I'm not sure about the serial number, but if you are going to listen to Tama's propaganda, I would definitely go with StarCast, which supposedly lets the drums vibrate more. I have no reason to not think that that is not true, and it makes sense that StarCast would allow it to vibrate more freely. So yes, I'd go with StarCast

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Tama Starclassic Performer B/B in Dark Stardust Fade
Bass - 22" x 18", Toms - 10" x 8", 12" x 9", Floor - 16" x 14", Snare - 14" x 6.5"
Cymbals - Meinl Byzance 20" Dark ride, Zildjian K Custom medium thin 16" dark crash, used Zildjian ZBT 18" china
Hardware - 2007 Iron Cobra Rolling Glide twin pedal, Roadpro hihat, snare, and boom stands

What are you trying to copy?

I understand its a Lars Ulrich kit but your kit would be far from the Tama Artstar II he used on the Black album tour.

The actual Tama kits for Lars goes:

Justice tour 1988-1989: Tama Granstar Custom. Custom gray with black hardware. Birch.
Justice tour 1990: Tama Granstar Custom. White with chrome hardware. Birch.

Kit sizes: 12,13,14,15 rack toms and 16*18 floortoms. 16*24 bass drums

Black album tour 1991-1993: Tama Artstar II with Granstar single lugs.

Kit size: 10,12,14,16 racktoms and 16*18 floortoms. 16*24 bass drums. Maple.

There is nothing wrong with the original Granstar hardware and parts does come up on Ebay. Its big and sturdy. Long lasting and again Starcast would be so far from a Lars copy of a kit from that time period. Of all my 10 Granstar drums only 1 tom bracket needed to be changed so far. The kit is from 1987 and used for rental so its seen more gigs than I have. I'm a bit biased as I know one drum shop here in Denmark having original NOS Granstar/Artstar parts.

One thing to note is the weight of Granstar racktoms. Starcast are not really used for Xtra power toms. Its not needed either. Keep the kit as original as you can. You can't sell it at a later date as a Lars copy anyway.

I got high and low serials. One bassdrum 16*24 is: 0293. If the badge says Granstar and a number then its most likely original. If says Granstar Custom or Crestar its a painted version. Granstar is wrap. Granstar Custom and Crestar is the same drums. By any chance grab'em. They sound awesome and 16*24 are not as common.

Anyway good luck with your projekt.

Here are the Lugs and claw/t-rods for my bass drum, Tom Tree holder, Tom mount castings w/o the levers (they will stay chrome for now). Of course there is more to be powdercoated but these are what I have done so far. My Titan Boom Stands were dropped off to be powdercoated this morning. The Tom Tree and corresponding attachments are being done 2morrow. I will keep posting as get more done. I will post a pix of my bass drum with the black hardware just to give an idea. Remember this will be prior to the re-wrap. I hope you guys like it. If not, SFW.

I just got my Tom Tree and my 2 Tama Titan Stands back from the Powdercoat shop ( need 2 more). Thanx again Patrick at Fusion Powdercoat in Dania Beach, Florida. Job well done.

vicbo69 attached the following image(s):

wow nice work!

I see you doing a white kit so I figured I might get some feedback on these. I just spent the last few or more months on these old Granstars. Sizes are 16x22(2) 8x8, 10x10, 10x11, 11x12, 12x13, 13x14 racks and 16x16 and 16x16 on the floor. I started with a beat up nile blue kit $249. off ebay, and an ok fire red kit $299. from guitar center in texas, I added the 8-10 and 11 toms(a little pricey on these). I sprayed all the original chrome down with spoke acid, let it sit 5 minutes and hosed it off. That stuff is the best on old chrome, just make sure you neutralize it with some detergent and get it all off, if the chrome isnt too bad it will look great when your done, and you dont even have to scrub it. I covered the shells in Gloss White from Jammin Sam(about $270. for everything) I taped off all the bearing edges and sprayed satin white inside the shells, like the old Crestars and Customs(my luck the 2 kits had different color stain on the inside birch and I wanted clear heads so I needed a fix) I also sprayed the 2 octobans in satin white. My snare is a Maple Pearl 8x14 with the double adjust strainer that I refinished in satin white. I had an extra Granstar badge that I fit on it for aesthetic purposes, it blends nicely and its a hell of a snare. I did the boom weights in white satin. Bass Hoops by my boy Dave at his shop, snow white laquer. Clear Ambassador batters, and attack thin skin rezos on the toms. I removed all the logos from the heads for a cleaner look. I have Evans EQ Batters (nothing inside!) and Attack clear rezos on the bass drums with 11" white tama logos front and back. They sound fat wet and deep! Click on the pics to get a good look, and let me know what you think.


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I used the high bond tape. It doesnt interfere with the plys on the outer shell, so if you want to change up later on its not a problem. The hardware holds the wrap on well anyway, and if you get it nice and tight you will have no worries. Ask for 1/2 shorter on the depth, thats 1/4 short top and bottom and you wont have any problems with the heads. Thats about what the tama wrap was cut at. It doesnt interfere with the sound in any way if its not glued. Trust me, its way easier to use with no mess and worries about screwin up the shells. Just follow the directions on how to do it and be patient. I also used the screw on 1/2 inch grommets. Its hard to get the badges of without making a mark and the grommets have an inside piece that screws on and covers any visible marks from the grommet removal. The badge and the hole will have to be widened a very little for it to fit, but its better than glue on the old grommets. If you decide to go the way I did, let me know if you need any help or advise, I will be more than glad to help. The places I check for drums are: Guitar Center Used Gear Nationwide Search. Craigslist within about 80-100 miles of me, and of course ebay. Have fun, the finished product is well worth it. Man I love the old Tama stuff, cant beat it!

Thanx rez i'll give it a try. I have to score me a 14 and 15 tom first.
Thanx bro. Yeah man the Grannies rule. You have some sweet kits there bud.