The Tama Imperialstar is a solid choice for drummers who want a full kit that’s ready to go straight out of the box.
Aimed at beginners and intermediate players, it comes with everything you need, drums, hardware, and cymbals without the hassle of piecing it together.
With poplar shells, a cymbal pack, and reliable Tama hardware, it’s built to offer a clean, balanced tone and solid performance across different styles.
In this review, I’ll break down what to expect and why this kit has become a go-to for new drummers.
The Tama Imperialstar IE50C 5-piece drum kit offers a comprehensive package for drummers seeking quality and convenience. Here’s what it includes:
This kit is designed to provide a reliable and versatile setup suitable for various musical styles and performance settings.
The Tama Imperialstar holds up well in terms of overall quality, especially for a kit aimed at beginner to intermediate drummers.
The drums produce a solid, usable tone right out of the box, and with some basic tuning, they can sound surprisingly good.
While the stock heads are decent for getting started, swapping them out for higher-end ones can really improve the sound.
The included Meinl HCS cymbals are fine for beginners, though more experienced players might want to upgrade them down the line for better tone and dynamics.
This kit uses 6-ply, 8mm poplar shells, which help give it a warm, balanced tone that works well across different genres.
The wrap finish is applied evenly and securely, so you don’t have to worry about bubbling or peeling over time.
Hardware is sturdy and reliable. The tom mounting system is easy to use and offers good flexibility when positioning your drums.
The bass drum pedal and hi-hat stand do the job well enough for most beginners, and the double-braced stands keep everything stable during play.
Overall, the build quality is solid and exactly what you’d expect from Tama.
For a complete starter kit, the Imperialstar performs really well. It’s responsive, easy to tune, and holds up during long practice sessions and even small gigs.
The toms and snare have a clean attack with enough body to cut through, and the bass drum gives you a nice thump that works in most musical styles.
The cymbals are serviceable for learning and basic practice, but their sound is fairly limited in depth and complexity.
Still, they’re more than enough to get you started and can be upgraded over time.
In short, the Imperialstar is reliable, sounds good, and gives you everything you need to start playing seriously.
The Tama Imperialstar offers a lot for the price. You’re getting a full 5-piece drum kit, hardware, throne, pedal, and a set of Meinl cymbals, all in one box.
For beginners or anyone looking to jump into drumming without piecing together a kit from scratch, that’s a solid deal.
It’s priced in the entry-level to mid-range bracket, but the build quality and tone you get feel closer to something more expensive. Sure, the cymbals and heads may not be top-tier, but they’re enough to get you started and can be upgraded over time.
If you’re after a kit that’s ready to play right out of the box, looks great, and delivers dependable performance, the Imperialstar definitely gives you your money’s worth.
The Tama Imperialstar is one of the best all-in-one kits you can get in its price range.
It’s built well, easy to set up, and sounds good enough to take you from practice sessions to your first gigs.
Whether you’re just starting out or need a reliable second kit, the Imperialstar delivers where it counts.
With solid hardware, responsive shells, and a clean, balanced tone, it’s a great foundation for any drummer looking to get serious about their playing.
Founder of TheDrumNinja
I’m crazy about drums, it’s been my passion since I was 12 years old. I played in numerous bands going through different styles like Rock, Progressive, Pop & Jazz-Rock. After being featured in major music publications (Drumeo, Guitar Guitar, AudioIssues, MusicThinkTank) I started this website to share my knowledge and create a resource for drummers of all levels.
We specialize in helping drummers of all levels become rhythmic assassins and develop ninja-like skills, quickly. Our mission is to create the best resources for all musicians and build a community where you can learn and share everything related to your musical journey.
Our team is committed to exceeding our clients’ expectations with uncompromising honesty and integrity. We focus all of our energy on helping musicians of all levels achieve their goals and build a foundation of skills that will last a lifetime.
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“9 Powerful Tips To Get Faster On The Drums (And The Mistakes To Avoid!)”
