Tama Superstar SL Hyper Drive 6-Piece Drum Kit Blue Metallic Fade

The Tama Superstar Superstar SL Hyper Drive 6-Piece Drum Kit breaks through the price barrier and delivers the goods-all the sound and all the quality, features, looks and attitude you ever dreamed of.How often have you imagined the drums you'd like to play? The sound. The professional hardware. The finish gleaming in the spotlights. Then you wake up and see what you can really afford. Kind of an unwelcome reality check-unless you've seen and played Tama Superstar. Superstar has all the killer looks and in-your-face attitude you expect from a pro rock set. But Superstar is more than just attitude.Tama Superstar drums provide all the power, projection, and durability you expect from a professional kit, but at a price that's much less than the traditional intermediate set. Tama's highest priority feature when developing the new Superstar series was sound. Superstar shells use birch for the main inner plies for strong projection and aggressive open sound. To enhance Superstar's great looks, basswood-with its excellent consistency and regular grain patterns-is utilized for the inner plies on all Superstar shells. Precisely cut bearing edges bring out the great response and powerful resonance of these superbly crafted shells. Bass drum shells are made from 7 plies of 7mm basswood; toms and snare drum are made from 6 plies of 6mm basswood.No other drum embodies pro features at an affordable price like Superstar. In a first for this price range, Superstar is equipped with the same zinc die-cast hoops featured on Starclassic drums. Die-cast hoops not only make tuning easier and more consistent, they also provide crisp attack, clear and resonant highs, and much more powerful rim shots.All Superstar rack toms are fitted with the same Star-Cast Mounting System as Starclassic drums. This unique system offers total tom isolation and unhindered shell resonance without the adverse effect on tuning or complicated head changes found in less advanced suspension designs.The Sound Bridge high-tension, low-mass lug was specifically designed for Superstar. Sound Bridge's unique structure looks much like a traditional high-tension lug, but the body of the lug "floats" over the shell to minimize shell contact so the drum can resonate to its fullest. However, Sound Bridge still offers all the benefits of the traditional high-tension lug: it offsets the tension of the batter side and bottom side heads, reduces the stress on the shell, and provides greater protection to the drum shell during transport.All Superstar "Power Craft" drum heads ensure a great sound practically right out of the box. Batter-side heads are made of Dupont Mylar film for richer tone and greater durability. Ring mufflers on bass drum heads remove the need for extra internal muffling.All Superstar kits come standard with upgraded Roadpro cymbal stands. The toothless Quick-Set cymbal tilter lets you adjust the angle freely and get the right position.

Rating:
Great entry set. Toms are mounted off the bass drum, sturdy hardware and finish is beautiful. You get a lot of drum for the money on this kit. Available in a couple of different colorways: Custom Scarlet Fade and Blue Metallic Fade. Change out the stock heads to get a better sound.

Tama Starclassic Maple 4-Piece Shell Pack with Black Nickel Hardware Supernova Sparkle

