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(without hardware, cymbals, or snare drum)
In the 1980s, TAMA's Superstars and Imperialstars ruled supreme - the perfect drum kits for the era. But TAMA's craftsmen and designers wanted something that transcended trends, something timeless - drums that understand a drummer's passion and allow expression across all genres, styles, moods, and techniques. They created the Starclassic maple shells... and sparked the thin shell revolution. And now, the new Exotic Finish line offers stunning exotic wood outer finishes, unique in their kind, for an extra touch of luxury. Numerous options are available to meet the varied and critical needs of professional drummers, including a selection of over 30 different shell sizes. Starclassic Maple also offers three shell finish choices: Black Nickel, Chrome, and Smoked Black Nickel. Starclassic Maple is simply an unprecedented combination of sound and image.
The shape of the bearing edge is one of the most important factors affecting the drum's sound. Since drumheads are the primary source of vibrations, the shape of the contact point between the head and the shell determines and defines the sound. This is why TAMA has worked intensively to achieve the most functional shape for the head and shell edge. The image shows a cross-section view of the shell bearing edge. As indicated in part A, the angle of the top edge is set 2.5 mm inside the outer surface of the shell. The edge is cut in a rounded collar shape to follow the natural shape of the drumhead (B). This design, which creates a better fit between the head and the bearing edge, maximizes shell resonance. This bearing edge shape is part of our TAMA tradition and is essential to delivering the unique sound of TAMA shells.
For optimal vibration transfer from the head to the shell, it is preferable to choose a thinner shell. However, less thickness often means less strength. Instead of simply making thinner shells by using fewer plies, TAMA reduces the thickness of each ply and laminates them crosswise to achieve a 6-ply 5mm shell (8 plies 7mm for the bass drum). This combination results in a thinner shell that is actually stronger than others of greater thickness. Starclassic shells are made of maple, the most popular material currently, due to the warmth and clarity of its sound.
