WELCOME to the Backbeat FAQ thread. This thread will be left open for anyone to ask questions, find answers, or submit additions to the FAQ list. Please do not hold discussions in this thread. If you notice that forum members are asking the same questions over and over again, but the questions are not listed in here, please post in Q & A form, and I will add it to the list. If you can’t find an answer on the forums or on <a href="http://www.tama.com/splash/" target="_blank">The TAMA Website</a>, post it here, and someone will reply to your question. Enjoy!
If you have any problems with the forum itself, please click <a href="http://www.tama.com/forum/help.asp#FAQ13" target="_blank">HERE</a> to be taken to the Forum FAQ. The FAQ’s below mainly deal with Tama Drums and Hardware.</u></strong>
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<br /><strong><u>01. What do Sound Focus Rings do?</u></strong>
<br />Sound Focus Rings add a mellow, slightly muted overtone to the basic tone of the drum. This makes the drum sound warmer and fuller. Note that these terms are VERY subjective. Tama Sound Focus Rings should not be confused with the ordinary reinforcement rings found in other brands of drums. Standard reinforcement rings are customarily cut strips of wood that may or may not be made of the same material as the drums themselves. Tama Sound Focus Rings are cut from actual Starclassic Maple shells so they have the same resonant properties and tensile strength as the shells in which they are placed. Tama is the only drum manufacturer to utilize this design process.
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<br /><strong><u>02. Do you have a schedule of upcoming clinics in the U.S.A.?</u></strong>
<br />Yes, click <a href="http://www.tama.com/artists/clinics.asp" target="_blank">HERE</a> for an up-to-date list of Tama clinics.
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<br /><strong><u>03. Does ALL of your product appear on your website? </u></strong>
<br />All the Tama products currently available in the U.S. can be found on the website with the exception of dealer exclusive models.
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<br /><strong><u>04. How can I order a catalog?</u></strong>
<br />See our Catalog page, <a href="http://www.tama.com/support/catalogs.asp" target="_blank">HERE</a>
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<br /><strong><u>05. How can I tell how old my drum is? Can I tell from the serial numbers?</u></strong>
<br />Only Tama Starclassic Maple Drums have serial numbers that indicate the age of the drums. With the Starclassic Serial number system, you apply the "subtract 10 system" to the first two digits of the number to get what year they were made in. This is easier to explain by example than describe, so here goes:
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<br />Example 1: If the number on your Starclassic drum was 1102401, subtracting 10 from the 11 (the first two digits) leaves you with "01" which translates into 2001, the year of manufacture.
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<br />Example 2: If the number on your Starclassic drum was 04091809, subtracting 10 from 04 (the first two digits) leaves you with "94" which under this interesting system translates into 1994.
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<br />In the case of other Tama drums, unfortunately, the serial numbers do not indicate the time of manufacture. Take a look at our Historical Section to pinpoint when different models and series that were made to help you identify your kit. Failing that, you can send pictures of your kit to: Tama Drum Identification, Box 886, Bensalem, PA 19020. United States snail mail inquiries only. Please do not send one-of-a-kind photos as we cannot guarantee their return. Naturally, the more the pictures clearly show the sets lugs, spur brackets, tom holders, badges and anything else that will help identify your kit the better.
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<br />Tama Starclassic Performer Drums are not subject to this serial number system. This is also not true of EVERY drum, as there are some exceptions.
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<br /><strong><u>06. Why aren't there any prices listed on the U.S. Tama website?</u></strong>
<br />The Tama website services the entire world with information and pictures. To list every price for every market would not only take up a lot of screen space and clutter the images, such a task is also almost impossible to monitor. As a result, we ask that you please check with your local Tama dealer for up-to-date pricing information. Every Tama dealer has a complete pricing guide on all our products.
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<br /><strong><u>07. Are Tama bass drum logo heads available?</u></strong>
<br />Yes. The different styles available are:
<br />* BH20B, BH22B, BH24B: 20", 22", and 24" solid black bass drum heads with white Tama logo
<br />* 6170BPT, 6172BPT, 6174BPT: 20", 22", and 24" solid black bass drum heads with white Tama logo and 10" ported hole.
<br />* BK20BMSG, BK22BMSG, BK24BMSG: 20", 22", and 24" solid black head with large "Tama" logo at the top, and small "Starclassic" logo at bottom.
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<br /><strong><u>08. Can I order my drums and/or accessories direct from Tama? </u></strong>
<br />Tama sells drums and hardware only though authorized retailers. To find the authorized U.S. Tama retailer closest to you, please consult our Dealer Locator.
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<br /><strong><u>09. How can I order Tama t-shirts and apparel?</u></strong>
<br />You can order Tama apparel through our new online store. Please click <a href="https://store.tama.com/store/comersus_dynamicIndex.asp" target="_blank">HERE</a> to be directed to the store.
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<br /><strong><u>10. Does Tama offer drum cases? </u></strong>
<br />Tama does not offer drum cases in the states. We'd love to carry them, but shipping, customs duties, and storage costs would end up making the cases we offer in Japan too expensive here. Fortunately, there are number of great U.S. case manufacturers.
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<br /><strong><u>11. How do I obtain replacement parts? </u></strong>
<br />Tama sells drum, hardware and parts exclusively through authorized Tama retailers. We do not do direct sales. Click <a href="http://www.tama.com/drums/tama_link.asp?page=http://www.tamadrum.co.jp/world/parts/index.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> for the Parts sections. There are individual part breakdowns for almost every drum and hardware unit we offer.
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<br /><strong><u>12. Can I order a Starclassic Performer bass drum without a base mount?</u></strong>
<br />Yes, Starclassic Performer bass drum are available without the base mount. We even offer a selection of pre-configured shell packs that do not have base mounts!
