Do you like TAMA?

[drumguy]

What's up~ ^^
What do you want drum brand???

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[Class A Drummer]

Im not a fan of Tama. Not to say they dont make nice drums, but i really just dont like the sound. I have played Starclassics and thought to myself how it sounded like a mid range drum set. Ive only played on a few different starclassics but each sounded not so nice. Might have been bad tuning cuz they dont really tune the drums at my guitar center.

Im a big Gretsch fan though.

[Tidge]

Yeah, not a fan of Tama either, their toms sound too.....dead or flat too me.......Not the kind of sound I like.

[Steady Freddy]

I'd like to hear one of the Bubinga kits. The Star Classics I've messed around with were just so-so IMO.

[Class A Drummer]

Originally Posted by Steady Freddy

I'd like to hear one of the Bubinga kits. The Star Classics I've messed around with were just so-so IMO.

Yeah i havent tried a Bubinga set, but i really want to. The warlords probably sound amazing.

[harryconway]

I have to say, a company like Tama doesn't get to be "a company like Tama" making bad drums. A lot of drummers out there only have $800 bucks in their pocket. And so Tama, Pearl, Yamaha, Gretsch, Mapex, etc. all offer entry level kits, several grades of imtermediate level kits, and pro level drums. And when you look at the roster of cats playing Tama drums in the pro level, it's pretty darn impressive. Gee, my short memory list, Bill Bruford, Simon Phillips, Randy Castillo, Frank Beard, Mike Portnoy, Pat Torpey, Scott Rockenfield, Jonathan Mover, Stewart Copeland, Scott Travis. I've seen 'em all live playing great sounding Tama drums.

[Drummer Karl]

I`ve got a Tama kit right now, a Superstar Custom and I`m impressed of its qualities.
I`ve always had the feeling that when I play a Tama kit, everything feels heavier and more stable. And except they fit their kits with heavy hardware (and most lines with die cast hoops) it`s a different feel playing on a Tama.

A drum is a drum, isn`t it as simple as that? If it`s built well it will also be able to sound well. Still I think that every company produces an own individual sound (through bearing edges, shell construction etc)...and that is good.
I like Tama`s sound and feel. Very well built stuff, drums and hardware.

For the money I couldn`t imagine better hi-hat stands or bass drum pedals (at least for my use).

By the way...here is a great recording of a Starclassic Bubinga kit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrO4k5uOrR4
The set is tuned high and produces a great sound in my opinion, very nice tone.

Karl

[Joecool1010]

Originally Posted by Steady Freddy

I'd like to hear one of the Bubinga kits. The Star Classics I've messed around with were just so-so IMO.

I've got a Bubinga Kit and it sounds like heaven, that's all I can say :)

[baz]

...If I were to go out and buy a first kit today, I would buy a set of Superstars.

Around here there are a few Tama dealers, and from what I have seen and heard of these drums, they (in my opinion) provide the best bang for the buck.

Barry

[Tom Sawyer]

I'm kind of a Tama fanboy. I own a 70s swingstar, and it's a great kit for the level, it's the only kit I ever owned, my dad got it when I was around 7 or 8 years old, and I still love it.
Of course I want to upgrade some day, but I don't have the funds, and I really don't feel big need, I think that speaks for the drums. I feel like it's better than most entry level kits they make today.

[indiadrummer]

Originally Posted by Drummer Karl

I`ve got a Tama kit right now, a Superstar Custom and I`m impressed of its qualities.
I`ve always had the feeling that when I play a Tama kit, everything feels heavier and more stable. And except they fit their kits with heavy hardware (and most lines with die cast hoops) it`s a different feel playing on a Tama.

A drum is a drum, isn`t it as simple as that? If it`s built well it will also be able to sound well. Still I think that every company produces an own individual sound (through bearing edges, shell construction etc)...and that is good.
I like Tama`s sound and feel. Very well built stuff, drums and hardware.

For the money I couldn`t imagine better hi-hat stands or bass drum pedals (at least for my use).

