Should I get the Tama imperialstar?????!!!!!

middlemaniac · Newbie Alert Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 1

Ok, so i went to the drum store and this really good drummer told me an awesome begginer drumset to get was the Tama Imperialstar. Is this a good model? When I said that I wanted used pearl exports he said NO! He said the Tama's are a better drum set, cost less, and already come with decent/good cymbals. Are the Tama cymbals the kit comes with good? What is your opinion on this drum kit? He also recommended the Ludwig CS elite, and DDrum, are these good?

random white person · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:09 pm Post subject:

what is your level of ecperience, and do you already have a set of drums? what is your budget?

the Imperialstar and Export are VERY similar kits. they both have literally the same shells (6 ply, 7.5mm poplar) so i would maybe try them both out and see if one sounds inherently better. also compare the hardware and heads and see if one stands out. you may well likely find them to be so similar that your decision would come down to more superficial characteristics like color and size options available.

also, i would say that the cymbals that come with the Imperialstar probably fall somewhere between "unplayably bad" and "pretty bad" on the quality scale. i have not personally played them, but every no-name brand pack of cymbals i've ever seen packaged with a set is never any better than a cheap pack of beginners cymbals.

the Ludwig CS Elites aren't too bad. definitely a decent option if you're looking for a first drumset. as for the DDrum Diablos (which im assuming youre referring to), i've only heard mediocre things. theyre a generic beginner set that sacrifices quality and hardware integrity for slightly more unique finishes and configurations. i would personally stay away from them.
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Dukekamaya · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 2:25 am Post subject:

I agree.
Play the Export and Imperialstar and see which sounds and feels better to YOU. Don't be too influenced by pushy sales people.
If its for a first kit, I don't think you would be disappointed with either. A few months down the track, improve them with new heads and better cymbals etc.
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Bish · King of the Jungle Joined: 19 Oct 2005 Posts: 1861

I have been purchasing drums kits for many years. I know I probably haven't been through as many as other people, but my experience has been in most cases I've purchased most new kits without ever hearing them.

Now when you take into consideration the drum heads currently on the kit, the shell material, the size of the drum and the tuning of it, you have so many variables it's hard to pick the right set for your ears.

We all know how easy it is to pick a kit based on appearance. I think that is half of what drives us to the kit we end up with. I've done that too many times and have been paying for it.

This time my local GC had a kit on display that I liked. They had heads on it that I liked and it was tuned to a tuning that I liked. I bought that kit right there.

I'm finding with guitars it can work the same way. Go into a store and play a dozen different ones and usually one will call your name. Much easier cuz a setup and a set of strings makes a guitar what it is. With drums, it's way more complicated. Twisted Evil

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DespisedIconMTL · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 4:04 pm Post subject:

hey i have a tama swingstar (the old imperial but not that old eheh) and when i play on it im like....*What the Heck*?hey i have pinstripe on it the bass drum (wich is a 22 inches)i have a powerstroke 3 on it and it sounds really great!!i dont even think about changing it,i prefer put money on my cymbals and hardware!!!i dont know if imperialstar is as good as the swingstar but i guess that it might be eh? Wink

metal head · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 9:16 am Post subject:

i have an imperialstar, and i'm pleased with it. when it comes to the cymbals, i dont like the crash, but the ride has a nice "ping" sound when you hit the bell, and the hi-hats sound good when closed, but when open, it's much too loud
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sfauts · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 9:48 am Post subject:

Personally, I'd get the Pearl. Purely as the hardware is better in my opinion.

Hbdrummer · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 8:36 am Post subject:

Consider the manufacturing processes by which the shells (read: the most important component of any drum) are made. Pearl EX's are made in the same manner as their high zoot -high bucko Masters series. That is by applying heat as a proponent to equalized internal and external pressure to form perfectely round shells! I've been playing for 30+ years and have owned a kit from just about every major manufacturer out there, and for my money, Pearl makes some of the finest mass produced shells out there! Their attention to things that alot of newbies to the sport of drumming may take for granted like bearing edges (the edge of the drum shell that "bears the edge of the drumhead) and shell roundness as well as beautiful and durable finishes.. Hardware etc. all top notch. Sure you may "get alittle more" with some other brands, but in the long run, quality manufacturing and attention to detail will go the distance! I am picking up my new Pearl EXR in strada white next week.. nuff said! Wink

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