New Kit - "damage"

[drumsdb]

So after a very long absence from being a active member here, I have decided to come back and seek advice / thoughts from you kind folks.

 

I just bought a new Starclassic b/b kit from an vendor online. (Actually, it's a brick and morter store in another state with online sales). Last night, while setting it up, I found a pretty hefty chunk/dent in the inner plys of the bass drum. (I couldn't get a great picture last night, I will try to get a better one today).

 

Like most drum companies, Tama ships the kits (2 rack toms, 2 floors and a bass - FYI) with some drums nested inside the bass drum. The packaging was all in tact when I received it, but there is still what I consider damage.

 

I know overall it wont affect the sound greatly and I got a KILLER deal on the kit since it's a discontinued finish. However, I'm kind of under the opinion it shouldn't be this damaged and I'm very disturbed by it. It may also KILL the resale value.

 

As most drum companies ship there drums nested, has anyone seen this or had experience with this sort of problems. I emailed the dealer last night to see what they suggest. Any thoughts here??

[lfol2012]

When i ordered a performer b/b kit about a year ago it arrived damaged as well. I blame UPS. I had a lig on the bd protrude throught the box and got all skuffed up. and a rim on a tom was bent slightly. I called the shop i ordered from and they called tama and fixed me right up. Just call them and let them know about it ASAP. That wasnt the only problem though, I ordered all the shells as add ons because they didnt have the config. i wanted in a pack and they sent me two of the same tom. Agin i called them and they fixed me right up. Just a pain in the ass is all. oh ya and the heads are crap, ec2 over ec reso's kicks ass on these drums IMO. What color did you get by the way??

[lfol2012]

oh ya and one of the two toms they sent of the same size was out of round. i forgot about that, thank god they f'ed up and sent me a replacement right off the bat, lol

[lfol2012]

I think UPS just throws any thing that says Tama around, THe bass drum boxes are heavy like you said shell inside shells. Looks like a lug ding to me, look close at the lugs of the shells you took out of the bass, Also was the shells factory shiped/packed, or did the shop re-pack them???i would ask them that too.

[drumtechdad]

Honestly, I don't see what the big deal is. Dent is small and on the inside. I don't see why it would "KILL" resale value, but perhaps LFG or someone similarly experienced with buying and selling will chime in.

 

You got a "KILLER" price on a discontinued color--may be impossible to replace at this point, or a long, long wait.

 

I say don't sweat it and play the {censored} out of them. If it were a bearing edge or a gouge in the visible finish it would be another story.

[drumsdb]

Thanks all for the replies...

 

lfol2012 -

 

* The color is Antique White Sparkle. Though I'm not normally a fan of white drums, this kit looks killer. One day I may order the black nickle hardware and really make it pop.

* I agree it looks like a lug ding. But when you see a more clear picture.. it is NOT a dent. In person - you can see a full chunk out of the plys. In short... I can see the birch through the bubinga plies. That's why I want to share a better picture. The good news is, I don't think it is UPS because everything looks great otherwise.

* I am really glad to hear that you had a good experience with Customer Service @ your store / Tama. I've heard Tama CS leaves a lot to be desired.

**BTW - noticing your picture - you hear about the Soundgarden reunion!!!

 

DrumTechDad - I appreciate your insight too. That's why I was curious to see what people think. Honestly, like I mention above..it's not a dent like it appears in the picture. It's a full on break in the plys so that I can see the birch. Otherwise I may agree with you. (In some ways I still may).

 

You're right though... i am worried about the time it may take to replace the drum since it's a discontinued color.

[marko46]

Use some BB wood filler amd sand lightly w/ the grain

[JMR]

if it sounds right and the damage isn't visually detractive, then why bother? I'd be pissed too, but since it's discontinued...

[piersonm]

Don't do anything to it and don't worry about the resale value. Unless its a mint condition Ludwig in Mod Orange or some other 'collector' set most (notice I said most) people arent' going to check the inside of the drum.

