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80s Tama Superstar snare-8X14 Birch

Posts: 158 Threads: 52
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Heyo!

Just picked up this Tama Superstar snare to accompany an early 70s Ludwig kit I’m refinishing. The kit has very large drums and I think this snare will go well with it. I also have always loved Dave Grohls snare sound with Nirvana and this is what he used, so I’m pumped to have found one!

Anyway, I do have a couple questions about it. The original strainer has been replaced with a nice Dunnett strainer. Not a big deal, but I would like to find an OG superstar strainer or at least a Tama strainer that is very similar. I’ve done a little digging and can’t find anything. Are these hard to come by? Is there a model # or name for these strainers?

Second question is-The interior is painted black. I was told it probably came from the factory this way, similar to the granitone inside Ludwig shells. Is this true?

Lastly, I’ve never owned a birch drum before. I’ve also never owned a Tama drum before, so I’d like to confirm that these snares are in fact birch, correct? With the interior painted, it’s hard for me to really check it out and compare. The bearing edges are not painted though. See pics. Thanks everyone!

Posted on 4 years ago
#1
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yes, I'm a little confused by that snare. Superstars in black inside and out are usually thought of in the 84-87 timeframe, when the factory muffler phase was over. Also it looks like it originally had the roller bearing throw and butt. But yours doesn't have the diecast hoops.

And early 80's superstar bearing edges were stained like the interiors - a non-glossy thin application of color. Later 80's superstars had naked bearing edges like yours.

Beautiful drum, worthy of your time to restore. Beware of the temptation to overtension. You will definitely crack the bosses on the lugs - they are super fragile. Keep it loose and fat on the tuning.

Yes - all 80's superstars are birch ply.

Regards

John

John/Levelpebble

Tama Superstar 81 Aqua bop
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Way Too Many Snares, She Says
Posted on 4 years ago
#2
Posts: 158 Threads: 52
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From levelpebble

yes, I'm a little confused by that snare. Superstars in black inside and out are usually thought of in the 84-87 timeframe, when the factory muffler phase was over. Also it looks like it originally had the roller bearing throw and butt. But yours doesn't have the diecast hoops. And early 80's superstar bearing edges were stained like the interiors - a non-glossy thin application of color. Later 80's superstars had naked bearing edges like yours.Beautiful drum, worthy of your time to restore. Beware of the temptation to overtension. You will definitely crack the bosses on the lugs - they are super fragile. Keep it loose and fat on the tuning.

Great info! So are the roller bearing throw offs/butt plates easy to come by? I suppose I can ask around on the buying and selling thread here.

Thanks for the tuning suggestion as well. Was definitely going to keep this tuned pretty low. Snare side slightly tighter, but not cranked by any means.

I’d love to clean this thing up and put the OG strainer and butt plate back on it. I think that’s really all it needs. I believe the OG strainer will cover the holes drilled for the Dunnett. Looks like I’ll have to live with the two drilled for the butt plate though.

Posted on 4 years ago
#3
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