Premier Genista Reviews
Latest Reviews
“Genista v Signia”
Written on: 11/04/2013 by ancientdrummer
I own both a UK made Genista and a Signia kit. Both are very individual and both are hard to beat. I gig mainly with the Genista because its projection and tone is superb. You can really play a wide range of genre. The Signia has much darker and fatter sound as you would expect from maple. I use it in the studio. I wouldn't part with either, and they both represent Premier's peak shortly after Yamaha invested in the Leicester factory. (read more)
“Premier Genista made in England (90's)”
Written on: 03/09/2012 by muso7
Owned a late 60's Premier kit for several years and it was awesome. Sold it in mid 90's and since then have been playing Pearl Masters. Just recently I found a Premier Genista 5 piece turquoise lacquer (birch) in awesome condition (made in England) This kit is absolutely mind blowing - the sound is magnificent and right now I am overplaying just so I can constantly hear it ;-) I am just using single ply Aquarians on toms and PS3 on bass - unbelievable So it's "good-bye Pearl masters" and... (read more)
“I'm not sure it's wise to compare genista's with any...”
Written on: 24/04/2011
I'm not sure it's wise to compare genista's with any other drums or really fair. Personally having played lots of acoustic drum sets, Premier Genista
drums are phenominal. In particular when purchased second hand. They sound as good with wire brushes as they do with drum sticks. Have a mess about with the tuning for different genres of music. Little features like the snare mechanism it's so sensitive which is awesome. The craftsmanship involved. If you get the chance to pick up a second...
(read more)
“I was out on the look out for premier genista in the...”
Written on: 19/01/2010
I was out on the look out for premier genista in the right sizes and colour for a long while, I met a guy who had exactly what I wanted... 8, 10, 12, 14, 20,(Undrilled) Terraverde green. All floating toms with original premier rim mounts. I got them for £650 with a few stands knocked in, kit was immaculate condition. Looks Fantastic, Sounds lovely and punchy, Bass drum quality, finish is quality, buffers up really nice. It definately stands it's own agains top proffesional drum kits. (read more)
“I bought a genista kit in colorado in 1994. A 7 piece...”
Written on: 25/08/2009
I bought a genista kit in colorado in 1994. A 7 piece kit including 8-10-12-13-14-16-22 tom & kick with 5x14 snare. Only played out with it once
then stored except recording. I sold the matching snare b4 moving to Hawaii
in 1998. After moving back to Colorado 10 years later,A good friend of mine,
found it in a pawn shop. It had not been taken care of but cleaned up very
nice & is now home forever. Except for the rubber gaskets inside the lugs,
the drum is in remarkable condition for having...
(read more)
“Did have two premier genista kits in turquoise, which...”
Written on: 23/07/2009
Did have two premier genista kits in turquoise, which I regret selling, but still have my 22 10 12 14 in Terravada green, which I shall never part with.....Unequalled fabulous sound as previously described in other reviews....only criticism is
the lack of flexibility with the bass drum mount when positioning the 12 inch tom.
(read more)
“I've been playing my Genistas for about 2 years and...”
Written on: 29/05/2009 by rdebenport (1 review written)
I've been playing my Genistas for about 2 years and LOVE them. I own a 4 piece: 20" bass, 10", 12" and 15" suspended toms. I love the setup and the versatility. I'm currently using Evans coated G2s and have been really happy with the tone and sustain. Oh, and that's my orange Genista on the pic above!
I just found a second Genista kit for sale locally and had to buy them. Now I own two of these excellent kits. This one came with a great 14x7" snare. The sound is excellent!
(read more)
“ Premier Genista has a great sound, good looking.”
Written on: 30/04/2009
Premier Genista has a great sound, good looking.
It has more than good sound, it has spirit.
(read more)
“Premier Genistas rule... (period)”
Written on: 20/04/2009
Premier Genistas rule... (period)
superior sound even with old heads.............
focused birch sound is unmistakable. The round lugs keep shell mass to a minimum and allow resonance.
Focused with tone.
Unbeatable
(read more)
“These kits are very pleasant to play and easy to tune....”
Written on: 08/07/2008
These kits are very pleasant to play and easy to tune. Really good set for recording and touring. (read more)
See next 10 reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 25 Reviews
“I have a 7 piece kit with a Yamaha snare drum worth...”
