Tama Imperialstar | Ultimate drummer's guide (2026)

The Tama Imperialstar is seen as one of the best starter drum kits available. For a budget drum kit, it sounds good and is of great value. 

We first wrote this guide in 2021, when the Natural Zebrawood wrap had just arrived. Five years on, the drums underneath are the same, but the finish list has had a shake-up and there have been a couple of eye-catching limited runs.

So what do you actually get with a Tama Imperialstar in 2026, and is it still worth your money? Let’s find out.

What has changed since 2021?

If you read the original version of this guide, here is the short version of what is different now.

• Still in production. The Imperialstar has not been replaced. Same 100% poplar shells, same four core configurations, same Meinl HCS cymbals on the complete kits.
• New finishes. Coffee Teak Wrap, Burnt Red Mist and Electric Yellow have joined the range, and Sky Blue Mist (with black nickel hardware) arrived as one of Tama’s 2026 finishes.
• Limited runs. A Blacked Out Black kit with black nickel hardware came and went in 2021, and in 2024 Tama made an Electric Yellow, double bass drum Imperialstar inspired by Lars Ulrich’s 72 Seasons tour kit.
• Prices have crept up. Like everything else. More on that below.

Who is the Tama Imperialstar for?

The Imperialstar is the budget drum kit offered by Tama. Its price point makes it ideal for new drummers who are looking for a good sounding kit to learn on. 

Although this is the budget model, it is still packed full of features you may not expect to find on an entry-level kit.

Since this is the case, the Tama Imperialstar often lasts drummers beyond the early years and can become a good touring kit. 

This is why the Imperialstar stands out against many of the budget drum kits available on the market.

What are Tama Imperialstar shells made from?

The shells on the Imperialstar are made from 100% poplar wood. 

When compared to other woods commonly found in drums such as maple and birch, poplar is a cheaper option.

That doesn’t mean it is bad though. Poplar creates a warm tone with a medium attack. 

The shells are made up of 6 plies of 8mm poplar.

To make an affordable drum kit poplar wood is a great option as it pushes down the costs without the need to use a wood blend. 

Tama Precision Bearing Edges

The final thing to note about the Imperialstar shells is the Tama Precision Bearing Edges. 

Bearing edges have a big impact on the sound of the drum. It can affect the tuning, how the drum rings and the response.

Tama’s advanced edge-cutting process provides extremely precise bearing edges making the most out of the cheaper poplar wood. 

The result is a drum that has a full ring, a wide tuning range with sensitivity and response.

What hardware comes with the Imperialstar?

As well as their incredible drums, Tama is known for making great hardware.

Unfortunately, the Imperialstar doesn’t feature any of the latest innovations but that is to be expected. 

There is nothing wrong with the hardware found on the Imperialstar though. It has classic features that have stood the test of time.

Tom Holder

The bass drum mounted dual tom holder features the L-rod ball socket holders. 

These holders allow you to make the smallest tweaks to the tom positioning. If you like to have your toms placed over your bass drum, you will be able to get the placement just how you like it with these holders.

Spur Brackets

The spur brackets on the bass drum are very sturdy to ensure maximum stability. This is very important as the bass drum is also holding your toms. 

Stage Master Stands

The Imperialstar comes with stands included. The stands are from the Stage Master range. 

The Stage Master range features double-braced legs for extra stability and quick-set cymbal mates for quick cymbal changes.

The Tama Imperialstar comes with:

• Hi-hat stand
• Boom stand
• Straight arm stand
• Snare stand

Remaining hardware

The kit also includes a standard single pedal and a throne.

There is nothing special about these but they will be fine for any drummer starting to learn.

What finishes are available?

When we first wrote this guide, the Tama Imperialstar came in 6 different finishes. There are more to choose from now, and they are still all wraps. 

These look nice and there is a good variety to meet everyone’s tastes. 

The wrap finish helps keep the cost down to make the kit good value to you whilst looking nice.

New in 2021 was the Natural Zebrawood Wrap, which gives the kit an exotic wood look. You will still find it in some shops, but it is no longer the newest kid on the block.

The 2021 finishes:

• Black Oak Wrap (BOW)
• Natural Zebrawood Wrap (NZW)
• Vintage White Sparkle (VWS)
• Candy Apple Mist (CAM)
• Hairline Black (HBK)
• Hairline Blue (HLB)

What finishes are new since 2021?

The list has changed a fair bit since then, and it varies by region and by shop, so treat this as a guide rather than a catalogue. The newer finishes you are most likely to see listed in 2026 are:

• Coffee Teak Wrap (CTW)
• Burnt Red Mist (BRM)
• Electric Yellow (ELY)
• Burgundy Walnut Wrap (BWW)
• Sky Blue Mist (SLM), new for 2026 and paired with black nickel shell hardware

Black Oak Wrap, Hairline Black, Hairline Blue and Candy Apple Mist are still widely stocked too.

Our pick? Sky Blue Mist. The black nickel hardware makes it look like a far more expensive kit than it is. Have a look at our Tama 2026 news round-up for everything else Tama has released this year.

Tama Imperialstar kit configurations

The Tama Imperialstar is still available in 4 core configurations to match the style of drumming and budget you have. 

Each kit comes with all the hardware mentioned above.

The kits are available with or without cymbals. 

If you are starting to learn drums and don’t have cymbals yet, the complete kits come with Meinl HCS cymbals: 14” hi-hats, a 16” crash and a 20” ride. That is still the case in 2026. They are brass, not bronze, and they will be the first thing you upgrade, but they are as good as any other entry-level pack and are good value bought with the kit.

