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Description

Experience the pinnacle of craftsmanship with the Tama Artstar II 9-piece LU Signature drum kit, a truly distinguished addition to any drummer's arsenal. Renowned for its exceptional build quality and superb tonal clarity, this drum set embodies the precision and innovation that Tama is celebrated for. Designed in collaboration with legendary drummers, this kit delivers a dynamic range of sounds, making it perfect for both live performances and studio recordings.

Crafted from high-quality birch and maple, the shells are engineered to produce a rich, resonant tone that cuts through the mix, while the Star-Cast mounting system ensures maximum resonance and stability. The set includes a variety of toms, a snare, and bass drums, allowing for versatile configurations tailored to your playing style. This drum kit isn't just about sound; it's a visual masterpiece with its sleek hardware and meticulous attention to detail.

Whether you're a touring professional or an avid enthusiast, the Tama Artstar II offers unparalleled playability and durability. Its ergonomic design ensures comfort during extended sessions, and the hardware's robust construction promises to withstand the rigors of frequent use. Elevate your rhythm with a drum kit that's as serious about performance as you are.

Key Features:

  • 9-piece drum set for versatile configurations
  • High-quality birch and maple shells for vibrant sound
  • Star-Cast mounting system for enhanced shell resonance
  • Ergonomically designed for comfortable play
  • Durable hardware designed for longevity
  • Ideal for both live performances and studio recordings
CHRIS WILLIAMS

CHRIS WILLIAMS

TAMA Lars Ulrich Signature Artstar II Soundcheck - Metallica Black Album Tour Drum Kit

Video thumbnail for TAMA Lars Ulrich Signature Artstar II Soundcheck - Metallica Black Album Tour Drum Kit by CHRIS WILLIAMS

TAMA Lars Ulrich Signature Artstar II Soundcheck - Metallica Black Album Tour Drum Kit

CHRIS WILLIAMS

CHRIS WILLIAMS

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Tama Artstar II 9 pieces LU Signature drum kit.

Features and functionality

  • The Tama Artstar II kit reportedly produces a snare sound reminiscent of a shotgun blast, particularly when paired with Zildjian cymbals and a bell brass snare.

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  • The setup included 24-inch kick drums, contributing to a powerful sound that some describe as feeling like "your heart is going to rip out."

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  • The Artstar II kit used in the "Lux Æterna" video omitted original power toms, altering its iconic setup.

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  • The Artstar II kit allows for extensive tom rolls, which are a hallmark of its appeal to drummers seeking that specific performance style.

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User experience

  • Owners note the kit's thunderous live performance, highlighting its powerful sound during the '89 and '91-'93 live shows.

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  • It's been emphasized that the kit is difficult to find due to a limited production run of only 25 units, making them highly sought after by collectors.

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  • Owners highlight the challenge of positioning the large deep toms, especially given Lars' lower seating position.

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  • Owners describe the kit's sound as "big 80's," ideal for massive tom rolls, offering a nostalgic play experience with a large setup.

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Setup and maintenance

  • The Artstar II's tom mount design, featuring a lever and special bolt, is noted as problematic and parts are no longer available, complicating maintenance.

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  • The clamping ball lock hardware struggles to hold position reliably after 40 years, impacting stability during play.

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Build quality

  • Artstar II shells in Lars' kit featured Granstar/Crestar single lugs, a special order for appearance rather than resonance.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating

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Artist usage

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See how Kurt Cobain uses Tama Artstar II 9 pieces LU Signature drum kit

Kurt Cobain

Singer, Guitarist

Nirvana

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video titled "Nirvana - Season In The Sun (Official Video) [Remastered Video+Audio]" by Friday Killaz, Kurt Cobain can be seen playing the drums during a soundcheck for the demo of "Seasons in the Sun," using the Tama Artstar II 9 pieces LU Signature drum kit, while also singing.

See how James Hetfield uses Tama Artstar II 9 pieces LU Signature drum kit

James Hetfield

Bassist, Drummer

Metallica

...
Verified via Photo

In a 1992 performance of "Am I Evil" in Los Angeles, James Hetfield is seen playing the Tama Artstar II 9-piece LU Signature drum kit, as evidenced by the image provided.

See how Lars Ulrich uses Tama Artstar II 9 pieces LU Signature drum kit

Lars Ulrich

Drummer

Metallica

...
Verified via YouTube

The very first Tama LU signature live drum kit and his first maple. Built on a Tama Artstar II Maple 9mm / 8 plys Snow White with modifications such as Short Lugs from the Granstar series and in black like the rest of the hardware (lugs, hoops, stands, tom holder, etc.). It features 2 Bass Drums of 24x16 '', 4 Toms of 10x10 '', 12x11 '', 14x13 '' & 16x16 '', 2 Floors of 18x16 '' + a Brass Snare of 14x6.5 '' lacquered Snow White. Fully covered with Remo drumhead. Powerstroke 3 in Beater / Ambassador Ebony Resonant Pinstripe Clear in Beater / Ambassador Ebony Resonant on Toms & Floors, Coated Controled Reverse Reverse Sound in Beater / Ambassador Snare Clear Resonant for BB Snare. Cymbals all Zildjian with one of the best series, Zildjian A Brillant, 17 '' & 18 '' Medium Crashes on the left, 18 '', 17 '' & 16 '' Rock Crashes on the right. 2 Z Custom 14 '' Dyno Beat Hi-Hat (one on each side) and a 19 '' China Boy Low. 2 Pro-Beat HP45 pedals (pre-Power Glide) with traditional beater, Hi-Hat stand HH95NL Glide Lever, X-Hat HH95XH for Hi-Hat on the right and 6 cymbals double boom stands with counterweight Titan HC104. In 1992, Tama made 25 copies for the general public but only 23 will be available. Just the drum 9 pieces without stands, pedals, cymbals. It's really the metal drum kit of reference. The 2 '' gap between each Toms gives a better and bigger tone difference which is more pronounced, stands out more in a fill, an intro or Toms solo.... The video shown from Harvester Of Sorrow is great for hearing. The drum kit is well mixed, panned in stereo (as if we would sit in front) to distinguish the shells and cymbals to their respective sides (eg we can clearly hear the main Hi-Hat and Medium Crashes 17 '' & 18 '' on the right '' 80/20% '', the 2nd Hi-Hat, the 18 '', 17 '' & 16 '' Rock Crashes '' 20/80% '', the Floors '' 10/90%) left and Toms from right to left according to their% of their positions. Only the Bass Drum and the Snare is central. In addition, it is an excellent video to understand the sound of the drum and the sound of the drum is loud and clear. We hear everything and very well the super sounds of each piece.

See how Stefanie Eulinberg uses Tama Artstar II 9 pieces LU Signature drum kit

Stefanie Eulinberg

Singer, Drummer

The Twisted Brown Trucker

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Verified via Photo

Stefanie Eulinberg is seen using a Tama Artstar II 9-piece LU Signature drum kit in the user-uploaded photo, which features the same model with a different finish.

Album Usage

The Tama Artstar II 9 pieces LU Signature drum kit has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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