Tama Starclassic Performer?

[Cacaphony]

I've read reviews of the Birch Starclassic Performers, and all of the ones I've read praise this kit. I found a seller in my city willing to sell me a three piece shell pack for $500. The seller is moving and can't take the kit with him. He had it on craigslist for $750, but I talked him down by removing the snare and heads from the deal.

I'd be getting a three piece shell pack in white satin in these sizes...

22x18"
10x8"
14x12"

for $500, with no heads. I have a snare, and would wind up changing the heads anyway. I have all of the appropriate hardware I'd need. Is this a good deal? I seek the infinite wisdom of the drummerworld forum!

Do any of you own Birch Starclassic Performers? What are you guys' opinions of them?


Here's the kit...

http://i42.tinypic.com/r74xsg.jpg

[shoedaddy]

First off, I think Starclassic Performers are great kits. I owned a Performer and a Starclassic B/B, and, although close, I think I liked the Performer's sound better. It was definitely easier to tune.

There are some positives and negatives to the kit in question. First, the price is great. Plus, the snare you're passing on is a piccolo snare, which a lot of people wouldn't use as a main snare anyway. A few minor negatives. The mounting system is the older version, before they started using the diecast mounts (no biggie there). The other minor--very minor--negative is that the drums aren't the traditional size you'd see in a three-piece set. Usually, you'd see maybe a 9x12 or 10x13 mounted and maybe a 14x16 or 16x16 floor tom. On the plus side, if you wanted to expand your kit, you might find a matching tom for cheap on Ebay, and you'd have a great bargain. That was a pretty popular finish, which should help. Because of the great price, it looks like the positives outweigh the negatives...if it's the kit you want.

[metal overlord]

It's a great kit. Though I perfer my B/B, I used to have a red to black sparkle performer and I loved that thing.

[Cacaphony]

What heads would you guys recommend for them?

[DrumEatDrum]

20 years ago, it would have been considered a top of the line pro kit, so it's amazing to me they can sell them for mid-level price.

I've never owned one, but they seem like fantastic kits to me.

[shoedaddy]

What heads would you guys recommend for them?

I liked Pinstripes best on them...