Tama IS58C Imperialstar 18 5-Piece Compact Drum Kit

Poplar 6ply 7.5mm shells, improved hardware, compact size.

Item: TAMIS58C

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    • $599.95
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what's new?

  • More expected Monday, October 6, 2008. Preorder today.
  • On Order

    We have been given a date of Monday, October 6, 2008 for the arrival of this item. This date is not guaranteed, rather an estimate based on either information obtained directly from the manufacturer or historical delivery data for the specific manufacturer.

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  • Pricing
    • $599.95
    • Installment Plan:4 payments of $149.98
    • List: $984.99
    • SAVE 39%
  • Standard Shipping
    Ground:
    $11.99
  • Expedited Shipping
    2 Day Shipping
    $110.99
     | Overnight
    $245.99

what's new?

  • More expected Monday, October 6, 2008. Preorder today.
  • On Order

    We have been given a date of Monday, October 6, 2008 for the arrival of this item. This date is not guaranteed, rather an estimate based on either information obtained directly from the manufacturer or historical delivery data for the specific manufacturer.

    x close

  • Pricing
    • $599.95
    • Installment Plan:4 payments of $149.98
    • List: $984.99
    • SAVE 39%
  • Standard Shipping
    Ground:
    $11.99
  • Expedited Shipping
    2 Day Shipping
    $110.99
     | Overnight
    $245.99

what's new?

  • More expected Monday, September 22, 2008. Preorder today.
  • On Order

    We have been given a date of Monday, September 22, 2008 for the arrival of this item. This date is not guaranteed, rather an estimate based on either information obtained directly from the manufacturer or historical delivery data for the specific manufacturer.

    x close

  • Pricing
    • $599.95
    • Installment Plan:4 payments of $149.98
    • List: $984.99
    • SAVE 39%
  • Standard Shipping
    Ground:
    $11.99
  • Expedited Shipping
    2 Day Shipping
    $110.99
     | Overnight
    $245.99

what's new?

  • More expected Monday, October 6, 2008. Preorder today.
  • On Order

    We have been given a date of Monday, October 6, 2008 for the arrival of this item. This date is not guaranteed, rather an estimate based on either information obtained directly from the manufacturer or historical delivery data for the specific manufacturer.

    x close

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customer reviews

Rate and Review This Product:

25 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10

1 Person wrote a review :

* * * * * * * * * * 6 out of 10

" More of a pretender than a contender!"

Feature:
I like the bass drum hoops, I think they not only look great because no claws are needed but I also believe they help improve the kick sound. I like the bass drum spurs, they don't flare out like some other companies. These spurs go straight forward and I like that. The hardware is ok, single braced but actually very stable. Not bad but still kinda cheap looking, it's the diameter of the tubing that has gotten smaller and the metal just seems really cheap. I do like the HP30 foot pedal, not bad. The bass drum lift was a good feature for the 18" kick but it's flawed. The bass drum isn't very stable because of the lift, it can easily lean back and tip to the left or right because there is only 1 stabilization point in the middle of the bass drum lift. This needs to be corrected but I doubt it ever will be. The tom post is too short for most adults with the 18" kick, even with the bass drum lift. It's like Tama thought of some cool features but didn't put much thought into making them work the best they could.

Quality:
I like the Platinum Gray finish, it's what I had back in the mid 90s with my Rockstars. I don't think the quality is as good as my Rockstars. Everything looks cheaper and is lighterweight, from the lugs to the hardware used. I don't think it's all that durable, I'll find out soon enough. I don't know about the quality of poplar wood vs. the cheaper mahogony that used to be used on the Rockstars and Swingstars. I've had basswood drums and those sounded good I thought, maybe the poplar will provide more midrange attack but the basswood seemed to provide more lows, which I think is very important. The poplar may not be able to achieve better low end, I don't know. With good drumheads though, they do have a punchy tight sound that I am pleased with. I don't expect the quality of a birch or maple kit but still, Tama could have done a little better overall on everything.

Value:
If they were $100 cheaper, I would have rated the Imperialstars an 8. For $500, I give them a 7 overall. I think that Tama could have done a little better overall for a $500 kit. Perhaps I'm expecting too much from them but the larger size kit goes for nearly $700 so I don't think I am asking too much to make the Imps a little better.

