To revisit the past is to appreciate the future. Yes indeed; we are all very familiar about this history lesson cliché. Despite how much people tend to hate cliché's, they never become one if they weren't true and applicable in real life. And so the postmodern cliché of new technology bringing back the old is evident in Tama's new release. Summer 2009 saw the debut of the Tama Starphonic Snare Drums, dubbed as bringing in the new sound from the golden age.

New sound from the golden age? Seems like a paradoxical statement isn't it? Considering today's generation who might not even have heard of those vintage sounds that most of us love, then the concept will seem new to those who hear of it. The Starphonic snare drums boast of radical shell construction and new hoop and strainer designs, being the result of three years of research and testing.

Tama proudly announces eight advancements in snare design based on their research. First of these is the grooved hoop. Lacking the holes to accommodate tension rods plus a 1.6-mm thickness, the grooved hoop has better strength and roundness as well as better resonance, sensitivity, precision, and control. The bearing edge is crucial to the Starphonic's unique sound, giving it the most functional point of contact between the drum head and shell. The new "linear-drive" strainer allows more precise control over the tension of the snares, eliminating the snap associated with most strainers. This is accompanied by super-sensitive high-carbon snares which fit closely to the snare side head to give a more crisp and sensitive sound. The Freedom Lug and Claw Hook offers speedy replacement of drum heads without taking out all the tension rods. A non-loosening rubber gasket installed in the claw hooks prevent the tension rods from loosening while playing. The detachable butt plate allows a simpler way of changing the snare side head without relieving the tension off the snare wires. Last but not least is the ratchet-style snappy tension adjuster which enables you to perform very fine adjustments of the snare wires as well as added high-pressure retention.

The Tama Starphonic snare drums are currently available in maple (PMM146), bubinga (PBC146), brass (PBR146), and aluminum (PAL146). Pricing for each kind is still TBA.