Compare Tama Starclassic and Starclassic Performer
COMPARISON TAMA STARCLASSIC VS STARCLASSIC PERFORMANCEER – WHAT IS RIGHT FOR ME?
You are thinking of buying a new Tama drum set. Now the detailed decision-making process begins… which drum kit do you think you should buy? Hopefully, this comparison of Tama's latest products - Starclassic Walnut/Birch in Molten Blue Ice Fade and Starclassic Performer Maple/Birch in Sky Blue Aurora - will give you all the information you need to choose your complete set. perfect for me…
ABOUT TAMA Drums
Legendary drum makers, Tama, have been constantly searching for affordable, high-quality drums since their inception in 1974. With classic lines such as the Star, Starclassic and Superstar – so named under the surname Hoshino – this is a company rooted in a rich family history.
Tama drums are famous for their construction and sound. Used by major league drummers such as Stewart Copeland, Lars Ulrich and Mike Portnoy – they have captivated audiences worldwide for their power, articulation and presence. Tama's factory knows this, hand-crafting some of the most exquisitely crafted drums you can get. All these drum sets at an accessible price – what's not to love?
Now that you've fallen in love with Tama (and rightfully so), you want to know which set is right for you. With the newly reimagined Starclassic Performer Maple/Birch and the stunning Starclassic Walnut/Birch released with a great new finish, start here.
HOW DOES THE SOUND OF TAMA Drums?
WALNUT/BIRCH – WOODEN WOOD
This iteration of the hybrid bark blends two distinct woods. Shell combinations are not new to Tama, but the combination is said to be the perfect ratio of the two. Walnut is big and warm. At the darker end of the spectrum, response is low and mid-range and immediately hits the sweet spot.
Responding well to lower adjustments, it still exhibits more attack than Maple and has excellent tonal control, making it ideal for studio use. However, it lacks brightness. By placing all the eggs in the warm yin "basket", it is somewhat limited in terms of versatility.
Birch is incredibly easy to work with, which is why drum makers love it. They also admired its tonal qualities such as balanced projection, powerful body, and short sustain. Its natural Chinese is part of the reason Birch is a studio favorite.
Its short endurance and big projection also make it great for live use, using brighter sound to push through mixes and make it easy for sound engineers to get things up and running. The short hold time is the main downside here, providing great sound for toms and kicks. But if you like a snare that really sings, this wood might not do what you want.
The composition of the Walnut/Birch hybrid shell is as follows – two inner layers of American black walnut with four birch outer layers on everything but the bass, with the bass having an extra layer of birch.
Now, using the power of your imagination, you can envision a warm, well-rounded tone with lots of attacks that Tama describes as 'not only powerful, but also sweet and mellow'. - a very catchy tune. This combination creates a clear Tama drum, but with the feel and sound of something new. A great combination for those looking for a solid and reliable recorder with live performance.
WOOD WOOD (MAPLE)
We all know Maple. It has been the most popular wood for drum shells for decades because of its true comprehensiveness. The wide tuning range also adapts to any style, with mid-range reverbs – coming from a denser structure – producing a powerfully balanced sound. It's suitable for drummers who play a variety of genres on a drum set that switch to tuning and dampering to change their timbre. More freedom, less hassle.
Perfect for those looking for adaptability, it's ideal for players to experiment and explore to find their sound. The drawback to this is that, if recorded, it needs the most EQ action due to its resonance and its (very beneficial) unspecified priority tuning range.
These Starclassic Performer covers are constructed of two Maple inner layers with four birch outer layers, with the bass drum having an additional Birch outer layer.
Reuse the power of imagination, and combined with the same Birch from before, you get a drum set that moves effortlessly between genres. Clear and mid-range attack delivers solid punch, power, and versatility.
Ideal – as the name suggests – for the performer, this Starclassic Maple/Birch combination is a shell that produces a clear and powerful timbre, combining the warmth of Maple and the clarity of Birch in one go. seamless way.
Both of these drum sets come with Evans sides as standard, giving you great tonality and a useful starting point for experimenting with your tunes.
Personal recommendation? The coated faces will really bring out the richness from the Walnut/Birch combination, but the Maple/Birch will actually come out with the transparent sides. It's purely player preference and situation dependent though!
THE HARDWARE OF TAMA?
Hardware can have a big impact on the sound and durability of a drum kit. Often unnoticed, things like rims, tom mounting systems, even tom feet affect the sound and response you get from your drums. Tama knows this, offering a wealth of quality hardware options, time tested and trusted by experts.
