Tama Swingstar as a first set?

crazyguy832 · 07-08-2005, 05:14 PM

I'm planning on getting my first set in a couple of months, and was thinking of starting with the Tama Swingstar. After buying it, I'd replace the snare heads with Remo coated emp/clear amb, the tom heads with Remo Clear emps/Clear ambs and probably just put a Powerstroke 3 on the batter side of the bass drum (if I somehow manage to have money after this, I'd put an amb on the res side).

Anyways, the question is... would this be okay for my first kit?

darkevent89 · 07-08-2005, 05:22 PM

What's your budget? Because personally I would rather go for a Sonor force 2005, Pacific CX or Mapex M for my first kit. I think all these run around 800-900 new.

crazyguy832 · 07-08-2005, 05:23 PM

My budget is however much I make during the summer and how many jobs I get reffing.

XD

Realistically, though, I'm only willing to pay up to $900 for the basic kit (which is what the Swingstar is after tax in Canada, basically).

skadrummer411 · 07-08-2005, 06:04 PM

I have the swingstar and its great. I will always suggest this as a beginner to intermediate (sometimes advanced) kit. It sounds good, it includes everything you need to get started, its a great deal. I would say that your idea to replace the heads after you get it is great and eventually you will need to replace your cymbals but that is a whole different thread.

crazyguy832 · 07-08-2005, 06:19 PM

Okay, cool. I guess it looks like I'll be starting with the Swingstar. Now all I have to do is save up 900 bucks.

>_<

Another question: The Swingstar, or something similar... how much would it cost second-hand (store or garage sale)?

TTTSNB · 07-08-2005, 06:23 PM

Try getting a Superstar. The Swingstar is a nice kit, but its one problem is the lack of suspension mounts on the toms.

skadrummer411 · 07-08-2005, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyguy832

Okay, cool. I guess it looks like I'll be starting with the Swingstar. Now all I have to do is save up 900 bucks.

>_<

Another question: The Swingstar, or something similar... how much would it cost second-hand (store or garage sale)?

Second hand kits are risky to buy. Sometimes people try to sell it to you for more than its worth, sometimes they hide major blemishes or totally busted up parts. I'm not sure about the pricing, but if they are selling it for a fair price that sounds good for the condition its in, you should realize it.

crazyguy832 · 07-08-2005, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the thing that should never be

Try getting a Superstar. The Swingstar is a nice kit, but its one problem is the lack of suspension mounts on the toms.

Okay...

<newb question>

What are suspension mounts?

</newb question>

Also, the Superstar is a fair chunk more than the Swingstar...

Quote:

Originally Posted by skadrummer411

Second hand kits are risky to buy. Sometimes people try to sell it to you for more than its worth, sometimes they hide major blemishes or totally busted up parts. I'm not sure about the pricing, but if they are selling it for a fair price that sounds good for the condition its in, you should realize it.

Of course. If I went to buy a used set, I'd make the guy I'm buying it from take the heads off of everything, and let me try the set for at least 10 minutes to make sure it works okay.

TTTSNB · 07-08-2005, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyguy832

Okay...

<newb question>

What are suspension mounts?

</newb question>

Also, the Superstar is a fair chunk more than the Swingstar...

Of course. If I went to buy a used set, I'd make the guy I'm buying it from take the heads off of everything, and let me try the set for at least 10 minutes to make sure it works okay.

Suspension mounts hold the drum from the rim instead of piercing the shell, therefore they allow the drum to have its natural tone. The Superstar owns the Swingsatr, its worth it if you can afford it.

crazyguy832 · 07-08-2005, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the thing that should never be

Suspension mounts hold the drum from the rim instead of piercing the shell, therefore they allow the drum to have its natural tone. The Superstar owns the Swingsatr, its worth it if you can afford it.

Ah, okay. Well, I'll phone the music store and check how much more the Superstar is. If it's 50 bucks or less I'll take that... otherwise I'll stick with the Swingstar.

