I Bought My Dream Drum Set

[@rdavidr]

Not going to lie, Ive been mia for the past few months, but its been for a good reason! You will hear and see more about that in the coming months! Stay tuned!

[@BrendenSticker]

I like it

[@BrendenSticker]

Could you do a how to record drum video where you describe your process into making these videos?

[@kathyraouf6957]

Not going to lie, I’ve missed seeing you

[@e-tube3155]

Hi Dave! I love your videos!!! The kit is AMAZING 😍😍!

[@deejayemm]

rdavidr congrats on getting a new kit,you sound like a beast on it hope you enjoy it Dave!

[@harrytelfer7298]

I'm gonna miss those starclassics tho They were really nice

[@BananaManPL]

The drums are magnificent of course, but man I gotta say, you stepped up your production game as well! Sounds killer!

[@chrisrowe6835]

Those toms are some of the best sounding toms I've ever heard. Huge enough for modern metal and hardcore, but tons of tone for all purposes. I love my Tamas to death but they certainly don't sound like that 😅

[@rdavidr]

@Sargoy Of Mossad its a secret tuning method 😉

[@tylerrollins7771]

@@rdavidr you're gonna have to spill the beans on that tuning

[@ChipsNeeson]

My 16" Gretsch Renown Maple Floor Tom sounds like a 24" Kick. No special tuning required :P

[@TheZooNinjaS]

They sound really nice and fat. Good production and tuning of course.

[@BleedingEdgeOfProgress]

It's because of the dot heads!

[@apieceofdirt4681]

Back in the mid to late 80’s Hoshino use to let customers special order the Superstar series drums with 6 ply instead of the factory 9 ply birch shells. They also use to let customers purchase their 6, 8, and 10” single head concert toms as closed concert toms. Tama only did this for a very short period of time as in for only 4 weeks. I found that out the hard way because like most young drummers in that era I loved Neil Peart and I wanted his kit!! I cut lawns for an entire summer and got a job at a store called Rose’s and lied about my age so I could buy a Neil Peart cherry wine kit. I ordered the 6, 8, 10, 12” concert toms from Dick Bardt of Washington Music and had them for 2 months when the salesman called me to let me know Tama was offering the double headed 6, 8 and 10" Superstar cherry wine toms for a short time. I was pissed because I had just spent $1,489 on the 4 tom single head version and the double headed toms were just over $2,199 for the 3 drums!! I really REALLY wanted those drums. I begged and begged my mom and dad and they said HELL NO!! We can’t afford that. So the last month of summer vacation I figured if I cut the lawns and worked extra shifts at Rose’s I could pull it off but I couldn’t do anything extra. I only could earn $1,560 but my parents realized I was willing to work hard for those drums and gave me the money I was lacking so I could buy them!! I haven’t heard anyone mention the Superstar drums with 6 ply birch like mine with the double headed 6, 8 and 10" drums so I may have something really limited. I love how they sound. The thinner shells make a huge difference but the smaller toms weren’t offered in the 6 ply birch so I have the 9 ply. 5 to 7 years later Hoshino only made the 20" gong bass drum in the cherry wine finish so I purchased that in 94. The Superstar kits have a very distinct sound and I don’t use the entire Neil Peart double bass drum kit anymore. I know it’s a long story but I was wondering if you’ve heard anything about what I just mentioned. By the way, it took me another year and a half to buy all of the cymbals because the department store I worked at found out I was only 14 and I lied on my application so they fired me and told me to not come back until I was 16. I still have the 6, 8, 10, 12 concert toms in their original Tama boxes. When I got the closed concert toms I boxed the ones I didn’t want and use the new ones. We didn’t have E-Bay back then so I still have them.

[@IAmInfinitus208]

Are they still in storage? Those thinner shells are hard to come by now! It'd be a miracle to get the thinner shells with re-rings from the late 70's, as I've been eyeing a Superstar for awhile (especially since Neil always the thin 6-ply shells with re-rings, even during the Artstar prototype days by the end of his tenure with Tama). I do currently have an 80's Imperialstar with the thicker factory 9-ply shells along with the low pitched octobans, same sizes as Copeland's kit and Midnight Blue wrap and all. Even a popular drummer here on YT who is also on a FB Vintage Tama group, Sterling Fuentes, has been trying to find the thin shells (possibly to redo his old covers to be more accurate, even nabbing a Slingerland Artist snare like Neil's) for some time!

