Hey man,
First things first congrats on choosing two potential awesome kits! You're lucky to have a Pearl Forum already, thats a solid kit!
If I were you, I'd get the Gretsch Catalina Ash. You can buy it online from a load of different places.
Check out this review I found for you:
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When it comes to writing a review on a drumset, it behooves the writer to write like Ringo played - to the point without waste!
I have always played top of the line professional drums. I started with Ludwigs when I was 13 yrs. old and have over the years, had the pleasure of playing Fibes and Yamaha. I currently own a set of Yamaha Absolute Maple Customs (my jazz set with an 18" bass drum). So when I "had to settle" for financial reasons, on a set of Gretsch Catalina Ashes, I was a bit sheepish to tell my cohorts which line of Gretsch's I was getting. Isn't enough to just say, "I've got a great set of Gretsch drums coming"?
That sheepishness lasted until I unpacked the first box holding my rack toms. The first thing I noticed is how heavy these drums are. There is nothing "beginner" or "starter kit" about these drums! These are substantially built drums with incredibly beautiful hardware and trim all around. The next thing was how easy they were to tune. Indeed, I was ready to replace all of the heads with Remo coated Ambassadors, having ordered them the week before, in anticipation of receiving these drums via shipment. The toms sounded so good right out of the box, I just couldn't bear to remove the heads and start over. So I fine tuned the toms and set them up and was immediately taken with their power, punch, projection, and tone! These toms, in short, ROCK! The next test was later that night when I set them up in our band rehearsal space. We play Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and a plethora of driving, louder blues based rock. These drums made playing so damned easy, I was amazed. Instead of fighting to be heard over the electric bass and electric guitar (we're a trio), I was just playing musically and getting off. I was having more fun than I have had in a long time, just playing my drums. Every tom roll, whether singular or graduating from top to bottom or bottom to top, was distinctive, clear, articulate, and brimming with beautiful tone. You could FEEL the toms as well as hear them. My 22" bass drum carried the bottom beautifully and the pocket I set has never been deeper.
Now having said all of that, I must admit to the fact that I ordered, along with my set, a new Ludwig Bronze Supraphonic snare drum 6.5X14 and after tuning that baby, fell in love so deeply. So much so that I haven't taken the time (yet) to tune and use my snare that came with the Catalina's. So I can't really review the snare drum however, if it plays and sounds 1/10 the way the rest of these drums perform, I am in for a treat!
One last word on the price of these drums. It is obvious once one lays eyes upon the detail of the Catalina Ash set, that Gretsch has really come up with a Pro set but have priced it like a starter set. That may fool some and cause others to decide on a pricier set, thinking that these drums are some cheap beginners drums. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am thankful that Gretsch has decided to price these drums as they have. It is for those of us who own and happily play these beautiful instruments, to crusade and proclaim to the world, how beautiful and wonderful the Catalina's really are! To that end, I have written this review. TRY THESE GUYS OUT......I BELIEVE YOU WILL AGREE WITH MY ASSESSMENT.
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So I'd definitely get the Gretsch Catalina Ash if I were you. In case you need some drumsticks to go with your kit, I can recommend Vic Firth you can find out and buy them at: http://www.best-drum-set.com/vic-firth-drum-sticks/
Good-luck, and keep drumming!
Sam