add_action('wp_head', function(){echo '';}, 1);{"id":87,"date":"2018-08-27T01:14:06","date_gmt":"2018-08-27T08:14:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drumbrands.com\/?p=87"},"modified":"2018-08-27T01:14:06","modified_gmt":"2018-08-27T08:14:06","slug":"tama-drums","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drumbrands.com\/tama-drums\/","title":{"rendered":"TAMA Drums"},"content":{"rendered":"

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TAMA Drums\u00a0is a top drum brand that develops,\u00a0manufactures and markets\u00a0drum shells, snares, hardware, percussion and other drum accessories. \u00a0TAMA is owned by the Hoshino Gakki Group who also owns the Ibanez guitar brand. \u00a0TAMA maintains\u00a0operations in three locales; Seto, Japan where R&D and high end\u00a0professional\u00a0drums are produced, Guangzhou, China where\u00a0beginner\u00a0and more\u00a0affordable\u00a0drums are manufactured and Bensalem, Pennsylvania where drums destined for the US market are assembled and stocked. \u00a0Like other major drum brands, TAMA has progressed drumming over the years and has dozens of high profile endorsers that support the brand.<\/p>\n

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\"\"History of TAMA Drums<\/h2>\n

In 1965 TAMA Drums began and were\u00a0originally\u00a0manufactured at an Ibanez guitars and amplifiers facility. \u00a0They were first called Star Drums after the Hoshino family name. \u00a0Only one year later drum demand became large enough to warrant a standalone space. \u00a0Hoshino Gakki made the decision to move the guitars and amps out of the facility. \u00a0Two high end drum lines, the Imperialstar and Royalstar,\u00a0became successful low-cost alternatives to the more costly American made drums at the time.<\/p>\n

The Star name was replaced by TAMA in 1974 when Hoshino made a\u00a0purposeful\u00a0effort to make higher end drum shells and hardware. \u00a0In 1977 when drum brand Camco Drum Co. went under, TAMA stepped in with DW (Drum Workshop) to buy the operation. \u00a0While DW received the Camco tooling and machinery, TAMA purchased the Camco brand name, \u00a0designs, engineering and patent rights.<\/p>\n

What resulted was two versions of Camco\u2019s best drum pedal the Camco 5000. Utilizing the tooling, DW was able to rebrand it as the DW 5000.\u00a0 TAMA on the other hand recreated a version under the Camco name but it became referred to in the drumming community as the Tamco.\u00a0 With the addition of Camco\u2019s engineering, TAMA\u2019s quality in both hardware and drums changed abruptly to a higher level.\u00a0 TAMA had aimed at utilizing both brand names to sell to both low and high end drummers.\u00a0 However because the quality increase was dramatic, even professionals began to use the TAMA drums due to the high level of quality hardware.<\/p>\n

\"\"Spring boarding off this success, TAMA became one of the first drum brands to offer super heavy-duty hardware and mounting systems independent from the drum shell.\u00a0 The undrilled drums provided for a deeper and more powerful sound.\u00a0 The combination of heavy hardware and powerful drums made TAMA an instant success with rock and metal drummers.\u00a0 Additionally in 1978 TAMA invented the Octoban drum or tube tom, which features a 6\u201d diameter and long depth.<\/p>\n

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TAMA Drum Lines<\/h2>\n

Like other large drum brands, TAMA features drums sets for beginners, semi-professional drummers and high end professional drums. \u00a0TAMA also features its own snare line, produces drums for marching percussion and markets other drum counterparts\u00a0such as sticks, hardware, pedals, thrones and other drum\u00a0accessories.<\/p>\n

TAMA Drums: Beginner and Semi-Professional Sets<\/h3>\n

TAMA competes with other major drum brands via pre-packaged kits that range from $500 to $1500 brand new. \u00a0These kits are mass produced in TAMA\u2019s\u00a0Guangzhou, China facility and have seen many iterations over the past 30 years, with the common theme of \u201cStar\u201d in all their names.<\/p>\n

Swingstar<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Entry level 5pc drum kit with hardware, pedals, throne and two cymbals included. \u00a0The Swingstar can typically be purchased new for around $500.<\/p>\n

\"\"Imperialstar<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 This is TAMA\u2019s mid-ranged kit that offers several pre-packaged variations dubbed as \u201cREADY-TO-ROCK\u201d kits. \u00a0The variations affect the size of the bass drum as well as number and size of toms. \u00a0Included with this sets are MEINL HCS cymbals, a bass pedal and all the hardware needed to set the kit up. \u00a0The Imperialstar is one of TAMA\u2019s most popular drum sets and can be purchased new for between $650 and $900.<\/p>\n

Silverstar<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 The Silverstar kit features a high quality yet\u00a0affordable\u00a0setup with\u00a0variations from a 4pc to 6pc kit. \u00a0Included is a\u00a0slide-able\u00a0tom holder usually found on higher end kits. \u00a0Not included are additional accessories such as cymbals, pedals and a throne. \u00a0Drum shells only can range from $400 to $1000.<\/p>\n

Superstar Hyperdrive<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 The Superstar is the higher end of the semi-pro kits TAMA produces, featuring 100% birch shells, shorter tom-depths and a longer bass drum depth. \u00a0The Superstar also features tom mounting separate from the bass drum and comes in both 5pc and 6pc configurations. \u00a0Although cymbals are not included both a boom and straight cymbal stand come with the kit, along with a snare stand, hi-hat stand and single kick pedal. \u00a0With hardware, these kits range from $1,000 to $1,500 brand new.<\/p>\n

TAMA Drums: Starclassic Series (Professional Line)<\/h3>\n

The Starclassic series by TAMA is their high end drum line, however like Fender guitars there are two major variations. \u00a0Fender guitars have made in Mexico and made in America versions, while TAMA has drum shells hand crafted in Japan and drum shells produced in their Chinese factory. \u00a0The result is that Chinese TAMA drums have vent holes drilled while the Japan versions remain undrilled. \u00a0The Starclassic mounting system comes with a more\u00a0streamlined\u00a0version\u00a0of TAMA\u2019s Star-Cast system made from aluminum. \u00a0Other upgrades include Evans drum-heads among other quality improvements. \u00a0The Starclassic series comes in one of five variations as listed below.<\/p>\n