PLEASE HELP!!! DW VS Tama starclassic Maple

[Victor_se]

OK.....

Im thinking about buy a new drum set but i dont know whic one....

a dw or a tama starclassic?

I ussualy play rock, hard rock and sometimes some rock/pop
Wich have the best wood, price, sound, hardware.....

Thanx for the help!!

[Budiesel]

Starclassic, just because of the price difference. And bubinga is a BAMF wood.

[fijjibo]

I think you should get the one that you like more.

But from a technical viewpoint - they are both as good as each other - but the Tama costs less.

[nhzoso]

I agree, if you can afford either of them easily than pick the one that sounds, and looks best to you.

Tama is cheaper but the DW holds it's value much better. Either way you can't go wrong.

This is like asking which car should I get, the Lamborghine or the Ferrari. : )

[ermghoti]

Don't rule out Performers, either. Some people just prefer birch, and the other features are near identical, except the metal badges instead of decals. The Birch/Bubingas are arguably the best of the bunch.

[Victor_se]

TNX for the replays

but i got another quiestion :P

about the hardware?

which would you prefer ??

Tnx

[Mr. Brownstone]

This is like asking which car should I get, the Lamborghine or the Ferrari. : )
Ferrari of course, much better racing pedigree. Lamborghini's is pretty much non existant. It'd be nice to have that 'problem' though wouldn't it?

[Big_Philly]

This is like asking which car should I get, the Lamborghine or the Ferrari. : )

More like a Lexus vs a Bentley, one being Japanese and the other American (or was Bentley British? I forget...). Both are excellent, prestigious kits, but with DW you pay more for brand name.

I also agree that bubinga rocks! But if you wanna spend less money for a drum kit that is the same quality as a starclassic, but a different wood and about one third of the price, you should have a look at the Tama Superstar. I have one, and haven't regretted that decision for a single minute so far.

[RobertM]

I've played on both kits. The DW collectors do indeed hold their value better and sound great for rock/pop: very punchy and resonant, and they tune easy. However, DWs will run you at least $3000 or higher for an average 5-pc. rock setup.

Tama's Starclassic maple and bubingas are nice and the mounting hardware is quite similar to DW drums. Both DW and Tama use L-rod systems with rollerball technology. DWs may resonant a bit more because they use lighter, flanged hoops; Tama uses zinc die-cast hoops, which are very heavy and *may* dampen the resonance of the drum a little. (Bob Gatzen and others have done research on this issue to prove the suggestion regarding hoops and sound dampening, but many Tama SC kits sound perfectly fine, especially the Bubingas.)

Tama Starclassic maples should run you on average $2000 or $2100; the SC Bubingas about $2300 or $2400. Shop around and bargain for price--you shouldn't have to pay more than $2200 for SC Maples and $2400 for SC Bubingas. DWs, on the other hand, are just plain expensive: they are more custom designed kits than Tama.

Hope that helps.

[fourstringdrums]

TNX for the replays

but i got another quiestion :P

about the hardware?

which would you prefer ??

Tnx

I personally prefer DW Hardware. Unless Tama has changed some things I've just always found it more versatile, and I love the gearless cymbal tilt adjustments on the cymbal stands.

[Ironcobra]

i would take the starclassics, only because with dw, your paying for a paintjob, and may i suggest a pearl reference, if your in such high price ranges

[Fat Elvis]

i have a DW maple and a Starclassic birch. I have never played the starclassic maple, but if it is like the birch (which im sure it is built similarly) then it is a FANTASTIC kit. So is the DW.

I do like the DW rims mounts better than the starclassic, and i will also tell you that while the die cast hoops look cool and do sound great, i find that the starclassic falls out of tune much quicker than the DW (i use the same kind of heads on both). Now this could be the hoops, or it could also be the tension rods -- which on the DW have finer spaced threads and seem to hold their tune nicely.

either way, both are fantastic kits. I do think the starclassic birch gives you way more kit for the dollar, but when you are talking about a kit that costs 2200 to one that costs 2800-3000 -- its not a huge jump. You can probably bargain with the DW and score a deal.

I dont know about anyone elses guitar center, but mine carries a butt-load of DW's and not one starclassic maple (there is a bubinga and a few birches). For this reason, i think i could score a better deal going into guitar center to buy a DW than i could a starclassic maple (which they would have to order).

just a thought. Between the SC maple and the DW, i would go the DW. But i would look at the SC birch before either of them.

[ermghoti]

Good post! However, birch Starclassics are called Performers in the US, a GC employee may well insist that the OP can't get Startclassic Birch kits,and not completely incorrectly, as there is a Starclassic Birch line in Japan.

[drumbandit]

More like a Lexus vs a Bentley, one being Japanese and the other American (or was Bentley British? I forget...). Both are excellent, prestigious kits, but with DW you pay more for brand name.

I also agree that bubinga rocks! But if you wanna spend less money for a drum kit that is the same quality as a starclassic, but a different wood and about one third of the price, you should have a look at the Tama Superstar. I have one, and haven't regretted that decision for a single minute so far.

