Tama Imperialstar vs. Ludwig Element Evolution Drum Set - In Depth Review

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks so much for checking out our latest video. If you like what you see, please consider subscribing to our channel. More subscribers = more drumming content!

[@patriciotroncoso4764]

Hi....i likeit the video...in this case i prefer....TAMA..for..lot thing...1.hear.a better sound...in the drums....2.for me the hardwers...tama..are.toomuch...good...durable...quality...i have a pedal(bassdrum)since..20 years ago...and...even go...finally....i think..what the bests drums are the japannese...factory...PEARL..TAMA..YAMAHA.....for me...in personal way....sory for my bad english...

[@nascar3fan108]

I honestly perfer my pearl decade galaxy flake over both of these but thats just my opinion

[@timcunningham136]

Thanks for the review. What kick microphone is being used in the video? It sounds incredible. Thanks.

[@josephingrao5556]

Actually the Ludwig Element is made from poplar wood to sir

[@randywhitaker8828]

Great drums great sound from both.

[@ronaldzeoli7528]

PLEASE do more of these comparisons between different brands of drum sets at similar levels. THis is a great video, very helpful to drummers and the buying public

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks, Ronald. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@QuietMomentsWithNature]

Ludwig sounds the best

[@bobbobbyb4352]

I like both but I believe the Ludwig set gives a better total value and they sound great. The Tama drums also sound very good. I prefer Ludwig. Great comparison.

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks, Bob. Glad you liked it!

[@Grahm1993]

Nah Tama better quality by far

[@abhimanyugarg2450]

The Ludwig sounds better to my ear, it’s snare is worlds ahead.

[@RaymondLugo]

Definitely, that snare sounds really good

[@fearthechin]

I wish kits that sound this good were available when I bought my first "intermediate" kit in 1994!

[@drumcenternh]

Right?

[@RA2Music]

Amen brother. My crappy early 80’s CB700’s with Camber cymbals will always hold a place in my heart for sentimental reasons only, not sound. Luckily I did upgrade to a Sonor kit with Sabian cymbals within a couple of years. The kids these days have all the luck..

[@markomarkovic5729]

It's not just luck, they have internet nowadays, so they can ask for opinion more experience drummers and can see & hear every drumset. Btw, I am the undisputed king of crappy drumsets! Back in 2001, I overpaid (about 400$ + acoustic guitar + Behringer microphone + computer) some Amati cans (because it shouldn't be called drums!), which came with two snares, of which one had only a bottom head, the other was without heads, without one hoop, and both were without snare wires and snare mechanism

[@robinhoodwasasocialist.1401]

I've been around for a while and have seen the huge improvement in beginner's kits over the years.in what way are the shells different now that they sound so much better?

[@markomarkovic5729]

I don't think that the shells are different nowadays, the thing is that all the major companies shifted production to China, where is a cheaper labor, as well as raw materials

[@h.i.mcdunuogh6396]

Bought my first drumset in 1985. A Deep Ocean Blue Pearl Export kit. It sounded good with great drum heads and a good knowledge of tuning. These two sets would've been professional series kits in 1985. Amazing to see the progression in sound technology. I also think that Mapex has OUTSTANDING sounding kits for around $800.00.

[@JakeStaffin]

This video is exceptional, I'd love to see an update to this either with the newer versions of these kits and even comparisons with others such as the Pearl Export, Yamaha Rydeen, Mapex Venus, and others- either as shell packs alone, or complete kits.

[@drumcenternh]

excellent idea!

[@MrPentre]

Yes please make another comparison of these entry level kits, Ludwig has already updated element Evolution with "free floating" tom mount system.

[@ehleroo]

Both totally respectable. I thought I would prefer the Imperialstar, because I still own and play one from the mid-2000s and love it. But I think I gotta go Ludwig on this one. Cymbals were much easier on the ears as well. Crazy what you can get a quality drum set for these days. Thanks for the shootout.

[@drumcenternh]

The price point is pretty crazy considering everything you get. Thanks for watching, Kevin.

[@johncollins5552]

Both are fine kits, maybe if there were Pinstripes on the TAMA they would be undisputed King of the Midlevel kit! Great video guys.

[@ocotillodavid7343]

The Zildjian crash cymbal is also too clangy, but the ride sounds great. Ludwig’s drums have far better timbre.

