For the sake of debate, I'm going to assume you were looking at the two kits below? I found the Tama Superstar HyperDrive at $1,199.00 and the Gretsch Catalina with the free 8" tom at $999.00. Both were listed on MF. I'm sure both kits are well made but I'm a Gretsch guy and I would vote for the Catalina kit. I found it priced lower than the Tama and it has the added 8" tom. I'm also partial to the 30 degree bearing edge on the Gretsch vs the 45 degree on the Tama. I have two kits; one with 30 degree (Gretsch USA Custom) and 45 degree (DW Collectors) and I think the Gretsch sounds way better than the DW.
Tama Superstar Hyper-Drive Maple 6-Piece Shell Pack $1,199
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OVERVIEW:
A low-profile Superstar setup with the classic tones of maple. For nearly forty years the Superstar name has stood for groundbreaking design, superior build quality, sterling tone, and clear projection. Now Tama introduces this legendary kit in its most sonically aggressive persona yet, featuring 100% maple shells. Thinner and livelier than ever, the Tama designers have dialed in the perfect combination of sensitivity and high-end "cut" and shallow toms for quicker resonance.
Drawing on Superstar of the past, its classic Tama T-shape badge and streamlined low-mass single lugs point to the simpler state of art of the '70s, while the ingenious Star-Mount system eclipses everything in its class-all at a surprisingly affordable price.
FEATURES:
Configuration
Bass Drum(s): 22" x 18"
Tom(s): 10" x 6-1/2", 12" x 7"
Floor Tom(s): 14" x 12", 16" x 14"
Snare: 14" x 5-1/2"
Total Pieces: 6
Hardware: Not Applicable
Cymbals: Not Applicable
Shells
Shell Material: Maple
Construction: Multi-ply
Thickness (mm): Multiple
Bearing Edge: 45
Reinforcement Ring: Not Applicable
Drum Hardware
Material: Zinc
Mounts: Suspended
Hoops: Die-cast
Lugs: Patented
Other
Heads: Factory
Finish Type: Wrap
Country of Origin: China
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Gretsch Drums Catalina Maple 6-Piece Shell Pack with Free 8 in. Tom $999 (Walnut Glaze finish)
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OVERVIEW:
Experience the explosive attack of maple with this powerful Catalina Maple kit. The Catalina Maple series starts with the Gretsch maple formula shell. Gretsch carefully developed the maple shell specification to produce tones that explode with attack and volume, and project a balanced amount of warm, low-end frequencies. All Catalina Maple shells are 7-ply, 7.2 mm. Gretsch cuts the drums with 30-degree bearing edges for that "great Gretsch sound."
Gretsch hardware includes fully-adjustable Gretsch ball-and-socket tom holder with 12.7 mm tom arms, 9020-style mounting brackets and their famous 5-lug configuration (a standard Gretsch feature for over 50 years) for all 10 and 12 in. toms. The rounded badges on this 6-piece shell pack are a first on any Catalina Maple kit.
All drums feature a multi-step lacquer process that produces an extremely glassy-smooth finish that is hard and durable. In addition, Gretsch partnered with Remo drum heads to produce a distinctive batter and resonant head combination.
Catalina Maple drums are easy to tune and produce full tones right out of the box. Add-on drums are also available to allow for further drum set expansion.
Features:
Configuration
Bass Drum(s): 22" x 18"
Tom(s): 10" x 8", 12" x 9"
Floor Tom(s): 14" x 14", 16" x 16"
Snare: 14" x 6"
Total Pieces: 6
Hardware: Not Applicable
Cymbals: Not Applicable
Shells
Shell Material: Maple
Construction: 7-Ply
Thickness (mm): 7.2
Bearing Edge: 30°
Reinforcement Ring: Not Applicable
Drum Hardware
Material: Steel
Mounts: Suspended
Hoops: Triple-flange
Lugs: Low-Mass
Other
Heads: Branded
Finish Type: Multiple
Country of Origin: Taiwan
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