About Starclassic Maple

In the '80s TAMA's Superstar and Imperialstars reigned supreme—the perfect drums for the times. But TAMA's builders and designers wanted something that transcended trends, something timeless—drums that "understood" a player's passion and allowed the expression of every genre, style, mood, and technique. They created Starclassic Maple…and ignited the thin-shell revolution.

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 shells by using fewer plies, Tama slims down each ply and then cross laminates them into a 6 ply 5mm thick shell (7ply 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.

Back in the 50s and 60s, most drums were built with reinforcement rings to maintain shell roundness, strength and durability. Drummers had little choice whether they liked the muting effects of the rings or not. However, Tama's advanced manufacturing techniques produce drum shells so strong they don't require reinforcement rings. Many players like the wide open sound of Starclassic drums without rings, while some players still prefer the sound, attack and feel of drums with reinforcement rings. Tama offers the Sound Focus Rings as one of the many Starclassic Maple options.

From the Star-Cast Mounting System to the single small lugs, every aspect of Starclassic was designed to accord with the 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.

The Star-Cast Mounting System has always provided maximum resonance and stability for TAMA's pro-drums. Now we've 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!

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 our Starclassic Maple, we 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.

Evans® drum heads are featured on all Starclassic Maple drums (except bass drum front heads). On the rack and floor toms, Genera G2 2-ply clear batter heads and Genera G1 1-ply clear bottom heads provide both durability and solid sound. Starclassic bass drums are fitted with Genera EQ4 clear batter heads.

When selecting professional drums, you want an appearance as distinctive as the sound. Starclassic Maple now offers the choice of shell hardware finished in Chrome, Brushed Nickel Plated, the new Black Nickel Plated.

What Do I Get For My Money

Starclassic Maple drums are available in 3 shell pack configurations or as individual shells allowing you to build your perfect set of drums in the sizes you want to play.

The price of Starclssic Maple individual drums do not include any tom arms which need to be purchased separately.

If you would like a quote for a Starclassic drum kit please contact us with a list of the shell sizes you would like (see below for available sizes)

It is worth bearing in mind that although there is normally a limited stock of Starclassic Maple drums available for immediate purchase, most kits would be Special Order, made exclusively for the customer and shipped from Japan, taking between 4 - 6 months

Available Sizes

Shell Packs

Fusion 1 - 22"x18" bass drum, 10"x08", 12"x09", 14"x11" rack toms (tom holders not included)

Fusion 2 - 22" x18" bass drum, 10"x08" & 12"x09" rack toms, 14"x12" floor tom (tom holders not included)

American Fusion - 22"x18" bass drum, 10"x08" & 12"x09" rack toms, 16"x14" floor tom (tom holders not included)

Bass Drums

18"x14", 18"x15", 18"x16"
20"x14", 20"x16", 20"x17", 20"x18"
22"x14", 22"x16", 22"x17", 22"x18"
24"x14", 24"x16", 24"x17", 24"x18"
26"x14", 26"x16"

Floor Toms

14"x12", 14"x13", 14"x14"
15"x13", 15"x14", 15"x15"
16"x14", 16"x15", 16"x16"
18"x14", 18"x15", 18"x16"

Rack Toms

08"x06", 08"x07", 08"x08"
10"x6.5", 10"x08", 10"x09", 10"x10"
12"x07", 12"x08", 12"x09", 12"x10", 12"x11"
13"x7.5", 13"x09", 13"x10", 13"x11", 13"x12"
14"x08", 14"x10", 14"x11", 14"x12", 14"x13"
15"x12", 15"x13", 15"x14"
16"x13", 16"x14", 16"x15"

Colour Options

Starclassic Maple drums are available in 14 colour options.

To view the available colours, click on the icons above.