For half a century, TAMA has wowed drummers and music lovers alike with some of the most iconic drums sounds to hit the airwaves. To celebrate 50 years of this renowned drum brand hailing from Japan, we’ve compiled a comprehensive must-see/must-hear/must-play list of the best TAMA drum sets available to today’s drummer—spanning budgets, skill levels, playing styles, piece counts, form factors and all the other important considerations one makes when shopping for drums. We’ll go over a wide range of full kits and shell packs, so whether you’re an absolute beginner drummer starting from scratch, or an intermediate- to pro-level percussionist with existing hardware and cymbals, we’ve got you covered.

To know TAMA is to love TAMA, so first, we’ll add a little historical backbeat to contextualize the progression of this fascinating brand before we get to grooving on the kits themselves.

Table of Contents

A Brief History of TAMA
TAMA Drum Kit Buying Guide
 Best Compact Drum Kit: TAMA Club-JAM 4-Piece Shell Pack
 Best Beginner Drum Kit: TAMA Stagestar 5-Piece Complete Drum Set
 Best Intermediate Drum Kit: TAMA Imperialstar 6-Piece Complete Drum Set
 Best Intermediate Shell Pack: TAMA Superstar Classic 7-Piece Shell Pack
 Best Intermediate Double Kick Drum Kit: TAMA Imperialstar 8-Piece Double Bass Drum Set
 Best Acrylic Shell Pack: TAMA 50th Anniversary Starclassic Mirage 5-Piece Shell Pack
 Best Tonewood Blend Shell Pack: TAMA Starclassic Walnut/Birch 4-Piece Shell Pack
 Best Maple Shell Pack: TAMA Starclassic Maple 4-Piece Shell Pack
 Best Professional Shell Pack: TAMA STAR Walnut 4-Piece Shell Pack
Conclusion

A Brief History of TAMA

The heartbeat of what became TAMA started in the early 1960s, when a Japanese company called Hoshino Gakki (the founder’s family name being Hoshino, translating to “star field”—Gakki meaning “musical instruments”) began building drums under the “Star” moniker, which should ring familiar to savvy drummers of all stripes—but more on that in the following measures. After a brief stint of exclusively outsourcing production for a high-volume approach to keep up with the increasing number of players drawn to the instrument by the burgeoning rock ’n’ roll scene, Hoshino Gakki opted to take matters of quality control into its own hands and manufacture domestically in Seto, Japan.

In 1962, Hoshino’s subsidiary, Tama Seisakusho (Tama being the company owner’s wife’s name, and a homophone of the Japanese word for “jewel”—Seisakusho meaning “factory”), began crafting drums alongside sister company Ibanez guitars and amplifiers. (Their shared pedigree is evident in Ibanez’s eventual Roadstar, Artstar and Altstar series—see the resemblance?) Star’s engineers were digging deep and breaking new ground by 1965, during which time the company patented a series of game-changing innovations, including a spring-loaded lug design that minimized hardware vibration. And in 1966, the factory focused on drums exclusively, which gave Star drums the specialized, undivided attention they needed to shine their brightest.

Star’s crown jewel series at the time, Imperial Star and Royal Star, were making waves across the Pacific as they made landfall in the U.S., giving pricier stateside competitors like Ludwig, Slingerland, Rogers and other more established brands a run for their money. Due to the skyrocketing success of these kits, coupled with a shifting global economic environment that incentivized a quality-over-quantity approach for Japanese exports, Hoshino doubled down on its commitment to producing higher-end drums, and in 1974, started marketing its drums under the TAMA name. In the Land of the Rising Sun, a star was born.

And so began the legend of “The Strongest Name in Drums.” In 1976, TAMA further innovated in the hardware department with the release of the revolutionary TITAN series cymbal stands—which were not only the very first cymbal boom stands, but no other manufacturer had ever made double-braced cymbal stands before—drawing an air of excitement and cementing credibility to the new brand’s fledgling yet rock-solid foundational reputation. Soon after, TAMA’s Multi-Clamp System provided the versatility drummers desired to arrange their custom setups. Pro drummers (notably Simon Phillips) with sophisticated setups took notice, and when they were seen behind their new TAMA kits, fans who were—or wanted to become—drummers followed suit. While this article is about TAMA’s kits, their deliberately calculated “hardware-first” mindset is what set them apart from the competition at the time, as heavier rock styles took over. (Besides, every drum needs quality hardware to reliably endure the rigors of regular playing, let alone being lugged around from gig to gig.)

