Tama Imperialstar Kit - Drummer's Review

Here's our review of a Tama Imperialstar Kit. Filmed at Middle Farm Studios, February 2019. For full specs, please visit our website: www.drummersreview.com, and to connect with us further, check out our social media channels...
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[@MaguSdelFiasco]

The best part to me are the subtitles… "Hi and welcome to Drummer Review. I'M NOT LEANING and today we are to be taking a look at the 2019 edition of THOMAS IMPERIAL STAR DRUM SET..."

[@mariosequeira6477]

1rs4eer

[@shawnthunderfootwells1980]

I absolutely love the imperialstar series, to me it's classic Tama. Been a drummer 38yrs, I play rock and metal and I love my imperialstar!! Poplar wood gives a meaty attack , I have the deeper shell sizes do it crunches lol.. any Tama kit sounds amazing , just tune how u want them .. what ur sound is!!! Been a Tama guy since I was 10, I'm 42 now🥁. This kit is good for any drummer, beginner, intermediate, or seasoned vet!!

[@chriswright8464]

These drums are a lot better than what I started on in the 70s.

[@alexgolovchenko3791]

I've had my Imperial Star drums a long time. Lugged them around for lots of gigs over the years and they have stood up well. They really benefited from Evan's G2 heads and G1 coated on the snare. I like them very much. Great review by the way.

[@JayRamahi3810]

G2k 👍 I’m planning on buying a kit this year and the imperial star is the one I have my eye on most

[@metalliclark86]

It might be the stock heads, but the kit sounds a bit dim. Did you work around it woth your custom drumheads? Do you recommend evans over the pinstripes? Thanks man

[@alexgolovchenko3791]

@@metalliclark86 Hi! I really do recommend Evans drum heads. I used Remo Pinstripe for about 15 years and found they are more affected by temp and humidity. They also get stiff and require more tension to maintain articulation and the excessively high tuning prevents the shell from resonating properly. When I got my first full set of Evans heads on the recommendation of one of my teachers about 20 years ago I was super impressed and happy with their responsiveness and feedback. They also tune up really nice and help my drums to sing beautifully. I've never looked back. Thank You for your reply, I love corresponding about music! 😀

[@metalliclark86]

@@alexgolovchenko3791 thank you for your timely response. From the drummer and audience's perspective (talking about a small club venue) if I put some evans g2 for open sound, would it need dampening or is it ok as is? Asking because youtube demos sound a bit muted even with drumheads I know sound very bright and lively IRL, and in person things might change. Take care dude!

[@alexgolovchenko3791]

@@metalliclark86 Hi, @metalliclark86. Dampening devices are venue specific, for example; is the stage elevated or floor level. Is it carpeted or hardwood? How many people does it accommodate and what are they wearing? (summer vs. winter cloathing). These are all factors evaluated on sight. I carry a pack of Moon Gels with me just in case there's a lot of hard wood with low ceilings. Generally I don't like dampening but at times it's needed. The versatility of Evan's heads makes them adapt well to a Moon Gel placed about an inch from the edge. Usually if I feel I need one I apply it after tuning. Valid concern, by the way! 😎

[@DavidEpstein]

I think the biggest advantage that this kit has over similar kits from other brands, is that it is available in configurations with 22, 20, and 18 inch bass drums.

[@DrummersReview]

thanks for watching and commenting. Best wishes, DR

[@mickie43768]

@@DrummersReview HI is it good for gospel

[@ronniek7748]

They sound absolutely great and at a good price!

[@dagb7271]

Great review. Thanks. In the 80s I owned an Imperialstar kit in white metallic finish. This kit seems to be a very good option if you want a second kit to use at outside gigs and for practice. I would definitely consider it. Tama is the brand 😊👍🥁. Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪.

[@davidbcg286]

Yay to more Tama drums! :-)

[@CannonFodder873]

Buy a rack and mount the toms to it. Sympathetic vibration from the Kick drum will be gone. Worked for me. Imperialstar 6 pc set with 7 pc Meinl Dark Classic Cymbals. Sweet drum set for the price.

[@johnbertasius2612]

It's a fair and accurate review, but £600 is a lot of money for a starter kit. Add cymbals and possibly upgrade the heads and it starts to add up.

