Overview

The Tama Imperialstar is a five-piece drum kit aimed at beginning and intermediate drummers who want a reliable, complete setup with Tama's renowned build quality at an entry-level price. The shells are constructed from six-ply poplar with a proprietary Tama bearing edge design that promotes clean head contact and a warm, balanced tone. A typical configuration includes a 22-inch bass drum, 10-inch and 12-inch mounted toms, a 16-inch floor tom, and a 14x5-inch matching snare drum, complete with a full hardware pack featuring a hi-hat stand, cymbal stand, snare stand, and bass drum pedal. The sound is warm and rounded, with decent projection for rehearsals and smaller gigs, and the drums respond well to tuning adjustments across a useful range. Tama's Accu-Tune bass drum hoops allow for quicker, more precise bass drum tuning, and the Star-Mount tom system provides stable mounting while allowing the toms to resonate naturally. The wrapped finishes are cleanly applied and available in a variety of colors that suit different stage aesthetics. Build quality is solid for the price tier, with hardware that feels stable and drum shells that maintain their shape over time. The Imperialstar is an excellent starter kit for new drummers entering lessons or their first band. The included cymbals in bundled packages are basic and represent the first upgrade most players will pursue.

Acoustic Drums

Entry-level five-piece poplar drum kit with complete hardware pack, Accu-Tune bass drum hoops, and Star-Mount tom system from renowned Tama quality standards.

Instrument Details

$649 Beginner
Brand Tama
Type 5-Piece Drum Kit
Made In China
Year 2012
4.4 1 vote

AI Reviews

4.4 /5

The Tama Imperialstar remains a benchmark for what a complete entry-level setup should be. While many manufacturers cut corners on shell integrity at this price point, Tama's precision-cut bearing edges and fully glued wraps ensure these 6-ply poplar shells resonate cleanly without the unwanted buzzing common in budget kits. The sound is characterized by a warm, soft fundamental that is remarkably forgiving for beginners still mastering tuning.

What truly sets this kit apart is the hardware. The inclusion of the Iron Cobra 200 power glide pedal and the Omnisphere tom holder provides a level of ergonomic flexibility and durability rarely seen in 'starter' packages. The L-Rod tom mount allows for micro-adjustments that help players find a comfortable pocket quickly. On the sonic side, the poplar shells deliver a punchy, rounded tone suitable for rock and pop, though they lack the high-end projection and 'cut' of professional birch or maple sets. The primary trade-off is the stock heads; they are functional but replacing them with quality plies like Evans G2s immediately elevates this from a practice kit to a legitimate gigging workhorse. For the student or the budget-conscious weekend warrior, the Imperialstar is a bulletproof investment that outclasses most rivals in its bracket.

Category Ratings

Acoustic Drums
4.4
Feb 15, 2026
AI-Generated Review Generated via Google API. This is an automated evaluation, not a consumer review. Learn more
Tama Imperialstar Screenshot

Added: Feb 12, 2026

tama.com/usa/products/drum_kits/imperialstar_drumkit.html

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