[@lancehollum5566]

Yeah well you give Tama the edge. But you have a bunch of us drummers over ruling your choice. Just because the words come out of your mouth. Don't mean your right. Lol. Don't mean your wrong. They do both sound great

[@antonmullen3053]

I totally agree but I think the head selection had a massive effect on the sound of the toms giving them a nice low end

[@speedyyyyyyfast5951]

i have both cymbal sets the meinl 16in crash i like alot more than the zildjian 16 in but i like the ride and hats better by zildjian

[@remoevans2793]

Freedom Justice Exactly! I could make both kits sound identical in the studio. Those brass cymbals though are AWFUL.

[@josephrushing9247]

The Ludwig had a much better sound all around to me.

[@Armz316]

I love both! But Zildjian for me!

[@vivekteega]

This is how drum reviews should be. Great video guys!!

[@drumcenternh]

Glad you liked it, thanks for watching!

[@gregmgm06]

Fantastic video! PLEASE make more comparison videos like this! As for the drum sets, my favorite is the Ludwig set, but it's a personal preference.

[@andyham6094]

Tama imperialstar. Best beginner drum kit hands down. Actually sounds like a mid level pro level kit when you hear it live with mics with a band.

[@arvinguevarra8416]

Is it better than pearl export?

[@zenoncastro1809]

Played one at a rehearsal studio yesterday. Was thoroughly impressed

[@scottlowell493]

The exports hardware is not as good or durable. The shells are fine.

[@hogblockula9335]

Tama has great hardware and it's super easy to tune. With decent heads it sounds absolutely great. You need good cymbals tho. That goes without saying haha

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

@@hogblockula9335 Yeah, the kit will be 800.00 (free if someone you know has a 47 year old one you have to Shop-vac dirt out of...) and the cymbals will be 1,200. :) I like Paiste 2002, Giant Beat 24 ride, AAX, Paiste Signature and Paragon series. Oh, and the latest, the "jellybeans," the Paiste 900 series. Even with small, light hardware (if you treat them well, you don't need the heavy stuff) and 3000DW pedals, it's still a fortune, lol.

[@jostan3414]

I’ve got a Tama star kit now a lot more expensive. But I’ve owned both of these kits and my imperial star with the right heads and tuning they really do sound good. Better than my Ludwig’s did in my opinion. Tama for life !

[@tmaddrummer]

Ludwig, Zildjian, and Remo...... but either way for under $800, not bad! My first kit was a Beverly, and my second kit was the closest connection I ever had with Ringo, and how I'd love to still have both of those kits. In case anyone is wondering, the Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl 4 piece Super Classic kit with Zildjian cymbals and Ludwig hardware was about $430, and back around 1964-65, $400 was a heck of a lot of money, and how my Dad made it happen, well....... thanks Dad for everything! Those words I never got to say to him while he was still alive........ Always great Drum videos from DCP! Thanks and Blessings!!! (I know it's already old, but so am I!!!)

[@Midex74driver]

Thanks for the video!!!! My eleven year old started taking lessons and I found a Ludwig Element set at the right price point. Hopefully the kid sticks to it and grows drumming. Your video helped me make the decision.

[@zoradulaney7387]

This was really helpful! Personally, I think the Ludwig sounds better all around.

[@matdemaz]

Ludwig snares sound amazing.

[@JulianFernandez]

I use my Imperial kit for local gigs and I get comments on how good they sound all the time!

[@chopperking007]

Because you got good heads and cymbals ?

[@ricardomadleno564]

Which heads should I buy for the inperialstar?

[@JulianFernandez]

@@ricardomadleno564 Remo Ambassadors will do just fine!

[@bishlap]

as soon as he hit the Ludwig's I knew the winner.

