How to determine if its birch or maple

RickyD77 · #1 01-21-2011, 04:11 PM

I have a Tama Starclassic and I want to know if its birch or maple...

the kit is prety old so my first taught was maple

Doug Masters · #2 01-21-2011, 04:19 PM

I could be wrong but for a long time on the Starclassic line the badge screwed on was the performer line which was birch. The badge engraved on the wood was the maple line.

RickyD77 · #3 01-21-2011, 04:28 PM

This one was not screw in :) I'll keep searching

thanks

Garvin · #4 01-21-2011, 04:37 PM

You could try burning it... Throw the kit in a raging fire pit. If it smells sweet, then its probably maple. A more caustic, bitter smell would be birch. If you can't tell by the smoke, then wait until it is completely burned and mix the ashes with some water. Same test, sweet = maple bitter = birch. Good Luck! ;)

Davo-London · #5 01-21-2011, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garvin

You could try burning it... Throw the kit in a raging fire pit. If it smells sweet, then its probably maple. A more caustic, bitter smell would be birch. If you can't tell by the smoke, then wait until it is completely burned and mix the ashes with some water. Same test, sweet = maple bitter = birch. Good Luck! ;)

Wow, uncanny, just what i was thinking.

Davo

RickyD77 · #6 01-21-2011, 04:44 PM

Thanks Guys ;) that would help... but I asked it cause I want to sold that kit so Im not sure about the burning :)

caddywumpus · #7 01-21-2011, 05:07 PM

Two things point towards it being birch. 1. The badge held on by the grommet: Performers have an actual metal badge (like the one I see on your bass drum), while the maple Starclassics have an inked/etched(?) logo right on the shell itself. 2. Performers come with a front BD head with the Tama logo in gold, like the one on your kit.

RickyD77 · #8 01-21-2011, 05:08 PM

So what you think is the value of this kit?

thanks

KarlCrafton · #9 01-21-2011, 05:13 PM

Doug is partially right on the badge, but it's not screwed on, it's part of the air vent.

95% sure that this kit is Birch.

Since it's older, with the first gen Starcast, and doesn't have the "sticker badge" under the clear, makes me say it's the Birch shell version.
Birch also has a slightly darker color than Maple, so check the inside. They should have a sticker on the inside too, which may say what the shell is--at least the Maple SC's have (had) a sticker inside.
Birch kit's I've seen seem to get more "brown" on the clear finish as they age than "yellow" too.

Good luck in selling!
Edit: well crap, caddy posted most of my answer before me haha!

brady · #10 01-21-2011, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickyD77

Thanks Guys ;) that would help... but I asked it cause I want to sold that kit so Im not sure about the burning :)

Maybe ask the Pawn Star guys...apparently they are drum experts.

2 rack toms?! Now that's a rock kit....

Doug Masters · #11 01-21-2011, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brady

Maybe ask the Pawn Star guys...apparently they are drum experts.

2 rack toms?! Now that's a rock kit....

You ever notice the drum kits on that show? Its like the "tom angles" thread came to life :)

Bo Eder · #12 01-21-2011, 08:52 PM

I think it's safe to assume it's birch. I've noticed on the upper lines of the Starclassics, the type of wood is actually named with the painted-on logo. For instance, under my Starclassic moniker on the label, it's says "Bubinga" just underneath it. Same for the Maple version. If there is no designation, I say it's birch.

New, I've seen some Starclassic Birch kits (5-piece with matching snare) sell at Guitar Center for around $1499. So, age and condition would determine what you could sell yours for.

RickyD77 · #13 01-21-2011, 09:02 PM

Thank you!!!! really appreciate

flurbs · #14 01-22-2011, 01:55 PM

Your kit is definitely a 1st-generation SC Birch. Metal badge and 8-lug bass drum is the giveaway.

JDC · #15 01-22-2011, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flurbs

Your kit is definitely a 1st-generation SC Birch. Metal badge and 8-lug bass drum is the giveaway.

Yup. Starclassic Performer. Great drums. I remember an ad with Kenny Aronoff talking about how great these drums are.

The bass drum is what I looked at first. Also, I believe the maple Starclassics had a wooden (not metal) eyelet which was separate from the badge.

keep it simple · #16 01-22-2011, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garvin

You could try burning it... Throw the kit in a raging fire pit. If it smells sweet, then its probably maple. A more caustic, bitter smell would be birch. If you can't tell by the smoke, then wait until it is completely burned and mix the ashes with some water. Same test, sweet = maple bitter = birch. Good Luck! ;)

You're a cruel cruel boy, lol!

scorch whammin · #17 01-22-2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDC

Yup. Starclassic Performer. Great drums. I remember an ad with Kenny Aronoff talking about how great these drums are.

The bass drum is what I looked at first. Also, I believe the maple Starclassics had a wooden (not metal) eyelet which was separate from the badge.

Agree!..it's a 1st gen. birch...and yes the maple kits had a wood eyelet/grommet and the badge insignia was painted into the finish...

ConvertedLudwigPlayer · #18 01-23-2011, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorch whammin

Agree!..it's a 1st gen. birch...and yes the maple kits had a wood eyelet/grommet and the badge insignia was painted into the finish...

Agreed. The lacquered maple kits had the logo under the lacquer. The WRAPPED maple kits had a black badge which is the same badge I believe as the wrapped birch kits.

The wood grain on birch kits like this one is very pronounced as opposed to maple where the woodgrain is usually very light.