Tama Starclassic B/B w/Paiste Dark Energy Cymbals

**shoedaddy** · 08-30-2009, 08:55 PM

Having recently sold a few kits, I was down to one kit and immediately thought of picking up a practice kit. Instead, I was able to pick this up brand new for less than half of the original price--and for less than a lot of what I would normally consider for a practice kit. The finish--Astral White Diamond--is discontinued, probably because it's not for everybody. It is kind of Vegas-y, which I like, and it looks great under stage lights, as I found out last night. Plus, as I said, it was at a bargain basement price, which I also like. Most importantly, it sounds fantastic. I've owned B/B kits before, but they both had the shallow 7" fast toms over the bass drum. These toms at the standard depth sound so warm and are so responsive, it's unbelievable. I had planned to use my S-Classix kit for this show but couldn't get it out of the studio in time, so I barely had time to tune this and used stock heads (Evans) on everything on the kit. The Starclassic Copper snare I ordered separately, and I did put a different Evans head on that. This snare is just what I had hoped for--a metal snare with the warmth of wood. The cymbals are Paiste New Signature Dark Energy--14" Mark I hi-hats, 10" splash, 18" and 17" crashes, and 22" Mark II ride. Can't go wrong with those, either. Usually, I use these with my studio set-up.

**kaosotis** · 08-30-2009, 09:10 PM

Very cool. I've seen that finish before. Not totally my thing, but I can see how it would look cool on a darker stage.

Never really heard of SC's as a "practice" kit, but I guess everyone has their own perspective on these things and it's all relative.

**yohin** · 08-30-2009, 09:11 PM

Those are some sexy drums and cymbals ya got there, man! I'm not really into that finish though.

**Andreeew** · 08-30-2009, 10:47 PM

Definitely awesome! the cymbals got me drooling all over too!

**funkymcstain** · 08-31-2009, 10:03 PM

makes me think gucci or something...lol.

**Olly** · 09-01-2009, 04:00 AM

i have seen this finish on the tama website and didn't look that good but it looks awesome here!!!!! have fun with it!

**shoedaddy** · 09-01-2009, 02:42 PM

I like the Gucci comment, although I was thinking more Louis Vuitton myself.

Anyway, I realized when I bought them they weren't for everybody, but I couldn't get past the price--less than $1,000 for a brand new B/B kit. Now that I have them, though, I like 'em more every time I see them! I can't explain it, because even I was a bit skeptical before they arrived. They're a bit more antique white than they show in the pictures, and the gold in the diamonds sparkles a bit more than it appears. But anyway, I'm not trying to convince anybody, and the way I look at it, it's just as well that we all like different styles of kit, or it wouldn't be a very exciting drum universe.

Besides the drums sounding great, I don't want to overlook the Dark Energy cymbals. These have a very versatile sound, good for everything except maybe metal/hard rock, where they won't be loud enough. I sold a set of Sigs and HH/HHX cymbals to get these and couldn't be happier. They're definitely dark. IMO, the Mark II is the most versatile ride of the series, since the Mark I's I tried seemed mainly suitable for jazz.

Anyways, thanks for all the feedback.

**Fades Away** · 09-02-2009, 12:49 PM

Nice man! I like it!

**shoedaddy** · 09-03-2009, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by Fades Away

Nice man! I like it!

Thanks, Fades Away. Hope you're doing well with your band and with that awesome custom kit of yours!

**shabutie2113** · 09-03-2009, 10:38 AM

aw no more turquoise sc ? man but all your kits are so great do you still have the hhx cymbal pack ? oh and great kit man

**shoedaddy** · 09-03-2009, 11:53 AM

Thanks, shabutie. No more turquoise. And no more HH/HHX pack. I actually sold those individually for slightly more than I paid for the whole pack! Believe me, that's about the only time I came out ahead on one of these deals, but that's my own fault for not holding on the anything. I seem to have a fear of commitment when it comes to drums.

**MartyM** · 09-03-2009, 02:10 PM

Wow that does say "vegas baby Vegas" i also think its cool, you will get noticed, and after all thats what drummers need! makes me want to say " thank you...thank you very much!"

**shoedaddy** · 09-04-2009, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by MartyM

Wow that does say "vegas baby Vegas" i also think its cool, you will get noticed, and after all thats what drummers need! makes me want to say " thank you...thank you very much!"

Elvis has left the building but left his drum kit behind! Now, I just need to get dark sunglasses and a matching "Astral White Diamond" jump suit to wear when I play. Now that would get me noticed!

**pastor_bob** · 09-04-2009, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by shoedaddy

Elvis has left the building but left his drum kit behind! Now, I just need to get dark sunglasses and a matching "Astral White Diamond" jump suit to wear when I play. Now that would get me noticed!

I like it shoedaddy! That's one very nice "practice kit!" I'll bet those gold diamonds just jump off the kit under the lights.

**RHD03** · 09-04-2009, 09:34 AM

SCs...practice kit??? lol Awesome. The finish is ok, the only thing I don't like about it is that tom mount on the kick drum!

Nice set man, and it sounds like you had a deal you could not pass up! I would have done the same!

dave0549jv · 09-04-2009, 04:54 PM

i kinda dig that finish actually... it's different. and i love your cymbals....

**Scooter** · 09-04-2009, 08:21 PM

I love it!

**shoedaddy** · 09-06-2009, 12:59 PM

Thanks for the feedback, fellow DC'ers. While it's true I did start out just wanting a practice kit, I'm thinking I ended up w/my new gigging kit. I may just leave the S-Classix in the studio. The SC B/B has such a nice sound, and it's actually a bit louder than the Sonor--especially the copper snare, meaning I may not have to mike it at all in smaller venues. Plus, the wrap finish is going to be a bit more durable than the satin finish of the Sonor. Anyway, it's the one I'm bringing to my gig next weekend. If I get any good pics under the lights, I'll be sure to post them.

**Norske** · 09-06-2009, 01:11 PM

I'm one for a "different" look.....at first I didn't like them, but the more I looked at them the more they appeal to me.

Anyway, congrats SD on the new practice kit!!

I REALLY like the look of that snare....any possibility of getting a couple of pics of it separately?

**The Chazbo** · 09-06-2009, 02:48 PM

Very unusual finish there, but I really like it! Awesome cymbals too man!

**shoedaddy** · 09-08-2009, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Norske

I REALLY like the look of that snare....any possibility of getting a couple of pics of it separately?

Thanks, all. Yes, Norske, I will definitely take some close-ups of the snare. It sounds great, and, as with all Starclassics, the construction quality is top-notch. Copper really does seem to be a good bridge between metal and wood snares in terms of volume and warmth.

**RickyT** · 09-09-2009, 10:20 AM

Hey shoedaddy,
Nice kit!! and you got a great deal too!! what could be better then that!!
Hope they Rock your world!

**Bish** · 09-09-2009, 11:25 AM

The more I look at TAMA's, the better they seem to me. Owning an SC Bubinga kit, a Warlord snare and Artcore Maple snare, I definitely hold TAMA in high regards.

Currently I'm looking at a B/B kit and just can hardly contain my enthusiasm. I will have one soon. (yeah, right)

**CycleDude** · 09-09-2009, 11:32 AM

very sweet kit, bro.

**Russ** · 09-27-2009, 08:20 PM

i think i saw wallpaper that looked like that, but sweet drums

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