By the way...here is a great recording of a Starclassic Bubinga kit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrO4k5uOrR4
The set is tuned high and produces a great sound in my opinion, very nice tone.

Karl

exactly. Your definition of the Tama feel is accurate. I find that Tama kits feel more grounded, and they are sturdy enough to hit as hard as you want. The Tama sound is distinct too. While some may not like the dead tom sound I can't get enough of it :)

[ULTIMATEDRUMMER]

They make some decent hardware, but the drums don't beat it.

[Paul Quin]

Originally Posted by Class A Drummer

Im not a fan of Tama. Not to say they dont make nice drums, but i really just dont like the sound. I have played Starclassics and thought to myself how it sounded like a mid range drum set. Ive only played on a few different starclassics but each sounded not so nice. Might have been bad tuning cuz they dont really tune the drums at my guitar center.

Im a big Gretsch fan though.

Where to start? Often threads such as this degenerate into arguments about loyalty to the brand you play and, of course, every other kit doesn't sound as good as yours! As was said above, the top of the range kits from every major manufacturer are great drum kits and these carte blanche statements of negativity about an entire brand just cannot hold up to scrutiny. When we are dealing with entry level kits there is room for comparison because value has just as high a premium as sound - with the goal, naturally, being the best sound for the lowest cost. Tama's entry level kits are phenomenal and really paved the way for other higher quality kits to be marketed to the amateur and hobbyist who doesn't have a lot of money to spare. Pearl, Pacific, Mapex and others also make great entry level kits.

With all due respect to Mr. Class A you cannot have a valid opinion about a major manufacturer by playing on a kit in guitar center, especially one which has not been tuned by you and which, in all likelihood has stock heads. Starclassic kits categorically do not sound like mid line kits. Try renting one and spending some time fooling around with the tuning, playing live while miced and playing live while un miced. Then come back and let us know what you think.

I am lucky enough to have played live, and recorded with, Tama, Pearl, Yamaha and Gretsch kits and while each have their own idiosyncracies no-one can say that they were not great kits. I was also lucky enough when I was not much older than Class A to have been a Tama endorsee and I found everything about the drums and the company to be first class. By way of full disclosure - and to somewhat undermine my beginning comment - I am now back to playing Tama and own a six piece Starclassic Performer (10" 12" 14" 16") which is the best sounding kit I have ever played - and no-one elses sounds as good!!!

Oh - and Drumguy - beautiful (but large) kit.

P.

[metal overlord]

It's all a matter of opinion, just because someone esle loves/hates it doesn't mean you have to. Just because your favorite drummer has them doesn't mean you'll love them. Not sayings it's bad to take brand advice, though.


I am a die-hard Tama fan. I love their drums. Always did, always will.


I currently own a double bass B/B, I've yet to play a kit that sounds better.

[gmrakich]

Love the Road Pro Hardware
Iron Cobra HH stand.

The drums have always seem too "off the rack" for my tastes.

[wy yung]

I own a Tama maple Starclassic. I am very impressed with these drums. Not only do they sound incredible, they are as light as a feather. I wont break my back lugging them around. The hardware is superb and the finish is to die for: sunset burst. Just beautiful.

Not so enamoured with Tama snare drums. I own 20 high end snare drums and not one is a Tama. But the hardware and kits are great.

As for the toms sounding dead? I disagree. It depends on the tuning and the head combination. They can sing like a bird or be as controlled as one would like. Fantastic drums.

Plus, the Iron Cobra bass drum pedal is the best pedal I've ever played. For me, it is the best on the market. I no longer have use for my DW or Pearl Eliminator other then to be used to play blocks and bells. The Iron Cobra goes on the kick every time.

[Mr. Pasquini]

I'm relatively happy with my Stagestar. My dream kit is a Starclassic Bubinga. I've always loved the sound of TAMA kits, one day when I'm rich I'll have something real nice.

In other news I found a set of Superstar Customs in the area for 500 dollars, good upgrade from my stagestar?

