Hi all,

I'm Dan, a drummer since 1989 & this is my first post here.

I'm wondering if any TAMA boffins can help me:

I have an Artstar ES kit that I bought in 1993.

Recently I purchased another Artstar ES (reportedly from 1994) for the purpose of transferring a few chrome parts to my original kit that had worn down a bit after years of gigging.

Both kits have the usual TAMA / Made In Japan badges, but I was surprised to find when I took both kits apart that my lugs and mounts were engraved inside with "JAPAN", yet my 2nd matching bass drum that I purchased the same year had lugs engraved with "TAIWAN", and were slightly lighter in weight. The recently purchased Artstar ES was not engraved with any country at all, but matched the casting and weight of the Taiwanese lugs from my 2nd kick.

Overall it's a little bit disappointing to find this out, because the Japanese lugs feel heavier, sturdier, and appear to be chromed more nicely. So I won't be swapping any lugs off my original kit. They aren't too bad anyway, and I've moved them around so that any really bad ones are in the least conspicuous places, like on the bottom of the bass drum.

My main question is - does anyone know much about the Mighty Hoops, and if they too may have been manufactured in different factories?

Some of the hoops on my recent purchase are in nicer condition, but I have a slight apprehension that they may be Taiwanese too.

Any thoughts or info greatly appreciated :)

Thanks.