DW vs. Tama Starclassic Maple

I'm trying to make a decision on a new drumset. Should I go to DW or should I go with Tama Starclassic Maple? Proce range $2,000-$3,000

I voted for the DWs. I don't own any nor have I ever played on any. BUT, from what I've seen (many more DW sets on TV and videos) heard (from Mick Fleetwood 10 yrs ago to many artist talking about DW sets) and read about (Many members on different forums talk about being happy with DW, especially the Kick, hardware and sound of the toms).

I remember the same being said about Tama in the 80's/90's. I know they are used by Metalicca, Police, and Billy Joel's drummers. To me both sets sounds like good sets. Just leaning towards the DWs because I have heard good about DW lately and nothing about Tamas lately. It also Seems hard to find Tama dealers lately around here.

I do have a basic DW kick pedal (4000) and it works great. Hope it helps...

Depends on what type of drum you are looking for.

If you like thin shelled maple in pretty much standard sizes and finish options with a high availability of replacement parts in the future, then the Tama would be the way to go.

If you want shells with reinforcement rings on the shells, and custom sizes and finishes with low availability of replacement parts, then DW would be the way to go.

I think it all comes down to who makes the shell like you like, in the finish that you want.

Another vote for DW. I've never owned any, but I played some in a band I used to be in. It was a 6 pc. in black oyster finish, and man, if I ever get the money to do it, that's where I'm putting it. Not necessarily in that finish, even though I wasn't complaining at the time.

Mick Fleetwood was on COKE!!! but hey, i voted DW too

I'm liking the response that I've gotten and I will definitely keep this in mind, but is there anybody on here that has actually played either of the two and has first hand experience? I know that DW is seen everywhere, but that doesn't mean that it's the best. A lot of people play Tama and Dan Hosteller said that if he were going to buy a new set he would go with Tama. I just want somebody that has played both or one of them and to tell me there opinion. I'm looking to buy a set between $2,000-$3,000.

Well, rockbeat said that he had played on DWs before. I guess you mean somebody that actually owns a set of DWs or Tamas.

Maybe there is a dealer in your town or close by where you can actually see and play the drums in person? I wouldn't buy a set that I hadn't seen in person or at least hadn't played that brand in person.

IMO a $2000-3000 DW -OR- Tama set is like asking if you like Lexus or Jaguar better. It depends on your personal taste as each one is a quality set. It depends on what you like.

My first set was a B-line Pearl set that I put better heads and hardware and it sounded good. The only thing you can't go B-line on is cymbals. The group "Boston" did the same thing. B-line set with great heads, cymbals, hardware. (look at the liner notes of "Third Stage")

Also did the same thing with a crappy reject set from the 70's a friend gave to me from his friends garage. Had a great "funk" sounding bass but the rest was okay. Worked great as a practice set though.

Even on the Yamaha Stage Customs I now have. Had to replace the heads and work on the tuning to get what I wanted. With the price range that you have, you will have a good set no matter what.

I have also seen friends or people I know have a great set and not know the right heads, how to play. cymbals etc and have it sound like junk.

Sorry this so long, but it comes down to knowing how to make a set your own and sound right. How to play it according to your taste/ style.

Pick what sounds right to YOU and the rest with follow...hope it helps.

PS. Mick was boozing and coking in the 70's/80's. gave it up a little before he changed from Ludwig to DWs. From what I know.

+1

On a tangent, every person that I know that bought a Jag falls into one of two groups. The guys going through the mid-life crisis, or the guys that have just made the first financially irresponsible choice in a series of bad choices that eventually end in bankruptcy.

Well, that kind of makes the decision for you. You may have a hard time finding a DW kit for $3000. Just the bass drum and three toms will run around that much - without any hardware! Yikes!

Hard to go wrong with Tama. They make a quality product, especially if you're gonna spend that kind of money.

If you have your heart set on DW, plan on spending around $4200 for complete kit with hardware (without cymbals).

....and yes, I LOVE MY DW's!!!

THanks dude. Yeah I was on there site setting up a custom kit with a kick, 1 rack tom and 2 floor toms and I was already at like 3,000 right there. When all was said and done the kit was like 3,700. I was just wanting to know what to look for. Don't want to waiste my time on something that isn't going to be there. Thanks dude.

Nice looking kit by the way. Good finish.

Dee dubs are awesome and I've owned one, but honestly I prefer the tone from my Pearl MMX kit which I got for 2K or 3K if you include the rack, and clamps etc. But no Dee dubs are great I love there Bass Drums, but I like the tone I get from Pearl Masters or Tama Starclassics (I owned the birch model though not maple).

Oddly enough, I switched from a Pearl Masters Custom (the predecessor to the MMX) to the DWs. I really liked the Pearl kit, but I found the DW's respond better at low volume. I do a lot of quiet gigs, so it made quite a difference for me.

On louder gigs, the Pearl's sounded awesome!

Thingfish: I can agree on your Jaguar/bankrupt thing. Was just trying to paint a good analogy while I'm tooting along with my Yamaha- Oldsmobile- Stage Customs! LOL

Sometimes I like to think what's now standard on my Yamahas was cutting edge when Steve Gadd played on Yammies back in the 70s/80s. LOL

For what's it's worth.....

Last set I purchased turned out to be DW, not by popularity or looks. I went to a pro drum shop and had them line up a 12" tom from Tama Starclassic, Ayotte, Yamaha, DW and Sonor. I tuned them to their fundamental note best I could (with their help). I then had the drum mounted on stands right next to each other. I stood back about 15 feet, turned around (so I couldn't see what drum was being played) and had the store guy play each drum until I settled on the sound I liked. For me, it was the DW that sounded best. It may seem like alot of work, but you are investing a significant amount of cash. The store should be willing to help you, or you need a new store to do business with. With the hardware, reliability and finish options being pretty much unlimited for most of the top brands, the only real choice is the sound you like, and that's how it should be anyway. Take your time and invest wisely. I don't think you can wrong either way, unless you are compromising you own ear for some other minor decision point. Good luck!

Although I have never owned a DW set, I have played a few at drum shops and I have no complaints about them. I myself have started to put together a maple starclassic in British racing green. So far I have a 22" kick and a 12" tom. These sound really really great.

The kick right now is being used without any muffling and I have a remo powerstroke 3 head on it. I use aquarian classic clears on my toms. I love the sound of them. I am currently looking for a floor tom to further the kit.