It didn’t take long for talented TAMA devotees to hit the top of the charts with their TAMA drums. The Police’s Stewart Copeland began his long and storied TAMA love affair with an Imperialstar, which featured reinforced mahogany shells with a whole-surface PVC covering for “a single vibrating unit,” and Zola inner coating for exceptional protection from the elements. Lars Ulrich of Metallica eventually took a liking to Imperialstar, taking his iconic chrome-finished kit on the road in support of Ride the Lightning. Just below the Imperialstar in the TAMA kit hierarchy was the very similar Royalstar series, and in 1976 came the massively popular Superstar, which boasted Japanese birch, possessing striking tonal and structural characteristics similar to maple. Return to Forever’s Lenny White and Rush’s Neil Peart were early adopters of the Superstar, which spawned a nebula of success for TAMA.

The rest, as they say, is history. Decades of thoughtful innovations later, the Starclassic and STAR series would carry the torch as TAMA’s flagship kits, in a continuing hard-hitting legacy that provides endless inspiration to future and existing drummers the world over.

TAMA Drum Kit Buying Guide

It’s no coincidence that drumming greats like Phil Collins, Dave Lombardo, Mike Portnoy, Kenny Aronoff, Charlie Benante, Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins, to give a small sample, have chosen TAMA for their go-to drum kits. Whether you’re looking to break through to join their ranks, just love playing, or are simply intrigued by a socially acceptable excuse to hit things with sticks—and, heck, maybe even get applauded for it (you’re not alone)—TAMA’s got something for everybody.

Best Compact Drum Kit: TAMA Club-JAM 4-Piece Shell Pack

TAMA is a big name in the drum world, with big sound and a big roster of big artists who’ve loved their big selection of series and kits, but let’s start small. Whether you play coffee shop gigs, tiny stages—or simply crave the compactness of a kit with a deliberately designed frugal footprint, the TAMA Club-JAM 4-piece shell pack was tailor-made for all of the aforementioned situations. Its mersawa/poplar shells provide an impactful focus and depth, a perfect pairing for a fun-size kit like the Club-JAM. A testament to TAMA’s pragmatic ingenuity—and, in a way, a throwback to vintage mini kits—its 18x12" kick drum holds both a tom and cymbal stand. Save some serious stage space, setup time and your bandmates’ toes, and pick up this adorable—but surprisingly punchy—kit today.

Pictured: TAMA Club-JAM 4-Piece Shell Pack Candy Apple Mist

For even more travel-friendly setups, check out the Club-JAM Flyer shell pack with 14" bass drum and the Club-JAM 4-piece pancake kit, which features ultrashallow drums for likely the easiest load-ins and load-outs a kit drummer could ever wish for.

Best Beginner TAMA Drum Kit: Stagestar 5-Piece Complete Drum Set

If you’re on the lookout for an affordable, still compact yet standard-sized foray into the world of TAMA, the Stagestar 5-piece complete drum set will do the trick. It comes with a 16x22" kick, snare, two rack toms, floor tom, batter and resonant heads, crash/ride and hi-hat cymbals, and double-braced hardware, including drum and cymbal stands, as well as a throne. That’s everything you need to get started, except for the sticks. Available in a wide selection of eye-catching sparkle wrap finishes, it’s the perfect kit for beginner and budget-conscious drummers to experience that timeless TAMA look, feel and tone.

Pictured: TAMA Stagestar 5-Piece Complete Drum Set Candy Red Sparkle

Best Intermediate Drum Kit: TAMA Imperialstar 6-Piece Complete Drum Set

This TAMA Imperialstar 6-piece complete drum kit offers the benefit of a “two-up, two-down” (two rack toms, two floor toms) setup, with MEINL HCS hi-hats, crash and ride, plus all the hardware you’ll need to get rocking. Hailing from the same stardust that drum heroes past and present have used to lay down their iconic grooves, this Imperialstar has all the components that will resonate with your vibe, no matter what style you play. From straightforward four-on-the-floor beats to sophisticated, thundering tom fills, these 6-ply poplar shells pack a resounding punch—thanks in part to robust yet unrestrictive TAMA hardware that lets your drums sing with gusto.

