Yamaha Custom Absolute Birch Vs Tama Starclassic Performer

[mikei]

Happy New Year everyone!

I have an order placed for a Tama Starclassic Performer. 7 pieces for $2300. Beautiful Diamond Dust.

Today, I walk into GC, and guess what. Custom Absolute Noveau (spelling) Birch 5 piece kit in near mint (has been at GC for about 7 months) is on clearance for $999. It is in Piano Black. 5 Pieces are 10,12,14,16,22.

I would only need to purchase an 8 and 18 tom for the Yamaha kit. Total cost for those 2 pieces would be about 900. After tax the kit would cost me about $2050.

They both sound good. Definitely like the look of the Tama better. But am I not being smart by passing up a deal this good???

Thanks for any opinions.

Mike

[Celereon]

Hey
I think that's a fantastic deal.
Which one you should get though....
I don't have much experience with Yamaha's higher end kits, but I do know that the Oak custom and the Maple custom are extremely good kits.
Not sure about the Absolute Nouveau...but just so you know, I have heard many horror stories (whether true or untrue i do not know) about Tama's customer service.

If I were you i'd take the Yamaha...but I wouldn't be too hasty. Wait and see what others say first.
Cel

[rendezvous_drummer]

The Tama is a good kit no doubt about it, but the Yamaha is an AMAZING KIT!!!! I'm a huge fan of anything that is made by Yamaha and for a kit like that for that kind of price, it'd be ridiculous NOT to pick it up if you're able to. Piano Black may not be the best finish and the Diamond burst is very nice, but the Yamaha is of better all around quality.

In short, go for the yamaha.

[harryconway]

Yamaha. Great drums and hardware. I've never liked the L-arm tom mounting system that Tama and so many other companies use. I had Recording Customs and at some point I'll have another set, probably, in a more versatile finish. Like piano black.

[mikei]

Looks like most people so far think the Yamahas are the way to go. Any other opinions?

[aceman]

The birch Custom Absolutes are really nice sounding drums and the mounting hardware is twice that of Tama. Personally, I'd pull a used Yamaha kit out of the trash over a new Tama kit.

[moe.ron]

i would also agree and say go for the yamaha. they are amazing i cannot wait to get my hands on a high end yammie kit. i'm not a huge fan of piano black either but you could at least have a kit looking like gadd's or always refinish

[Rossy_j]

You have two great kits on your hands. Im a huge fan of both Tama and Yamaha but you have to consider the shell material; the Yamaha is 100% birch 6ply, while the Tama is 4ply Birch + 3 inner ply Bubinga. I've played both kits and currently own the Tama, they both sound great but the bubinga in the Tama gives the birch a nice low punch. So its your personal preference really, i'd say play both kits if you can before deciding. Hope this helps

R

[Hex]

Why can't I ever stumble upon great deals like this?

Tell me which Guitar Center this is, so I can buy the Yamahas, then you won't have to worry about which kit to buy.

[tomtom]

Originally Posted by Rossy_j

You have two great kits on your hands. Im a huge fan of both Tama and Yamaha but you have to consider the shell material; the Yamaha is 100% birch 6ply, while the Tama is 4ply Birch + 3 inner ply Bubinga. I've played both kits and currently own the Tama, they both sound great but the bubinga in the Tama gives the birch a nice low punch. So its your personal preference really, i'd say play both kits if you can before deciding. Hope this helps

R

He´s in the US, they don´t have the birch/bubinga performers there.....yet. I also have a birch/bubinga and they are great. Punch and attack with gorgeous rumbling lows.

Have you played both?? What do YOU like best?

If they both sound great, I'd go with the less expensive (Yamaha) ....I would tend to beleive the Yamaha will have better overall quality. And....it may not be a "fancy finish" ...but it's CLASSIC and will NEVER EVER go out of style, right?

Go Yamaha!

[evans_69]

i prefer the Starclassic by far but again it is all opinions ... go try em both out..