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TAMA Artstar Cordia

Posts: 442 Threads: 102

Hi.

a fellow drummer friend has a TAMA ARTSTAR Cordia Set from the eighties. he tuned it a strange way (using a Tama Tension watch, what i don't like anyways), so its hard to tell for me how it sounds.

What's so special about those drums and the cordia wood (except the nice looks)?? they seem to be quite rare and collectable, aren't they?

Also: The guy has a full setup (2x22BD,8,10,12,13,14,15TT,16,18,20FT plus 14x5,5 and a 14x8SN). the only thing he's missing (except a 24BD that he doesn't want) is a 14x6,5 SN. if anyone knows one for sale, he might be interested ;-)

Posted on 15 years ago
#1
Posts: 33 Threads: 6

From mschrant

Hi.a fellow drummer friend has a TAMA ARTSTAR Cordia Set from the eighties. he tuned it a strange way (using a Tama Tension watch, what i don't like anyways), so its hard to tell for me how it sounds. What's so special about those drums and the cordia wood (except the nice looks)?? they seem to be quite rare and collectable, aren't they?Also: The guy has a full setup (2x22BD,8,10,12,13,14,15TT,16,18,20FT plus 14x5,5 and a 14x8SN). the only thing he's missing (except a 24BD that he doesn't want) is a 14x6,5 SN. if anyone knows one for sale, he might be interested ;-)

One of the things I regret not doing in my life was not buying an Artstar kit (or a beautiful looking, Steve Gadd-configured Yamaha demo kit I was offered for $1300 at the time for that matter) when I had the chance rather than buying our Superstar sets in 1983 (but love 'em anyway!). DOH

Whether Cordia or piano black (the latter color option came out in '84, I believe)...them Artstars are rather rare and highly collectible; are great sounding too.

Your friend owns one helluva of a drum set indeed! Eye Ball :eek: Mind BlowiAm totally green with envy!... Hurting

"For God...King...and Spain!..." Rodrigo Dias de Vivar, El Cid...
Posted on 15 years ago
#2
Posts: 566 Threads: 101

They pop up once in a while here in Japan where they were made . I'll keep my eyes peeled for a snare . How much is he willing to spend ?

1963 Gretsch Progressive Jazz Champagne Sparkle
1967 Ludwig Super Classic Oyster Blue Pearl
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etc...
Posted on 15 years ago
#3
Posts: 1 Threads: 0

From jazzbo

They pop up once in a while here in Japan where they were made . I'll keep my eyes peeled for a snare . How much is he willing to spend ?

jazzbo...Ya how much will he be willing to pay! I know where theres one!

Posted on 15 years ago
#4
Posts: 19 Threads: 6

Has anyone here played a 14X6.5" arstar Cordia?

One was on ebay for a while but having never tried one i didn;t want to risk the cash.

I have a 24" cordia Bass drum that i LOVE! I've never favoured Wood shell snare drums but am wondering if the Cordia ones are LOUD and solid? I have had trouble breaking lugs on Tama Snares in the past.

If there are any Tama nerds on here please let me know which snares you favour in the loud/solid department.

jem

Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 1311 Threads: 9

Yep----It sounded similar to the rosewood Superstar drums.Volume ,cut,but still warm,and cranked up,kind of like a bronze Ludwig. supraphonic.Great drum and I regret not buying it for 375....oh well.If you find one....buy it.

Steve B

Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 33 Threads: 6

From jemdrums

Has anyone here played a 14X6.5" arstar Cordia?One was on ebay for a while but having never tried one i didn;t want to risk the cash.I have a 24" cordia Bass drum that i LOVE! I've never favoured Wood shell snare drums but am wondering if the Cordia ones are LOUD and solid? I have had trouble breaking lugs on Tama Snares in the past.If there are any Tama nerds on here please let me know which snares you favour in the loud/solid department.jem

Have a matching 1984 Arstar, 8" deep snare drum that came with a super-mahogany Superstar kit I bought in that year; is one of my favorites...right along with Ludwig 6 1/2" pre-serial COB and '66 KB/BB super sensitive snare drums... Bowing

-elcid

"For God...King...and Spain!..." Rodrigo Dias de Vivar, El Cid...
Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 64 Threads: 1

From jemdrums

Has anyone here played a 14X6.5" arstar Cordia?One was on ebay for a while but having never tried one i didn;t want to risk the cash.I have a 24" cordia Bass drum that i LOVE! I've never favoured Wood shell snare drums but am wondering if the Cordia ones are LOUD and solid? I have had trouble breaking lugs on Tama Snares in the past.If there are any Tama nerds on here please let me know which snares you favour in the loud/solid department.jem

I have a 6.5 Cordia that I bought new in 1984. Its been my favorite and I use it all the time. Its very similar in sound to the Rosewood. I have 2 Rosewoods, both 6.5. One is a older 12 ply from the late 70's and the other is a 10 ply from probably around 83. I bought them used but they are all original. All 3 snares sound very similar if tuned the same but I tune them each differently just to get different dynamics. Plenty loud.

I have an 8 inch Super Mahogany Superstar from 1981ish and it has a completely different tonal quality but yet you can still hear the relationship to the other snares. I don't particularly like it too much. Its just too low end sounding and only sounds decent when you blast it.

I want to eventually find a 5 inch snare in both Super Mahogany SS and the Cordia AS. The Cordia will be hard to find. There was one for sale some time ago not too far from me I was told for $375. Someone on the Tama furom was talking about it and posted pics. Great looking drum. I don't expect to find one anytime soon or for a decent price but who knows.

Posted on 13 years ago
#8
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