Pictured: TAMA Imperialstar 6-Piece Complete Drum Set Black Oak Wrap

For slightly smaller configurations of this iconic kit, be sure to check out the 5-piece Imperialstar complete drum set with 20" kick drum, as well as the Imperialstar with 18" kick version. Both feature core cymbals from MEINL’s HCS series.

Best Intermediate Shell Pack: TAMA Superstar Classic 7-Piece Shell Pack

Few drum kit series are as ubiquitously known as the TAMA Superstar, which changed the game with its groundbreaking design that’s famous for hearty build quality and outstanding projection. This 7-piece Superstar Classic shell pack lives up to that sterling reputation. Featuring maple shells in an 8", 10", 12" tom tom, 14" and 16" floor tom, 14" snare and 22" kick configuration, it’s the a winning formula for a fantastic foundation. It comes factory-equipped with TAMA’s Power Craft II batters and resos, specially designed to bring the best out of the shells’ natural sonics. What’s more, it’s outfitted with drum-mounted Omnisphere tom holders sporting the famous Star-Mount suspension system, ensuring your drums ring as free as your rhythmic imagination.

Pictured: TAMA Superstar Classic 7-Piece Shell Pack Blue Lacquer Burst

Note: Drum and cymbal stands and cymbals sold separately.

Best Intermediate Double Kick Drum Kit: TAMA Imperialstar 8-Piece Double Bass Drum Set

Now we’re getting into double kick territory. Whether you’re a metalhead, prog rocker or just love the look, feel and quake-triggering force of a big kit with two kick drums, this TAMA Imperialstar 8-piece double bass drum kit has your basses covered (we couldn’t resist). With the included MEINL HCS 14" hi-hat, 16 and 18" crash, and 20" ride cymbals, plus the melodic potential of five toms, this abundantly armed Imperialstar furnishes the freedom to express yourself to your fullest potential. It even comes with all the necessary hardware, including an Iron Cobra kick pedal for each bass drum. It’s a justifiably alluring rig that’ll quench any drummer’s toe-tapping tendencies—particularly if you have a penchant for using both feet.

Pictured: TAMA Imperialstar 8-Piece Double Bass Drum Set Hairline Black

Should you choose to add even more cymbals to complement this impressive setup, be sure to check out our huge selection of MEINL HCS crashes, Chinas, stacks, splashes and more, all made at MEINL’s state-of-the-art facility in Gutenstetten, Germany.

Best Acrylic Shell Pack: TAMA 50th Anniversary Starclassic Mirage 5-Piece Shell Pack

You’d be forgiven if you can’t believe your eyes—some things you just have to hear to believe. Celebrating five decades under the TAMA name, the 50th Anniversary Starclassic Mirage acrylic shell pack is clearly a winner. This limited-edition reissue of a rarity is sure to turn heads and pique interest with its punchy attack, sublime sustain, see-through façade and attractively paired black nickel hardware. It even comes with Evans Clear G2 batters and TAMA Clear Power Craft resonant heads, just like its rare 2008 predecessor. Get it before it completely disappears.

Pictured: TAMA 50th Anniversary Starclassic Mirage 5-Piece Shell Pack Crystal Ice

Disclaimer: To be perfectly transparent, this special edition doesn’t come with its matching 50th Anniversary Starclassic Mirage acrylic 14x6.5" snare or stands. So, if you adore TAMA as much as we do, and want to go all in on the 50-year anniversary festivities, add some colorful oomph to your bottom end. Get your kicks with the 50th Anniversary Iron Cobra Power Glide single or double kick pedals—each in a one-of-a-kind Psychedelic Rainbow Hydro-Dip finish.