Written on: 17/04/2008 by bjblom (1 review written)
I have a 7 piece kit with a Yamaha snare drum worth $600. The kit is awesome bass drum blew me away. I love it (read more)
“Just brought a silver sparkel genista. 22x16 kick 12"...”
Written on: 21/03/2008 by Kellyboy (1 review written)
Just brought a silver sparkel genista. 22x16 kick 12" tom and 16" floor tom. I normally use a 22x18 kick but the kick on this kit blew me away!!!!!! Best kit iv owned and will be keeping it for a very long time. (read more)
“I purchased my red sparkle Genista (22x16, 10x8, 12x8,...”
Written on: 17/03/2008
I purchased my red sparkle Genista (22x16, 10x8, 12x8, 15x13, 14x14, 16x16, 18x16 + 14x5,5 snare) in 1999 directly from Premier. It still looks as new! there are no pittings on the chroom and the shell tune so easily that is's unbelievable! The snare is a killer! I also own a 14x6,5 Ludwig Black Beauty but I have to say that my Premier is surely as good as the Ludwig - maybe better!!! If you hit it right it sound as if there's already compression and reverb on it.
It is my perfect workhorse....
(read more)
“I bought my Premier Genista kit about 6 months ago. I...”
Written on: 04/03/2008
I bought my Premier Genista kit about 6 months ago. I owned a Tama Granstar kit that I bought new in 1988-always had problems with overtones on that kit.my friend works at a local music store-spotted the kit and basically stashed the kit for me,he called and persuaded me to take a look at the drums after me putting it off for over a week (price was a steal at $1000 canadian). Needless to say I walked out of the store with the drums in tow. After changing the heads (the kit was second... (read more)
“Had my Genista kit (Terraverdi Green) since 1995 &...”
Written on: 12/02/2008 by AYNSLEY (1 review written)
Had my Genista kit (Terraverdi Green) since 1995 & love it! Despite getting an endorsement with Premier last year & also owning a rather fine Premier Series Birch kit (Gunmetal Sparkle),I will NOT part with the Genista! I've lost count of the amount of times I've had sound guys comment on the sound of it.The snare drum is phenomenal! I own a Zildjian/Noble & Cooley snare & a Ahead snare & the Genista out performs both!
Aynsley
www.risetoaddiction.com
(read more)
“”
Written on: 30/01/2008 by drumboy
I bought a second hand Genista from a shop in Southend on Sea about two weeks ago. A six piece - 10x8 tom, 12x10 tom,14x14 floor tom , 16x16 floor tom, 22x18 bass and a 14x 7 snare. Its got a couple of scratches but other than that its tip top. I don't think I could ever part with it... she's a stunner... can't wait to try her out in live gigs and in a studio sometime.
(read more)
“When buying a Premier Genista try to get one with the...”
Written on: 07/12/2007 by jonnyashworth
When buying a Premier Genista try to get one with the ISO mounting system (rims) on the toms as these sound amazing but are a bit more pricey. However you can pick up a flat color one with standard tom mounts for very cheap indeed and these still sound great. Now is the time to buy one of these kits as you can still pick them up in mint condition. They have recently been resurrected by premier as a 75th anniversary special however these are constructed differently (they are easier to tune... (read more)
“I love Genista's! I got mine second hand a few years...”
Written on: 05/12/2007
I love Genista's! I got mine second hand a few years back in the hard to find silver sparkle laquer and it has a huge undrilled 24 bass drum. Never played a kit that sounded so big. Got to be one of the best English kits ever made. Wouldn't swap it for anything... Ok maybe a top of the range DW hahaha. (read more)
“I bought the Premier Genista drum kit for an amazing...”
Written on: 16/10/2007 by ermhello
I bought the Premier Genista drum kit for an amazing price of £300, from a friend who had bought it second hand. I have used it at many gigs, and it is also used every day as a practise kit, and it is still in excellent condition! It has outlasted all of the new cymbals and stands that have been bought for it. I use Aquarian Performance 2 heads on it, and it sounds amazing for recording. In my opinion, it is well up there with the likes of the Pearl Masters that I have played. It is such a... (read more)
“I think this the best kit Premier ever made and to...”
