Tama PC42S-DCF Starclassic Performer BB Dark Cherry Fade

General

The Tama Starclassic Performer Birch Bubinga really is the odd one out in the series of Starclassic drums. This beautiful shell set consists of birch shells that have a few plies of bubinga applied to the inside. Bubinga is an African wood-type that is usually 53% harder than maple and birch, which helps it emphasise the lower tones. Combined with the great attack, provided by the birch, this hybrid kit delivers a fantastic sound. The four-piece Starclassic Performer Birch Bubinga shell set in Dark Cherry Fade consists of a 22-inch bass drum, 10 and 12-inch toms and a 16-inch floor tom.

Tama Starclassic Performer BB Dark Cherry Fade: quality hardware

Besides high-quality shells, Tama also ensures that the hardware is up to snuff. This shell set is equipped with the Star-Cast tom mounting system, which has become a mainstay on Tama's drum sets. The streamlined design and minimal contact with the shells allow for optimal resonance. This Birch Bubinga configuration has an aluminium tom mounting system, which is very lightweight and allows for a more natural tonal vibration. The Starclassic Performer's hoops are made of zinc, and differ from the ubiquitous triple-flanged hoops. These zinc die-cast hoops don't just create a sharper attack and clear highs, but they also allow for more powerful rim-shots and, more importantly, they make sure your tuning stays consistent.

You can position the toms any way you want, thanks to the Starclassic Performer tom mount. This has what Tama call a sliding connector, which you can slide back and forth about 5 centimetres. By simply loosening the wing bolt, you can adjust your toms to suit your preference in no time at all.

Bass drum

The bass drum that is part of this four-piece shell set comes with a number of sturdy claw hooks. These have a rubber lining, that minimises the chance that your wooden hoops get damaged. Even the bass drum legs deserve an honourable mention: they are Air Cushioned. That means they're equipped with a special air chamber that prevents the sound and sustain of your bass drum disappearing into the ground, and it absorbs most of the shocks created by your playing.

This great-looking shell set with its fantastic sound comes with high-quality single-ply Evans drumheads.

• Please note: this shell set is supplied without hardware and cymbals.