Hi, I'm assuming the snare is a superstar? The wood used for these back in the day was birch (i don't think they are anymore). I wouldn't recommend refinishing, but it's your choice. they have a stubborn polyester finish that chemical stripper will likely not cut it on. After you strip it you would also have to stain it to match because it is just the name of the color, not the wood (mahogany). If you are like me you will probably disregard advice do what you're gonna do, but take it for what it's worth :)

I will wait to find a super mahogany. I need an 80-80-82 era would like a 6.5"x14"

If you are passing on the Cherry, will you pm me the details? And if i'm interested, ship it to me? I'll pay you for your trouble... Thanks..

Its 350. a bit high in my opinion

Where to get your Superstar Drums refinished just like the factory.

I have read through many posts here and elsewhere regarding people trying to find how to refinish Tama Superstar Drums exactly how they were done at the factory. Clear Varnish and Polyurethane never matched. The problem that everyone was having was that the clear coat they used is a Polyester Coating that is extremely glossy, hard, difficult to remove, and takes a special process to apply. Well I finally can inform you on who can do the process with unbelievable results. They can do one drum, a whole kit, or change your color if you choose.

I have a Superstar Mahogany set that somehow my 10 inch drum turned color over the years. The mahogany redish brown color turned sort of greenish. No idea how this happened as all the other drums did not have a problem. Problem is I now had a drum that doesn't match my kit. Because I found out that it is a polyester finish, finding somebody who really knows how to do it would not be easy.

I started calling piano companies in Los Angeles to find out who they get to finish grand pianos with polyester clear coat. They told me the best company around is Classic Woods by Phenoyd Inc. 16522 Armita St., Van Nuys, CA 91406, (818) 901-1521. http://www.classic-woods.net/ I talked to him and the best way to email him at [email]classic-woods@sbcglobal.net[/email] and not at .com

I met with Phenoyd Ezra and showed him my discolored drum. He said that he usually does pianos but he will do the drum. I left the drum and met with him later when he had the finish down to a bare shell. I brought along my 12 inch tom shell to match the color and left it with him.

A few weeks later he gave me a call to come over and see the finished drum. I have to say that I could not stop smiling as it was incredible that I could not tell the difference in color or clear finish between the refinished 10 inch drum or the original 12 shell.

His ability to custom match the stain from one drum to the other was amazing.

I told Phenoyd that I would do my best to let everyone know that there is finally someone out there with this level of craftsmanship that can refinish Tama Superstar Drums exactly as they were done in the factory. Mind you that this is not inexpensive to do but it is well worth the money. I am looking into now having him take new birch shells in current depths used today and stain and finish them to match my kit. Technically I would be making new Superstar drums by purchasing hardware, hoops and even finding badges.

I have attached a few pictures so you can see how fantastic Classic Woods by Phenoyd refinished my drum. If you need to get a drum out of your kit re-done, there is no place better. Tell him Duane sent you.

http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz137/Latexcat/tamasuperstarmahoganybefore.jpg

10 inch drum on the left turned greenish and clear coat sunk into the grain.

http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz137/Latexcat/phenoydclassicwoods.jpg

Phenoyd Ezra of Classic Woods by Phenoyd located in Van Nuys, CA.

http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz137/Latexcat/phenoydstrippedshell.jpg

http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz137/Latexcat/tamasuperstarmahoganyafter.jpg

Drum on the right is the refinished 10 inch Superstar Mahogany shell. A perfect match.

THAT is EXCELLENT!

Wow...super job,and the grommets both look factory,which is diffult in and of itself.

The other hassle in refinishing superstars is the interoir stain,if you're doing a color change.

My supes are the 9600 series from 77.The shells are 4 ply 6mm with rerings.Japenese birch.The color was called custom walnut,then custom mahogany,and eventually super mahogany.My drums are the former and aren't a glossy finish,but have a satin finish..These are uncommon,and sound just great.

The 80's supes were 6 ply,9mm with no rerings.

Steve B