[@RedbackRecordz]

That’s cheap! Do you expect everything to be given away?

[@johnbertasius2612]

@@RedbackRecordz No

[@jerryjerri2936]

@@RedbackRecordz 600 is extremely cheap my friend.

[@chrischapman117]

It comes with Meinl HCS and hardware

[@rjcortez971]

Drums and anything drum related are way too expensive. I understand you dude!

[@davshaw5]

Just picked up the kit, they actually sound quite good for the price point. Upgraded heads would surely improve the sound, but the stock heads really sound decent

[@LuisRodriguez-cf4tf]

Best review since, different from others reviews, it plays the standard cheap drumheads and still sounds awesome. I have the 6 piece version with the Evan's onyx heads and dddrums deccabons 6 & 8 inches. Topping them with meinl dark custom cymbals.

[@rcjd7834]

How does that rig sound? Sounds like you have set up exactly what I was wanting to get.

[@bartoszlasota6547]

I got my brand new Imperialstar (Piano black-ish wrap, 22,10,12,14,16+14SD) back in 2011. I've upgraded it by adding a 13" matching tom, changing all the batters to evans G2 coated (on snare I use HD dry), changing BD reso to Aquarian Regulator, muffling toms w/cotton, muffling BD with blanket and changing batter side hoops (because the original ones were cutting into the sticks). I'm more than satisfied with the result. Maybe it's not the best sounding and looking kit on the market, but it keeps inspiring me to play more, and by the end of the day, I think that's all that matters. Cheers.

[@LuisRodriguez-cf4tf]

Bartosz Lasota just added another bass drum 22 Blue hairline. Waiting for them to ship it... I guess since the Covid-19 everything is shipping slow...😖

[@bartoszlasota6547]

@@LuisRodriguez-cf4tf yeah, everything's changed.. I also have Club Jam (18,10,14) and Ever Play Maple Custom (20,10,12,14) drum kits, but due to the pandemia I can only play my "old faithful". Over the years I've come to a conclusion that any drum kit can sound good enough if you put some effort into it (especially with changing drum heads and hoops). Considerate amount of muffling and tuning can work wonders. Unfortunately that does not apply to cymbals. I don't even want to think about the money I spent on cymbals over the years. I'm still searching for the perfect sound.

[@sidmarks265]

Really like these and think that they're good value at £600. Again, great review and playing. Wouldn't be embarrassed to own these.

[@windsurfer49]

Well tuned kit, makes all the difference, still have my 1979 kit, I paid £350 new,,love it

[@fizzyfran2886]

My man. You have the best reviews ever!!! Thank you for this EXETREMELY usefull information! Subscribed!

[@richardpenman5910]

I believe the biggest bang for the buck is the Yamaha stage custom. I own them and they hold their own even against DW. I own them too.

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

Richard Penman I started out on Yamaha drums & I loved that kit. I think the Yamaha hardware & stands/booms are some of the best in the best in the business.

[@andyham6094]

Had stage customs for years and they are def great drums for the money. I still have that kit but I prefer the Tama Silverstar which I got for 400 bucks for a 4 piece. Also have a Tama starclassic BB hyperdrive which is my main kit which destroys both of those other kits but can’t go wrong with the stage customs or imperialstars, Yamaha and Tama are killin the mid range game with the stage customs and tour customs for Yamaha and the imperialstar, Silverstar, and superstar hyperdrive and superstar classics. But there is a difference in feel and build between those and my starclassic tho but obviously my starclassics cost 1,900 which is still a bang for your buck for the drums you get and the top of the line star hardware and mounting system Tama gives you.

[@maziu27]

yeah but the tama comes with hardware

[@BarGardenEat]

Thanks for the run down guys. Very helpful. I think I'm going to go for this set after watching this video...all the best!

[@KlowdZzz]

One of the cool things I notice is how sturdy they are. Those rack toms barely move and he really lays into em(for the price I mean)

[@jamesstriplin2732]

I have a this set but from 1998 and I love the sound I get from it I use it in live rock shows I have a 22" bass 10"12"14" Rack tom's and 14 and 16 floor Tom's and it sounds awsome at shows idk if id want to up grade to a higher model since iv been playing on this set for years

[@mickie43768]

Do you think it would be good for gospel

[@adamabdelaziz7345]

Didn’t know Vsause plays drums

[@scottlowell493]

You pointed out an issue I found with PDP and other low/ intermediate kits. Inconsistent bearing edges that can be 1/32 to 1/16 off and prevent tuning.