[@scottvelardo700]

I’d agree with this review. (And, thanks for making it an actual review - lots of vids claim to be reviews and turn out to be merely announcements.) I have to ask why drum companies seem so obsessed with this gigantic bass drum size. It’s unwieldy to carry, for anyone gigging. It doesn’t fit in a bedroom, for kids playing at home. It’s too big for many young players to set their toms above it, which leads to bad ergonomic choices, which leads to difficult technique development. There are 20” bass drums available in these series (and 18” in the Tama; I don’t know about the Ludwig), so one would think that, since these all-inclusive kits are most likely to be bought for beginners, that the manufacturers would emphasize the availability of smaller bass drums as a selling point. After all, if you’re 6’4”, you can still play a small drum if the music calls for it, but if you’re 4’5”, these big kits are near useless. That’s just diameter I’m talking about so far. As for depth, power toms make setup problems worse, and there is ZERO doubt (to me anyway) that 18” drums sound worse and are harder to play than 14”. You have to hit them harder to get them to speak, which is bound to be a problem for smaller players. They don’t behave as well with higher tunings, which renders them less versatile (a concern for drummers who can likely only afford to have one drumkit for school jazz band and weekend garage rock jams. And again, the 14” will take up a little less space onstage or in the bedroom. Young players don’t need an optional 8” tom (although that’s cool) but a 13” snare option - again for the benefit of the short-leggeds - would be a good idea. If these big drums are meant for adults on a budget, they’re perfect. But they are also (perhaps primarily) aimed at young beginners, so it would be wise to aim the options at their needs, and enthusiastically market them that way.

[@TheCopeland45]

I bought the Ludwig Evolution and THEN found this video later on the same night. I am sleeping MUCH BETTER now. Thanks!!

[@kolasis4994]

literally did the same thing!!!!!!! The Tama kit color I wanted sold out, so after speaking with a sweet water engineer he suggested the Ludwig and I bit the sales pitch.

[@jarodreddig63]

Really enjoyed this video. After a 16 year hiatus Im going to get back into drumming. I am a guitar player all my life but got good at drums in my early 20s and played until my early 30s. I got married and Long story short had to sell my kit for space when we bought a house.. I now have space after a remodel and Im seriously considering the Tama Imperialstar kit. Got it all in one nice package. I can upgrade heads and cymbals later.

[@jamesh3708]

I just ordered the Tama and I'm waiting for delivery. Some of these guys have a hard on for Ludwig but to be honest the 1 ply Tama heads sounded better than the 2 ply Ludwig

[@MyDyerMaker]

I expected the Tama to sound better than the Ludwig, but it didn't. The Element sounds more like a maple kit. The Tama's kick was a bit weak and muddy.

[@dressedtosmellgood]

all youre really hearing here is the difference between Tama and Ludwig's stock heads.

[@DrummerGrrrl]

The tom-toms, though...on the Tama...wow!!!!

[@FatSynthDude]

Fantastic review! I wish everyone made videos like this that are so unbiased.

[@abrahammazon5286]

I just bought a Ludwig Element Evolution drum set with one more floor tom, bigger than the other regular one...so with these two toms i can make more sounds and solos...definitely an excellent choice for any drummer...i am an advanced drummer and i prefer the ludwig kit... it is cheaper too!!!

[@seemedoit]

I was all set to buy the Tama kit somewhere else, but now I am going to buy the Ludwig from you. Great video!

[@drumcenternh]

Win!

[@remoevans2793]

Put the same heads on each kit for a true comparison and the difference is minimal.

[@beltwayservicesinc5187]

The Ludwig sound wayyyy better

[@antonmullen3053]

I agree sounded fuller but was that down purely to head selection ?

[@fredsaintfelix6828]

Purchased the Ludwig kit two weeks and got to play them and they sound amazing

[@rustyblades2566]

Yeah the Tama sounded cheap....especially those toms

[@fredsaintfelix6828]

@@rustyblades2566 really cheap.. It sounded so thin and had no color. I get my drums tomorrow. The store floor model was amazing.

[@rustyblades2566]

@@fredsaintfelix6828 Oh are you getting a Ludwig kit you mean?

[@joshuajohnson2216]

I'm a die hard Tama fan.🥰

[@AimeeHope89]

Absolutely everything about the Ludwig kit sounds better to me. It's not that the Tama sounds bad. It just doesn't sound as good as the Ludwig does to me. I also like the stands and cymbals with the Luddy a bit more. The only thing I'd like to have from the Tama set is that cobra pedal. I'm about to order that Ludwig kit. Perhaps I'll come give some personal feedback after I play around with it for a while. I'm actually a die hard Gretsch and paiste fan, but I've really been digging the sound of Ludwig lately so I'm gonna give'm a shot. I've never been big on zildjian either (I know, I know) but those sound pretty good, especially for being included with the kit bundle. I'm pretty excited about getting my hands (or sticks rather) on this kit. Thanks for the demo and specs. on these beautiful babies. Much appreciated.

