Floor tom from Tama Starclassic Maple series. In the '80s TAMA's Superstars and Imperialstars reigned supreme - the perfect drums for the times. But TAMA's builders and designers wanted something that transcended trends, something timeless - drums that understood a player's passion and allowed the expression of every genre, style, mood, and technique. They created Starclassic Maple drums...and ignited the thin-shell revolution. Hoops not only affect drum tuning; they also affect drum sound. That's why the choice of hoops was so important to the designers of TAMA's professional drum lines. We choose zinc die-cast hoops, which are manufactured by injecting molten metal into molds. Die-cast hoops have more density and are more consistent in shape than triple flanged hoops, which are manufactured by bending metal plates. Die-cast hoops make tuning more consistent and easier to achieve because the tension bolts always contact the hoop properly. Drums fitted with die-cast hoops also offer crisper attack, clear and resonant highs and much more powerful rim shots.