[@avramnovorra]

I dunno about the toms, but the snare sounded good enough.. The kick was also kinda sweet to my ears at least..

[@alexmontel7024]

Yeah specially the new model of stage star

[@andyham6094]

Review the new Tama starclassic walnut birch and the flagship Tama star drums please

[@danielvanpoppel333]

Just got one 10 12 14 16 22 14 snare oak finish came with Evans Emad on kick and G2 clear on toms. Lighter shells better for my back to cart to Giggs I like the sound going to put Evans reso heads on put a thick pillow in the kick getting also a reso Evans Emad for the front probably get seperate tom mounts to clamp on stands custom the way I'd like it but sounds good to me tight reso heads then back off the batter heads is best

[@64DrPeppers]

Ive had my sugarwhite imperialstar for over a year now and its only sounded better and better with a few simple heads and new cymbals.. they take a hell of a beating and have extremely reliable hardware

[@dalekay9ine]

Have you guys done a review of the Tama Starclassic Walnut/ Birch kits? I'd live to check it out if so, loving the Chanel guys! Thanks so much!

[@chadgregory9037]

"Hi, DrummerSauce, Ollie here"

[@drumgym]

The new imperialstar looks like the rhythmate series. looks like tama just down grade some feature of the kit especially the hardwares. the imperialstar back then had the new stagemaster hardwares but now they have the cheap hardwares from the rhythmate. the things that I like with the new kit is the finish and and bass drum which has the wood hoops.

[@euclidtan]

Enjoy your review. Could you do one on the Tama Club Jam kit? :)

[@flarfatron2190]

A guy named BrendrumJones did a review of it.

[@japscc]

Hi I don’t know if you had review the Yamaha Stage Custom Birch 5pc Drum Shell Pack . If you did let me know where I can see the video. Ty for yours review videos

[@TheOuskie]

I will never be good as you all. but it is fun playing the drums

[@bradburggraf9624]

Great review. I’m looking for a kit and this helped a lot.

[@Lleyton-jq2dr]

I got the Tama stagestar and it sounds alot like this I basically see no difference between them

[@aalegge]

Wow, these sound great for being a lower level kit! And look great too

[@brianwaugh9249]

This is the drumset that Stewart Copeland played on back in the day

[@musiq21]

Tama Starclassic Walnut/Birch review please !!!!

[@oneofusHW65]

Dude you are great!!! How can I become you?? I suck you are a God!!!!

[@Mrugas98]

More tama please :D

[@thefilthygringo9228]

Awesome review!

[@roybeckerman9253]

Good to see a NON shell pack, for a change..

[@davorbendelja2334]

Great sound!!!

[@donniemontesano4021]

They have them on sale at Sweetwater Music but I'm a guitar player by trade but I do play drums as well I just don't know if I'm going to buy a piece of firewood..

[@jas_bataille]

Between you and I, with this finish, would you know that this kit actually cost 800 bucks, hardware included?! I would NEVER know if I saw this kit and had no idea of the price tag. I've been playing for 17 years, going full time pro now, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy this kit in the new Zebrawood finish. All the other companies are the ugly red-wine shiny wrap or the glitter wraps at this price.

[@edizzandrade4880]

Qui Pele meu caro pode bater kkkk aí é Tama 🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁

[@LuvWFT]

Do they hold tuning or do the tuning lugs back out with vibration. you didn't touch on that? I just bought a used Imperialstar and all the lugs are loose. wondering if that a maintenance issue or they don't hold tuning.

[@xiaozi0624]

nolly can i ask you how many room mic in this video,and what kind of mic and what's the postion to point the mic.

[@FanaticDrummer]

Honestly Tama’s intro kits are so much better for that classic retro sound because of how thin the shells are. The pro kits are much more thick and punchy, and offer much more deep end which a lot of classic recordings just didnt capture. And for Jazz I think these work great. With high tuning its kinda pointless to have a kit over $2k because its just not needed and you lose all the depth and fullness with high tuning. Single ply heads and you’re good to go for jazz/ funk.

