A beautiful snare drum! I purchased my first set of Tamas in the mid-to-late 80's, after having my Rogers Celebrity kit for over 10 years. I ordered a 5 piece Superstar in Cherry Wine, complete with matching snare using the Roller Bed snare strainer. As I recall, Candy Apple Red didn't come out until a year later. I loved my Cherry Wine kit, but probably would have ordered the CAR if it was available!

Thanks for sharing your gorgeous snare drum!

Appreciate the compliment, thank you!

Candy Apple Red only showed up in one or two special addendum catalogs as an "offered" color. Tama was never good at dating their drums, though there is speculation that around 82/83, they started putting dates in their serial numbers...never proven. Did speak to a product guy at Tama's parent company in CA, but he also could not verify the dates.

Generally, it is accepted that Candy Apple Red was offered to the public in late 1984 and then through 1985. Superstar production was discontinued sometimes during 1986, though you could get this color in the later Artstar series.

I've picked up this history (weak) over the years. I do love the color and have been very happy with my kit. Both of my CAR Snares sound great, though because of their condition, never really get played.

Thanks again!

You have a great snare there. Very nice shape and difficult to find.

However, the CAR Superstars were made through 1987. All of the CAR superstar snare drums I have seen were made without the muffler. Tama discontinued the muffler on the snares starting late 1985. It would actually be more unusual to find a CAR snare WITH the muffler so the one you have that has the muffler is far more interesting.

As far as what was "proven" with serial numbers I can tell you I bought my Super Mahogany set new in 1983 and they all have 83-xxxxx in there serial numbers. The next year I added a few and they stated with 84-xxxxx. Its pretty consistant with anyone who I have spoken to that bought there drums when new and still have them. It is not absolute but always very close, some overlapping. Some drums could have been made in 1983 but not sold until '84 as I know some guys who bought drums in 83 with serial numbers starting with 82. Also you only see it with 82/83/84. Before 82 serials were five and six digit numbers.

The later serial numbers from and during 1985 start with 1360xxxx or 1630xxxx. Drums from 1986/87 usually have 1450xxxx or 1540xxxx as serial numbers. The same applies with Artstars.

Also the later Superstar Tama badges have a slanted "T" which is what your CAR snare drum will have. The earlier badges, before 1985 have a straight "T". These also all correspond with the serial numbers. The Tama Forum website has a more detailed database as to all the changes from year to year but the info above has been pretty much accepted as accurate.

Also, as for getting the CAR in the Artstar series it was only offered in the Japanese market. You could get them in the USA but nobody really knew about them as they only offered them in Japanese catalogs. They are very hard to find. The CAR superstars drums are fairly common but the snares are not so easy to find. Especially in nice condition like yours.

Well, thanks for that information. I am not aware of the Tama Forum, but for years I started and ran a dedicated Tama Superstar site (Until MSN decided to cancel all their subject oriented sites).

The debate over serial numbers was one of the most heated discussions. We had a few Tama historians and some professional drummers among the over 500 members worldwide. I agree about the "82xxx" and "83xxx" serial numbers corresponding to years of manufacture. Nobody (among our members) would say conclusively that any of the other numbers actually aligned with years.

As far as Supes, my understanding is that the last catalog showing Superstars was '85 and they had discontinued the line sometime during '86. The CAR kit that was provided to Neil Peart was actually a prototype Artstar kit, those many thought it was a Superstar. CAR was shown in Japanese catalogs, but in the US, it was shown only in the Power Toms catalog which was only a few pages. There might have been another place or two, but none of the major annual catalogs showed this color.

The site has been shut down for years now and my memory fades as to details. I was not aware of the muffler issue and thank you for pointing it out. I always stuck me as most snares had mufflers and any without were more on the unusual side. Both are covered and stored in my bedroom closet, as I just don't want to risk an damage.

I never did get a gong tom (wife said the would kill me if I added anymore pieces to my kit), but in fact, that seems to be the most rare of all the pieces. I have never seen one that was factory painted and have only heard of it ever being available on the market.

I am still in touch with one of the historians who, by the way, has four to five major Superstar kits and a number of Tama Supe and MasterCraft snares. Never understood where he kept all that stuff in his house, but he said he had a playroom he used....wife finally kicked him out of it for his kids! :)

Anyway, thanks for the information....great to read!Cool1

I have seen the CAR gong drum and one was for sale with a kit about 6 months ago. I think it was located in PA, not really sure.

I currently have several Superstar kits including my first kit bought new in 83/84. Over the years I have probably had more than a dozen kits which I bought and sold in most all the colors.

The serial numbers are really not too hard to work out as they are also the same as with the Artstars, but for a long time nobody seemed to bother to check them. Artstar serial numbers correspond exactly with the Superstars. Also, later Superstars and Artstars had different bearing edge angles. That along with the different angle of the "T" on the badge sealed the deal with most collectors. You can get a general feel but of course nobody will have an exact day of production.

I knew the Peart CAR's were Artstars. In fact, I just mentioned that a few days ago in another thread on here in the Vintage Non-us drums catagory.

You are correct about the catalogs but they offered the drums to at least 1987. Its possible production stopped before 87 but some stores still had stock into 87 and Tama delivered new in 87. Besides, at that time Tama was such a great company known for working with customers. For example, Aqua Marine was not offered in the Xtra series sizes in the USA but I personally saw someone on Long Island that had a set special ordered and delivered to him in 87. Never saw another set. I know they were offered in Japan but I have never seen another in the USA.

I really like the Superstars. Good luck with the gong drum, DON'T GIVE UP!!! They are out there, not many, but keep looking.

I need one in Super Mahogany (well....I don't really need it but just want one)

I will admit that, as into Superstars as I am/was, I am certainly not a particularly knowledgeable source from a history standpoint. I did get an answer from my Supe historian friend regarding mufflers in Supe snares:

Regarding the CAP question, I think what you have heard is partially correct; however, I don't think they stopped using the mufflers as early as

bed.

So, based on what he is saying, my snare without the muffler would be the more rare of the two I currently have. At this point, I am not sure it is a major point as I do not plan to sell either. But, I was just trying to think which I would sell if it came to only keeping one.

Thanks again...nice to see someone who has a deep knowledge of the Tama Superstar line...one which I do feel was a great drum kit in its time.

Also, true about Tama being a good company. They did offer lots of custom kits, not sure what the upcharge was, but did see a few Aquamarine colored kits....can't recall if they were Xtras or not. My kit is, which differs from what NP used...he preferred the standard depth toms....and, for me, I think if I could do it over, I would opt for the standard depth as well.

I agree about the standard size drums. I bought the set new with the Xtras sizes. It was the way to go back then. Deep, loud, booming drums. My brother has a full set of the Aquas he bought new in 81 in standard sizes and they do sound more lively. You can get more of a tuning range out of them and they are easier to record and control in the studio under close mic'ed conditions.

I can't beleive its been 28 years ago since I bought those drums.........

Wow, you and your brother bought Supe sets new...pretty cool! I'm certainly old enough to have done so, but I didn't get back into the drums until later in life and that is when I began accumulating CAR pieces and decided to build my big kit. I really like the drums, but always had a desire to have an old Buddy Slingerland kit or something along those lines. Not going to happen though, as there is not space for anymore drums.

Thanks for the info and kind of unsure about selling one of my CAR snares. I guess everyone has a price, make me an offer and I'll consider it.

I've also seen one or two 5 x 14 CAR snares. Never paid much attention, as I already had two 6 1/2 x 14. Given my drothers, I think I would have preferred having one of each. There were also the big monsters - 8 x 14 - but never had interest in such a deep drum.