TAMA STARCLASSIC BUBINGA KIT

EXCLUSIVE
TAMA STARCLASSIC BUBINGA KIT
virtues for which bubinga is acclaimed – sharp,
cleaving attack backed up by a profoundly fat
note. It’s as though any mid-frequencies have
simply been removed, as they cut through
effortlessly whilst at the same time sounding
decadently rich. The fi tted Evans G2 twin-ply
batter heads would certainly help fl esh out the
sound and encourage deeper harmonics, but
this would normally be at the expense of
higher frequencies. The amount of attack on
tap meant that even at lower tunings the toms
still scythed through the backline. The die-cast
hoops no doubt played a part, as they tend to
instil a tightness in the sound. This was
especially noticeable on the fl oor toms, where
slackened heads can sometimes result in
fl abby rumblings. Here though, were terse
knots of power delivered with uppercut speed.
Verdict
Tama’s reputation suggests that it would never
rush into a decision and a great deal of
preparation has clearly taken place before the
transferral of the production of one of its
fl agship lines to China. This kit bears all of
Tama’s hallmarks – solid build, quality
components and careful detailing. It has the
looks, feel and sound of a fully-fl edged pro kit
– just like the more expensive kit it replaces.
Everyone who encountered the kit while it was
in my custody was impressed and many of
them didn’t care where it was manufactured –
they just liked the sound it made.
Rating ✪✪✪✪✪
die-cast hoops and the top hoop of each drum
is embossed with a tribal graphic. Die-cast
hoops are heavier than regular hoops but do
promise more consistent tuning. The shape
and sheer bulk of die-cast hoops affects the
sound too, adding crispness and giving extra
power to rimshots.
The hoops are, like almost every piece of
shell hardware on the kit, coated with black
nickel. Available at no extra cost, the coating
adds a smoky sheen to the kit’s appearance.
This kind of visual statement only works when
applied uniformly and Tama is spot on here as
the lugs, badge, tom suspension mounts, fl oor
tom legs, bass drum spurs and even the
tension rods all share the coating.
The hoops also contain three extra eyes
into which the Star-Cast suspension mounts
are threaded. The beauty of this design is that
the mounts are attached directly to the hoops,
independently from the tension rods. Head
changes are thus swiftly accomplished without
the usual distraction of having to get the
mounts, lugs and tension rods in alignment.
As if to counter the weight of the bubinga
shells and die-cast hoops, the Star-Cast
mounts are made from aluminium, ensuring
minimum gain.
The huge claw hooks on the bass drum
have rubber washers that Tama claims will
prevent them from rattling loose, so
preventing any damage to the wooden hoops.
Extra protection comes in the form of the thick
rubber gaskets that line the inside of the claws
where they grip the hoop. The bass drum’s
spur mechanism resembles a precision
instrument, with a series of evenly-spaced
notches on each side, while the fl oor tom legs
feature air chambers in the rubber feet in
order to create a cushion that prevents
vibrations from dissipating into the fl oor.
Hands On
Considering its prodigious length and undrilled
shell, the bass drum was only ever going to
give a deep and powerful response. The way it
anchored every stroke, beat and accent was
still nothing short of wonderful. Each touch of
the pedal brought a thunderous wallop that
planted itself at the heart of the proceedings.
With no dampening it was surprisingly dry,
no doubt an infl uence of Tama’s calfskin-style
front head. The sound was resonant, unstifl ed
and yet controlled, and led into a perfectly-
timed natural decay. The toms made equally
good company, giving a showcase of the
86 RHYTHM MAY 2010
ESSENTIAL SPEC
TRY IT WITH...
EYE-CATCHING
Silver Snow Racing Stripe is one of nine all-new lacquer
fi nishes available.
ALL-BUBINGA
shells respond with brilliant attack followed by a deep,
warm note.
BLACK NICKEL-PLATED
hardware is optional and gives the drum kit extra
visual impact.
This kit bears all of
Tama’s hallmarks –
solid build, quality
components and
careful detailing
A MATCHING
Starclassic Bubinga snare for
the complete bubinga
experience .
A SMALL VAN
or at least an estate car to
transport the 22"x20" bass
drum to your gig.
A SET OF
Tama 700 Series Road
Pro stands for maximum
stability for your kit.
PRICE
Tama Starclassic
Bubinga shell pack kit,
£2,799
SHELL MATERIAL
Bubinga
CONSTRUCTION
METHOD
Ply (nine plies)
BEARING EDGES
45° with a slight
rounding off
FINISHES
AVAILABLE
Piano Black, Blue
Sparkle Racing Stripe,
Black Silver Racing
Stripe, Silver Snow
Racing Stripe (as
pictured), Vintage Gold
Sparkle, Red Sparkle
Burst, Dark Stardust
Burst, Indigo Sparkle
Burst, Deep Forest
Burst, Red Mahogany
Burst
HOOPS
Zinc die-cast
SHELL
AVAILABILITY
Bass drums: 18", 20",
22" & 24" diameters;
toms: 8", 10", 13", 14"
& 16" diameters; floor
toms: 14", 16" & 18"
diameters
SUPPLIED HEADS
Bass drum: Evans
Genera EQ4 clear
batter, Tama front
head; toms and floor
toms: Evans Genera G2
clear batter heads &
Evans Genera G1 clear
resonant heads
CONTACT
Headstock Distribution
Steelpark Road
Coombswood Business
Park
Halesowen
West Midlands
B62 8HD
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.tama.com
RHY176.gear_tama 86 23/3/10 6:36:30 pm