[@coheedandgeddy2900]

Tama Drum Forum was my life when I was 13-16 yrs old!

[@MakoAoyama]

>David knows the secret of the vintage Tama drums I knew you were one of my favorite KZbinrs for a reason. The old Superstars are my dream kit, too. I grew up a Rush fan, so I want Neil's kit, or as close as I can get. My current kit, though, is a late 70's Imperialstar set. Not quite the Supers, but still damn nice.

[@jayp7552]

Hey David you have great videos you are an amazing youtuber thx for the outstanding content

[@LanceCampeau]

Drops Copland's name... Gets an instant thumbs up. One of my all time fav's :)

[@Timbales1979]

LanceCampeau One would think you'd know how to spell Copeland if he's one of your faves.

[@1thess523]

@@Timbales1979 spelling police 👮👮👮👮👮👮👮👮👮👮👮

[@bonzoleum]

Great purchase, sir! They're wonderful!

[@FrederikWeile]

0:52 LORS ORLROTJ In all seriousness, nice kit! Great to see a new video from you!

[@Derp___]

0:56 NEIL PIYURT

[@nhmaze]

Been enjoying your work in the Marcus King Band. This set will sound good with that band.

[@rdavidr]

🤣

[@ianmuessig]

Dude.... That's fantastic. I'm a huge Tama guy and I love everything about them. So meaty and awesome. Bet they weigh a ton lol.

[@joesantamaria5874]

Holy shit they are heavy. I have an Imperialstar kit from 81, all Mahogany, heavy as fuck, my 57 year old back can’t move that shit anymore. You also have to hit them hard to get tone from them, even with thin single ply uncoated heads, you have to beat them to get tone. Bear in mind, I’m talking Imperialstar here, YMMV.

[@HidefVince]

I love the sound of this drums. Specially the part when you played 16th on the hats for 5:12 straight.

[@user-sz4bf3uq6u]

5:12??

[@Jmilillo]

My main kit is a Starclassic performer with maple/birch shells. I have Evans Hydraulic blacks on them and they sound heavenly. The toms are so warm and punchy, and the bass drum is really floppy and articulate. Tama makes the best drums! I’ve been playing Starclassics for a while and they never disappoint

[@Bigbaldcaucasianman]

Is the starclassic performer a good kit as I’m thinking of saving up for it or should I get the star classic instead? I do prefer the performer specs and look however. Thanks

[@STSGuitar16]

Probably some of the best and most creative jamming I've heard you do, sounding awesome. It's so great when you finally find that instrument that really brings out your best and lets you do things you didn't even know you could do. A good instrument can bring out the most unadulterated, pure, creative mindset like magic.

[@centralscrutinizer8571]

Gotta love those old heavy shelled Tama drums. The company's current lineup just can't compete. Congratulations on the score.

[@zombiedude6543]

4:12 "I kinda paid for it" well i hope you did

[@mightyV444]

Good on ya, David! Hehe, I used to be a member of that Tama forum myself, when I was playing an 'Imperialstar' from the '70s that looked exactly like the metallic blue one Stewart Copeland can be seen with in the 'Roxanne' clip :-) I'll have a vintage 'Superstar' one day, too; Great sound, and I just love their styling, like the shape of the lugs, etc. Thank you for sharing! :-)

[@tomfloor3604]

Good get! Bought this set in first part of the 80’s. I still have it and it sounds great. This kit came w/ black dots on top and bottom back then! Sweet drums! I LOVE that snare! I “NEED” one.

[@zachramirez1794]

Man I love how you can see just how well David connects with this kit! His playing was super tight in this vid!

[@aaronpanesar]

I wrote a marketing piece on the importance of the TAMA Superstar kit in 2005. The kit looks and sounds just as incredible as it did back then. Thanks for the memories

[@drumstash7927]

This is one of the best sounding drum kits I’ve ever played on. I had a 1982 super maple with a 20” bass and a 14x5” snare. It is one of the best sounding kits I’ve come across and possibly my favorite snare I’ve played on! Congrats on the kit!

[@larkstonguesinaspic4814]

This is the best drum sound I ever heard on KZbin. Not just because of the drums, also because of your playing style, your mix, the tuning, it all sounds so.fucking.good.

[@frankdrebin1358]

I love it...