[dom]

Originally Posted by Class A Drummer

Im not a fan of Tama. Not to say they dont make nice drums, but i really just dont like the sound. I have played Starclassics and thought to myself how it sounded like a mid range drum set. Ive only played on a few different starclassics but each sounded not so nice. Might have been bad tuning cuz they dont really tune the drums at my guitar center.

Im a big Gretsch fan though.

maybe you should learn to tune and try tuning one up...that are some of the best sounding drums out there...

that is a great looking set btw

[dom]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pasquini

I'm relatively happy with my Stagestar. My dream kit is a Starclassic Bubinga. I've always loved the sound of TAMA kits, one day when I'm rich I'll have something real nice.

In other news I found a set of Superstar Customs in the area for 500 dollars, good upgrade from my stagestar?

yes good upgrade...but keep the stagestars if you don't I guarantee you are going to miss that 18" bass

I am a bit of a brand loyalist, I admit, but Tama makes pretty good drums. I am very impressed with my Superstar Custom, the sturdy hardware, the sexy looks and the sound. However, I am not too fond of the time it took for my kit to go out of production and I am also not impressed with the amount of entry / intermediate lines. The only beginner kit in production is the stagestar, and the only intermediate kits in production now are the superstar hyperdrive and the regular superstar. Not much wood choices... Sonor does that a lot better, you can get an intermediate birch kit, or an intermediate maple kit for about the same money.

[ECVail]

Love my Tama! I didn't buy a Tama snare when I got my Starclassic Maple, instead bought a Craviotto 6.5x14 and a Gretsch New Classic 5.5x14, so I can't speak to the snare comments. There's nothing dead about the toms and the hardware is spectacular.

[rmandelbaum]

I love all pro level drums, I personally have a few vintage TAMA superstar kits, they sound great.

[Kevinm]

Tama makes fine equipment. Drums are like anything else personnel preference. To say one sounds better then the other is kind ridiculous! Simply because there are too many variables, tuning surrounding acoustics etc., considering the same materials are being compared. We all know recordings are so dependant on the engineers and miking could actually mask the sound anyway!
Keep in mind Tama is a drum company unlike Yamaha being so diversified so they must be doing something right to stay in business. Gretsch, Slingerland, Rogers, Ludwig, Premier, and host of others, all had major problems trying to stay in business, some went out, and some got resurrected. Yet Tama stayed in business, and seems to be strong today!

I never did like the early sets from Tama, with the metal kick drum hoops. But todays products are pretty nice, and I play Yamaha! Never liked the real early sets from Yamaha either, pre 70's ( my age is showing).

Just my perspective, and anyone who buys Tama, is NOT doing themselves a disservice! So don't let anyone talk you out of a set from TAMA, if you like what you see!

As far as endorsements go, that to me makes no difference, after all, endorsements provide perks to working drummers, and if you notice some switch brands all the time. Doesn't mean one is better then the other, it's all in the marketing!

So lets all enjoy what they have and go lay down a couple of pariddles! LOL!

[Asdex]

I'm a big fan of Tama. I've tried few more brands from Yamaha, Mapex to RMV and think that Tama is better somehow, probably because the sound is great (especially with very good tuning) and they look great, from their finish and hardwares. I have Tama Superstar EFX and just ordered my Warlord Masai snare! Probably getting it by tomorrow...

[Muckster]

I've played the same Tama Granstar kit for the past 21 years. It's held up fine and has worked well in all musical situations. I have always liked Tama's hardware.

[eddiehimself]

Originally Posted by Kevinm

Tama makes fine equipment. Drums are like anything else personnel preference. To say one sounds better then the other is kind ridiculous! Simply because there are too many variables, tuning surrounding acoustics etc., considering the same materials are being compared. We all know recordings are so dependant on the engineers and miking could actually mask the sound anyway!
Keep in mind Tama is a drum company unlike Yamaha being so diversified so they must be doing something right to stay in business. Gretsch, Slingerland, Rogers, Ludwig, Premier, and host of others, all had major problems trying to stay in business, some went out, and some got resurrected. Yet Tama stayed in business, and seems to be strong today!

