Will I be impressed with a TAMA superstar?

Osh · #1 12-17-2006, 11:43 PM

I have used a Dixon Tempo for the past 5 years, with Remo Pinstripes on them. I have been looking for a new kit for a while and have orderd the TAMA Superstar EFX and it's sitting under my tree ready for me to open next week.

I have been listening to live concerts from various rock bands, and all the kits I liked the sound of were Tama starclassics, and I am really looking for that awesome deep sounds that those toms give.

After using the tempo with pinstripes for so long and having the starclassic kits as an example of sound I'm looking for, will I be impressed or dissapointed with my Superstar EFX?

harryconway · #2 12-18-2006, 01:49 AM

How can you not dig a new kit for Christmas? Cool. You'll dig the sound. Big step up from the tempo. You won't have to use pinstripes any more. Still, there's a reason why Pro level kits cost what they cost, so don't expect the Superstars to be "the same" as a Starclassic kit for $1500 less. But you'll be happy. Hell, I'm excited and I'm not the one getting new drums for Christmas. Enjoy.

tamadrummer132 · #3 12-18-2006, 02:16 AM

i have a tama rockstar fusion, and with ec2's, and about 2 hours of tuning for my 6 piece, they are PERFFFFECT!

i love them, and im sure you will too

Osh · #4 12-18-2006, 02:39 PM

Hmm ok... I'll have to get a tuning DVD.

I'm just worried because the tempos are suposed to be very good for the price, and I put pinstripes on them, so I'm worried I made my tempo sound so good that I won't see any diference when I get my tama, especialy when the sound I'm looking for comes from kits double the price of my superstar!

#5 12-18-2006, 05:13 PM

Put good heads on them.....and you'll be pleasantly surprised! TOPS and BOTTOMS!

Jason Bittner uses a Superstar kit on a DVD I just saw at Guitar Center w/ (Lamb of God's drummer, name escapes me right now sorry) ...

The drum manager and myself were saying " whoa....those are superstars?!?!" We saw the logo....they were indeed! :)

Drummer Karl · #6 12-18-2006, 06:14 PM

Er...I think that you will be impressed. By sound, look and features...and finally with the price! =)
THis kit is just awesome, birch/basswood and gooood shell quality. tune it right and you`ll be pleased I think.

Karl

Osh · #7 12-18-2006, 10:37 PM

What heads do you recommend for the resos? I have pinstripes ready for the batters, but no reso heads.

My ideal sound comes from Dom Howard's kits (Muse drummer) if that's a good example. Recently he's been using the Tama Starclassic Mirage (acrylic shells) so it's going to be a challenge to get my superstar to sound like it lol... but as close as possible.

Try this for an example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8YqYFcxdwk

aceman · #8 12-19-2006, 01:08 AM

What a great Christmas present! Congrats. on your new kit. but if you are trying to make your drums sound like the drums that you hear on a c.d., I'm afraid you are fighting a costly and losing battle. The drums that you hear on a recording have been mixed and it will be very difficult or impossible to match that sound. You'll buy heads, rack your brain tuning and end up hating your kit after not being able to find the same sound. With that said, The Superstars are fantastic drums for the money and you should not be disapointed in them at all. I would go for a single ply reso. head such as an Evans G1 or Remo Ambassador. If you end up later wanting to allow the drums to resonate more, I would go with Evans G2 coated. I think with that combination your drums will sound terrific.

Ozzy Biz · #9 12-19-2006, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osh

What heads do you recommend for the resos? I have pinstripes ready for the batters, but no reso heads.

My ideal sound comes from Dom Howard's kits (Muse drummer) if that's a good example. Recently he's been using the Tama Starclassic Mirage (acrylic shells) so it's going to be a challenge to get my superstar to sound like it lol... but as close as possible.

Try this for an example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8YqYFcxdwk

The stock Tama reso's will be fine. As for the muse drummer, odds are he used a maple or birch starclassic in the studio, not the acrylic model. Acrylic is mainly used for live playing and not recording. So, if your a big fan of his album sound, chances are you'll be much closer than you thought, especially if he plays a SC performer (birch).

Biz

harryconway · #10 12-19-2006, 02:16 AM

Agree'd on the acrylics. I played Ludwig vistalites for over 25 years. Great drums for stage, not my choice for recording. Also agree'd on chasing a particular studio sound. The magic that happens in the studio, a cat who's endorsed by Tama (example) might wind up recording tracks with a Gretsch kick rented from a cartage shop. Add thousands of dollars of electronics. Your Superstars will be cool.

Osh · #11 12-19-2006, 10:32 AM

Right ok thanks for the help people.

I'm not really worried about recording, because as you say, the mixing is what makes the kit sound like it does, so I can just sit in the studio and make myself sound like i have the best kit ever made whatever kit I've got (ish).

Acoustic playing is what I'm interested in. I'll get Ambassadors for the resos and stick to the pinstripes on the tops. God dammit I hope it's good lol.

nate · #12 12-19-2006, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osh

Right ok thanks for the help people.

I'm not really worried about recording, because as you say, the mixing is what makes the kit sound like it does, so I can just sit in the studio and make myself sound like i have the best kit ever made whatever kit I've got (ish).

kinda. you gotta have a good sound recorded to be able to manipulate the sound in mixing. you can't polish a turd, well you can, but it will still be a turd....

..that being said i used rockstars (pre superstars, pretty much the same) on my myspace recordings and i'm more than happy....

...great kit

#13 12-21-2006, 07:52 AM

Listen to my superstars on my myspace site. www.myspace.com/giovannifuentes

I have two videos, one is a live recording from a gig, and the other is a recording we put together in the garage of my guitar players house. You'll get and idea of what your kit will sound like. I use Evans G2's on the heads.

Osh · #14 12-21-2006, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiTMaN

Listen to my superstars on my myspace site. www.myspace.com/giovannifuentes

I have two videos, one is a live recording from a gig, and the other is a recording we put together in the garage of my guitar players house. You'll get and idea of what your kit will sound like. I use Evans G2's on the heads.

That's made me feel a lot better - thank you! Your bass drum sounds extremely nice. My xmas day is going to be spent tuning to perfection. That and eating a lot of turkey :D.

rhydianjlewis · #15 12-26-2006, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiTMaN

Listen to my superstars on my myspace site. www.myspace.com/giovannifuentes

I have two videos, one is a live recording from a gig, and the other is a recording we put together in the garage of my guitar players house. You'll get and idea of what your kit will sound like. I use Evans G2's on the heads.

Your kit and drumming sounds awesome!

those look like ec2's on the toms, and a superkick 2 on the kick?

Could you post all your skin specs, i'm sure my new m-birch could sound like that, being quite a similar kit.

Osh · #16 12-27-2006, 11:53 PM

Holy crap people - you were all spot on. Superstars are unbelieveable! hahahaha I LOVE it!

Just queued outside a shop in cardiff for 18 hours overnight to get a Joey Jordinson Sig Snare for £1! and while i was there, I bought i new throne, Zildjian 15" A custom crash, and 3 ambassadors for my reso heads on the toms to go with the pinstripes on the tops!

And it sounds class!!! Thanks you people.