[@rommbb]

That kit sounds c r i s p. I'm excited to hear what you do with this kit, keep it up

[@sarojaband4664]

YES!!! Those drums sound fantastic!! Those are ORIGINAL TAMA SUPERSTARS in "super maple" clear lacquer finish. [NOT the current awful re-issues.] If no re-rings [mid-late 70's], shells are 9mm pure Japanese Birchwood from Hokkaido. Bass drum tom mount holder should help pinpoint exact model year, as they changed in 1982-83. My guess would be 1980 also. THESE are the drums that made TAMA's legendary tonal reputation what it is!! My kit is from 1986 in high-gloss Piano Black Lacquer w/ matte black lacquer interiors. 2 24" BD's, 18" & 16" FT, 12", 13", 14" toms, various TAMA 8x14" wooden snare drums. All deep power sizes. Thunderous!! Congratulations on your fine purchase David! Feel free to reply/chat about anything TAMA related. I admire your skills. Kudos...Vinny Saroja

[@b.p.879]

The Superstar Classics aren't in any way, shape, or form reissues of these old birch drums. The new Superstar Classics are 100% maple, have far superior Star-Mounts, and have one of the purest shell sounds of any drum from any price range. My local shop has a 8 piece kit and it sounds amazing in their showroom with zero muffling or tuning. So maybe you should think twice before you confidently spew false information about fantastic sounding drums. I have a 9 piece Star Classic Maple, handcrafted in Japan, but if I couldn't afford them I'd get a Superstar Classic kit any day over an old "Superstar" birch kit.

[@j-dubdrummer7550]

Awesome dude! I just bought my dream kit! A 1966 Vintage Ludwig in white marine peal! 😊

[@brandonmclendon5368]

Beautiful sounding and beautiful looking drums. Tama makes some of the best drums.

[@derrickblakely2626]

Agreed. Even their entry level kits are good.

[@brandonmclendon5368]

Derrick Blakely The Superstars and Imperialstars sound just as good as a star series or starclassic.

[@cayninx7993]

OH MY GOSH A VIDEO IM HAPPY 😃 But for real congrats on the new set Dave it sounds beautiful

[@Warren_Korwicki]

i love the finish on it

[@Warren_Korwicki]

you love your ambassador heads

[@Assimilator702]

Ah.....the Tama drum forum. I miss that place so much. I think I remember you if you had the same screen name. Such a wealth of info on that forum.We need to get that forum back.

[@DeadKoby]

Glad you found what you like. I had Ludwig make me what I wanted almost 20 years ago, and it's still is great shape.

[@Audiophilippe]

There it is! Killer stack! I've been looking through all the vids for this

[@dfgivens]

Love your videos. A fellow drum set addict here, I own "several" kits, including fine 80's Tama's, By far, the single best-sounding tom I've EVER played is a 15" Artstar "power tom." Without dampening, it didn't over-ring. She has the punch of a kickdrum when hit hard, but played like silky butter, sitting distinctly in the sonic line of the 10-piece set. (Been playing for 50-years now...which explains my tinnitus problem.) Not sure if the shorter "standard size" 15" would have that unbelievably tubular sound. What is scary, they hung that beast on a regular tom mount! Holy crap, it is BIG & heavy. ...Rock on, my brother!

[@DZNTZ]

Congrats! I love Tama myself, and vintage Supers are bada**, especially in that beeeeautiful finish. Tama always impresses with their fit and finish, and the new kit sounds awesome.

[@retrorenaissance9497]

the kit sounds fantastic, im glad your dreams came true. i bought my DW maple collectors when i was 20 or something. im sure the money couldve been better used at the time but i regret nothing

[@anonymous_friend]

I got my first DW last year. My original heads are done. Would you suggest sticking to them or trying something else? I'm sure you have tried several combinations!

[@the_katman2181]

I love these drums. I love the way they look, the way they sound and those are probably the ideal sizes.

[@nighrain9485]

Wow, not only does the kit sound amazing, but the production is also top notch! Nice!

[@insanedrummer89]

Very killer find.

[@julianwieder130]

kit sounds huge! 😳

[@SamaraStudio80]

Floor tom sounds like a total dream !! 🤩

[@desheylaw7395]

Dam those toms !!

[@ImSueeb]

Congrats dad!

[@josuearagon3249]

Damn man, I almost forgot about this channel! Glad to see you back!

