Two of the most popular intermediate maple shell packs, close in price. Both are all-maple, but they voice and mount their shells differently.
| Gretsch Catalina Maple | Tama Superstar Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199 | $1,049 |
| DrumReviewer score | 9.0 / 10 | 9.1 / 10 |
| Configuration | 5-piece shell pack with snare, with 7-piece options | 3-piece, 5-piece with snare, or 7-piece with snare shell pack |
| Shell material | Maple | Maple |
| Plies / edge | 7-ply maple construction | 6-ply 5mm toms/snare; 8-ply 7mm kick |
| Finish | Seafoam Green, Walnut Glaze, Lemon Sparkle, Black Stardust, Purple Gloss, Deep Cherry Burst, and more | Mahogany Burst Lacquer, Transparent Black Burst, Indigo Sparkle, Midnight Gold Sparkle, Dark Indigo Burst |
| Bass drum | 22 x 18 in, with other variants | 18 x 22 in, with 20 and 18 in kick variants |
| Snare | 14 x 5.5 in or 14 x 6.5 in depending on pack | 14 x 5 or 14 x 6.5 in in 5-/7-piece packs |
| Rack toms | Rack tom 1: 10 x 7 in Rack tom 2: 12 x 8 in | Rack toms: 8 x 7, 10 x 8, or 12 x 9 in variants |
| Floor toms | Floor tom: 14 x 14 or 16 x 16 in | Floor toms: 14 x 12 or 16 x 14 in |
| Made in | China | China |
Pick the Gretsch Catalina Maple for a warmer, rounder tone - its 30-degree bearing edges and Remo heads give an open, vintage-leaning voice, and it is a touch cheaper. Pick the Tama Superstar Classic for a more resonant, articulate sound from its thin 6-ply shells and Star-Mount system, plus a wider range of striking gloss finishes. Both are excellent; it comes down to tone preference and finish.