Private company

Premier Percussion

Logo: Unknown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons³

English musical instrument manufacturer

Premier Percussion (commonly known as Premier Drums) is a British brand specialising in drum kits, snare drums and percussion instruments. Founded in London in 1922 by Albert Della Porta and George Smith and initially producing instruments for other companies, Premier quickly established itself as a leading name in percussion with its own ranges of drums and orchestral products. In 2021, Premier was acquired by the UK-based retailer Gear4music.² Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1922Founded¹

HeadquartersYork¹
Websitewww.premier-percussion.com

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Corporate structure

Premier Percussion is part of a group headed by Gear4music. 5 entities, 1 country on record. Switch between the flow chart and the network, and select any entity to see its details.

Gear4music York, United Kingdom
- Premier Percussion York
- Eden Amplification Subsidiary
- Gear4music (House Label) Subsidiary
- Hartwood Subsidiary
- G4M Owned
- SubZero Owned

Built from parent and subsidiary links from GLEIF, the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (CC0); subsidiaries, stakes and holdings from Wikidata (CC0). Each entity in the chart links to its source.

The story

History

Premier was founded in October 1922 by Albert Della Porta and George Smith in London’s West End. Initially operating from a basement workshop in Berwick Street, Soho, the company began by repairing and manufacturing drums for other firms. Albert's brother Fred soon joined, managing sales and administration. By 1925, Premier had introduced its own branded products and expanded to a larger factory in Silex Street, South London.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Premier developed a full range of percussion instruments, including snare drums, timpani, xylophones and drum kits for dance bands and theatres. The company also entered the military market with side and bass drums for pipe and regimental bands. Premier was known for its distinctive finishes and trap console hardware, and its early adoption of chromium plating. By 1937, it had launched its Olympic line as a budget alternative.

During the Second World War, Premier’s factory in Park Royal was destroyed in the Blitz. The company pivoted to war production, making parts for radar and anti-tank weaponry, and relocated to Wigston, near Leicester, where it remained post-war.

The post-war period saw Premier rebuild its percussion line with innovations in drum shell hardware and die-moulded components. Under the leadership of Albert’s sons (Clifford and Raymond Della Porta), Premier became one of the most technically advanced drum manufacturers in the world, exporting widely and receiving the Queen’s Award to Industry for exports in 1966.

Following several decades of growth, the company underwent multiple ownership changes from the 1980s onwards. The brand relaunched in 2022 and introduced a range of Centenary products to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

Royale and Crown (1982–1988)

The Royale and Crown series were launched by Premier in the 1980s as successors to the Olympic range, targeting entry-level and intermediate drummers. These kits retained many of the visual features associated with Premier’s higher-end lines but used more cost-effective materials and simplified hardware. Both lines featured standard six or eight-lug configurations on bass drums and toms.

The Royale series was aimed at beginners and schools, while the Crown range offered slightly upgraded components and finishes, serving as a stepping stone for students progressing to semi-professional use. Both lines were produced in the UK and retained Premier’s manufacturing standards, offering an accessible option for drummers seeking a British-made kit without the premium pricing of the Resonator or Projector series.

Though not marketed as professional kits, Royale and Crown sets became widely used in educational settings and home practice studios, contributing to Premier’s continued visibility in the mass market during the 1980s.

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APK and XPK (1985–1999)

Premier introduced the APK and XPK series in the mid-1980s to address the growing demand for mass-market drum kits suitable for students, schools, and semi-professional players. These lines offered updated styling and manufacturing efficiencies while maintaining the core visual identity of Premier drums.

The XPK, marketed as a step up from APK, utilised an outer ply of higher-grade birch. Both lines were available in a wide range of configurations and finishes, including lacquered and wrapped options. Hardware was kept simple but reliable, using low-mass lugs and basic tom mounts.

The XPK, in particular, gained popularity in schools and recording studios due to its improved shell construction and balanced sound profile. While not considered high-end kits, both APK and XPK played a crucial role in maintaining Premier's brand presence during the late 1980s and 1990s, particularly as competition from Asian manufacturers intensified.

Elite, Genista, Artist and Revolution (2022-Present)

Following the 2021 acquisition by Gear4music, Premier restructured its acoustic drum range into four distinct tiers to serve different segments of the market. The top-tier Elite line is targeted at professional touring and studio musicians, offering high-grade shells and detailed finishes. Genista occupies the upper-mid level, preserving its legacy as a premium birch line with modern refinements.

The Artist series is aimed at intermediate players, offering performance-grade kits with accessible pricing. Revolution, designed as an entry-level offering, includes cymbals and hardware to provide a complete setup for beginners and educational use. All four lines reflect Premier’s continued commitment to UK-led design and broad global distribution.