[@NEALBABBITT]

Sounds freaking powerful! Gorgeous condition! This is the best set I've heard you play! Love it Dave! Congratulations, I'm really happy for you! That snare is unbelievable too! I grew up in that Tama era, so I was bombarded by all that Tama onslaught as well, so that has always been one of my top sets to own too! 🤩

[@The-Keekinator]

About damn time you come out with another video. I’ve been going through withdrawal

[@christopherkalogeris7906]

I'm jelly as helly! Those vintage superstars are creem your jeans good

[@bluemcdaniel99]

Nirvana Live and Loud is the reason I am in love with over sized Tama kits. They just have a little boost in the low mids that just ring with my ears.

[@LostInPripiat]

Man.. a Tama kit is my dream kit. Best sounding drums IMO. I hope one day I can make it happen.

[@josephmiddleton4422]

rdavidr I have a bass drum head combo I use that I think you might dig. I use a Aquarian superkick II on the back and Aquarian Articulator for the front with a kickport horn in the hole. With this combo there is NO need for a pillow, blanket,etc.. for muffling, all open it has a huge low end presence and with no need for muffling in the drum its ready for out of the case and on the stage or studio everytime without having to mess around with adjusting the pillow blanket etc.. everytime. There is also no basket ball sound either. It's something I stumbled on while I was drumming in the Bluecoats drum and bugle corp. Back in 2000. I've used this combo on every bass drum size I've owned, 22", 20", 24", 28", 30". With the same results. The only size that I've had an issue with is 16" cause it's just a weird size. Figure I'd share the wealth and keep the vids coming I love your channel

[@chupeteguaya]

Man, I've been following your channel for a long time. This makes me really happy, you truly deserve your dream set. Thank you for your content.

[@mightymikemeijer]

Played a Superstar in my first pro band in 1985. 24” kick, 12” tom and 14” and 16” floor toms in super maple finish. The band bought it for me and when I moved to another band I had the opportunity to buy it from them but passed... it still hurts! Great kit. Have fun!

[@zb-music4278]

Man, I love TAMA. Played TAMA half of my life. I have T-Shirts, Caps, a jump suit, ... but some years ago I switched to Mapex Saturn because of the sound and the price. If you buy it used it's costs half of the starclassic and it (quality wise) the same category. I like the sound even more. (the bassdrum is killer!) Never the less: the vintage Superstar is also on my list to buy it one day and TAMA is still in my heart . ;-)

[@joshsimone]

Congrats, Dave! Beautiful kit, it sounds amazing.

[@orthodrummer7945]

That kit sounds awesome David , great playing as well of course. Pulling out a great tone. Congrats and great channel 👍😀

[@nimblemedia]

When I was 16 in 1979, my Mom and Dad came to me and said the following... For your birthday, you can either have a used car of your choice ($2000 Limit with car has to meet our approval) or you can drive the 72' Piss Yellow, Ford Galaxy 500 til it dies and get that drumset you've shown us in that catalog. I can still smell the inside of those toms when you showed them in the video! That was also the year I created the 1st Jazz band in the history of my High School. Your kit sounds great, I may go back to Remo Black Dots after hearing this video. BTW, the Ford held the whole kit in the trunk! It lasted til 89'. I always enjoy your videos. All the best from Baja Mexico where I'm riding out the Covid Pajamapocalypse. Peace and stay healthy!

[@billyrhythm]

That Super Maple kit that pops up during the "crazy sizes," comment, the one with the 10" 12" 13" racks from the '84 (or is it '85) catalog? That's MY dream set. I had that kit cut out of the catalog and taped in my locker all through jr. high and high school.

[@GeoffBosco]

I'm typically all about modern drum shell design and construction, but I did a gig at this place in Bridgeport CT and the house kit was a late 70s/early 80's imperial star and I was blown away at good they looked and sounded. I've been keeping my eye out for something like this as well. Congrats on the find.

[@JayB-lz6yd]

seriously, with your envy and tools, i'd build a 3 shell kit like i want with the wood i want etc... i wouldn't even bother with brands. no matter how nerdy i was with Tama too, now i build mine. it's not rocket science. easy to learn. once you have the knowledge, you know what to do for your build to match your taste. nothing beats that feeling man.

[@BleedingEdgeOfProgress]

Any kit with dot tom heads is a dream to me!