I never did like the early sets from Tama, with the metal kick drum hoops. But todays products are pretty nice, and I play Yamaha! Never liked the real early sets from Yamaha either, pre 70's ( my age is showing).

Just my perspective, and anyone who buys Tama, is NOT doing themselves a disservice! So don't let anyone talk you out of a set from TAMA, if you like what you see!

As far as endorsements go, that to me makes no difference, after all, endorsements provide perks to working drummers, and if you notice some switch brands all the time. Doesn't mean one is better then the other, it's all in the marketing!

So lets all enjoy what they have and go lay down a couple of pariddles! LOL!

I agree, i think if you buy a really nice expensive set of tamas i doubt you're going to regret it. I would say though that tama didn't start out making drums. Also even a diverse company like yamaha would stop making drums if they didn't make any money out of it. Bit like peavey, they stopped making those really intresting ones because not many people actually bought them. They still make standard looking beginner kits though 'cos that's where most of the market lies. Btw if your on about accu-tune hoops, they're made out of GRP.

[TenPastTen]

Honestly, how many of us could pass the Pepsi challenge when it comes to sound? Bear with me: if you had a DW collectors series maple kit and a Pearl Reference series maple kit and a Tama Starclassic maple kit all in identical sizes and tuned the same with identical heads, could you, being blindfolded, identify them by sound only? Really? Would you bet your kit on it?

My point is that great sounding kits sound great. Differences in sizes and material have more relevance than brand in my opinion. Let's take this further: how can all these custom drums brands possibly sound that different when they are using identical Keller shells? I submit they cannot. I know bearing edges can vary but so can the tuning of the heads. Again could you really tell the difference by sound alone?

Seriously, if you show up at gig and the drummer has a Tama Starclassic with no badges and reso head with a Pearl logo and someone asks you what kind of drums he played, what are you gonna say? Honestly? Oh and pretend you can't see the lugs;-)

[dom]

Originally Posted by TenPastTen

Honestly, how many of us could pass the Pepsi challenge when it comes to sound? Bear with me: if you had a DW collectors series maple kit and a Pearl Reference series maple kit and a Tama Starclassic maple kit all in identical sizes and tuned the same with identical heads, could you, being blindfolded, identify them by sound only? Really? Would you bet your kit on it?

My point is that great sounding kits sound great. Differences in sizes and material have more relevance than brand in my opinion. Let's take this further: how can all these custom drums brands possibly sound that different when they are using identical Keller shells? I submit they cannot. I know bearing edges can vary but so can the tuning of the heads. Again could you really tell the difference by sound alone?

Seriously, if you show up at gig and the drummer has a Tama Starclassic with no badges and reso head with a Pearl logo and someone asks you what kind of drums he played, what are you gonna say? Honestly? Oh and pretend you can't see the lugs;-)

I agree. All the pro level sets will sound great, if the owner knows what kind of heads to use, and knows how to tune. The same goes for beginner sets, you can fix the bearing edge up a bit, maybe finish the interriors with some tung oil or shellac (thats what i use), and put some decent heads on it and it will sound great, if you know how to tune.

[drumbandit]

Has anyone played the Warlord snares? Ronald Bruner Jr. is playing one with his yellow racing stripe kit on the drummerworld videos I think.

Tom

[Kevinm]

Maybe not started out as a drum company but if you read the following they are not as diverse as Yamaha. They went from bookstore to selling musical instruments to making drums.! Little more susceptible to going out of business with no other products to support a slow business such as in Yamaha. Yet their products have lasted so who can discount this company's success?

"It all started with a group called the Hoshino Gakki Group. The Hoshino family owned and operated a family bookstore for many years out of Japan. In the year of 1908, Hoshino started selling musical instruments and other US made hardware. This included Ludwig and Slingerland drum equipment. It wasn’t until later, (mid 1950’s) when Hoshino decided to get into the drum manufacturing business.

During this time, the family business started producing drums under the name Hoshi, which means star in English. Hoshi changed his business name to Tama Seisakusho Inc. in 1962 when he started making guitar amps and guitars. You may notice that there weren’t any TAMA drum kits in the mid 50’s and 60’s, but that is because Hoshi only started using the TAMA name on drum kits in 1974."