Curse my tiny budget!

rockindrummer · 07-08-2005, 08:13 PM

Ya that tiny budget sucks. If it is a couple hundred more it might be worth the wait to get a set that will last a longer period of time and also sound better.

skadrummer411 · 07-08-2005, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyguy832

Ah, okay. Well, I'll phone the music store and check how much more the Superstar is. If it's 50 bucks or less I'll take that... otherwise I'll stick with the Swingstar.

Curse my tiny budget!

Or you can buy the swingstar and eventually add suspension mounts. I'v been looking into them, they aren't that expensive.

pdpdrummer88 · 07-08-2005, 08:59 PM

I'd save up first and get probably the Sonor Force 2005 (all birch shells). That way, down the road, you wont have to buy another kit to upgrade.

crazyguy832 · 07-08-2005, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdpdrummer88

I'd save up first and get probably the Sonor Force 2005 (all birch shells). That way, down the road, you wont have to buy another kit to upgrade.

o_O

No.

Not for my first kit... noooooooooooooo way.

That would cost WAY more than the Swingstar, even after buying new heads for the Tama.

skadrummer, how much are supsension mounts?

noodles90 · 07-08-2005, 09:42 PM

Superstars are great - die cast hoops, wood bass hoops, its all good.

I play a Tama Rockstar 4-piece - got it a while ago and now im rebuilding it with wood bass hoops, a new wrap, and im getting my lugs powdercoated black - theres always fairly inexpensive things you could do to your kit to make it sound and look better.

In your case I would go with the swingstar - I would worry more about learning to play than your equipment. Swingstars are one step above a sh*tkit - its from a awesome company and its pretty good quality for the price. Of course you get the FAMOUS Tama cymbals with it - after you learn to play gradually replace and upgrade some equipment. Start with heads, then cymbals, hardware, etc. Its always nice to have an OK kit with great hardware, cymbals, etc. than to get a really good kit and have to play with crap everything else - it defeats the purpose.

crazyguy832 · 07-08-2005, 09:54 PM

Thanks for everyone's help.

^_^

And, yeah, that's pretty much the order I plan on upgrading, noodle.

skadrummer411 · 07-08-2005, 09:56 PM

It took me a while, but I found them.
[URL=http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=perc/search/detail/base_pid/440415/]Suspension mounting system[/url]
They are priced by size. Those are the best ones I could find. Plus regular tom mounts will last you as long as you need them to, its just the suspension mounts are better.

crazyguy832 · 07-08-2005, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skadrummer411

It took me a while, but I found them.
[URL=http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=perc/search/detail/base_pid/440415/]Suspension mounting system[/url]
They are priced by size. Those are the best ones I could find. Plus regular tom mounts will last you as long as you need them to, its just the suspension mounts are better.

Sweet.

noodles90 · 07-08-2005, 10:15 PM

you dont need a special hoop for the star cast mounting system - theres these little rubber things that screw onto the rim that connect to that "C" shaped thing.

stevoibanez · 07-08-2005, 10:57 PM

With 900 CDN$ you have plenty. It cost me 750$ for a Ludwig Accent with Solars (yuck) and new batters. So, if you have 900, you could easily get a Swingstar with maybe a B8 pro pack, which would be a pretty good starters set. It would last you a long time.
And if You can, also check out the Ludwig Accent. Great beginner drums.

07-08-2005, 05:14 PM	#1
crazyguy832 He Who Knows More Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Than He Can Play... AWAY!!! Posts: 6,062	Tama Swingstar as a first set? I'm planning on getting my first set in a couple of months, and was thinking of starting with the Tama Swingstar. After buying it, I'd replace the snare heads with Remo coated emp/clear amb, the tom heads with Remo Clear emps/Clear ambs and probably just put a Powerstroke 3 on the batter side of the bass drum (if I somehow manage to have money after this, I'd put an amb on the res side). Anyways, the question is... would this be okay for my first kit?

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07-08-2005, 05:22 PM	#2
darkevent89 Cockfag Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 503	What's your budget? Because personally I would rather go for a Sonor force 2005, Pacific CX or Mapex M for my first kit. I think all these run around 800-900 new.

