The Tama thread

[SpinaDude]

They were thick shelled drums. Usually 14 ply, 18mm Birch. They are from the 80’s and 90’s. The oldest are from the Superstar era, when the Birch Superstars were their flagship. Later models are from the Artstar era, called Artwood series snare drums.

They still make SLP snares where they refer to the Gibraltar: “G Maple” or “G Walnut”. Those have thicker shells.

Here’s a screen shot from an old Tama catalog. All their old catalogs are available at their website:

TAMA Drums | Download Catalog

TAMA Drums (Download Catalog) TAMA offers Drum Kits, Snare Drums, Original Percussion, Hardware, Microphone Stands and Sticks, plus drum accessories like bags, cases and practice goods.

www.tama.com

View attachment 613461

WOW!!! That history of TAMA drums book is amazing! Thank you so much for posting this. I doubt I would have seen it otherwise.

 

[Lennykenard]

Well folks, here they are. My Tama Star Walnut 8x6 rack tom and 18x16 floor tom! Had a little delay from FedEx. Was supposed to get them Saturday, but got them today. Huuuge thanks to Dan at Cymbal Fusion for helping me with all of my orders. This is the first order of a few to be heading my way. Next month should be my 15x13 floor tom.

 

[HalldorL]

Well folks, here they are. My Tama Star Walnut 8x6 rack tom and 18x16 floor tom! Had a little delay from FedEx. Was supposed to get them Saturday, but got them today. Huuuge thanks to Dan at Cymbal Fusion for helping me with all of my orders. This is the first order of a few to be heading my way. Next month should be my 15x13 floor tom.

Beautiful!

 

[TheDrummerFromAmsterdam]

The last pics of my Starclassic snare drums before I sold them.
I only kept the G Maple.



Tama Starclassic Bubinga Snare



Tama Starclassic G Maple Snare



Tama Starclassic Maple Snare



Tama Starclassic Copper Snare

That blue one with nickel hardware is killer.

 

[Rob G.]

I need to add some pics, but I now own two Tama kits. Both are a little rough around the edges, but so am I.

Kit 1: Artstar II. Piano White. 8/10/12/14/22. All hanging power toms. (Looking for a 16")

Kit 2: Starclassic. Walnut/Birtch. Molten Brown Burst. 10/12/14/16/22. (Looking for a 8")

I also have a S.L.P. G-Bubinga snare that I love. If I could find (or afford) a whole kit...

Oh, and I have one rando Imperialstar tom from the 80s. I'm keeping an eye open for other orphans.

 

[Rick]

 

[TheDrummerFromAmsterdam]

@HalldorL is it true you can’t order sparkle finishes from Tama anymore?

Someone offered above blue set for a good price but I always want to have the option to buy more shells.

 

[HalldorL]

@HalldorL is it true you can’t order sparkle finishes from Tama anymore?

Someone offered above blue set for a good price but I always want to have the option to buy more shells.

Honestly, I am not sure.
Often you can order drums in a discontinued finish but that depends on they still have the materials. They usually keep samples of all finishes they make or have made.

Pic from my visit to the Japan factory:

EDIT: The Japanese website shows various sparkle finishes in the Starclassic series.

The kit you are referring to above is a MIJ Starclassic Maple. Add on drums would be in the same price range as Star series drums. My guess is they would be able to make you matching drums.

 

[HalldorL]

When the studio comes to you. Tracking 8 songs this weekend. The artist asked specifically for a 70’s vibe drum sound so I decided to go with no bottom heads.

Star Maple. 8”10”13”16”22” and various snares.

 

[GretschMan61]

I love then old school vibe of taking the bottom head off the 13” to go with the concert toms. That is such a great kit .

 

[Rick]

My setup from last night's gig. Starclassic Maples with Starphonic Bubinga snare...

 

[aarono2690]

Honestly, I am not sure.
Often you can order drums in a discontinued finish but that depends on they still have the materials. They usually keep samples of all finishes they make or have made.

Pic from my visit to the Japan factory:

View attachment 614347

EDIT: The Japanese website shows various sparkle finishes in the Starclassic series.

The kit you are referring to above is a MIJ Starclassic Maple. Add on drums would be in the same price range as Star series drums. My guess is they would be able to make you matching drums.

That’s awesome! Do they offer tours to the general public?

 

[HalldorL]

That’s awesome! Do they offer tours to the general public?

I believe not. I am an endorser, hence the visit.

 

[HalldorL]

I mean, just look at that! Pretty innit?

 

[GretschMan61]

My first ever Tama kit - Murat’s enablement finally worked and he persuaded me to dip my toe in the Tama Pool. I ended up getting a tom mount added to the bass drum as I prefer the kit that way . These Starclassic Walnut/Birch are ton of fun to play , sound great and won’t break the bank .

 

[aarono2690]

I believe not. I am an endorser, hence the visit.

Thanks for the pics. Very cool.

My first ever Tama kit - Murat’s enablement finally worked and he persuaded me to dip my toe in the Tama Pool. I ended up getting a tom mount added to the bass drum as I prefer the kit that way . These Starclassic Walnut/Birch are ton of fun to play , sound great and won’t break the bank . View attachment 615569 View attachment 615570

Do you find the tom mounted on the BD to be too high? My Starclassic Performers have the tom mount, but my BD does NOT have a drilled hole. Not sure if this is the same for you, but I could never make the toms feel right when mounted.

 

[GretschMan61]

Thanks for the pics. Very cool.

Do you find the tom mounted on the BD to be too high? My Starclassic Performers have the tom mount, but my BD does NOT have a drilled hole. Not sure if this is the same for you, but I could never make the toms feel right when mounted.

Not at all - now if the bass drum was a 24” it might be an issue .

 

[Quai34]

They were thick shelled drums. Usually 14 ply, 18mm Birch. They are from the 80’s and 90’s. The oldest are from the Superstar era, when the Birch Superstars were their flagship. Later models are from the Artstar era, called Artwood series snare drums.

They still make SLP snares where they refer to the Gibraltar: “G Maple” or “G Walnut”. Those have thicker shells.

Here’s a screen shot from an old Tama catalog. All their old catalogs are available at their website:

TAMA Drums | Download Catalog

TAMA Drums (Download Catalog) TAMA offers Drum Kits, Snare Drums, Original Percussion, Hardware, Microphone Stands and Sticks, plus drum accessories like bags, cases and practice goods.

www.tama.com

View attachment 613461

Great, I didn,t know what the G was for, I know now why my G-Maple SLP Zebrawood is named like that and yes, the shell is super thick!

 

[Drumming-4-Life]

I just revised my bass drum muffling, and added custom Starman tribute heads, made by Shawn at Vintage Logos. If you want to read all about the set, and see a ton of pics, go to https://www.flacche.com/drums/current-tama-kit

 

[jpalom01]

Love the Starman heads - a fitting tribute. Fine detail work in the layout and specifications of your rack / kit also. Compliments to you -