[Asdex]

Originally Posted by drumbandit

Has anyone played the Warlord snares? Ronald Bruner Jr. is playing one with his yellow racing stripe kit on the drummerworld videos I think.

Tom

I just got my Warlord Masai snare yesterday and I could say is WOW!! It sounds awesome and looks great too! You can tune them to have both great high and low pitched sounds! Just love them!

[gocatgo]

I owned a set of DW's for years untill I walked into Guitar center and played a set of Starclassic Bubinga's. I was totaly impressed with sound of the drums. The salesman said I can try them and if I don't like them I can return them. After taking them home and playing them and taking them to rehearsal I was sold. I use the same heads on both kits to get an accurate comparison. I've had my Tama for almost a year and am continually getting complements on them. Trading my DW's for them was the best dissision I made.

[elipticz]

I love my new Tama rig...epic!!

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=40288

[Dr.Hook]

Originally Posted by Drummer Karl

I`ve got a Tama kit right now, a Superstar Custom and I`m impressed of its qualities.
I`ve always had the feeling that when I play a Tama kit, everything feels heavier and more stable. And except they fit their kits with heavy hardware (and most lines with die cast hoops) it`s a different feel playing on a Tama.

A drum is a drum, isn`t it as simple as that? If it`s built well it will also be able to sound well. Still I think that every company produces an own individual sound (through bearing edges, shell construction etc)...and that is good.
I like Tama`s sound and feel. Very well built stuff, drums and hardware.

For the money I couldn`t imagine better hi-hat stands or bass drum pedals (at least for my use).

By the way...here is a great recording of a Starclassic Bubinga kit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrO4k5uOrR4
The set is tuned high and produces a great sound in my opinion, very nice tone.

Karl

Cat, that is some abosolutely DYNAMITE playing. Man, you make it look effortless. I hope to be that good, some day.

Your drums sound real good. I'm more a fan of the 70's, 80's low tuned, powerfull drums , but I must say yours sound really nice. Nice stuff!

[hateplow]

I like Tama. They are probably the best drums for your money. I think the Rockstar is an awesome beginners kit for the money. Starclassics are a fantastic value, too. The hardware is rock solid, and they make the best hi-hat stand around.
AND the stock evans heads are the best on the market.

[Ironcobra]

I think Tama is the one brand you can almost never go wrong with. They're kits are rock solid and sound great, end of story.

Any argument about Tamas sounding different or flat is invalid because they're the same as every other brand...6 ply maple from Tama is basically the same as 6 ply maple from Sonor. Having opinions like that can only come from bad tuning or other similar experiences.

[hateplow]

Originally Posted by Ironcobra

Any argument about Tamas sounding different or flat is invalid because they're the same as every other brand...6 ply maple from Tama is basically the same as 6 ply maple from Sonor. Having opinions like that can only come from bad tuning or other similar experiences.

I don't think Sonor makes a 6 ply maple shell (at least on the high-end drums). Their thin maple shell is 9 ply. But both are 5 mm, and both sound great.
Tama has the die-cast hoops, which actually does have quite an affect on sound when compared to flanged. And no way does a starclassic sound flat when tuned properly, they sing.

[Ironcobra]

Originally Posted by hateplow

I don't think Sonor makes a 6 ply maple shell (at least on the high-end drums). Their thin maple shell is 9 ply. But both are 5 mm, and both sound great.
Tama has the die-cast hoops, which actually does have quite an affect on sound when compared to flanged. And no way does a starclassic sound flat when tuned properly, they sing.

LOL, hey man come on I was just trying to make a point! Lol, I don't know the details about Sonors.

[Philippe]

Yep, I dig Tama!!! I changed from Mapex to Tama and never regreted it.

[hateplow]

Originally Posted by Ironcobra

LOL, hey man come on I was just trying to make a point! Lol, I don't know the details about Sonors.

Sorry, I'm turning into a bit of a Sonor geek...