Desirability:
Visually, the Platinum Gray wrap has a cool look to it, I think. It may have a stainless steel kitchen sink look to it but it also reminds me somewhat of the Delorean in the movie, Back to the Future. Under the lights, the gray steel wrap reflects the different colors well. It can scratch easily and takes on noticeable finger prints much more compared to other wraps, such as a silver sparkle wrap but I think the Platinum Gray is a tough looking wrap that is very appealing and attention getting.

Sound:
First of all, the stock drum heads on the snare and the toms, which have got to be the worst stock heads ever, have got to be replaced immediately. I put Attach 2 ply thin skin clear heads on the fusion size toms had a good tuning range. I would rate the sound as good, not great, but more than adequate to please most drummers. They have a tight punchy sound that a two ply head is supposed to create. Good fat tone and sustain, not bad. The snare is lightweight and feels cheap but after I put an Aquarian head on it, it sounded good with a crisp pop to it. I also put a 2.3 mm hoop on the batter side for better rim shots and the thicker hoop also helps the overall sound. The small bass drum, may look like a toy but it sounds good with the stock heads on it. It has a punchy attack sound with a decent low end thump. Don't expect it to have the depth or low end thump of a 22" kick but the 18" serves it's purpose as a space saver and a back saver very well. Overall, for being an entry level kit, which I took into consideration, I have to give the sound a 7 overall.

Ease of Use:
I give a high score here, simply because it's so easy to transport and set up. I bought these small size drums because I'm in a 6 piece band and many stages are too small, not much space, so these help tremendously. Also many gigs the load ins are awful and this small kit makes loading in and load outs much easier.

Support:
From my experience with Tama, they aren't really all that helpful compared to some other companies that I thought had better customer service.

Overall:
I like the compact kit, it's worked out well for what I intended to use it for. Tama brags about being the "Leader in Innovation" but they're more like the Leader in Aggravation! They need to actually make something that is truly great in the entry level market, like they did when they went all out and improved the Rockstars 10 years ago. The Imperialstars are somewhat of a disappointment to me. Not as good as Rockstar, maybe a little better than Swingstar. I have a Pearl Forum kit also, which up until a few years ago, the Forums were regarded as pure crap, but I think the Pearl Forums are better made and perhaps sound a little better than the Tama Imperialstar. I don't think I would buy another Imperialstar. Pearl and Mapex have drums in this color as well so it's doubtful I would buy another Tama Imperialstar if I had to replace these if they were stolen or damaged.

Submitted: 5/4/2008

Style of Music: rock, alternative, country, variety

Read all reviews...

Additional Images:

Black
Black
Vintage Red
Vintage Red
Bronze Metallic
Bronze Metallic
Midnite Blue
Midnite Blue

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About This Product!
Description
From Our Catalog
The Tama Imperialstar is a great "entry-level" drum set. But why is the new Imperialstar the best entry-level kit ever? Because this time everything is upgraded. So only the price is entry-level. Everything else -- the killer matching wood hoop snare drum, the German-made, genuine brass cymbals, the powerful, all-poplar shells, the low-mass lugs, the HP30 bass pedal -- says Imperialstar defines a whole new class of drums. Read what pros Abe Cunningham, Spanky and James Culpepper have to say about Imperialstar. Check out the vast list of upgraded Imperialstar features shown here. Then check out the kit yourself. Whether you're looking for a kit for home recording, rehearsing or gigging, or you're just getting started playing, we defy you to find a better set with better features for the price.

You're serious about drums. Tama's serious. That's why Imperialstar isn't a new name on an old design. Even the state-of-the art drum making facility where Imperialstars are created is completely new. Every aspect of Imperialstar was exhaustively examined, re-examined and rethought before it was allowed to be part of the final Imperialstar design.

Tama Imperialstar Features

Shells: 100% Poplar 6ply 7.5mm
Poplar wood has been used in making drum shell for over 50 years. It offers a full, warm tone combined with medium attack.
100% Glued Finishes
Some drum companies only affix their wraps to the drum shell by taping the finish at # select contact points.# At TAMA, all of our wrapped finishes are glued to the shell 100% to eliminate warping, buzzing or lifting. This process allows the shell to resonate fully and consistently. It's more work, but it's worth it. A difference you can see and hear!

Drum heads
Batter side heads are made of clear Dupont Mylar film (250 microns thick) for richer tone and greater durability. Ring mufflers on bass drum heads remove the need for additional internal muffling.

Cymbals
It's time to raise the bar yet another notch. We've upgraded to even higher quality GERMAN-MADE brass cymbals that feature greater stick definition and livelier sound. The heavier weights and larger bells of these new cymbals offer brighter sounds, higher pitch and more cut than their predecessors. The hammer marks and brilliant finish provide an appearance that is as impressive and professional as the sound.