 

I hate to say out of sight, out of mind seeing so you just bought the set new, but it could be something that is exterior or changes the timbre of the shell.

 

Everyone together, "always look on the bright side of life!"

[drumsdb]

 

Don't do anything to it and don't worry about the resale value. Unless its a mint condition Ludwig in Mod Orange or some other 'collector' set most (notice I said most) people arent' going to check the inside of the drum. I hate to say out of sight, out of mind seeing so you just bought the set new, but it could be something that is exterior or changes the timbre of the shell.

 

 

That's not a bad suggestion, but I would assume a big chunk out of the 4 inner plys WOULD change the timbre of the shell. Plus, I would be worried about the crack running after more usage and "tearing" or running through the plies.

 

(I think if I leave it as is, marko46 is right and the wood putty and gentle sanding is the best idea. That is what I would do if this were a used set or I was restoring something).

[drumtechdad]

Hey well, do what you like, friend, but if you think you could hear that "big chunk" in the shell compared with a pristine one then you can hear the grass grow, too.

 

Hope you don't have to wait 9 months for a replacement . . .

[rayboomboom]

My 2 cents:

if you fill it with wood putty, I would maybe put a bit of wood glue, evenly, around the inside perimeter of the "whole" to keep it from cracking further. Then fill it with wood putty and sand. Might be over kill, but I'd hate to see the inside veneer start to crack over many years of playing.

[zildjian@consol]

If the wood chip broke off in shipping you would have wood fragments in the box somewhere, If not then it happined before shipping , it's your call on what your going to do.

[the DW]

Looked at the photo. That ding is not worth mentioning. I'd bet money that it won't affect the sound, and it won't spread. The nature of multi-ply construction prevents that.

 

You got a good deal on them? Don't complain. Enjoy your new drums!

 

[twosticks]

 

Looked at the photo. That ding is not worth mentioning. I'd bet money that it won't affect the sound, and it won't spread. The nature of multi-ply construction prevents that. You got a good deal on them? Don't complain. Enjoy your new drums!

 

 

You said: it's a big ding and it goes through the plies AND that the pic doesn't show it right. You also said you have e-mailed the dealer. You also asked for any thoughts and mine are:

 

1) Don't mess with anything and see what the dealer can or will do first. then go from there. Discontinued may mean no more no way or a very long wait so be aware of that.

2.) take a better picture so that we can all can can get a better idea of what kind of ding it really is.

3) If you're stuck with it, then maybe fill it in and sand it, whatever you want to do

 

Otherwise I would agree with DW in that in the pic it looks very small and minor and if that is truly the case then I would agree with DW and DTD and say " Enjoy the deal, fix the drums the best way that makes you feel better and play them like you like 'em" hope this helps and enjoy the new drums!

[drumsdb]

So here's the deal thus far. I called the vendor and they said of course they would help if I could get them better pictures. I have sent the attached which show the "ding" much more clearly. However, they haven't confirmed if they received the pictures or even said what they expect to do...so I'm a little nervous.

 

Anyway, I'm curious if better pictures change public opinion. (I don't think it will).

[lfol2012]

ouch....that sucks dude. I would just play them and keep your expectations low for them to do anything about it. Shouldnt affect the sound on a bd.

[manoeuver]

find some matching wood putty if it bugs you that much. patch it and forget it.

 

its a drag the ding's in there but hardly worth obsessing over, especially if you got a killer deal on the drums.

 

You should be more worried about playing the {censored} out of them than you are about the resale value.

[zildjian@consol]

 

find some matching wood putty if it bugs you that much. patch it and forget it. its a drag the ding's in there but hardly worth obsessing over, especially if you got a killer deal on the drums. You should be more worried about playing the {censored} out of them than you are about the resale value.