[@ricardomadleno564]

Is this kit good for rock as well? I don’t drum as a professional I simply want to have fun playing different styles of music such as Jazz, rock, pop, funk all of them...is this a good kit to play anything your want or not really?

[@TheDMhoffland]

i agree, that is exactly why I bought this over an expensive kit.

[@pgg2061]

Why is the burgundy price lower than than the other colors. This is high price for me so want to check out all the details

[@trippynick7300]

That was jazzy af at the beginning bro

[@rhythmcaster2018]

It would be great if you can contact CMC Drums (Thailand) for the review units. They fully manufacturing custom drums with reasonable prices.

[@CoryPelizzari]

Dat sound nice.

[@user-zq9gi5uy7b]

Tama imperial star and pearl export which better ?

[@unscriptedgamesYT]

Does this kit work well with rock and metal such as motley crue? and can it take a pretty hard hit?

[@GlaceonStudios]

I hit them pretty hard and they work really well for that.

[@saymont]

A Review of Tama Starclassic Walnut Birch Please....!!!! :)

[@brandonberridge8776]

Tama imperialstar or mapex armory?

[@zenoncastro1809]

Mapex

[@dudemanaric]

Change heads especially on bass drum and you're good.. Ported with emad and foam ring sounds good

[@giuseppecasa3574]

beautiful drums have a great sound

[@MrUrech]

holy shit i wasnt expecting nolly

[@jaystechroom]

I have a superstar classic. But hate the big ass star mount system. Can I convert it like this??

[@saikatdas9123]

Tama imperialstar or mapex Mars? Guys what you suggest

[@JD-kl8gb]

where do i buy from in india ? do u pls fevor this ? distibutor or outlates who r put this kind of kit and specially imperial star. so i cam buy soon

[@diegodrums]

HEYYYY V-CAUSE

[@Ben-ic1ve]

Anybody else who owns this notice the resonance from kick to the toms?

[@andyman2462]

Although it sounds decent I can't help but think what it would sound like without factory heads. Which is a shame.

[@Grit489]

Like cow manure

[@primedrift2752]

Is that Nolly!?

[@papankimasunya3647]

Yah ne . Like it

[@lovci9]

Can someone pls tell me how much space approximately the whole drumset assembled together takes. I have a real space issue. It would help me alot. Thank you❤

[@ItsABOUTflamTIME]

Roughly a 6'x4' rectangle on the ground

[@lovci9]

Thank you❤

[@sandrider1406]

Superstar hyperdrive review please, Maple

[@bhushanbhole4442]

Yamaha Rydeen or imperial star ? which one should I buy? Help me out guys

[@johncollins5552]

Mapex Mars.

[@CaptainPantys]

Periphery? Cool Drums btw.

[@josefelix7313]

I was forced into buying some of this, best decision ever!!, I love mines specially with them red hydraulics, sound like a more expensive kit

[@chaotic291]

A wild Nolly appears

[@juanalzate2850]

Tama imperialstar o pearl export?

[@polar2267]

Tama imperialstar

[@StanVanCauwenbergh]

Close one depends on if you have the meils or the zeplin cymbals on the imperialstar bc the zeplin sound waayyyy better

[@jcdrums2798]

tama drums...what else!

[@roybeckerman9253]

Would like to see a Tama SLP review.

[@Max-The-Axe]

can you add drums to a set? I would like to get this set except I want a double kick and some more cymbals heeelp!

[@Richard-hv1kq]

Yeah man they do a version w 2 kicks n floor toms

[@Max-The-Axe]

Richerd thanks man. Also could you add stuff to a set? So like if I wanted to add something to a set is that possible?

[@Richard-hv1kq]

@@Max-The-Axe oh yeah defo, all it would mean is getting hold of the hardware, e.g. a 2nd kick would mean a 2nd kick pedal but it's nowhere near impossible like

[@Max-The-Axe]

Richerd awesome

[@tylercady3985]

@@Richard-hv1kq I believe that's almost the exact version Lars Ulrich uses correct? Or at least that's what my lazy 2 minute google search I call research says he uses

[@eugenepark2508]

Ludwig Element Evolution or This?

[@stofzuigzakkie45]

Same question over hereee

[@RubixNoob1993]

Oh shit, it’s Nolly.

