zero to complain about in both cases recommended for sure, locking hi hat clutch the only purchase for gigging, aside from evans skins eventually. Finally the Cabria set is a bargain that can surprise many fellow drummers unaware of what level they are supposed to retail at! Happy Drumming to all

I am 48 years old, been playing 33 years. Well over 2000 paid gigs in my career thus far. One thing that I have learned....I just dont need a $10,000 shell pack to have a good sound. No qualms with the older Premier Cabria kits for the buck. I currently have two sets, one a huge 11 piece double bass home kit. And my gig set that never makes it home. Nice hardware, plenty durable and with suspension mounts. And never a problem with the shells or the tuning. Premier did change their drum after just a few years of production. The early ones had more quality shells and when set up and tuned properly they sound and look as good as any kit I've owned.

They are the best ever and at 71 I should know

I absolutley love this kit. I'm Grade 6 and have had it since i first started. I have no plans to change the kit any time in the forseeable future, and if i was, it would be another Premier kit. I've had the kit for 3 years and i've never had to retune it, or had any problems for that matter. It has withstood frequent use and gigging brilliantly. Would recommend 100%.

I got a Premier kit about over two years ago, and I can't tell you how much I love it. The kit is a starting one, but the 2008 model is a great one. I never had to retune it(personally I did. Never broke a head or drum, amd the sound is great. Premier may be an unknown company but I wll use them again(just not there starter kits). Only thing I hate is the doubble toms. I'm more of a one tom guy.

ive had this kit for about 6 months now and it still feels like i got it yesterday. i recommend it to all users good or bad. if you are a rock drummer like me, i reccomend putting REMO POWERSTROKE.3. as a drum head for the snare, another POWERSTROKE.3. on the bass drum and an EVANS EC1 on all of the toms including tom.1., tom.2. and of corse the floor tom, thats if you are playing a "14(snare drum),10(tom 1),12(tom 2)14(floor tom),22(bass drum)" drum kit.

I have had this Premier Cabria Series drumset for a long time now and it is an amazing set. Every time you play it it feels brand new. I would definitely recommend it.

The sound quality with the Premier Cabria Series is superb. The smaller fusion-sized drums could use more volume, however. The set is every bit as rewarding to play as my vintage Rogers Londoners. The Cabrias are mahogany (which has the same density as maple) Compared to the Premier birch drums--there is a huge difference--see what you like. I am still exploring the possibilities of this set--so far, very impressed!