[@CH41N7]

I wish I had a nice kit like this... heh. I’m saving up for a kit myself.

[@marinbenja214]

I play on my floor lol

[@antonioguinoo]

Me too because my drumset only has a kick, snare and hi-hat

[@marinbenja214]

@@antonioguinoo if i only had that...

[@Pupuh]

But now, it's just the difference between the price. You can make a cheap drum sound like expensive

[@antonioguinoo]

@Putra Hidayah thats what i did, but i want a new kit because all my toms were eaten by termites

[@derrickblakely2626]

All Tama drums from past to present sounds very good.

[@crazyjoedavola5430]

I had a 9 piece Tama with all Zildjian cymbals....it was a great kit. I jammed on it in many configurations for a bunch of years. It got stolen 5 years ago and I've been heartbroken and pissed ever since. It's a nice kit, sounds great....play some beats for me. 🤟

[@gaylordbuttdick5405]

How does someone steal a 9 piece drum set?

[@crazyjoedavola5430]

@@gaylordbuttdick5405 - I set them up at a crack head asshole's house (which I didn't know at the time) because I had no other place to set them up and play them and he skipped out with them and told me like 6 months later that someone stole them from him when I tracked him down online. I told him that if I ever saw him....I would beat him death, I wasn't kidding either

[@hamadbernes1980]

rdavidr I have a 13 inch tom in superstar model , let me check the year on logo . it was a mahogany color , unfortunately I painted it in black. The sound is amazing , very punchy , because te bearing egdes are rounded.... sound very low ,,, great kit ... killer sound ... congratulations .... and greetings from Mexico....

[@roy_drums]

I have a set from the 70's that has a 4 ply shell with the re rings. I also have that same snare from 82 as well. Phenomenal drum sets.

[@antbalci]

That rug really tidies up the room.

[@MatChew75]

It sounds a lot like my Pearl SSC... with the Birch and Kapur Woods/2013. 14×6.5 tama fat spruce snare. That's a beautiful kit you got there reminds me a lot of Bill bruford style of Kit(four piece).... same color to! He used it most of the time in the late sixties/early 70s with yes and early,mid-70s with King Crimson but probably with maple shells. Though he may have used Birch though during 1980s King Crimson, discipline/ three of a perfect pair/the beat that era. Great investment ;really nice sounding kit. I love birch sound .I would have definitely gotten the 1980s Birch version over the 70's maple. Great find!

[@davidbaines7330]

Great sounding kit. I still have my 83 Swingstar kit. Still awesome after all these years.

[@bonniebarber6114]

I'm obsessed with older Tama kits. ❤️

[@MatthewClise]

I will always have a huge soft spot in my heart for Tama drums. Congrats on achieving your dreams

[@alfredosincovich5744]

Beautiful kit... Excellent sound

[@Sundaydrumday]

THAT SNARE WAS A HELL OF A GOOD PURCHASE...WOW...SOUNDS REALLY GOOD

[@malcolmbliss777]

Man, I love those Meinls. Such an awesome compliment to that stellar drum set. Woof! Thump those thumpers, thumper!

[@DrDr-pg5br]

I remember a Tama catalog that had a 11" tom. Featured on Lombardo's and Benante's kits.

[@Greg-bz2bf]

Sweet! The cool thing about these stock drums is that there will be matching single drums for sale so you can always add another floor tom and perhaps something to the left. Nice ket. Thanks for sharing.

[@MrBrombomb]

Wow! What a nice sounding & beautiful looking kit that is!! I’m glad you found your dream kit. I’ve always loved Pearl Drums especially the ones from the 1980s with the hexagon shaped lugs & was happy when I finally got the kit of my dreams when I got my 1987 Pearl Export kit in Pure White to match my early 1980s Maxwin By Pearl White 5 1/2 “ X 14 “ wood shell snare drum. I also finally got a newer 14” X 14” floor Tom and 26”X14” 1989-1995 Pearl Marching Bass Drum, which I had spurs installed on to make it a kit bass drum. My current setup is 12” X 10” rack Tom , 14” X 14” Floor Tom” , 16” X 16” Floor Tom, 26” X 14” kick drum, my Maxwin By Pearl 14” X 5 1/2” snare or my Pearl Sensitone Elite Steel Shell 14” X 6 1/2” snare, & Zildjian A Series Cymbals. I use Remo Coated Emperors / Clear Ambassadors on the toms, Coated Emperor / Stock Pearl head both muted by felt strips on the kick drum, a Clear Pinstripe / Ambassador Snare for the Maxwin, & a Coated Emperor/ Snare Ambassador for the Sensitone Snare. I also have a 22” X 16” kick with Remo Coated Powerstroke 3 / Coated Powerstroke 3 Ported with Pearl Logo, & 13” X 11” Tom that I don’t use at the moment. I love the sound of the deeper tons on the older kits.