07-08-2005, 05:23 PM	#3
crazyguy832 He Who Knows More Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Than He Can Play... AWAY!!! Posts: 6,062	My budget is however much I make during the summer and how many jobs I get reffing. XD Realistically, though, I'm only willing to pay up to $900 for the basic kit (which is what the Swingstar is after tax in Canada, basically).

07-08-2005, 06:04 PM	#4
skadrummer411 I <3 ska Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Michigan, its cold, but its not Cananda so it suck Posts: 800	I have the swingstar and its great. I will always suggest this as a beginner to intermediate (sometimes advanced) kit. It sounds good, it includes everything you need to get started, its a great deal. I would say that your idea to replace the heads after you get it is great and eventually you will need to replace your cymbals but that is a whole different thread.

07-08-2005, 06:19 PM	#5
crazyguy832 He Who Knows More Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Than He Can Play... AWAY!!! Posts: 6,062	Okay, cool. I guess it looks like I'll be starting with the Swingstar. Now all I have to do is save up 900 bucks. >_< Another question: The Swingstar, or something similar... how much would it cost second-hand (store or garage sale)?

07-08-2005, 06:23 PM	#6
TTTSNB llRLRL rrLRLR Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 9,733	Try getting a Superstar. The Swingstar is a nice kit, but its one problem is the lack of suspension mounts on the toms.

07-08-2005, 08:13 PM	#11
rockindrummer baffled and confused Join Date: May 2004 Location: Vancouver Posts: 4,724	Ya that tiny budget sucks. If it is a couple hundred more it might be worth the wait to get a set that will last a longer period of time and also sound better.

07-08-2005, 08:59 PM	#13
pdpdrummer88 PDP/DW/Paiste Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 237	I'd save up first and get probably the Sonor Force 2005 (all birch shells). That way, down the road, you wont have to buy another kit to upgrade.

07-08-2005, 09:42 PM	#15
noodles90 You've got it. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 150	Superstars are great - die cast hoops, wood bass hoops, its all good. I play a Tama Rockstar 4-piece - got it a while ago and now im rebuilding it with wood bass hoops, a new wrap, and im getting my lugs powdercoated black - theres always fairly inexpensive things you could do to your kit to make it sound and look better. In your case I would go with the swingstar - I would worry more about learning to play than your equipment. Swingstars are one step above a sh*tkit - its from a awesome company and its pretty good quality for the price. Of course you get the FAMOUS Tama cymbals with it - after you learn to play gradually replace and upgrade some equipment. Start with heads, then cymbals, hardware, etc. Its always nice to have an OK kit with great hardware, cymbals, etc. than to get a really good kit and have to play with crap everything else - it defeats the purpose.

07-08-2005, 09:54 PM	#16
crazyguy832 He Who Knows More Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Than He Can Play... AWAY!!! Posts: 6,062	Thanks for everyone's help. ^_^ And, yeah, that's pretty much the order I plan on upgrading, noodle.

07-08-2005, 09:56 PM	#17
skadrummer411 I <3 ska Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Michigan, its cold, but its not Cananda so it suck Posts: 800	It took me a while, but I found them. [URL=http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=perc/search/detail/base_pid/440415/]Suspension mounting system[/url] They are priced by size. Those are the best ones I could find. Plus regular tom mounts will last you as long as you need them to, its just the suspension mounts are better.

07-08-2005, 10:15 PM	#19
noodles90 You've got it. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 150	you dont need a special hoop for the star cast mounting system - theres these little rubber things that screw onto the rim that connect to that "C" shaped thing.

07-08-2005, 10:57 PM	#20
stevoibanez Canadian drummer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Lasalle, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 2,429	With 900 CDN$ you have plenty. It cost me 750$ for a Ludwig Accent with Solars (yuck) and new batters. So, if you have 900, you could easily get a Swingstar with maybe a B8 pro pack, which would be a pretty good starters set. It would last you a long time. And if You can, also check out the Ludwig Accent. Great beginner drums.