[@vincentrizzi9797]

Very cool! Thanks for the video. I just bought the ludwig last year and I love it

[@jmdrummer7]

Ludwig, snare has more crack.

[@marvinbenjamin234]

I have been very happy with my 7 piece TAMA Swingstar set (I believe they have been replaced by Imperialstar). As per the video, the heads were left wanting. I replaced all of the tom heads with Evans black hydraulics. I also upgraded to a TAMA Soundworks Steel 14 x 6 1/2 snare drum. My very first snare drum was a Ludwig 402 and I didn’t think they could get any better than that. However, I have found the TAMA to be easier to take a lot of the “ring” out of it. I’m a ‘70s kind of guy, so I don’t care for a ringy snare drum, and I like my toms tuned medium and relatively dead. With the upgrade in heads and snare drum, I have achieved the sound that I really like. Thanks so much for your concise and intelligent videos!

[@Fiveash-Art]

I had some of those Evans Hydraulics when I was in high school and they're just awesome sounding. It's crazy they put the oil between the layers .. They're perfect sounding with no muting. Nice thick and tight. I need to do those again.

[@ronaldgardea3478]

Ludwig looks better sound better better symbols better heads!🏆🎼

[@russell_kberg1]

Ronald Gardea agreed

[@Simon-iy7mt]

Cymbals not symbols. But I agree, they do sound better than the brass ones.

[@kingmusic3617]

@@Simon-iy7mt they discontinued the zbt series for the I series Cymbals

[@ronspagnola607]

Thanks for share this comparison….. personally I had been a TAMA Rockstar Owner…… The Imperial Star must have replaced this set a few years back…… 6 weeks ago I purchased a used set of Diablo Red Ludwig EE’s as a 7 piece set, yes the previous owner added 2 extra drums to this kit. This set was to be used for my rehearsal sessions only, I was amazed of the sound difference just by adding new Evans G2 coated heads to all drums and as well as what the new Evan EMAD bass drum head helped out the low end. I did say 7 pieces so now I have 2 extra Tom Toms and a 14”floor tom I thought I could just purchase another 22” Diablo Red bass drum and have a second set only to find this color has been discontinued. The Diablo Red Sparkle is awesome, but I have to remember color is only one part in purchasing a drum kit Again thanks for your comparison video. RTS NJ

[@ryansvloggingit5492]

Ludwig it had deeper tom sound and a popping kick drum deep sound with pop to it sound like a professional kit

[@Paisteconvert]

Great video comparo! You guys provide a wonderful service to the prospective drum buyers with these comparison tests. I am a little confused; however, regarding your comments on the hardware included with these kits, particularly the tom brackets. You folks describe both kits as having "fold-over" (hinged, clamp-type) brackets, but in looking at these more closely in the video, the Tama kit appears to be using "old-style" jam screw-type brackets where the T-screw screws against the rack mount L-rod or the floor tom legs, while the Ludwig, in fact, uses the "fold-over" (hinged, clamp-type) brackets...which is what the higher-end Tamas also use. From my admittedly limited experience, aren't the "jam screw style" brackets much more susceptible to long-term wear and lack strength and stability as compared to the "fold-over" (hinged, clamp-type) brackets?

[@prestonlhouse]

The Ludwig sounds ready for prime time.

[@One-qf1gb]

Video was very helpful I bought the tama 7 piece Imperialstar sweet water was on back order so ended up buying the Ludwigs and they are the best kit I’ve ever played

[@sergeipelissier5690]

To my ears Ludwig is better, it sounds more crisp and clear, and the snare Drum is fantastic at this price

[@christianchandler660]

I've got an idea for a comparison: Tama Superstar Classic vs Grestch Catalina Maple vs PDP Concept Maple.

[@madcrabber1113]

Drums besides being fun to play and take out frustration are just so cool to look at.

[@fromthe4gotten]

I've always been partial to Tama but I think that Ludwig sounded better to my ears. Great video though! Answered all the questions I had about these 2 kits.

