Tama Drums Discussion

[Cypherfilter]

Thanks, i saved a ton of money using Drum Skins on the kit versus getting a custom paint job

[Drummer95]

Hi, I was looking at a Tama Rockstar 6 peice drumkit for $300 (needs a bit of work), it comes with a set of Paiste 402 cymbals. I wasn't too sure on the quality of these drums so if anyone knows about them and can help that would be great, Thanks.
D95....

[kaosotis]

Rockstars have always been fairly entry level Tama's. Think Swingstars, Imperialstars. However, the recent Rockstars that have been sold through some chains are much closer to Superstars, and therefore I think better drums.

Nothing wrong with getting Rockstars as a used starter kit if $300 with cymbals is your budget.

What "work" do they need?

If you can post a pic or find out the year, I can give you more specific info.

[Russ]

oo restoration project i do smell..

[Gretschhead]

Anyone have any input on the 80s Artstar line, birch/codia? I know the Superstars of this era are highly revered, how does the Artstar stack up against the Superstar?

[Bish]

No experience or information to offer Gretschhead. Some one should pop in with some information for you.

Maybe even, Les. He's got a head full of data or the ability to find it.

[Russ]

ahh the Artstar cordias.. you really gotta love the jungle sizes of the 80s. they sound kinda short on sustain, cause the toms are like 12x13, 14x13, etc. i liked their overall tone though, you dont hear of many cordia drums these days so i imagine it would be hard to put together a set of Artstars. they eventually were replaced with "Artstar II", a version that was all maple, and an equivelant of the starclassic maples that exist today. you should be able to find the original ones cheaply though due to how old they are, although it would be tough to track them all down

[Northern Redneck]

Anyone have any input on the 80s Artstar line, birch/codia? I know the Superstars of this era are highly revered, how does the Artstar stack up against the Superstar?

Artstar were the top of line at the time. Great drums.
Russ power toms are the exact opposit of how you describe them. They were big powerful and tons of sustain and resonance. Powertoms are incredibly ringy, thats why everybody used pinstripes and hydraulics.

[kaosotis]

Artstar were the top of line at the time. Great drums.
Russ power toms are the exact opposit of how you describe them. They were big powerful and tons of sustain and resonance. Powertoms are incredibly ringy, thats why everybody used pinstripes and hydraulics.

Takes a lot of work to keep those babies in check!!!!

[Russ]

maybe i was thinking of jungle or square toms

[Northern Redneck]

maybe i was thinking of jungle or square toms

The deeper the drum the more sustain and resonance it will have. Squaretoms have even more than a powertom. And Ive never heard of a jungletom.

[Russ]

i heard of sonor's jungle kit and figured it was based on a style or a trend of types of drums

[kaosotis]

Spot on Imperialstar. I love my Tamas but the power toms are really difficult to position and they are much more finicky in tuning. I not getting rid of them, I just have come to realize that they sound great on big stages, but are overwhelming in small bars and clubs, and even hard to control when close mic'd outdoors. They have a huge tendency towards a slappy, overtone sound. That being said, they aren't going anywhere b/c of the emotional attachment and memories.

Compared the Yamahas to the Tamas last night and it was a huge difference. The Tamas needed a tuning, but the Yamahas had much more tone in their sound, weren't so loud, had a much more controlled sound and just overall sounded great. Threw the band members off, particularly the bassist, because it's not as heavy a sound and the Yamahas to punch through as much unmic'd. But it's just an adjustment. They've heard me play the same drums for 20+ years.

Looking forward to Sunday when I'll play them mic'd outdoors.

Some day down the line I'm thinking it would be nice to get some used SC's to have some newer high end Tamas.

[kaosotis]

Fortunately I bought the Crestar 6 pc, 10,12,13,14,16,22 so the biggest rack tom is 13x12, but it is still challenging compared to my new Yamahas.

[kaosotis]

I'll be using them at practice, so I have to take some time to get them tuned well again. Plus, I might use them if we need the big drum sound at times.

Having had these for so long, it really was surprising how easily the Yamahas tuned.

[Northern Redneck]

I'll take those Crestars off your hands!

[kaosotis]

As if! I still love them, just enjoying the difference in the Yammies. Actually makes me want to spend the time getting the Tamas tuned right!

As for gigging, the weight difference (honestly it's got to be at least 30%) makes for a happier back!

Even with the Yamahas, still thinking there might be a used SC set in my future one day. I do like Tama stuff!

[cKracKen]

My Tamas:

[kaosotis]

Details? Looking like a 70's Swingstar or Imperialstar to me.

[mkennedy]

As if! I still love them, just enjoying the difference in the Yammies. Actually makes me want to spend the time getting the Tamas tuned right!

As for gigging, the weight difference (honestly it's got to be at least 30%) makes for a happier back!

Even with the Yamahas, still thinking there might be a used SC set in my future one day. I do like Tama stuff!

I hear ya Kaos! The Starclassics definitely have a certain appeal to them.

[yohin]

I hear ya Kaos! The Starclassics definitely have a certain appeal to them.

I concur.

[cKracKen]

Details? Looking like a 70's Swingstar or Imperialstar to me.

80's Royalstar, I bought them used so I don't know exactly it's age.

Look at my signature for setup

cheers!

[Russ]

totally sweet they look very nice! almost never see one of those, congrats on your find!

[Northern Redneck]

I just found one of my old kits for sale again! SHe's definately seen better days:

[Northern Redneck]

I just found one of my old kits for sale again! SHe's definately seen better days:

When I owned her: