Tama Superstar Classic CL72S 7-piece Review: With Snare

Who Should Buy It

Key Specifications

Overview

The Tama Superstar Classic CL72S 7-piece is a large all maple shell pack that, unlike most of the other packs covered in this comparison, includes a matched 14 inch snare drum rather than leaving the snare to be sourced separately. The listing also publishes a full size breakdown for every piece, 8, 10 and 12 inch rack toms, 14 and 16 inch floor toms, a 22 inch bass drum and the snare, which removes almost all of the sizing guesswork that affects many competing shell packs.

What the listing does not state is the specific mounting hardware, lug type or hoop material used across the seven shells. That gap leaves part of the build quality picture to be inferred from the Superstar Classic name generally rather than confirmed directly within this particular listing.

Taken as a whole, this is one of the more complete listings in its category, combining full sizing, a matched snare and an all maple build in a single purchase. The Gloss Garnet Lacebark Pine finish adds a genuinely distinctive visual element that most buyers will not already own on another kit.

Shells, Sizes and Sound

All maple shell construction across all seven pieces, including the snare, should give the kit a cohesive tonal character with a warm, resonant quality that many drummers associate with maple generally. Having the snare built from the same shell material as the toms and bass drum is a genuine advantage for tonal matching compared with sourcing a snare separately from a different brand or material.

With every size confirmed, 8, 10 and 12 inch rack toms, 14 and 16 inch floor toms, a 22 inch bass drum and a 14 inch snare, this is a large, full range configuration that should give a drummer considerable flexibility for fills and melodic tom work. That breadth of confirmed sizing is a clear strength relative to shell packs that only state an overall piece count.

Because the listing does not state shell ply count, thickness or bearing edge detail, some finer tonal nuance remains unconfirmed even with sizing fully published. A buyer who wants that level of technical specificity should request it directly from the seller before assuming it matches another Superstar Classic configuration.

Hardware and Build

No mounting system, lug type or hoop material is named for the CL72S, which is a real information gap given how much else is confirmed in this listing. Buyers relying on the Superstar Classic name for build quality assurance are trusting series reputation rather than a specific, checkable hardware spec here.

Because hardware is not detailed, it is sensible to budget for the possibility of eventually upgrading tom mounts or hoops if the stock components do not meet expectations for regular gigging. That uncertainty is the main reason build confidence trails the otherwise strong sizing and snare inclusion.

A buyer already familiar with other Superstar Classic configurations may be able to estimate likely hardware quality by comparison, even though this listing stops short of naming specific parts. That inference is a reasonable starting point but should not replace physically inspecting the hardware once the kit actually arrives.

What Is in the Box

Based on the listing, the box should contain all seven shells, three rack and floor toms, the bass drum and the matched 14 inch snare drum, all finished in Gloss Garnet Lacebark Pine. No cymbals, a bass pedal or a throne are indicated as included.

Including a matched snare is a meaningful difference from several comparable shell packs that leave the snare to be purchased separately. Buyers should still confirm exactly what mounting hardware ships in the box before assuming it matches a particular style they already prefer.

Because the listing does not state whether the snare arrives with its own strainer and tuning hardware named, a buyer should also check that detail directly with the seller. Confirming it in advance avoids any uncertainty about whether the snare ships fully fitted or needs additional parts sourced separately.

• 7-piece all maple shell pack with matched snare
• 8, 10 and 12 inch rack toms
• 14 and 16 inch floor toms
• 22 inch bass drum
• 14 inch snare drum
• Gloss Garnet Lacebark Pine finish

Playability and Setup

A full seven-piece configuration with three rack and floor toms plus a bass drum and snare is a considerable step up in setup complexity from a compact four-piece. An experienced drummer should find the confirmed sizing helpful in planning stands and spacing in advance, even without the mounting hardware named.

Because the specific mounts and hoops are not detailed, the ease of adjusting tom angles across seven shells cannot be confirmed from the listing alone. A buyer who prioritizes quick, tool free adjustments should ask the seller directly before committing to the larger setup.

Drummers moving up from a compact four-piece kit to this full seven-piece configuration should also budget extra rehearsal time to get comfortable reaching every tom and the snare without disrupting their existing playing habits around the kit. That adjustment period is a normal part of stepping up to a larger configuration and should not be mistaken for a flaw in the kit itself.

Finish and Looks

Gloss Garnet Lacebark Pine is a striking, high shine finish with a distinctive grain pattern reference that should stand out considerably more than a flat single tone lacquer. That kind of finish tends to draw attention on stage or in a studio photo in a way a plain stock color does not.

Spread across all seven shells and the matched snare, the consistent Gloss Garnet Lacebark Pine finish should give the full kit a visually unified look despite the large piece count. That cohesion matters more as the configuration grows, since a seven-piece kit becomes a considerably larger visual presence than a compact pack.

A high gloss finish like this also tends to reflect stage lighting more noticeably than a matte or satin alternative, which can add visual interest during a performance. The trade off is that a glossy surface may also show fingerprints and dust more readily during regular handling than a satin lacquer would.

Upgrades and Daily Use

Because shell material, sizing and the snare are all confirmed while hardware is not, this pack gives a strong baseline for planning head choices and future hardware upgrades. A buyer should still measure the shells directly after arrival to plan precise head purchases rather than guessing from typical seven-piece layouts.

For daily rehearsal or studio use, an all maple seven-piece kit with a matched snare should provide a durable, cohesive foundation for a working drummer. That potential is best realized once the kit is paired with heads and cymbals chosen specifically to complement the maple tone already built into the shells.

A drummer who gigs frequently with this configuration may eventually want to revisit the unnamed mounting hardware, since that is the one area of the build not independently confirmed in the listing. Planning for that possibility early makes any later hardware swap considerably less disruptive to a regular rehearsal schedule.

Who Should Buy It

This shell pack suits a drummer who wants a complete, large configuration including a matched snare in one purchase rather than sourcing the snare separately. It is a strong fit for a buyer who values confirmed sizing across every piece and is comfortable without a fully detailed hardware spec sheet.

It is a weaker fit for a buyer who only wants a compact four-piece footprint, or who needs every mounting component named before ordering. Those buyers should look at a smaller shell pack or one with a fuller hardware breakdown.

Alternatives Worth Considering

A buyer who wants a smaller footprint should compare this against a standard four-piece shell pack, trading the matched snare and wider tom range for a more compact, easier to transport kit. That comparison matters most for a drummer who gigs frequently in tight venues.

For a buyer who wants every hardware component confirmed, other large shell packs in a similar price tier sometimes publish lug type, hoop material and mounting system directly in the listing. That added detail can make a side by side comparison easier before committing to a purchase at this price.

Verdict

The Tama Superstar Classic CL72S 7-piece stands out for including a matched snare drum alongside a fully confirmed size breakdown across all seven pieces, which is a meaningful advantage over shell packs that leave sizing or the snare unresolved. The all maple build should give the configuration a consistent tone from drum to drum.

The main limitation remains the missing hardware detail, with no mounting system, lugs or hoops named in the listing. For a drummer who wants a complete, large all maple configuration with a matched snare and is comfortable confirming hardware separately, this is a solidly scored, well rounded purchase.

Strengths and Limitations

Alternatives to Consider

Gretsch RENOWN 4-PIECE SHELL PACK

An experienced drummer who wants the warm Gretsch maple sound in a professional shell pack and already owns quality hardware and cymbals.

Read the Gretsch RENOWN 4-PIECE SHELL PACK review →

Gretsch Drums Renown 5

An experienced drummer who wants a professional five-piece shell pack in the classic 22-inch kick layout and already owns hardware and cymbals.

Read the Gretsch Drums Renown 5 review →

Gretsch Drums Renown RN2-J483 3-piece

A jazz, acoustic or small-venue drummer who wants a professional compact shell pack and already owns a snare, hardware and cymbals.

Read the Gretsch Drums Renown RN2-J483 3-piece review →

Questions Buyers Ask