I have the exact same drumkit but with more shallow toms. They are from the mid eighties, probably 1984-1986.
Years Playing: *Invalid Years of Playing! Sex: Male Female Do you take lessons? Yes No If Yes, how long? Years *Invalid Number!
I'm thinking I'll just throw the complete set with cymbals and hardware on eBay and see what the market decides. Doug Doug, Your set is from the 90's not 80's the 80's drums would have the pointy lugs on them.Also by the tom size they look to be the power tom size 2' deeper.Not to much unique at all very common Tama set.if the cymbals are top of the line Zild's or something along these lines your set may sell for 600.00 to 700.00 on ebay.Mikey. Cubase pro 9.5 full version. I bet somebody in a Metalica tribute band would snap those up in a heartbeat.
Colour is Aspen White. Mine sound really good, better than all other I've heard in this price range, and definitely not to mix up with later and contemporary Swingstars, they are not at all as good I think. For further info, check out the archived catalogues.
When performers were a mix of basswood and birch (pre 1999), the accel sizes did not exist. Read my post above. I purchased my kit in December 2000. My serial numbers also start with 03 that means that my kit was made in 1993 according to the Tama formula. My kit came all boxed up. It just isn't possible that it was lying in the warehouse for 7 years and then was shipped to me. Like I said in the previous post, the Tama formula for determining the production date only works with Starclasic maple and not the performer.
When performers were a mix of basswood and birch (pre 1999), the accel sizes did not exist. Read my post above. I purchased my kit in December 2000. My serial numbers also start with 03 that means that my kit was made in 1993 according to the Tama formula.
Tama Swingstar 1980's Vintage Non-USA drums Vintage Snare Drums online is the place to ask your vintage drum question. Ask the Vintage Drum Experts your drumming questions. The largest online vintage drum museum on the planet. Vintage Drum History and Vintage Drum Museum. Oct 26, 2010 Tama is not like most drum companies. There is no information released on their site to account for their in house number system. That is why we were having a bit of fun with your thread. Yep.there was a 3-4 year span where tama put the year first 82-xxxxx, 83-xxxx, etc. Beyond those years, you can still determine approximate dates, but must use several clues to work it out. Superstars had limited runs in certain colors, sizes and hardware bits. So, usually, based upon color, sizes and mounts you can pin it down fairly close.
You may have to call Tama to find out specifically but if they are accel sizes, then you've got nothing to worry about becuase the acel sizes were introduced as part of the all birch upgrade. Hope this helps, let me know!!! Glad to see i'm not crazy!!! Thanx for the info.
I think i've seen photos of your kit and they do seem to be accel sizes. If they're not, it doesn't necessarily mean they're not all birch. You may have to call Tama to find out specifically but if they are accel sizes, then you've got nothing to worry about becuase the acel sizes were introduced as part of the all birch upgrade. Hope this helps, let me know!!! My god Andy!!!!!!!!!I had exactly the same terrifying fear about my Peformer becuase I purchased them in right at the end of 2000 and my serial numbers start with 03.
You can dig through there if you want to try and narrow it down.
I've seen broken lugs on Superstars and Imperialstars (well, everything from the 70s these days) and replacements aren't as easy to find as say, Ludwig Classic lugs or Slingerland lugs. But they are awesome drums. Very true about the superstar/imperialstar/fiberstar/lugs.Tama actually destroyed the molds,instead of forseeing the need for replacement parts. Ludwig on the other hand,has been using the virtually same, superclassic lug since 1948,and continues to do so today. The Crestars and Grandstars appeared around the same time,and used the same 8 ply 9mm shell, of all Japanese birch,but the grandstars were wrapped. Crestars were phased out in favor of Artstars/Grandstars. Superstars were at first 4 ply 6mm shells with re rings in the 9500 and 9600 series Then the 9700 series were 6 ply,9mm shells with no rerings.They also were all Japanese birch.
Any idea what they might be worth? I'm thinking I'll just throw the complete set with cymbals and hardware on eBay and see what the market decides.
I've heard that Swingstars from the 80s are unique in that they were made from mahogany with a layer of zola-coat, producing a better sound than newer Swingstars that are a bit cheaper quality and would be considered 'entry-level' kits. Would you say these drums have an 'aspen-white' finish? One of the drums is an Imperialstar, not sure what year that would be either, but I'll post a pic (just realized it's not really the best pic:S) in case anyone can tell from it. Any idea what they might be worth?
