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Celebrate 100 Years of Premier with their New Centenary Products 

24/10/2022

With a proud history dating back to 22nd October 1922, Premier have been at the forefront of technical design and innovation. Drummer Albert Della-Porta partnered with renowned drum builder George Smith to found the original company, and since then, they’ve created some of the most loved drum products of all time.

To celebrate this legacy in their centenary year, Premier have launched two special edition kits and a limited edition snare. In this article, we’ll explore each of the centenary products on offer.

Artist Club 100

The Premier Artist Club 100 kit with green lights behindFirst up we have the Artist Club 100. This kit is quite exciting as it’s a special edition of Premier’s original and ever-popular compact club kit, launched in 1999.

Aesthetics

The standout feature of the Club 100 is the exclusive British racing green finish that was chosen to represent its undeniable heritage. This stylish finish creates the perfect contrast against the equally iconic, bold Premier “P” badge that adorns each shell.

Shells

Like all new Artist drums from Premier, the Club 100’s shells feature a 6-ply, 7.5mm, all-birch construction. Premier’s decision to create a thicker shell results in a tone that has fantastic body and projection. This allows the Club 100 to cut through any intimate-sized venue without having to resort to amplification from a PA system.

Reverting to its original UK shell specification – 10″ x 6″ tom, 13″ x 11″ floor tom, and 20″ x 8″ bass drum – the shallower depths of the Club 100 pack a punch in the smallest of footprints, whilst the matching 13″ x 5.5″ offers a sound that truly belies its size.

Wood

The bright articulate tone that birch provides makes it an attractive option to drummers as it adds weight, attack, and definition to your sound. You’ll note that these words are readily associated with many classic Premier kits. The versatility of the kit means it’s equally suited to home recording, streaming, and live performance.

Hardware

The Club 100 provides a whole host of features that many drummers will find beneficial. Purpose-built shell mounting hardware helps to improve the drum kit’s durability, ensuring a long-lasting life. The hardware also enhances the sound quality and increases the tuning stability of each shell.

It’s safe to say that the Club 100 is an instant classic. The redesigned, new-look, low-mass lugs included on each shell are influenced by the 1920s Art Deco movement. Not only do they increase the kit’s aesthetic appeal, but they also allow the shells to resonate freely, improving their overall tone, resonance, and performance.

Practicality

One of the most obvious talking points of the Club 100 is its unique, reduced size which sets the standard for compact kits. It’s also easy to set up and pack down thanks to integral memory locks that integrate with the mounting brackets on the rack and floor toms for precise positioning without fail. Another nice little touch is the ‘70s-esque folding bass drum spurs situated on either side. Compact and portable!

For drummers of all ages, the Club 100 stands out from the crowd, delivering a larger-than-life sound in the most intimate of surroundings.

Shop now | Premier Artist Club 100 20″ 4pc Drum Kit

Genista 100SE

Red and white Premier drums against a red backgroundNext up is the Genista 100SE. A special edition reimagining of the Genista Classic, this kit encapsulates all that is Premier. It boasts a classic birch build, a distinctive Genista lug design, and a beautiful tri-band finish.

Background

The special edition 6-piece shell pack recreates the unmistakable Premier tri-band finishes of yesteryear alongside the distinctive characteristics of the Genista Classic.

All tom and snare drums feature a 5.6mm, 7-ply, premium birch ply shell for a full-bodied attack with fast decay, whilst the slightly thicker 7.2mm, 9-ply bass drum packs greater volume and punch.

With its distinguishing undersized 6mm tom diameter, iconic individual lug design, and stunning high-gloss tri-band finish, the Genista 100SE will excite drummers and collectors alike.

Finish

The Genista 100SE boasts impressive aesthetics with a beautifully lacquered tri-band finish. Red bands showcase the grain, creating the perfect contrast to the solid white that celebrates and reminisces the Premier kits of yesteryear.

At the heart of every shell proudly sits the famous “P” badge, an emblem of quality, and the return of the original chrome mount badge plinth. Complete with fully lacquered matching bass drum hoops, every Genista shell is protected with an anti-moisture internal lacquer to preserve and prolong its life in humid environments.

Lug design

One of the most distinguishable features of the original Genista was its tension lug design, with the bold casting being a firm favourite for many drummers. Genista returns to the larger bass lug, whilst the snare features the famed double-end lug.

