Tama vs Pearl Intro Level Kits

Hi.

I'm just looking for some opinions about the quality of the into level kits currently offered by Tama and Pearl. Specifically the Tama Swingstar and the Pearl Forum series. I'm considering purchasing a kit again after about 15 years of drumming celebacy and would appreciate some feedback.

Thanks in advance.

Not bad, but the extra money you'd spend on an Export or Rockstar kit is money well spent. Consider a used Export or Rockstar kit if your budget won't allow for a new one. -strat81

***************************************** '99 SL1

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Proud Uncle of Mary Elizabeth, born 8/15/00 Proud Member of 89.5 FM WSOU-Seton Hall's PIRATE Radio Proud Apprentice at MRP Custom Drums www.mrpdrums.com *****************************************

Get Pearl Exports instead.

The Pearl Exports, Tama rockstars or tama Rockstar customs would be money better spent. Just a couple of hundred bucks more for a semi-pro kit as opposed to an entry level beginner kit Like Forums or Swingstars.

Pearl Export ELX - a great kit.

Have had mine for about 4/5 years and have had no problems. With the right heads they can sound great.

I bought Tama Rockstars. Really shop around. Wait for the right price. I spent $1100 and got everything I needed, including all hardware, cymbals, etc.. I played a friend of mines Pearls. I think some people just buy the name. The swingstars are a little cheap looking next to Rockstars. I don't know how they sound but my rockstars are very smooth.

I picked up my Pearl Export for around $1,000. It came with Sabian Hi-Hats, 14' crash, 16' crash, and a 20' ride. Also included was all of the necessary hardware and a throne. I would have been pretty hard pressed to find a better setup for the money. Obviously there's better, but until I get better, I don't need top of the line. I'd try to find a Guitar Center in your area. They seem to have the best deals on kits.

I have had my share of sub-beginner sets, a sunlight, royce, and olympic premier, before my o.p. set was stolen this summer. For a step-up in replacement, I found a very new condition tama rockstar set for $300 (minus snare, I have a maple pearl) with pinstripe heads and a cool silver color. Compared to my other sets, it's a hole new league of quality, I actually chose it over a yamaha and export (new) around the same price because of its sound and construction. I continue to be impressed with the sound, but my cymbal setup (paiste 13' dark crisp signature series hi-hats, paiste 14' sound formula crystal crash, paiste 4001 splash[and, the crappy ones, paiste 401 18' crash/ride, zildjian 20' scimitar ride]) which used to dwarf the quality of my old drum sets now needs augmenting. On that note, can anyone suggest a sub$200 ride that has a crisp jazzy ping? My current scimi has way too much continuing resonance when playing a pattern.

If you're looking for an inexpensive but not 'cheap' drumset try <www.musicyo.com> I don't want this to be a plug for that site but they do offer slingerland sets at bargain basement prices. Just for your information, Gibson now owns the slingerland brand and run musicyo as a sort of factory outlet. I've seen a set of the slingerlands they sell in person and they are easily up to par with the tama swingstar and the pearl forum if not better. Maybe not quite up to the quality of most manufacturers' mid-line series, but one of the best in the beginner market. Hope this helps.

Joe.

Let's see, should I get the brand new shiny Mitsubishi Mirage, or spend the same amount on a slightly used 10 year old Mercedes? hmmmm... Marketing hype or timeless quality... I, I, I just can't decide...

Sorry, David. I just couldn't resist. Call a local used drum shop, or look in the paper.