British (Bentley), and there is no comparison between a Lexus (basically a Toyota) and a Bentley.

But on the drum side of things money wise the Tama will save ££ which you could obviously use on cymbals etc. Sound wise it should be your preference try some out and see.

Tom

[tomtom]

If it was up to me to choose for you: Starclassic performer birch/bubinga. I have one and they are outstanding soundwise; punch, attack and a full round tone with a huge low end.

Before I bought the kit I had 4 kits set up in the sound room, DW, Yammie MCA, Starclassic Maple. I had a Brady before and have owned Gretsch US custom, Sonor, N&C and others. The B/B is simply a great kit. The DW was also more than twice as expensive.

On the hardware: I´ve allways been fond of the Tama hardware and use the road-pro line for everything; snare stand, cymbal stands, IC pedals. It´s well designed, well built and trouble free. And it´s cheaper than DW.

[ECVail]

I did a ton of research before ordering my new kit. I just bought a Tama StarClassic Maple. 24x17 bass; 12x8 rack and 16x14 floor.

Tama actually just redesigned the StarCast mounting system and everyone I spoke with raved about it. On the showroom floor it seemed bulletproof. Although I have all the hardware I need, it's a total mix of Tama, DW, Gibraltar and Pearl. I purchased a shell pack w/virgin bass drum and will hang my single rack tom from a RoadPro combo tom+cymbal stand I already have, so no help on the hardware side I'm afraid.

I played DW, Pearl Reference, GMS, Gretsch Renown and New Classic, Taye Studio Maple, Yamaha Maple Custom and Ludwig Classic Maple before selecting the Tama. I couldn't justify the extra expense of the DW or GMS kits. The Bubinga is awesome, but (to me) seemed much harder to tune and was significantly deeper/darker than the maple.

Be prepared - you will have to wait 4 to 6 months for a StarClassic maple or bubinga.

Feel free to PM me if you want some pricing info on what I bought.

[drumbuddy105133]

also keep in mind that DW uses reinforcement hoops on their maple shells. Tama does not. That will mute it slightly. Maybe not noticeably, but yes, it will mute the drum a little bit.

[bojangleman]

i would go with DW if ya have the money.. i think the hardware is a lil bit better on it anyway...and like others have said, DW holds value more.




Alex

[Victor_se]

so....

Tama resonates more than dw??? :S

[macmarkus]

also keep in mind that DW uses reinforcement hoops on their maple shells.

only, if you want.
you can order without the hoops, of course. and "vlt" and "ese" and and and ... ;-)

[ECVail]

Just as an aside - Tama offers reinformcenet rings too - they add a little $$ to each drum purchased. I believe they call theirs "Sound Focus Rings"

[Victor_se]

Really Helps out

http://drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12480

[Victor_se]

when you say " higher-end kits " what do you want to say?, whats the meaning for you

[cornelius]

If your comparing DW to any other company, you have to check out all of deedub's offerings. Check out their Birch VLT - these are great drums - lots of players prefer them over the Maple - I do...

[Big_Philly]

I personally prefer DW Hardware. Unless Tama has changed some things I've just always found it more versatile, and I love the gearless cymbal tilt adjustments on the cymbal stands.

Tama's roadpro hardware comes with gearless tilters, I have a straight cymbal stand, a boom stand, a hihat stand and a snare stand from their roadpro series and they are excellent. Though I'd get an Iron Cobra hihat stand if money wasn't an issue.

British (Bentley), and there is no comparison between a Lexus (basically a Toyota) and a Bentley.


My point is that both are high quality prestigious cars. There's no shame in having either one of them. Same goes for DW and Tama SC's.

[Ironcobra]

what about reference........

[-tarek-]

British (Bentley), and there is no comparison between a Lexus (basically a Toyota) and a Bentley.

But on the drum side of things money wise the Tama will save ££ which you could obviously use on cymbals etc. Sound wise it should be your preference try some out and see.

Tom

Actually, Bentley is now owned and manufactured by Volkswagen, along with Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bugati, Maserati, and others. I work at a car dealership :(

Both are great kits, but I've never found one with a bass drum I like. After playing a Pearl Masters, you can never go back to anything else, simply because of the godly bass drum. But, I suggest, since you're in a high price range, try absolutely EVERYTHING and take home whatever sound the best to you with no bias toward brands. Pretty much any high end kit is going to be good quality with good finishes and good hardwear, it all comes down to sound and tom mounting preferences. I agree with whoever mentioned the Pearl Reference. They are amazing, but I didn't want to wait for a kit :D so I just bought a Masters Birch instead... which is also a great kit worth looking into. I actually picked one over a DW in a side by side comparison at Guitar Center with no care for prices... And the DW was gorgeous and the Masters is a hideous gold sparkle wrap. It actually sounded THAT much better to me. The bass drum is a KILLER. The DW sounded boring to me. Tama also has nice bass drums, especially that Bubinga kit. Just try EVERYTHING you can get your sticks on.