Best Tonewood Blend Shell Pack: TAMA Starclassic Walnut/Birch 4-Piece Shell Pack

In 1994, the Starclassic series became TAMA’s flagship drum kit series, after over half a decade of painstaking research, development, meticulous engineering and attentive fine-tuning. This Starclassic 4-piece shell pack gives you that legendary design with an elegant American black walnut/birch blend. TAMA engineers experimented with numerous build configurations, coming to the consensus that 4-ply birch + 2-ply walnut toms, and a 5-ply birch + 2-ply walnut bass drum was the perfect formula to get the best traits out of walnut’s low-to-midrange warmth and birch’s crystal-clear, high-frequency projection for this kit. If you’re going to experiment with unconventionality, who better to do it with than TAMA, masters of acoustic drum tech innovation?

Pictured: TAMA Starclassic Walnut/Birch 4-Piece Shell pack Lacquer Phantasm Oyster

Like other Starclassic shell packs, TAMA lets you choose your own adventure when it comes to snares. If you’re head over heels about this kit’s incredibly well-rounded tonewood combo, be sure to check out the Starclassic walnut/birch snare drum.

Best Maple Shell Pack: TAMA Starclassic Maple 4-Piece Shell Pack

For decades, TAMA Starclassic kits have been the choice touring and tracking drums for A-list drummers from the likes of Metallica, Megadeth, Korn, The Offspring, System of a Down, Eminem, Nita Strauss, Janelle Monae and other heavy-hitting and smooth-grooving bands alike. In fact, many admirers of TAMA’s legacy kits have since migrated to the Starclassic maple for its undeniably musical nature and rich openness. The Starclassic maple’s thin, cross-laminated construction with a custom rounded bearing edge maximizes the tonewood’s potential, resulting in a gorgeous warmth that hits the spot in the mix. And, true to TAMA tradition, these Starclassics are furnished with premium hardware appointments, like injection-molded zinc die-cast hoops for stable tuning stability and Quick-Lock tom brackets for record-time setups and breakdowns. Tune and/or dampen to your liking, and you have a true chameleon of a high-end kit.

Choose your Starclassic maple 4-piece shell pack with chrome hardware for a timeless classic vibe, or wielding black nickel hardware for a darker—dare we say “edgy”—visual element.

Pictured: TAMA Starclassic Maple 4-Piece Shell Pack Flat Burgundy Mist

Best Professional Shell Pack: TAMA STAR Walnut 4-Piece Shell Pack

If you’re on a quest for the absolute best of the best, and can sling the cost, STAR series is TAMA’s most recently launched flagship line—as if the Starclassic needed improvement. Debuting in 2013, STAR flaunts the Super Resonant Mounting System along with a redesigned Quick-Lock Tom Bracket, which yields unprecedented shell resonance and the ultimate streamlined setup and breakdown. This TAMA STAR walnut 4-piece shell pack with 22" kick drum comes in a modern fusion configuration. Every drum is carefully hand-fitted with first-class hardware and Remo Coated Ambassador batter and Clear Ambassador resonant heads—except for the kick, which is loaded with a coated Powerstroke 3 batter head and TAMA-branded Fiberskyn Powerstroke 3 Diplomat on the resonant side.

Pictured: TAMA STAR Walnut 4-Piece Shell Pack Indigo Japanese Sen Burst

The result is a breathtakingly spectacular drum kit whose thunderous low end, opulent mids and soaring high end cut through the mix like no other. For discerning high-end kit connoisseurs who tend to take a less-is-more approach, the STAR walnut 3-piece shell pack with 20" kick in a one-up, one-down configuration is equally worth your consideration.

Like the Starclassics that preceded the STAR’s top-tier status in the TAMA lineup, it’s a bring-your-own-snare affair with STAR shell packs. Happily, we carry STAR Reserve snares in stave ash, hand-hammered aluminum and hand-hammered brass to suit your desired taste.

Conclusion

As you can see, TAMA’s got quite the history and assortment of innovatively crafted drum kits. From its beginnings as a far-away young Star in the early ’60s to the undeniable flourishing galaxy of stellar instruments we all see with the naked eye today—not to mention, legendary hardware—TAMA’s marketing slogan of being “the Strongest Name in Drums” is something to be taken seriously. Call our helpful Gear Advisers to get helpful, pro advice on what suits your needs, or better yet, step into your nearest Guitar Center and test drive a TAMA set today.