Tama Staclassic Birch/Bubinga Inquiry

[FreefloatingcustomTama]

Hi,

I'm a drummer who knows next to nothing about Tama drums and I was hoping for some insight. I've got a potential trade in the works for what I've been told is a "custom starclassic birch/bubinga". Yet, when I've looked into it online I wasn't able to find anything that corroborated the shell depth (piccolo snare), the through lugs, paint/wraps or even the badging. They're labeled as a custom build which would explain several of the anomalies, maybe it's a prototype or a rare vintage. Either way, any additional input would be greatly appreciated...

Also, does anyone know how to post an image on this forum without an attachment?

[CycleDude]

Ask "Bish".

He loves Tama gear, especially the bubinga birch stuff.

He's a great guy and will tell you all you need to know.

[kaosotis]

Hi,

I'm a drummer who knows next to nothing about Tama drums and I was hoping for some insight. I've got a potential trade in the works for what I've been told is a "custom starclassic birch/bubinga". Yet, when I've looked into it online I wasn't able to find anything that corroborated the shell depth (piccolo snare), the through lugs, paint/wraps or even the badging. They're labeled as a custom build which would explain several of the anomalies, maybe it's a prototype or a rare vintage. Either way, any additional input would be greatly appreciated...

Also, does anyone know how to post an image on this forum without an attachment?

Sounds sketchy. The B/B kits have not been around long enough to have had any real variation. If memory serves, the badges, lugs, mounts, have all been identical over the 7 year run. I am also not aware of any piccolo SC B/B snares in that time frame.

If the badges and lugs aren't Tama Starclassic, it's very unlikely it's a Starclassic. Seems more likely they are orphan drums someone wrapped to look consistent and are just trying to make an easy profit.

Post pics (upload them to something like Flickr and they have embed codes) as that's the only way to be sure.

[SpatzST]

Custom B/B huh? Sounds like a re-wrap job if anything... The snare may not be a matching snare to the set, that is very possible.

The starclassic b/b badge has always been the same as far as I know. Its screwed on to the shell and it just says "Starclassic". The telltale sign of B/B shells is 45 degree bearing edges and if you look at the shell, the interiors will be dark wood as the bubinga plies are are the inside of the shells.

exactly this badge: http://www.portlandpercussion.com/im...UDSSNARE01.JPG
interior of shell is dark color: http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c4...ssic_bb002.jpg
bearing edge is 'double 45': http://www.moderndrummer.com/site/wp...-Converted.jpg
lug style: http://media.musiciansfriend.com/is/...00-500x500.jpg

also note in the 'lug style' picture, the hoops are die-cast. This is very important.

die-cast: http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/5/9/1...44447076_o.jpg
triple flange: http://www.swee****er.com/images/clo...TT_detail2.jpg <-- sweet water.com, it gets blanked out because.. well.. it makes a bad word in between

I could go on... but the kit is pretty identifiable if the interior of inner ply is dark brown like that.

As mentioned... use a website like imgur.com to upload pictures, then post the links here