[@brianfoster7486]

Did you know Stan Lynch/Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers played Imperialstar drums on the Damn the Torpedoes album (1979)? Recorded at Sound City/L.A - strong argument for one of the best rock recordings ever engineered/produced. But, he was playing a Supraphonic/BB snare ;). There's a cool interview on YT with John DeChristopher where he talks about it.

[@michaelmele1070]

Everyone dissing on the Tama but I think it sounds wayy better than the ludwig. The bass and snare are tighter and I actually like the sound of the Meinls over the Zildjians. I had a ludwig with Zildjians for years but recently have been gigging with a Tama swingstar and I'm definitely a Tama guy now. I'll be purchasing the Imperial in Black Oak soon and will be adding more Meinl cymbals to accompany the ones that come with the set. The stock heads sound great to me but I'll eventually change them all to Remo. Nice review!

[@dementedone2503]

i just purchased a 5pc Tama Imperial Star BoBB. living in Canada, the total with a double kick, and a Gibraltar throne came to $1864.00. well worth it, love the sounds.

[@robthedrummer5190]

7:08 From the very first hits, the Ludwig sounds WAY better to my ears. And I like Tama! Still have my Tama kit from the 1980s, even! The Ludwigs are just better at this price point, it seems.

[@DrummerGrrrl]

A friend is GIVING me some high-end cymbals!! Now I gotta buy a kit like this Ludwig!

[@wardor9214]

The Tama set has better sounding Tom's and bass drum. But Ludwig's set has that cracking snare 👍. Both are great sets. Either would be great to start playing with.

[@gmoney1592]

Great video. Good comparison. I thought you gave them both a fair test drive . I currently have the white sparkle Ludwig Element Evolution shown in this video . I have added on to the kit and it sounds great . It plays great. It’s respectable. And it has the classic Ludwig name. The zildjian cymbals included in the kit are awesome. I highly recommend this kit to any Intermediate-Advanced player. I couldn’t be happier with it .

[@Fiveash-Art]

Any problems with the vinyl wrap lifting off of the shell ? I bought a set a few years ago and had em' outside right after purchasing them for maybe 15 minutes and the adhesive must've loosened and the vinyl started bubbling ... I sold them right after. I had a set of Ludwig Rocker II's for over a decade when I was a kid, and nothing like that ever happened to them. Was thinking about buying the updated version of this kit but I don't know. It's more expensive now, and it looks like they've upgrade the hardware and the cymbals.

[@rogerwelsh2335]

When I heard the Tama 1st, I thought there was no way the Ludwig could sound as good. Then the Ludwig segment came and WOW! Just as good but maybe better!

[@onethdasanayake3689]

Great review guys, thanks a lot

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks for watching!

[@annmaxwell495]

This video was very beneficial. Thanks. Now I need to look at what Yamaha offers.

[@drumcenternh]

Glad it was helpful!

[@turbosoggy8404]

Any difference in the sound of the drums themselves is likely down to the stock heads. The shells on both are poplar and I believe they’re both 6 ply and likely around the same thickness.

[@itchyvinyl]

Both are punching above their weight class. If I had to choose, I prefer the Tama...even though I own two USA Ludwig kits.

[@butchcassidy3373]

The lugwig kit sounded best to me. I bought DW design kit in 2020 after not owning a kit for thirty years. I was extremely impressed with the great sound you can get out of entry level drum kits. I paid 999 for my four piece Design kit and was really pleased with what I got for the money. I've since upgraded cymbals and after replacing the factory heads my kit sounds great. Much better than my old kits from the eighties.

[@malinwj1167]

Have owned many kits over the years. The one I've kept is my baby - Ludwig Super Classics. However, I'm really digging these Poplar kits! Both of these kits sound great. May consider getting one for gigs. Also preferred the sound of the Ludwigs to the Tamas - however the Ludwigs had pinstripe batter heads on the toms, and it appeared the Tamas had a single ply clear batter heads. The Tamas may have had a beefier tone like the Ludwigs if they had pinstripes. Again, both sound great.

[@lancehollum5566]

Ludwig kit sounds good. I'd play one. Very nice sound.