Written on: 26/09/2007 by noxi (1 review written)
I think this the best kit Premier ever made and to still prefer a 10 year old kit to a modern DW or Yamaha is saying something. Alot of drummers use this kit all love it and some pros have used it rather than set their own up for a one nighter and with the kit and the Zildjan Ks and As have been very pleasantly surprised. There aren't many kits that just get better and better as they age. But this 10 year old Genista played by several drummers week in/week out is the best I've played in a... (read more)
See next 10 reviews
Showing 11 - 20 of 25 Reviews
“I custom ordered my Premier Genista kit new in '96 or...”
Written on: 16/07/2007 by spikingviking (1 review written)
I custom ordered my Premier Genista kit new in '96 or '97. 8x8, 10x10, 12x12, 14x14, 16x16 all suspended, 18x18, 22x18 on the floor. Terraverdi Green. I love this kit. It has been on ALL of my recordings. It looks great under stage lights and mics well on stage or in the studio. It is birch, and playing heavy rock with 2 ply batter heads can make them difficult to tune, but persistence will pay off when you find where the drum wants to be tuned. I challenge you to find more sturdy kick... (read more)
Spikingviking's Response to spikingviking's Review
Written on: 04/01/2008
i have 1 tom thats hard to tune. Check your bearing edges and make sure they arent damaged. Also make certain the head seats properly. Getting locking tension rods helped me. Also pay close attention to your resonant head, i'll bet the rods are loose there too. I find as the heads get over streched and the top rods begin to go loose, the bottom lugs follow.
Kind of problematic, but a small price to pay.
Reply to this comment
“I was happy to get my shell pack for $1600. Shortly...”
Written on: 10/07/2007 by hauimn2ggus
I was happy to get my shell pack for $1600. Shortly after I bought mine each set I could find for sale was well over $2500. I plan to keep mine till I'm old and grey... show em off to the grandkids and remember "the good ol' days" when grandpa was in a Christian rock band... Check us out at http://www.rivensoul.com. You can hear my set of Genista's on our music tracks there! (read more)
“Overall opinion is that the Genista is the best kit...”
Written on: 16/09/2006 by Ray King (2 reviews written)
Overall opinion is that the Genista is the best kit Premier have ever made.
Great quality and a solid gigging percussive workhorse.
Shame they can't make snare drums though?
(read more)
“I bought my Genista back in 1997 - almost 10 years...”
Written on: 16/09/2006 by jazzdrummer (1 review written)
I bought my Genista back in 1997 - almost 10 years ago. At the time, these were very popular, even to the point that you would turn on Top of the Pops each week and see at least 1 of these on stage. The sound great and look great too - I love the large acorn like lugs and think they really look the part. I often have good comments about how the kit sounds at gigs, so it can't be all that bad. The great thing for me at the time I bought this was that it was a great pro kit, at a non-pro... (read more)
Bjblom's Response to jazzdrummer's Review
Written on: 17/04/2008
Best kit i have ever had. It sounds great pitty they stopped. I have a 7 piece kit with a $600 Yamaha snare drum. It is excellent.
Reply to this comment
“I bought a 6 piece Premier Genista for £420 in mint...”
Written on: 21/04/2006 by john
I bought a 6 piece Premier Genista for £420 in mint condition, which is an absolute bargain. These drums were some of the best in the market in the 90's but Premier seems to have declined in popularity since then. Bad for Premier but great for buyers from the second hand market. You can pick up Genista's and Signia's for fraction of their retail price and get a much better sound than most kits currently on the market. Not exactly sure what the finish is but can be described as an emerald... (read more)
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As rated by real users
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1. Premier Genista
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121503_John's Response to spikingviking's Review
Written on: 17/07/2007
Hi mate, gorgeous kit, I've got a six piece Genista in a similar finish. I bought it second hand for £420 (I wrote a review of it a while ago). I was just wondering if you could give me some advice. The kit keeps going out of tune a lot, the nuts are going very loose and needing tightening every week or so. Do you know of anything that would prevent them from loosening? I have no plans on replacing it so could do with sorting it out, I'm not the best as tuning my kit as it is and it being a six piece doesn't do me any favours haha! Unfortunately, where I store the kit the temperature changes an awful lot so that could be what's causing it :-s