Tama ignited a thin-shell revolution with their Starclassic drums. This basic 4-piece Starclassic drum shell configuration provides a perfect foundation for creating everything from hard-driving rock to serpentine funk grooves. This Starclassic Maple kit includes a 22" x 18" bass drum, 10" x 8" and 12" x 9" mounted toms, a 16" x 14" floor tom, and black nickel-plated hardware.Shells For the optimum transfer of vibrations from head to shell, a thinner shell is better. However, less thickness often equals less strength. Instead of simply making thinner drum shells by using fewer plies, Tama slims down each ply and then cross-laminates them into a 6-ply 5mm-thick shell (7-ply 7mm bass drum). This combination results in a thinner shell that's actually stronger than others of greater thickness. Starclassic shells utilize maple, the most popular shell material today because of its warm clear sound.Minimum Shell Contact From the Star-Cast Mounting System to the single small lugs, every aspect of Starclassic was designed to accord with Tama's ideal of the bare-minimum of shell contact. Instead of metal badges riveted to the shell, Starclassic utilizes a maple airhole cap and a logo that is imprinted onto the shell before the final finish is applied. These features also contribute to Starclassic's rich, timeless appearance.Star-Cast Mounting System The Star-Cast Mounting System has always provided maximum resonance and stability for TAMA's pro-drums. Now TAMA has improved it. A new streamlined designed makes it easier to position toms closer together for greater ease and comfort than ever before. In addition, a switch to aluminum provides lighter weight and even truer tonal vibration. Last, but not least, Star-Cast is now plated to match your drum's shell hardware!Die-Cast Hoops Hoops not only affect drum tuning they also affect drum sound. That's why the choice of hoops was so important to the designers of Tama's professional drum lines. For Tama's Starclassic Maple, Tama chose zinc die-cast hoops, which are manufactured by injecting molten metal into molds. Die-cast hoops have more density and are more consistent in shape than triple-flanged hoops, which are manufactured by bending metal plates. Die-cast hoops make tuning more consistent and easier to achieve because the tension bolts always contact the hoop properly. Drums fitted with die-cast hoops also offer crisper attack, clear and resonant highs, and much more powerful rim shots.Claw Hooks Starclassic's claw hooks feature rubber spacers that help protect wood hoops from damage. The hooks and hoops work as one unit and won't separate or rattle, even on loose tunings.Bass Drum Spur Bracket Tama's MSB30 die-cast bracket holds the spur bracket securely, thanks to the same powerful hinge mechanism used on the MTB30 mounting bracket.Unique memory markers found on the folding spur bracket help simplify set up.

Rating:
I don’t have experience with this kit or very many Tama kits, but wanted to place it here anyway. It’s a great find. High Quality Kit with great looking black hardware. Sparkle finish looks beautiful. Comes with Evans G2 heads. Minimal shell contact, which is always a good thing…

Pearl Vision VLX 5-Piece Fusion Drum Set Review

The Pearl Vision Series 5-Piece VLX Fusion Drum Set features birch-ply shells with 6-ply 7.5mm-thick rack toms and 8-ply 10mm-thick floor toms and bass drums. Inspired by Pearl's Masterworks and Reference Series, the thicker floor tom and bass drum shells deliver high-energy power and punch while the thinner rack toms offer incredible sensitivity and tone to give Vision the widest dynamic range with unmatched musicality. Nothing short of Pearl's Reference Series is anywhere close to matching the Vision's sound.Two-ply ProTone batter heads are standard on toms for super-easy tuning and full, rich sound. Pearl's Perimeter EQ heads give the Vision bass drum great tone with just the right amount of muffling, virtually out-of-the-box.The Vision Drum Set's newly designed lugs are inspired by the Reference Series and include precision-machined brass swivel nuts with zero play for smooth and pinpoint tuning. The bass drum claws are die cast and feature a rubber lining to protect the beautiful finish on the Vision's all-wood hoops.Vision bass drums feature Pearl's new BB-300 bridge-style bass bracket for minimum shell contact and maximum resonance. I.S.S. suspension tom holders with Pearl's newly designed BT-300 tom brackets are standard on Vision rack toms for maximum sustain and projection. TH-900 tom arms are infinitely adjustable for micro-fine tom angles and placement. The Stop-Locks are hinged so they can be reversed while keeping the toms attached. BSP-300 spurs feature a fold away design for easy setup and transport, telescopic height adjustment, and spike/rubber tips for slip resistance.The floor toms feature Pearl's "Reference-inspired" FTB-200 leg brackets with an extra-large hinged clamping surface for non-slip security. The matching FTL-200 legs are smooth for easy adjustments and removal and feature Pearl's patented Air Suspension feet for maximum resonance and sustain.The Vision Series features Pearl's beautifully chrome-plated beaded steel 5-1/2" x 14" SensiTone snare drum with Pearl's SR-900 Dual-Motion strainer that can be converted from side lever action to Gladstone-type front lever action as desired. The SensiTone lives up to its name with super sensitivity and superb tone, projection, and dynamic range.The Vision Series is available in lacquer and covered versions. The VLX features beautiful super high-gloss grain-through lacquer finishes in fade patterns with matching bass drum hoops.The Vision Series is equipped with 900 Series hardware with features and quality unavailable by others in this class. All 900 Series tripods feature Pearl's parallel Sure-Struts that resist lateral twisting and the inherent squeaks that may result from it for improved stability and super quiet performance in studio applications. The pipe joints share the same "family look" as Pearl's Advanced Hardware Systems stands and feature a vise-type clamping system.