Can I Identify my Drum Set by Serial Number? I bought a tama superstar kit and wanted to know the exact one i purchased.(bought it used) is there a way i can run the serial #'s to get that info. No luck getting a hold of the Tama co.
Like I said in the previous post, the Tama formula for determining the production date only works with Starclasic maple and not the performer. Performers wer upgraded to all birch in February 1999. Originally posted by Drum Pimp Astro, If your kit is made up of accel sizes then it is definetely 100% birch.
Quick Company Guide: Ludwig Drum Company - Information Below Slingerland Drums - Rogers Drums - A few people are trying to create a guide, but the best way is the physical characteristics Leedy - Physical characteristics Gretsch - Physical characteristics Anyone left out - Physical characterisitics So if you finally made it to this point then you are almost there! Below you will find information for dating the serial numbers on Ludwig Drums. Here are some references you can use to date by serial number. The web site link is available so feel free to visit their web sites and learn more.
Does anybody know what wood was used in a Tama 1986 Swingstar SS8000 series drumset or 1986 Beatstar kits? These kits have a finished interior of natural wood, rather than the standard zola-coat? I have a swingstar badged kit that is identical to the 1986 Tama Beatstar de luxe kit, while the 1986 SS8000 swingstar kit has the words Tama printed down the lenghth of each drum in huge letters, which my kit does not have? But is identical in every other way? Never seen a beer keg used as a floor tom before.
I think Lars Ulrich had a kit similar to that in the early 90's Good Luck with them Good call! Lars did play a white Tama double-bass kit in the early 90s. It wasn't a Swingstar--he had his own signature line--but for a tribute band, this would be close enough. I had a white Swingstar kit before I got my Gretsch set. It definitely wasn't a pro-quality kit, but it was a step up from the MIT kit that I started out with, and it served me well as a beginner.
Lars played Granstars. Ok, they are not 90's that would have been the Rockstar series. This is a 1984/85 swingstar in the Xtras sizes. Aspen white, red badges 8x8,9x10,11x12,12x13,toms 16x16,16x18 floortoms 16x22 kicks. It is an introductory kit, made in Japan. These were FAR superior to most starter sets of the day.
I believe performers weren't all birch until 1999. So does this mean my drums are actually birch/poplar and not all birch?
The serial numbers on Tama drums of that era were for insurance purposes only and do not relate to a date of manufacture. Mid to late 1980’s. Solid Lacquer finishes Piano Black, Piano White and Candy Apple Red were introduced to the Tama Superstar line in 1985. In late 1986, the Tama Crestar line (soon to be changed to Granstar) replaced the Superstars. However, the Superstars were still available for a couple of years after that.
The serial numbers on Tama drums of that era were for insurance purposes only and do not relate to a date of manufacture.Thanks for the info! Would it be safe to say that my finish is Candy Apple Red? I have read there was also another dark red offered in Supes, but I can't find any good pics of either one. I found several pics of Neil Peart's CAR set, but I recall reading that his finish was custom, before CAR was an option. Did the Crestar become Granstars? I thought they were introduced at the same time?
Chill man, We were just kidding, Tama is not like most drum companies. There is no information released on their site to account for their in house number system. That is why we were having a bit of fun with your thread. Tama is a small part of a large diversified corporation that doesn't do a good job of communicating with the owners of their products. As a matter of fact, They are down right cold when it comes to customer relations.
Years *Invalid Number! This purchase is for: Myself My son My daughter A relative A friend Other This purchase is: My first (beginner) An upgrade A replacement A backup Musical Status: Beginner Student Advanced Professional What kind of music do you play?: Rock Country Jazz Metal RBSoul Religious Pop Blues Other: Where did you first learn about this product?: Magazine Ad: Which magazine?
The Crestars and Grandstars appeared around the same time,and used the same 8 ply 9mm shell, of all Japanese birch,but the grandstars were wrapped. Crestars were phased out in favor of Artstars/Grandstars. Superstars were at first 4 ply 6mm shells with re rings in the 9500 and 9600 series Then the 9700 series were 6 ply,9mm shells with no rerings.They also were all Japanese birch. I also agree that any of Tamas top shelf drums,can certainly,hold their own with any modern mass produced,and even some custom made kits today.,especially the metal snare drums.:):) I'm sure there's at least one individual, that will disagree with that. Steve B Actually, I guess they started to produce Granstars that weren't wrapped. I had Granstars (maybe Granstar Custom?) and that was a lacquered finished. Gaudy 80s color scheme lacquered finish, but lacquered;).