With the two drum sets mentioned, these little features are expertly crafted to accentuate the tone of the drum set and serve their intended use.
Both sets feature the Star-Cast Tom Mounting System. Attached to the rim lugs, this suspension system provides maximum drum resonance and stability with minimal case contact.
Tama has put all his energy into this system. Constructed of aluminum for a light, sturdy construction, this rack system adds minimal weight to the drum for easier transport than previous models. The aluminum material also allows the case to vibrate more realistically – a nuanced way of saying 'the case can resonate without interference'.
Fitted on both sets of drums, both shells produce realistic sounds and powerful vibrations – the Tama articulation is amplified. The great thing about this device is that it is chrome plated to match other hardware and create a seamless, clean and professional aesthetic for any situation. Plus, the low profile, tighter setup, and more personalized combinations help you move easily from one drum to another.
One change between the two in their tom-mount design is the brackets. Starting with the Starclassic Walnut/Birch, they are equipped with Quick-Lock tom holders. Offering a new and innovative set-lock design also in aluminum, these stands maintain the lightweight body of the Starcast rack system.
What's innovative about these stands is the integrator lock. With a simple slide of a switch, the stand splits into two parts – set lock and tom stand – for a beautifully elegant design. With a rubber lining that further isolates the toms' resonance, the kit lock remains on the tom's arm or leg for precise and quick setup.
The main difference with Starclassic Performer is that the set key and bracket key are separate entities. Doing the same job as Quick-Lock, the aesthetic is a bit different. Adjustable with a standard drum key, these keys are universally useful and offer the same reliability and stability you'd expect from a set key. This feature is primarily intended for busy drummers who want to familiarize themselves with the time-tested feature.
On the StarClassic Walnut/Birch, you get extras that give it a premium feel and fit the price. Small details often go wrong, but features like air-cushioned tom feet that absorb drum vibrations help take this kit to the next level. Really helps isolate the drums, reduces stuffiness and increases durability – the small amount of air keeps all the sound in focus.
It also includes a Tom stand with swivel wings. Not only does it have all the grip functionality, but it also features 100 mm forward and backward movement. When combined with a Star-Cast system, your setup can be as tight or as far apart as you want. It adapts to your technique and the way your body moves, helping you get the most out of your setup.
Aesthetics of TAMA Drum Kits
This year, Tama will release both of these products with two brand new finishes. Let's take a look at the Starclassic Walnut/Birch first:
A beautiful finishing touch of Molten Blue Ice Fade. With chrome hardware too, this kit looks ice-cool with a fresh air about it. The great thing about the fade is that the chrome blends seamlessly with the lighter part of the case – great for those who want to keep the hardware looking minimalist.
Looking at the Performer, the finish matches the design and looks super cool – but it's blue instead. It's also surrounded by nice chrome hardware. And that natural bass drum rim detail really makes the set stand out.
Does blue ever go out of style? According to these beautiful drum sets, it's more powerful than ever.
SO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Overall, you won't be in a hurry to develop or fall out of love with either of these drum sets. Both have a gorgeous look that suits any situation, drawing admiring glances and approving nods from other drummers. The division of these two drums depends on the use case and that is decided by the owner.
If you primarily play live shows and are looking for projection, durability and versatility – Tama Performer has that for you. The flexible shell construction of Maple and Birch gives you the ultimate balance of tone and tuning, making it easy to switch between genres without changing the club.
Don't forget that the Performer's main goal is simplicity and practicality for working drummers who need first of all reliability and familiarity.
If you're a studio player who spends time tweaking, discovering and creating the best sound for a piece of music, then the Starclassic Walnut/Birch will suit you. Made for recording, the shell delivers a rich, warm and powerful sound that makes one want to record and play it over and over again. With a natural tendency to be deep and powerful, Walnut/Birch includes hardware that helps accentuate these features and bring out the sound you pay for.
With these two drum sets for different arenas, they can still join the others without any problem. It's all about preference and personal choice with drums. As always, you should try and play the drums live to see if they match the sound in your head.
Both are high-quality drum kits from a high-end manufacturer with years of experience, which really goes on in both models.
When people use Tama, they are often immediately impressed by their sound and uniqueness. This is what all Tama fans love about their drums – they all have a distinct personality that only Tama can create. These two drum sets are no exception. Can they help start your Tama journey?…
See more:
How to Choose Drumsticks By Type, Size, Weight
10 Questions To Ask Before Buying Your First Drum Kit
10 Best Drum Kits For Beginners
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