 

^this ^

[drumtechdad]

 

find some matching wood putty if it bugs you that much. patch it and forget it. its a drag the ding's in there but hardly worth obsessing over, especially if you got a killer deal on the drums. You should be more worried about playing the {censored} out of them than you are about the resale value.

 

 

Amen. Look at the screw heads; that's a tiny little ding. Sucks, but no one's gonna see it, no one (including you) is gonna hear it. The shell isn't gonna fall apart.

 

Sure would suck if you got the dealer to take it back, you waited nine months for a replacement, and it came with an even bigger ding . . .

 

Perspective.

[Jarick]

I had the same thing happen to my kick drum when it showed up. It was about a 1/2" dent in the inner ply. I set it up and it tuned up fine so I didn't care.

 

Return it if it's a big deal, otherwise rock out. Drum kits get banged up eventually.

[whitford0]

you've just bought them brand new and even if you did get a ''killer deal'' i would do my best to sort it, its still a lot of money to be spent on damaged goods. You wouldn't accept a brand new car with the tiniest ding on it.

 

But if they won't replace it just putty it and play. That chip could spread but i doubt it. Enjoy!

[Enigmatic]

Aww...man this sux.

 

How big is the ding? Can you put a quarter or penny beside it and take a picture? It would help those who view the pictures only..

 

 

Either ways...if this kit is new, you should replace it.

 

A ding like this will automatically qualify this as a blemished item. Try a get a deal if possible.

 

Good luck.

[the DW]

Let's put it this way:

 

The finish is discontinued. Let's say they are super cool about it, and are willing to make a new kick for you, but you'll have to wait since it would be a one-off drum. After six months, you finally get your replacement. You open the box in anticipation, only to find that while the drum is undamaged, the finish is a little different than the rest of the kit that was made a couple of years ago. (yes, it probably was at LEAST that long)

 

That small difference in finish color is going to be WAAAY more noticeable than that little 1/2" dent on the inside of your existing kick.

 

Get the picture?

 

Your choice, but I'd say be happy and remember: It's not the drums, it's the player that matters!

[drumsdb]

Thanks all for the input. It's funny to me that people seem to be voicing both sides of my brain. That's probably why i am/was having a hard deciding what to do. FYI - the dent/ding/gash is just slightly smaller than a quarter.

 

Here's what I've decided is my plan of action:

 

1) I already called the Dealer to see what they can do. They said of course they would call Tama and get it sorted out. (However, that was 2 days ago and I haven't heard anything back or confirming they got the pictures).

 

2) If they (Tama) can replace the drum...I'll ask to see if I can use this on (as is) until the replacement arrives. If so... no problems and this is where the story ends. If I can't use the current, then I ask what I'm supposed to do with it... and move from there.

 

** I should note at this point, that outside of music, I'm an operations specialist...and the next 2 points utilize that knowledge. Oh, and because of my education/experience as an operations engineer that i know theDW's timeline about production and finish timelines is probably dead on**

 

3) If they can't get the bass drum replaced, then request a credit from the vendor of some sort (money or goods) to account for the fact that they did not advertise the item as blemished. Then putty and sand the hole and rock out. (I already bought a dark walnut wood putty that matches the bubinga decently). The vendor can ship out Tama hardware on behalf of Tama as customer service and Tama should replace the inventory at no cost. This is probably the overall best option. This is what I would suggest if I was at Tama**

 

4) If Tama wants to help, but can't get or produce a bass drum in that color in a timely manner...they should offer a stock color and replace the whole kit. This would also be a fairly cheap option for Tama overall...though it would probably cost me a bit in return shipping.

 

5) If the dealer wont help or refuse to (or just don't) contact the Tama and don't respond to me...I'll file a claim with Amex for a credit or full amount credit. That often forces a response from the vendor. If they don't respond Amex may refund a full or partial amount and rarely takes back the product. Gotta love Amex!

 

Thanks for everyone's input. Feel free to blast my plan of action now.