[@rogerwelsh2335]

They are both great. If I had a gun to my head I might go Tama on this one but it’s so close that tomorrow I might like the Ludwig better. It’s a coin toss both are amazing for the price

[@ME-ru4hv]

Creamy Zildjians. I liked their sound a lot actually many harmonious overtones on the ride and it really sounds like two symbols depending on how and where it's hit. great video

[@justjimmy3154]

Just subscribed! Personally, I prefer the Ludwig for the snare, cymbals(by far with the cymbals) and sweet Remo heads, and also because my two favorite drummers used Ludwig! Is it possible if you guys could do a comparison between this Ludwig Element Evolution and Pearl Export?

[@johnryan3374]

They are both great kits. The type of heads you use will make a HUGE difference in the overall sound. Tama wins my vote for hardware. The Ludwig kit looks a little more modern to me though. The cymbals are the low-point. Upgrading the cymbals will make everything sound better!

[@greengelacid2061]

I bought a black oak imperial star...I changed all the heads to evans black 2 ply oil heads...I've added a kickport to the bass... longboard double speed cobra and matching hi hat...I've added a 16 inch floor tom...it doesn't sound anything like it did the day I bought it...I love it...cymbals are next...

[@zildmaster]

Spend slightly more on a Yamaha Stage Custom and call it a day! That's what I would do.

[@friedpickles342]

I've owned several drum sets over the years. The only one I've never sold is my yamaha stage custom from the 90s

[@evanbranham4319]

I love the Ludwig seats

[@tomsmith29]

Both kits sound really good !

[@webwizah2199]

I will pick Ludwig for this type of drums. Not only for the sound and the cymbals but the brand image of Ludwig is more elegant and classy IMO. A personal taste. But these two brands are part of the best drums brands in the world. Also the brands that Neil Peart had used in the past.

[@EdMoore-bc2mi]

I love the cherry for the Ludwig set but on backorder so going with copper

[@jazzyboy7784]

These 2 sets are pretty comparable...cant go wrong either way...it basically comes down to...what logo u want on your base drum...what do u consider to be cooler...some people buy Mercedes because they have to have that star in there drive way...not the best car...but prestigious...same here...which badge of honor do u want to wear...

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

I dunno. I know people in rich areas STILL driving the SL series Mercedes. There's one in "Casino," if anyone hasn't seen it. Sharon Stone makes a mess of a Caddy with one (on purpose)...maybe they changed since, but the car was in production like 20+ years, lol.

[@bobrouse8634]

My question is concerning the Ludwig's hardware. Has Ludwig improved the quality of the hardware to the level of Tama? Always loved the Ludwig's organic and boomy sound but had so many friends who bought them to have chronic hardware problems.

[@tippydripbumskeetr1745]

thats the same tama set i had in 1982 - now i have the ludwig accent - and run both meinl and zildjian cymbals together...both sets play and sound just fine - but they can become sooo cumfy - that when ya play a 3-5k drumset, you will at first feel like they are all wrong and dont sound like you expect.. cause, like all music equipment, if you pay more than you play - every little tiny mistake will ring out louder than money can talk... so yeah- beginnner or intermediate, both are great kits, mine will be on my second album & first internet release for 2019 Tankard Pilot,,,,, and if i step up to a new set with double bass - i cant wait to try the Gretsch brand....

[@warioisgood6401]

I like the toms of the Tama but the bass and snare of the Ludwig. Although the toms on each kit are very similar, I do prefer the toms of the Tama a little bit more but the floor tom on the Ludwig sounds bad worse in comparison to the Tama. However, I prefer the snare and bass drum a lot more on the Ludwig, and I think the cymbals on the Ludwig sound better too. The Meinls sound like they have been muffled but the Zildjians sound very open. For those reasons, I'd pick the Ludwig.

[@geraldduenas8966]

Really appreciate your shootout. Thank you

[@Monsterdrumma]

I preferred the Tama’s sound yet I preferred the ZBT’s.

[@drumguy1955]

I bought a Mapex Saturn shell kit a few months ago from Shane at DCP. They had a minor seam separation, no biggy, easy fix. Cost 600.00 Absolute best drum deal of the century.

[@sportify-zz]

I have been considering both of these kits. I thought the Ludwig drums sounded better but the big difference to me is the cymbals. I could live with Zildjian's which have since been upgraded to Zildjian I's over the ZBT's. I would exchange the undesireable Meinl's immediately (which of course will cost me more). The video was well done but left out a very major factor.....PRICE! As of January 2022 Sweetwater has the full Imperialstar kit on sale for $649. The Element kit is $889. For $240 less some people are going to go for the Tama's for that reason alone.