[@sethtracy2948]

YES!! I have an '83 Superstar kit with a 24 inch kick drum in the Mahogany finish. It's a really terrific kit!

[@timevett6761]

Seth Tracy i have the same kit but with the natural satin maple finish... 1979 i think. 24x14 , 12x8 , 13x9, 16x16. My dream kit basically...the 24” kick is amazing

[@paistefever]

love the old TAMA kits and birch is my choice number 1. congrats on the kit, it sounds absolutely fantastic!

[@Rockin_Ross]

Don’t rule out Stan Lynch of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. He played natural finish Tamas for many of his videos and sparkle wraps for a lot of live sets.

[@luisda1388]

Sounds beautifully!🤘👍👍👍

[@gordonshumway8190]

I've always loved the sound of black dots.

[@danbailey8182]

I have a 1971 Tama Imperial Star with the metallic red finish. I love my set and I figured it was a 71 because of elimination like you did. The catalog from 1971 had the metallic red finish but not in 72 or later and no year like in the 80's. You have a beauty there and it sounds great.

[@robertbaker3620]

I know the video is about the set, and they're great drums, but yo, that ride cymbal. That thing sounds incredible

[@beromy_]

Ohhhh my. as soon as you started playing those drums I had a smile from cheek to cheek wow those sound incredible!! Enjoy them you deserve your dream drums for all the amazing content you put out!!

[@franktatom1837]

Nice video and drums. I am a Tama fan from years ago, I still have my very early 1980's Imperialstar set (22/13/16) and still play them. Great hardware and shell construction on the Imperials and Supers of that era. I wanted the Superstars back then, I still want them today! I have considered getting a kit like yours for some time, so thanks for the vicarious thrill of seeing you with yours!

[@helemaalnicks6215]

This video also shows how much drummanufacturing has progressed over the past 40 years (it hasn't, al all), great kit!

[@Death-mt8xy]

Those drums are gnarly af. Congrats on the dream kit. Watching these videos never get old.

[@MeTuLHeD]

That is one of the best sounding snares Tama ever made. I had one and sold it. Sure wish I hadn't. And those toms sound like cannons.

[@Gitarzan66]

Super groovy beats my man! Cool ass set, it sounds killer to me. I know you're diggin it! Congrats too you!

[@perpetualgrimace]

Kit sounds great man! Love the saturation on the toms, they sound killer.

[@EricChesek]

That little hat stack groove at 0:44 is super cool. Those drums sound amazing.

[@carlupthegrove262]

Sounds great.... and your playing is nice too.... thanks.

[@TheDrummaboy78]

Kit sounds KILLER, Man!!!

[@dizzolve]

My favorite drum finish. Nice find. I do prefer a curly figured grain maple .... but no stain - just straight up clear

[@HaydenGriffis]

You're really good man, you dont showoff enough in your videos!

[@KiwazaCZ]

The grooves in this video are awesome!

[@67davbeav]

Great sizes! My first good kit (after a cheap, Japanese import) was a Tama Swingstar. I was knocked out by the omni-ball tom holders and funky salt & pepper Zola coat inside the shells. I was not, however, impressed when Tama went nuts in the 80's with their MASSIVE hardware and "Xtras" tom depth such as 12"x12", 13"x13".. I've come to agree with Ian Paice that 14" is the best depth for bass drums. Great score on that kit. A true beauty and the CS heads really bring it back to the early 80's.

[@martinlaporte2112]

Gorgeous kit. Sounds awesome. My DW's are also natural color and they look fantastic.

[@doublea7054]

Nice sounding drums and perfect sizes. lately Ive been playing my vintage pearl masters studio kit (4ply birch w/ re-rings) and the birch is a welcome playing experience! I replaced the original 1.6 hoops w/ mastercast rims and was very impressed with the outcome!