[@jakethepitador2558]

"Comes in at 600 pounds" Wow that's heavy for a five piece kit!

[@Asstazztic]

Demn Ownd 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@crazycarl00]

😂

[@roybeckerman9253]

Jake the Pitador How many drums do you want ?

[@zurielsmithson6946]

He meant £

[@connorcampbell144]

Not really. Do you play kids drum sets by any chance?

[@Sausagey2]

Was this eq-ed?

[@zionpena8600]

This or yamaha stage costum

[@sieannajackson2005]

I like how he just jumb right into the review

[@harryhidalgo6517]

Tama silverstar or yamaha stage custom?

[@isihernandez9752]

Stage Custom, no doubt. In mid to low range the Stage Custom gives you the best value for the money. Period. With the Silverstar you pay an entry level price and you get an entry level kit (wich is fair), but with the Stage Custom you pay an entry level price but you get a kit you can consider pro. I mean, it won't be a high end, top of the line kit, but there are literally thousands of drummers working and giggin with one of these, and at a very, very decent level, I've often seen gigs where a Stage Custom "defeated" (yes, I know, I know, it's not a war) a much more expensive kit. In addition, the hardware you get for the money is the best you can get at that price level. It's just my opinion, but I suggest you to check them out by yourself.

[@harryhidalgo6517]

Thanks man, it'll be my first kit then

[@isihernandez9752]

@@harryhidalgo6517 You're welcome, but the best thing you can do if you have the chance is to check them out and decide then. I'm pretty certain about my oinion, but it might not work for you. (Note: in both cases, take the heads out of the equation in order to decide. The heads that come with kits at this price range are never the best, but you can always replace them with better ones, and the sound will improve. Indeed, you'll must replace them eventually anyway, heads are not eternal).

[@Grit489]

Nollys got the shake's 😬

[@brothersinmetal1922]

Holy crap a 600 pound drum set. Must be crazy expensive to ship. XD

[@Daltonhow2]

600 is the price in Euro currency... lol not 600 lbs

[@brothersinmetal1922]

@@Daltonhow2 it’s a joke son. 😂

[@Sausagey2]

Are the drums eq’ed?

[@johncollins5552]

KZbin automatically adds compression to Everything!

[@Sausagey2]

John Collins wow, must suck if it’s music then

[@ThevideOoLoadeR]

She's beautiful...

[@wgerd98]

Ya, hairs on the wrong part of her head but i would still pipe

[@sambrantdrums9622]

What happened to the Meinl Cymbals? I miss them!

[@pyroeuropa]

They're switching sometimes the cymbals

[@sambrantdrums9622]

@@pyroeuropa I figured but still i miss them.

[@veru6907]

You should have used the original cymbals that come with the kit. They're shit, but that's what you get with the kit.

[@DrummersReview]

Hi Veru, we weren't supplied any unfortunately otherwise we would have done! Best wishes and thanks for watching, DR.

[@edoardozampetti4601]

i have this it's very bad sound..

[@savagehenry5158]

how can you honestly make comments like this kit has a lack of low end or tuned up well enough when you didn't even put real heads on it? disingenuous and lame.

[@jerryjerri2936]

Old man can play what!!!!!!!

[@robinkonig459]

mir geht diese nolly aufn nerv

[@orkycathcart6397]

DRUMS YEAH , REVIEWER , FUCK NO !!!!!!!!

[@1life2pono]

Nice drums, but those tom heads sound like crap.

[@fab5720]

They still sound better than that awful A-Custom ride cymbal. *duck and cover*

[@methatlovescats3602]

Sounds cheap compared to grestch

[@ARGCDG]

Don’t care for the tune on this kit

[@dreamdrummer01]

Very ugly sounding kit. The toms choke immediately and the snare, well disgusting in every way. Your money is better if you buy anything second hand like a birch Pacific FS kit or an old Pearl export kit, or anything else

[@alexmontel7024]

Don't rely on stock heads, every drummer knows that especially in buying entry level drumkit

[@orkycathcart6397]

WHAT THE FUCKS A POUND ??????????????????? WHERE THE FUCK ARE WE IN ENGLAND ?????????

[@orkycathcart6397]

POUND THIS BITCH , AND WE ALL KNOW YOU ARE A BITCH !!!!!!!!!