Rating:
Great entry level set that incorporates Pearl’s high standards for quality. If budget is a concern, you can’t go wrong with this drum kit.

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Pearl Masters Custom MCX927SP 7-Piece Shell Pack

The Pearl Masters Custom MCX927SP is a 7-piece drum shell pack appointed with pro level features, great tonal qualities, and sophisticated looks. It features 100% maple drum shells that offer increased power and great projection. The Pearl MCX drum shells’ warm full-bodied tone offers great sensitivity and sustain.

Lugs and Hoops
Pearl Drums bridge-style lugs are designed not to restrict resonance throughout the drum shell, which produces great tonal characteristics. The Pearl MasterCast die-cast hoops give’s the player reliability due to their strength and quality. Pearl drum hardware also features standard Masters OptiMount, spurs, and floor tom bracket/legs, and steel tension rods.

(SST) Superior Shell Technology
Pearl Masters Custom Series features Pearl’s SST construction process that uses extreme heat, precision cut scarf joints, Pearl’s proprietary Acoustiglue and over 1000 lb. of hydraulic pressure to create the ultimate acoustic air chamber.

Note: Cymbals and hardware not included.

Pearl's exclusive SST Superior Shell Technology. OptiMount Suspension System. Bridge Type Masters Lugs. Masters Bass Drum Spurs, Claws and Bridge Leg Brackets. MasterCast Die-Cast Hoops (toms, floor toms). Standard Steel Tension Bolts. PowerStroke 3 Ebony Bass Drum Head (in front). Sizes:. 22" x 18" bass drum. 8" x 7" mounted tom. 10" x 8" mounted tom. 12" x 9" mounted tom. 14" x 14" floor tom. 16" x 16" floor tom. 14" x 6-1/2" snare drum.

Rating:
This is Peal’s flagship drum set line up. There’s the standard version which is the Custom listed here and the Premium which is made to order…takes about four to six months. Pearl doesn’t cut any corners with this kit. Pearl kits offer great construction and handcrafted high quality componentry. I love the sound of Pearl kits. They’ve been in the business a long time and have been able to create quality, almost custom, looking drum kits. I personally play Pearl. I love their hardware, the finish on the shells and the sound.

Yamaha Stage Custom Nouveau 5 Piece Fusion Drum Set

The Yamaha Stage Custom Nouveau 5-Piece Fusion Drum Set is a great set for many types of drumming genres . The shells are high quality, and the kit includes Nouveau lugs that are attached to the shell by fiber-reinforced composite bolts at 2 points by a unique floating design that reduces vibration damping. Rack toms are Yamaha’s Enhanced Sustain System (YESS) mounting system that allows attachment of the drum to the tom holder without the need of a hole in the drum shell for the rod to pass through. Good stuff for keeping the sound truer. The ball-clamp triple tom holder gives total freedom in positioning and superior stability. The bass drum includes matching wood hoops and heavy duty hexagonal bass drum spurs.

Set Includes: wood snare with Nouveau lugs. 8-ply birch (outer ply), Philippine mahogany, and falkata shell. YESS tom mounts on all toms. Air Seal System shells. 1.6mm triple-flange steel hoops. Nouveau lug design. Matching wood bass hoops. Sturdy hexagonal bass spurs. 22" x 17" bass drum. 10" x 8" and 12" x 9" toms. 16" x 16" floor tom. 5-1/2" x 14" wood snare. 2-CS745 cymbal holders. HS740 hi-hat stand. SS740 snare stand. FP7210 bass" pedal. TH945A tom holder.

Rating:
Yamaha makes quality drumsets and have been doing it for a long time. They create many orchestra instruments as well and you can tell they keep quality running at maximum on all of the different lines of instruments. I’ve played on Yamahas before and love the sound of these drumsets. They have great attack and resonate very well. The shells are very strong. This particular set is a good introductory set for the first time player as well as a seasoned vet. The natural wood is a thing of beauty on Yamaha instruments and drums.