I know most of you don't consider Tama's from early 80's vintage. But how do they compare to present day Tama's as far a quality?
Where can I find information on the tama line up from the early 80's Iv got a clean 9pc superstar kit and wasn't sure if it was over or under imperial-star etc.
Id like to be better informed next time someone try's to low ball me. If warranted.
Superstar was top of the line at that time if I am correct and to this day is arguably the best kit they ever put out. Superstars were birch. I know this because I`m on the hunt for a Superstar kit from that era. Trying to find a kit with two 16x24 kicks however is becoming a chore.
Love to see some pics sometime of your Superstar kit.
You just found it.
8 10 12 14 16 18 24's 13"new beats etc.
The quality of those kits is top notch,as is the quality of the new Tama kits.I have seen plenty of old superstar, royal star and Imperialstar kits from the 70's and 80's still in service.I have always dug Tamas birch kits,particularly the Supers and granstars,don't know why but the Birch performers always sounded harsh near field to me unless they had a two ply or pre muffled head on them.But IMO Tamas top line kits have always been built to last the length of a career.
don't know why but the Birch performers always sounded harsh near field to me unless they had a two ply or pre muffled head on them.But IMO Tamas top line kits have always been built to last the length of a career.
Agreed. I installed evans hydraulics with black bottoms. The kit is candy apple red. I copied Neil Peart's kit back then. Warm resonant sound. Cases also.
Do you have them on eBay? Can we see pics? I love old Superstars as well. They were fine drums and I have played a few Superstar kits that I wish I could have owned. I don't say that about any drum kit. Billy Cobham played Superstars and he was always one of my favorite drummers and I liked his sound best when he played the Tama's. Candy Apple Red is a great finish too. How much do you want for them? PM me if you're serious.
I posted a add in craigslist to check the waters and had one bite who wants financing. lol Not sure about shipping them.
I don't have them set up, but have a pic of the toms I can post when I'm home.
Not really sure what they are worth. They defiantly have sentimental value but my house has to much of that stuff. They look like the day I bought them. The hardware has some scratches from gigging though. And the 13" tom got stolen one late night packing up. 9pc now
As promised. Here is a pic.
The sizes.. 8x9, 10x9, 12x11, 14x13, 16x16, 18x16, and 2)24x16 bass drums. The snare is steel 14x6 1/2
The second pic shows the top of the bass case which is typical for the other cases.
Thats a rare color for the Superstars, and it is desirable. I believe Neil Peart played Red Tama Superstars. The Superstars are almost top of the line, just under the Artstar line. Imperialstars are just below the Superstars, and have a wrap rather than the lacquer the Superstars have. Yamaha had a comparable lineup. Tour Custom would be the comparable line for Superstars, Recording Custom would be the comparable to the Artstar line, and Imperialstar would be comparable to the Stage Custom series.
Thats a rare color for the Superstars, and it is desirable. I believe Neil Peart played Red Tama Superstars. The Superstars are almost top of the line, just under the Artstar line. Imperialstars are just below the Superstars, and have a wrap rather than the lacquer the Superstars have. Yamaha had a comparable lineup. Tour Custom would be the comparable line for Superstars, Recording Custom would be the comparable to the Artstar line, and Imperialstar would be comparable to the Stage Custom series.
I think Pearts CAR kit was a protoype for the Artstar and not really Superstars.
The CARS are pretty desirable but not really all that rare. They are less common than the Super Mahogany, Cherrywine and Super Maple but I would not go so far as to say rare. But they are pretty hard to find in really good condition. They were made towards the end of the line. Really great drums.
The pics of the set in this thread look very nice. Good luck with selling them. If you decide to ship them you should have no problem getting lots of offers.