From Wikipedia’s article on Premier Percussion, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.⁴

Products and brands

drum kit

Listed on Wikidata.¹

Centenary Models (2022)

To commemorate its 100th anniversary in 2022, Premier launched several centenary products. The range included two key models: the Genista 100SE and the Della-Porta 100. The latter was UK-built, with both featuring high-spec materials, bespoke hardware and unique finishes referencing Premier’s legacy.

The Genista 100SE was a special edition of the classic Genista line, built from premium American birch shells, 7-ply for toms and snares (5.6mm thick) and 9-ply for the bass drum (7.2mm). The toms retained Premier’s historic 6mm undersized shell diameters for improved tuning and resonance. Additional features included 45-degree bearing edges, low-profile ISO mounting systems, triple-flange hoops, and retooled tension lugs based on original Genista castings. The set was finished in a tri-band lacquer and fitted with original “P” badge plinths.

The Della-Porta 100 was a UK-built, limited-run walnut snare drum named after Premier’s founder, Albert Della Porta. Each drum featured a 5mm, 4-ply walnut shell with 6mm beech reinforcement rings, constructed using traditional rolled and lapped scarf joints. A 30-degree round-over bearing edge and single-flange steel hoops with vintage claw hooks completed the design. The drum was fitted with Premier’s 610 snare mechanism and custom Evans/Calftone centenary heads. Each unit came with a numbered certificate of authenticity and a matching UK-made hard case.

Hardware

Early Pedal and Trap Designs (1920s–1930s)

Premier’s earliest hardware innovations were developed during the silent film and vaudeville era. Drum kits from the 1920s often included trap trays, temple blocks, and telescopic bass drum pedals. These were designed for theatre percussionists and featured collapsible mechanisms for portability. Early models like the Swingster and Gigster trap consoles offered mobile, steel-framed platforms for mounting multiple percussion accessories.

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Swingster and Gigster Consoles (1930s)

The Swingster and Gigster consoles were mobile trap setups that allowed drummers to mount temple blocks, cymbals, toms, and snares on a single frame. Constructed from stainless steel, these were among the first integrated percussion racks in British drum manufacturing. American bandleader Chick Webb was famously photographed with a Premier Swingster, showcasing its use in jazz big bands.

Wonder Finishes and Crystalflash Wraps (1930s)

Premier distinguished itself through decorative finishes in the 1930s, including Wonder Finishes such as Crystalflash, Glittergold, Pearlex, Raytex, and Blueflash. These wrap options were paired with chrome hardware and flush fittings, creating visually distinctive kits that were highly regarded in the pre-war British drum scene.

Long lug design (1947)

The introduction of Premier’s flush-braced long lug in 1947 marked a turning point in British drum hardware. Designed as a single-piece die-cast fitting connecting top and bottom tension rods, the lug reduced shell stress and improved tuning consistency. Its streamlined, sculptural shape became a defining feature of Premier kits for decades.

Flush base stands (1950s)

In the 1950s, Premier developed fold-flat tripod stands using die-moulded cast legs. These lightweight, portable designs became standard for school kits and marching setups, and were praised for their transport efficiency and reliability in live settings.

Lokfast and Trilok hardware (1968-1970s)

Premier introduced the Lokfast series in 1968, marking a significant evolution from the flush-base stands of the 1950s. Lokfast hardware retained the flat-based design but introduced more substantial oval-section bottom tubes for increased stability. Snare stands featured swivel arm cradles, and the hi-hat stand incorporated a centre-pull system with screw spurs on the front legs.

By the mid-1970s, Lokfast was succeeded by Trilok hardware, which featured tripod bases with U-shaped legs and nylon inserts to reduce wear. The hi-hat stand in this range included external expansion springs and the 252-style footplate, while cymbal stands introduced integrated boom arms for the first time. Subsequent lines included Tristar, with double-braced tripod legs, and Trident, a single-braced alternative.

Bass Drum Pedals (1960s–1970s)

During the 1960s and 1970s, Premier developed a series of rugged bass drum pedals, including the 250S and 252. These models featured moulded rubber footplates and chain-drive mechanisms, offering durability and consistent response. The 250 pedal became particularly well-known for its distinctively smooth action and heavy-duty construction.

Premier Cymbals: Zyn, Super Zyn & Krut (1950s–1970s)

Due to limited availability of imported cymbals, Premier began producing its own lines: Zyn (nickel-silver alloy), Super Zyn (B20 bronze), and Krut, a value-oriented line for export. These cymbals were widely included with Premier kits and offered accessible options for students and marching bands. The Super Zyn became particularly well-regarded among British jazz and military drummers.

In-house manufacturing and plating

Premier maintained full in-house control over its production for most of the 20th century. This included shell construction, chrome plating, die-casting of lugs and hoops, cymbal manufacture, and drumhead production. This vertical integration gave Premier a reputation for durability and consistent quality compared to competitors that outsourced components.