No matter what though, anything in that price range will be of good quality and will sound great.

[Fat Elvis]

Actually, Bentley is now owned and manufactured by Volkswagen, along with Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bugati, Maserati, and others. I work at a car dealership :(

while i dont know about the others, VW certainly does not own porsche. While they do co-op on one model (cayenne) and do own some stock in porsche, they are not the majority owner -- at least at my last check (former PCA member).

[6and21]

....didn't this topic just get covered in another thread LOL.

[macmarkus]

... VW certainly does not own porsche.

you're right, it's different ... porsche got the majority (of shares) of vw some weeks ago.

[Drummer30]

I would also check out the Yamaha line-up as long as combo woods aren't what you are looking for. They have more woods to offer including birch, beech, oak, and maple in various designs. One place that Yamaha wins over most companies (imo along with many others) is their hardware. Ask any person who owns a Yamaha and if they don't happen to agree its a strong point, they probably can't find a time when is was not quality.

But if Yamaha is not your cup of tea, the way I see it is that if you aren't going to get something unique from DW like a VLT kit of something of that sort then it really isn't worth the money. If I were in you position I'd go for one of the varieties of the SC and use the money I saved to get some new cymbals, new pedals, or a new snare. Remember that you don't have to get the kit that's on the pedistal, some of the "lesser" kits are sometimes nearly as good for a much better value.

[RobertM]

Both are good kits, both hardwares are great. I've used a DW Collectors Maple with a combo of DW and Tama hardware. Personally, I like Tama and Pearl's hardware the best--for stands, thrones, pedals. The DW pedals are great, though. Their stands are fine, but I like Tama a bit better. They're sturdy and not as heavy as DW's 9000 hardware series.

Both drums sound great--take a peek at YouTube for Simon Phillips solos, or check out the updated Phillips solo that Bernhard posted a few months ago. The Tama SC Maples have a very similar earthy punch to them, just like the DWs. And both DW and Tama toms have great tom mounting systems, unlike the clunky stuff on Pork Pies, GMS, Gretsch, etc.

I would say go with DW if you can find a good used kit. (In fact, I think someone else mentioned in a thread a few days ago that they were unable to get a killer used DW kit that's in spanking new condition--maybe that's an option for you now?) New DWs average well over $4000 for an average 5-piece rock or fusion kit setup. So, a good find on a DW used kit would work. While I agree with many that DWs sound great and will hold their value exceptionally well, the price tag is a hard pill to swallow.

Otherwise, the Tama SC Maples should average $2300, I think, brand new. The Bubingas closer to $2600, depending on the shell sizes. Tama's color selection is quite limited (14 finishes vs. well over 20-40 finishes in DW and Yamaha), but they have a few cool color options.

The only "flaw" in Tama may be their use of zinc die-cast hoops on the toms. Die-cast hoops are great, but zinc is quite heavy, and thus it does indeed dampen the resonance of the toms. (To see an experiment of this, check out Bob Gatzen's page on this site: Bernhard uploaded a cool video where Gatzen demonstrates how zinc dampens tone versus flanged/aluminum/steel hoops.) The steel flanged hoops allow the drums to "breathe" better, and even Yamaha has an intermediary solution by using aluminum die-cast hoops on the Absolutes--they lock in the tuning better but are lighter than zinc. That said, this can be considered a "splitting-hairs" kind of difference, meaning it's a pointless argument--a technicality for purists to argue over. I think the SC Maples sound great, if tuned well.

Either way, both options are great. One difference to consider is the style of music you'll be playing. I really loved the sound of DW for general playing, rock, alt. country rock, funk/fusion, and the bass drum is great--it practically tunes itself and, in my experience, sound guys always gave me compliments on the sound of the bass and toms in live settings. However, I had a rough time getting my DW toms tuned to my liking for jazz--the DW shell just seems better suited for rock/fusion, etc. To support this, even Peter Erskine helped DW to create a new DW drum for jazz when he left Yamaha for DW--the Jazz Series maple shells, which have gum and maple and can be outfitted with die-cast hoops. To my mind, this is DW acknowledging that they had to do some tweaking to acquire a jazz sound. While Tama SC Maples are primarily known for rock-sounding drums, there are a few artists who use them for jazz (Bruford and few others on their roster) and make them sound quite good. Perhaps they're more flexible?

That's my long-winded two cents. Let us all know what you decide.

[DamoSyzygy]

With the amount of money youd be spending, youd be crazy to think that any of the information given here holds any significant value to you unless you can go try them out yourself.

Tama and dw offer very high quality sets made under their own specifications in their own parts of the world. If you chose the right specs for your needs, brand wont matter so much - either will sound great.

[aydee]

With the amount of money youd be spending, youd be crazy to think that any of the information given here holds any significant value to you unless you can go try them out yourself.

Tama and dw offer very high quality sets made under their own specifications in their own parts of the world. If you chose the right specs for your needs, brand wont matter so much - either will sound great.
I agree. Please note that DWs and high-end TAMAs do sound different.

Theres no such thing as better at that price. its what you prefer