Is there a consensus of opinion for this comparison? If you could buy a 5 piece set of either one for $150 would you go for TAMA or PEARL?
As the owner of a set of 1959 Slingerlands, I realize what I'm asking...but I'd be curious how many different answers there's gonna be.
For me, it would depend on condition, vintage, wrap colour and completeness.
$150 can buy a spread of things from a modern cheap sino kit to a nice, old, unappreciated MIJ stencil kit.
Considering that Tama was not Tama until the mid-to late '70s (they were Star), a $150 Tama kit could be some beat up Chinese crap!!! Both Star and Pearl rebadged bunches of drums.
I predict the answers will be similar. I am a convert on the MIJ stencil front, though I have little experience in such matters.
My preference, and it is purely subjective, is Star (TAMA). I like the hardware and lugs a bit better, the shells, even the rails from Star seem to work better. Of course this is my opinion. The shell lay up seems to be more solid in the early 3 ply and the later 9 ply/no rings are not quite up to some of Pearl's early to mid 70s, the ones with the maple interior veneer.
Of course, I will grab either, price being what it is, and if the wrap is really cool, I will actually go for either.
I will never forgive the Pearl brand for pirating a wonderful discriptive word for drum covering, and perverting it for their brand name. I must watch my words when describing my drums to younger or less experienced drummers who ask what kind of drums I have.
"What color drums do you like? Do you like the wood finishes or the plastic covered ones"?
"All of my drum sets are pearls. There's a White Marine Pearl, a Black Diamond Pearl, and Several Sparkle Pearls".
"Oh. I guess that you don't like Tama or Yamaha".
Truth be told, I don't like either.
leedybdp made me think of another great MIJ brand- Yamaha.
I don't know how many $150 Yamaha kits are out there. As far as a brand who has great drums at all ranges of the price spectrum, Yamaha has great sounding drums made in many Asian countries.
I have never played a Yamaha kit from the '60s, but I probably wouldn't be afraid of one, either. But I would have an '80s Yamaha MIJ kit in a heartbeat if I could find one. But it would cost more than $150.
The earlier Rogers R-360 and R-380 drums were made for Rogers by Yamaha. The R-380 drums by Yamaha are very good drums. I'd be proud to own a set of them.
But, to respond to the original question: Pearl....bahhhh humbug except for the all fiberglass model if cheap enough. Tama...ehhhh, maybe.
The earlier Rogers R-360 and R-380 drums were made for Rogers by Yamaha. The R-380 drums by Yamaha are very good drums. I'd be proud to own a set of them.But, to respond to the original question: Pearl....bahhhh humbug except for the all fiberglass model if cheap enough. Tama...ehhhh, maybe.
I hear you there!!!
Those R-380 drums are very good drums. And lest we forget that Yamaha has produced musical instruments for a very long time.
i've had a pearl export since 1994. bought brand new, and thrown around the country in the back of a van for 10 years!! never let me down once.
i've always found them very durable.
My Zimgar kit with maple re rings,cast hoops,heavy lugs,8 lug snare and kick is one of the best i,ve seen for mij gear,and it sounds beautiful..I guess my vote is for Pearl...................................but nothing wrong with TamaClapping Happy2