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<br /><strong><u>13. Does Tama accept custom orders? Can I custom order a drum size, color, etc.?</u></strong>
<br />There are literally thousands of ways you can order a Starclassic Maple drum; however, only those drum models and finishes listed in the current Tama catalogue or current Tama price list are available for order.
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<br /><strong><u>14. What about discontinued drum finishes? Can I match the color I have on an add-on drum?</u></strong>Tama customarily makes add-on drums in discontinued covered finishes for 3-5 years after the date of discontinuation. Please be aware that in transparent finishes, matching can sometimes be a challenge. Unless a drum is cut practically from the same tree, you have to expect some variations. Blue and aqua-colored finishes can often differ greatly from drum to drum.Check with your Tama retailer about the availability of add-on drums in discontinued finishes.
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<br /><strong><u>15. What's the smallest rack tom you offer?</u></strong>
<br />We offer an 8 x 8 in all our lines, including Swingstar. But we also offer a 6 x 8 in both Starclassic Maple and Starclassic Performer.
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<br /><strong><u>16. How long will it take for my special order drum to arrive to my dealer?</u></strong>
<br />Starclassic Bubinga and Starclassic Maple drums will take approximately 50-70 days for production and delivery from the time the order is placed with the manufacturer. Starclassic Bubinga Omni-Tune and Starclassic Performer (including EFX) will take approximately 90-120 days for production and delivery. Superstar Custom, Superstar EFX, Superstar, and Swingstar special orders will take approximately 120-150 days for production and delivery.
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<br /><strong><u>17. Are the cams on the Iron Cobra pedals interchangeable? </u></strong>
<br />Yes, but the change should only be made by a professional drum hardware repairperson.
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<br /><strong><u>18. Can I convert my single bass drum pedal into a double?</u></strong>
<br />Some older Tama models did feature a convertible design and optional slave units; however, these are no longer available. Technically it's still feasible to convert a single to a double, but it's less expensive (when you add all the individual part prices) and a whole lot less complicated to simply go for a double pedal.
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<br /><strong><u>19. Can Iron Cobra double pedals be turned into left-handed pedals?</u></strong>
<br />No, however, we do make the HP900PTWL, a left-handed version of our very popular HP900PTW Powerglide twin pedal. The HP900PTWL lefty features the same list price as the right-handed version.
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<br /><strong><u>20. What is the difference between a Rolling Glide and a Power Glide pedal?</u></strong>
<br />The difference between the two is the shape of the two different cams. The Rolling Glide cam has a uniform rounded cam which allows the beater to roll into the bass drum. The Power Glide cam is an offset cam that allows for increased power and speed as the beater reaches the bass drum.
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<br /><strong><u>21. What’s the best way to clean my drums and hardware? </u></strong>
<br />Painted finishes: Use a very soft, clean cloth. Furniture polishes used sparingly can help, but stay away from anything with compounding and to be safe, avoid lemon oils. To be REALLY safe, guitar polishes are probably the best choice as they have been designed with musical instruments in mind.
<br />- Covered finishes: Because of static electricity, the easiest way using a wrung out wet towel or soft cloth. Some have recommended glass cleaners, but you don't always know whether there are anti-bacteria agents, which can cause streaking, so Tama recommends sticking to using a damp cloth or towel.
<br />- Hardware: Car wax is good for hardware and stands, but do not over apply and make sure not to get the wax on the finishes.
<br />- For lubricating bass pedals and hardware moving parts, use Time Tune Up Oil. Be sparing and wipe up any excess later.
<br />- One last re-reminder: be careful not to get polishes from lugs or oils from moving parts onto the drum finishes themselves.
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<br /><strong><u>22. Do we ever have contests to win free drums? </u></strong>
<br />Yes, we do from time to time. When we run contests (or we are involved with the contest of another company such as a drum magazine) they will be featured on the main page.
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<br /><strong><u>23. How do I post pictures on the forums?</u></strong>
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<br />Before posting pictures on Tama's Backbeat Drum Forum, you must first have a place to "host" your pictures. A host is a website that allows you to upload your pictures directly onto their server, whether it's a community hosting website such as Photobucket or Imageshack, or your own personal website. Some websites offer free hosting, and will limit your file size and bandwidth. Others require a monthly or yearly membership fee and will grant you more space to host larger images.
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<br />If you choose to hot-link images from another website, you are assumed to have full permission from the owner of the linked website to do so. Tama holds no responsibility for stolen images or bandwidth. The safe way is to provide a link to the page which contains the image, rather than hot-linking the image using the [I<em></em>MG][/I<em></em>MG] tags. The hot-linking method is not recommended.
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<br />With that said, assuming you have ownership of the image you would like to post, or you have full permission from the rightful owner to do so, this is how you go about posting an image on Backbeat.
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<br />Copy the URL from the picture. To find the URL, hold your mouse pointer over the image, and right-click. A box will appear with several options. At the bottom of the box you will see <strong>Properties</strong>. Click on properties, and another box will appear. In the middle it will say <strong>Address: (URL)</strong> followed by a long string of information, which will look something like this:
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<br /><strong>http://www.tama.com/drums/new/fullsize/HWT.jpg</strong>
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<br />Highlight the text, right-click, and copy. Then enter the forum thread which you would like to post in. You can either manually type the [I<em></em>MG][/I<em></em>MG] tags and paste the URL between them, or you can click the button located at the top of the reply box which displays a small tree icon. This will provide a box that will automatically generate the IMG tags once a URL has been entered.
<br /><edited><editID>JAY13</editID><editDate>2006-3-16 9:10:47</editDate></edited>