[@YOUARESOFT.]

i guess what it comes down to is are the better heads and symbols worth the extra $240, my evoution kit is arriving today and now your making me think i may have over paid

[@Fiveash-Art]

@@YOUARESOFT. The cymbals are worth it in my opinion. Cymbals get freakin damned expensive. 😂

[@rimereit]

I'm in the market for a kit in this price range, and I really liked the Ludwig kit. Great video, thanks!

[@markwatts1662]

Both sound great. Give the edge to the Ludwig's though. I'm beyond this level of kit nowadays but I still like to see what you can get in that range. I'm amazed actually. My first decent kit was a a pearl (export but they didn't call them that in 1980)...I spent $500 and still had to buy cymbals. Great video

[@nickavenoso7851]

I’ve always loved TAMA, and there my number 1 most of the time, but the Ludwig sounded better to me.

[@donaldswink6259]

I have a Tama Rockstar drum set made from poplar my snare was a Ludwig and I also hade the Ludwig speed king pedal with Zildjian cymbals and I loved the sound of my drums, they sounded like canons.

[@sgem119]

My son has the Tama Imperialstar kit. Sounds good as it comes but after replacing all the batter AND reso heads it sounds waaay better. Next much needed upgrade will be the cymbals

[@verawright2157]

Nice comparisons. Id buy sonor or ludwig.

[@vicariousjohnson9823]

Sound with better heads is about even, I’d give the edge to Tama due to better hardware and, as mentioned, options to easily upgrade/add on.

[@BobSmith-eq9vs]

I would get whichever kit I got the best deal on. In the event of no price difference I would go Tama just because.

[@caplumbayunak8660]

I go to Tama why? Because even though it's not the remo heads it sounds pretty smooth. But how much if we upgrade from factory heads to remo heads, so Good to hear.

[@OzarkHillbilly-p5u]

I like my Tama drums. I have a vintage set of RockStar Pros.

[@WhatsHisName26]

I'm a fan Tama drums, and really wanted them to be the clear winner here. But as far as pure sound quality is concerned, the Ludwig has it over the Tama in this price range, hands down. That's just my opinion.

[@claystaggs8908]

Great video guys. I only wish these kits were around when I started. For the $$ you can't beat it,a whole kit ready to go.

[@Czyszy]

Those HCS hihats sound surprisingly good for brass.

[@SKARKIBANEZ]

NO

[@davehughesfarm7983]

I could tell the Ludwig sounded better in 3 seconds...And I have a Tama like the one in video its like new for half price..It does just fine for what we do..

[@irishcarbomb5602]

This video just kind of shows me that no matter how good you are at mixing, you can’t make bad cymbals sound good. Ludwig sounded great, the imperialstar was nice too.

[@swccbakersfieldca2076]

Ludwig for life and yes zildjian is Boss. Remo heads are all that. I suppose I vote for Ludwig but Tama is so good in their own right.

[@dchristo10]

Both sounded pretty nice. I liked the Tama snare slightly better, but the Ludwig toms.

[@joseceraia]

Dear DCP, maybe I missed something, but I nowhere have found any video, whee you tell us: 1) How do you tune the drumset 2) How do you mike it 3) How it is mixed ( equalized ) in a daw. Why: ? Because everything sounds more or less the same. I video about that should be welcome imho

[@DynamteKid316]

Tama Imperial Star drum set for me. Thank you!

[@MrNickDrummer]

The pinstripe heads on the ludwig drums offer more attack, that's obvious through the microphones in this video. I still think nothing compares to the roundness and fullness of tama tom toms, regardless of the line. As for snares, nothing beats a ludwig black beauty (alright maybe the old tama bell bronze beats it) - I've been playing Tamas for more than a decade now but my snare of choice for six years and counting is the Ludwig hammered black beauty super sensitive. Killer combo.

[@russell_kberg1]

Why no pearl export or decade maple?

[@lancefraijo8585]

Nice review,. To all drummers never underestimate the Japanese makers TAMA. I am the proud owner of the, Imperial Star and so is Stewart Copeland of the Police

[@Andrew-wb2zq]

I think the Tama takes it. The snare is a matter of preference but overall the Tama seems to have more resonance in the toms and sounds higher quality to me.