Which is better for jazz and small gigs?

The Stage Custom Bop. Its 18" kick, 12" tom and 14" floor tom are sized for jazz and tight stages, and birch gives a bright, articulate attack. The Tour Custom can be ordered with an 18" kick too, but its maple shells suit rock and studio work better.

Is the Tour Custom worth stepping up to?

Yes if tone and hardware matter more than piece count. Maple shells, thinner plies, 2.3mm DynaHoops and maple bass hoops are real upgrades over the Stage Custom's birch shells and 1.5mm hoops. If you need five pieces and a small footprint, the Bop is the better fit.

Which kit lasts longer?

Both are well built and gig-worthy. The Tour Custom's heavier 2.3mm hoops and lacquer finish hold up better to heavy playing and road wear. The Stage Custom's steel hoops and wrap-style finish are durable but less premium.

Do both use the same tom mount?

Yes. Both use Yamaha's Y.E.S.S. nodal-point mounting, which minimizes shell contact and lets toms sit close together. The Stage Custom ships with a double tom arm; the Tour Custom uses a TH945C or CL945LB holder depending on the set.

Can I get a bigger bass drum on either?

The Tour Custom comes in 18" to 22" bass drums, so you can pick a 20" or 22" for rock. The Stage Custom Bop is fixed at 18" x 15"; other Stage Custom configurations offer larger kicks.

Are cymbals included?

No. Neither kit includes cymbals. The Stage Custom Bop is a shell pack; the Tour Custom includes a tom holder and hardware depending on the set, but you still need cymbals and stands.

Yamaha Stage Custom Bop vs Yamaha Tour Custom

The Stage Custom Bop is the compact jazz kit: 18" bass, 12" tom, 14" floor tom, 14x5.5 snare, all birch. The Tour Custom is the step-up line: all maple, thinner 6-ply 5.6mm shells, 2.3mm Inverse DynaHoop hoops and maple bass hoops, in a 4-piece shell pack. Reviewers and owners consistently call the Stage Custom the best value in its class and praise the Tour Custom for a warmer, more open tone and better hardware. Buy the Bop for small stages, rehearsals and acoustic gigs; buy the Tour Custom if you want a more refined maple kit and can accept a 4-piece setup.

Choose the Stage Custom Bop if you want a small, gig-friendly birch kit with a 5-piece setup and an 18" kick.
Choose the Yamaha Tour Custom if you want all-maple shells, upgraded hoops and a warmer, more resonant tone.

Prices

Yamaha Stage Custom Bop: $598.99 at Amazon (checked today)