I would love to see these. Yeah I would call them vintage. If there's a desire for them and they're 30+ years old they're in the club. :)

Just click the paperclip icon and browse your photos to upload.

Craig,

Welcome to VDF. Good to know you've gotten back to drumming. Pictures are the best way to get answers... badges, lugs, and mounting pieces... Pictures please!

I may have the rest set up soon, but a few images here (image didn't work, see next post). I am interested in finding a matching 14 x 14 or 16 x 18 floor tom with mufflers. A Gretsch, Ludwig, or Slingerland would work too.

Thank you,

Craig

OK this pic worked...

Sorry about my lack of knowledge, but I do not see the Superstar's listed under Japanese drums. Where were these made?

At the time that I bought them all drums were produced with heavier duty hardware than before, and with boom cymbal stands available. I believe Pearl may have been the first with more durable hardware. Also Slingerland in the early 1970's had a great hi-hat and with tripod cymbal stand bottoms. I thought that TAMA had the best all around hardware options when I bought these.

Thank you,

Craig

Most likely Japan, I think on the emblem it should say "Made in Japan"

I had a kit of those I bought for resale purposes from a studio that went out of business, I should have kept them. They are really great sounding drums, a nice alternative to the 60's stuff. I'd like to track down a super maple kit cheap one day.

You are so right, the tag has Made in Japan right on it. I have a serial number of 90435 on a tom. Hopefully I can find some data to know what year they were made.

A set of the first generation Superstar's would be a good buy. However I do not see many totally intact sets that are all original with the matching stands and pedals.

I recall when TAMA began making nicer sets and Wayne Newton's drummer and I think also Billy Cobham were in the sales brochures.

IdealA,

In order to date your set specifically, you need to disclose whether or not your kit has reinforcing rings or not inside the shell. I am guessing not, since you have second-generation mufflers showing. Rerings, satin, and 1st gen mufflers? That would be 4ply, 76-78. No rerings, lacquer, and no mufflers on the toms? Than would be 6 ply, 1981 and newer. The in-between years (78-80) were transitional - there are examples of satin without rerings, etc. The mufflers stayed in the snares for a few years longer than the toms, to about 1983.

Send us an inside picture.

John

Try this link:

http://www.tamadrum.co.jp/anniversary/