One thing to watch: model codes and sizes vary slightly by region. In the US the complete kits are sold as IE models (IE52C and so on), whilst UK and European shops tend to list IP codes, and some of those kits use a 14”x12” floor tom rather than the 14”x13” listed below. Check the “what’s included” list rather than the code.

6 piece kit with 22” kick (IE62H6W)

This configuration is the most expensive and comes with the most drums. If you are looking for a bigger set this is the configuration for you.

Drums included:

• 22” x 16” bass drum
• 10” x 7” tom
• 12” x 8” tom
• 14” x 13” floor tom
• 16” x 15” floor tom
• 14” x 5” snare

5 piece kit with 22” kick (IE52KH6W)

I would class this as your “standard” drum set configuration. You are getting a 5 piece kit in the standard sizes you would expect. 

Drums included:

• 22” x 16” bass drum
• 10” x 7” tom
• 12” x 8” tom
• 16” x 15” floor tom
• 14” x 5” snare

5 piece kit with 20” kick (IE50H6W)

If you are looking for a kit with a slightly tighter sound this kit could be the one. It comes with a slightly smaller bass drum at 20” and a 14” floor tom rather than a 16”. 

Drums included:

• 20” x 16” bass drum
• 10” x 7” tom
• 12” x 8” tom
• 14” x 13” floor tom
• 14” x 5” snare

5 piece kit with 18” kick (IE58H6W)

If you are looking for a kit for a child this configuration is the better option. The 18” bass drum allows you to place the toms lower whilst still maintaining a good tone.

Drums included:

• 18” x 14” bass drum
• 10” x 7” tom
• 12” x 8” tom
• 14” x 13” floor tom
• 14” x 5” snare

Limited editions

Tama has also made a couple of bigger, limited Imperialstars since we first wrote this guide. The one that got everyone talking was the 2024 kit inspired by Lars Ulrich: Electric Yellow, black nickel hardware, two 22” bass drums, 10” and 12” rack toms, 14” and 16” floor toms and a 14”x6.5” snare. There has also been a seven-piece double bass drum kit in Blacked Out Black. These come and go, so if you want one, buy it when you see it.

Individual drums

If you have purchased a Tama Imperialstar drum kit and you are wanting to expand it you can purchase individual drums. 

The size selection is decent as long as you aren’t picky when it comes to the depth of the drums.

Bass drums

• 18” x 14”
• 20” x 16”
• 22” x 16”

Floor toms

• 14” x 13”
• 16” x 15”
• 18” x 16”

Toms

• 8” x 6.5”
• 10” x 7”
• 12” x 8”
• 13” x 9”

Snares

• 14” x 5”
• 14” x 6.5”

Are Tama Imperialstar drum kits good value?

There is no doubt that these drums are of great value. If you are a beginner or an intermediate player this kit is an amazing option.

Tama has had to cut areas of the kit to lower the price but it has done this in areas that will have minimal impacts on the sound.

For example, the hardware and finish have been cut back to allow the shells to be the best they can for the price.

The only thing you will want to replace on this kit is the heads. Drum heads can be expensive so cheaper Tama branded heads come with the kit. These are single ply so they won’t be that durable and they will be a bit harder to tune. 

Ideally, you would switch these out for a two-ply head such as the Evans G2s or Remo Emperor.

This does push up the cost but there is nothing wrong with playing the stock heads while they last.

Whichever heads you land on, give the kit half an hour with our free drum tuner before you judge it. Budget kits ship tuned by a machine that has never heard a drum, and the Imperialstar’s wide tuning range is wasted until every lug is matched. 

How much does a Tama Imperialstar cost in 2026?

Prices have gone up since 2021. In the UK, expect to pay roughly £750 to £1,000 for a complete kit with cymbals, depending on the configuration and finish. In the US, the five-piece complete kits sit at around $900 to $1,000, with the six-piece and the special finishes a little above that.

That still undercuts most of the competition once you count the hardware, cymbals and throne in the box.

Where can I buy one?

Luckily for you, the Tama Imperialstar is available from nearly all online music stores or from your local drum shop. We always recommend hearing one in the room if you can.

The right shop depends on where you are: Guitar Center in the Americas, Gear4music in the UK, or Thomann for Europe and the rest of the world.

The used market is huge too. Check used Tama Imperialstar kits on Reverb and the Reverb price guide before you pay new money.

Frequently asked questions

Are Tama Imperialstar drums good?

If you are a beginner the Imperialstar drum kits are perfect for getting started. They are one of the best sounding drums at this price and will last you for many years until including when you are at an intermediate level.

Should I buy a used Tama Imperialstar?

If you are wanting to save more money a second-hand kit is a good option. The Tama Imperialstar has been around since the 1970s so there are plenty of second-hand kits around. Like when you buy anything pre-owned, make sure you inspect the kit before purchasing. Looks for any cracks in the shells and damage to the hardware.

What is the difference between a new or vintage Tama Imperialstar?

The main difference is the wood the shells are made from. The vintage Tama Imperialstar drums from the 1970s and 1980s were made from Luan with a heavy speckled Zola Coat on the interiors rather than poplar with a natural internal finish like on the new kits.
Luan is a cheap wood like poplar. They have many similar characteristics but the sound of luan is preferred by some drummers.

Final thoughts

If you are buying your first drum kit in 2026, this is still one of the best options. There are cheaper entry-level drum kits available but this kit will see you beyond being a beginner well into intermediate levels. 

It sounds good and it is built to last. 

If you are looking for an alternative at this price point we recommend checking out the Pearl Export, and our Pearl Export vs Tama Imperialstar head-to-head puts the two side by side. If you are looking for an entry-level professional level kit from Tama, check out the Tama Starclassic Performer.

Have you owned a Tama Imperialstar drum kit? Let us know what you think of it in the comments.