All castings have been retooled from the original factory drawings for maximum authenticity, performance, and aesthetic. Each lug is subsequently fitted to its respective shell using an isolating, moulded plinth to guarantee a larger-than-life, uncompromising tone.

Tom shell innovations

Premier have paved the way with drumming innovations over the years. The Genista 100SE features a number of iconic features, taken from the original specifications, such as the original 6mm diameter of each tom shell for an easier tuning experience and the 610 snare mechanism. All Genista shells have been precision cut and feature a 45-degree bearing edge.

Shell-mounted hardware

The Genista 100SE also features Premier’s bespoke designed brackets, with integral memory locks on the rack and floor toms. These offer great stability and reliability when it comes to setting up, making them fantastic assets for high-pressure scenarios like stage and studio performances.

A low-profile ISO mounting system enhances the tonal resonance of the mounted toms, offering additional sustain whilst reinforcing the classic Genista look. When paired with the 2.3mm triple-flange hoops, this helps minimise the risk of undesirable overtones for articulate tom fills.

Options

The Genista 100SE comes as a 6-piece shell pack that consists of 10″ x 7″ and 12″ x 8″ mounted rack toms, 14” x 14” and 16” x 16” floor toms, a 22” x 18” bass drum, and 14” x 5.5” snare.

Furthermore, for players or collectors who do not have the space for an additional kit, Premier have added two single snares: a 14″ x 5.5″ and 14 x 7” model. They both have the special edition triband finish and all the original features of the Genista. These incorporate the original 610 snare mechanism which offers a quick-release feature, allowing you to change the snare head without altering the snare setting and tension.

This kit is sure to be the proud centrepiece of any Premier aficionado’s collection as well as professional, studio, and home drummers who desire a great-sounding kit that, just like Premier’s legacy, will stand the test of time.

Shop now | Premier Genista 100SE 22″ 6pc Shell Pack 

Premier Della-Porta 100 Limited Edition Snare Drum

The limited edition Premier snare drum for Premier's centenary yearUndoubtedly the crown jewel in the centenary editions is the Della-Porta 100 snare drum – a strictly limited edition run of 100 models, exclusively handmade in the UK.

The Della-Porta 100’s construction

The Della-Porta 100 richly embodies all that is Premier. Taking inspiration from early Premier wood shell snares such as the Deluxe models of the ’20s, its shells remain faithful to the original shell-building techniques of the time.

The 5mm, 4-ply walnut shell is thin in its construction. Traditionally formed, the walnut plies are rolled and lapped with scarf joints. Furthermore, 6mm, 4-ply beech support hoops and a 30-degree round-overbearing edge add strength and stability. Both features are a classic nod to their origins.

The finished 14” x 5” shell features an outer ply of figured walnut with a protective oil that enhances the deep grain patterns whilst the pewter badge – also cast in the UK – celebrates Premier’s centenary year with exclusive artwork for this model.

Premium hardware

The Della-Porta 100 is a snare designed for players and collectors alike. Traditional tube lugs offer an authentic look, complemented perfectly by a pair of single-flange steel hoops with vintage-style claw hooks.

Considered by many to be the best Premier snare strainer of all time, the 610 offers a quick-release feature, allowing you to change the snare head without altering the snare setting and tension. Puresound 20-strand snare wires increase snare presence overall.

Premier partnered with several specialists in their respective fields to add additional value to this unique drum. Leading head manufacturer Evans supplied custom-printed Calftone and response heads that both feature the centenary artwork.

A hard case and certificate of authenticity

The Premier Della Porta 100 Limited Edition Snare Drum with Hard Case behind it To complete the Della-Porta 100 and mark the occasion, there’s an equally bespoke hard case.

Featuring centenary branding, the hard case includes padded inner protection and is finished in an exclusive vintage brown moulding. It’s also produced in the UK.

All drums are individually serial numbered and come with a certificate of authenticity whilst the accompanying hard case carries a matching serial number to its handle.

The Della-Porta 100 is proudly named in recognition of Premier’s founder, Albert Della-Porta, and celebrates the legacy of his family name that shaped the course of Premier over six successful decades.

Designed to be enjoyed and played by drummers of any genre or kept as a collection piece, only 100 models will be handmade in the UK.

Shop now | Premier Della-Porta 100 Limited Edition Snare Drum

Find out more

Celebrate Premier’s legacy with us! These special edition centenary products are not to be missed…

 

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