Matching Wood Snare Drum
Imperialstar's matching wood shell snare drum is incredibly musical and loud so you can easily handle the most heavily amplified rock band. But drumming isn't only about loud. This powerful snare drum offers the sensitivity and response-and the rich, expensive looks of drums far beyond Imperialstar's affordable price range.

Noiseless Design
Just as with Tama's high-end Roadpro hardware, their new Stagemaster stands were designed with the elimination of noise a top priority. A special rubber cap (A) at the end of the upper tube eliminates swaying and rattling, and a special nylon sleeve (B) underneath the die-cast joint of the base section further reduces vibration and swaying.

Throne HT25
Universal height adjustment: Unlike other thrones in this price range, Tama's offers more height adjustment flexibility. Others use a bolt and nut through pre-set holes in the center tube. Seat Top: This 13-inch diameter seat is larger & more comfortable than the previous Swingstar seat.

Escape Claws
The Escape Claws rubber cushions support the snare drum by floating on the metal support arms for improved resonance. In addition, they help reduce fatigue by softening the impact on your arms and wrists while playing the snare drum.

Hi-hat Stand HH35W Spare-The-Rod-Hi-hat Rod Protector
No more hi-hat rods getting bent out of shape during transport! With Spare-The-Rod, you can save your hi-hat rod from the rigors of the road by packing it in the specially designed upper tube section of pipe.

Drum Pedal HP30 Beater Angle Adjustment
You won't find adjustable beater/footboard angles on most pedals in this price range. But Tama's HP30 comes standard with an angle adjustment system.

Drum Pedal HP30 Dual Sided Beater
Now you can switch quickly and easily between the two very different sounds of nylon and felt. For an even bigger sound, the DS30 offers a larger hitting surface.

Precision Bearing Edges
A drum's bearing edge is one of the most important components in drum sound. Tama's advanced edge-cutting process provides extremely precise bearing edges - which allow their shells to ring openly and fully, and provide a wide range of tuneability, sensitivity and response.

New Design Lugs
Tama's new lugs are 10% smaller than the lugs of their previous Swingstar Series for even greater shell resonance.

Accu-tune Bass Hoop
A special formulation hi-tech material offers lighter weight, and faster, more stable tuning than traditional metal hoops. In addition, since Accu-Tune hoops use tension bolts instead of clawhooks and T-rods, head changes and packing up are a breeze.

Spur brackets
New design spur bracket features the same look and style as Tama'shigh-end Starclassic drums and provides maximum durability and stability.

Tom Holder
TAMA L-rod and Omnisphere tom holder systems have received acclaim from drummers for over 25 years. These systems offer easy positioning, maximum flexibility, stability and greater sound than standard designs which penetrate the shell interior and can inhibit resonance.

Boom / Straight convertible Tilter (HC33BW)
If there's no room for a boom, simply convert to a straight stand! The boom arm stores neatly inside the upper tube.

Snare Stand HS30W
Universal Gearless Tilter The universal tilter securely holds its position with metal-plate friction instead of traditional gears so you can adjust it to any angle you desire.

Hi-hat Stand HH35W Swivel Foot
Since the foot pedal can be rotated around the tripod base, the Swivel Foot feature greatly expands floor space and set-up flexibility.

Hi-hat Stand HH35W Safety bottom Seat
The scooped Safety Seat adds more stability to the bottom cymbal and can be adjusted for changes in hi-hat tone. Since the felt is fixed to the seat, it can't be lost during transport.

Drum Pedal HP30 Spring Tension Adjustment
Inspired by Iron Cobra's Spring Tight feature, this specially shaped nut prevents the spring unit from loosening.

Technical Info

Bass drum: 14 x 18 in.

Rack toms:
8 x 10 in.
9 x 12 in.

Floor tom: 12 x 14 in.

Snare drum: 5-1/2 x 13 in.

Hardware kit includes:
Hi-hat stand
Boom cymbal stand
Snare stand
Throne
Drum pedal

Cymbal kit (includes a pair of 14 in. Hi-hats, 18 in. Crash-Ride)
Tama’s best entry-level kit ever! Imperialstar kits are loaded with pro features like all-poplar shells, genuine brass cymbals, low-mass lugs, and more. This 5-piece kit includes 8”x10” and 8”x12” rack toms, 12”x14” floor tom, 5”x13” snare, and 14”x18” bass drum. Includes hardware and cymbals.

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