For many of us here at Sweetwater, TAMA drums are one of the great industry standards. We play them, we love them, and we frequently recommend them to our customers. With over half a century of development behind their products, TAMA has had plenty of time to get a few very important things right. From the beginning, they've offered a wide range of drum kits, satisfying the needs of everyone from the total beginner looking for a great value to the working pro who demands uncompromising performance and stunning good looks. Add to that extremely popular pedals and some of the best drum hardware on the market, and there's a reason we proudly stand behind TAMA.
It's no stretch to say that TAMA revolutionized the world of modern drumming. While Hoshino Gakki founded TAMA (originally called Star Drums) in 1965, it was the super-heavy-duty hardware — far stronger than any other stands on the market — introduced in the early '70s that drew the attention of professional drummers everywhere. Finally, there was easily accessible drum hardware that could stand up to the punishing playing styles the new era of rock demanded! But it wasn't just professional rockers who jumped on the TAMA bandwagon. When they introduced a full line of great drums at budget-friendly prices, they inspired a whole new generation of drummers.
Here's a cool bit of trivia: the TAMA name is derived from first name of founder Yositaro Hoshino’s wife, Tama Hoshino, and "Hoshino" itself translates to "star field." That's the origin of the star theme that unifies the entire TAMA product line — from their entry-level Imperialstar drums and popular Starclassic series, to their top-of-the-line Star series drums.
But the name isn't the only thing that unifies TAMA products. TAMA’s continued innovation, combined with the sheer consumer value of their products is what sets the brand apart. For example, we often recommend Imperialstar drums to new drummers. These kits come with everything, including cymbals, pedals, and even a throne and represent TAMA innovation, even at their entry-level price points.
Stepping up from there, you'll find time-tested shell packs, such as the Superstar line. These kits introduce TAMA's Star-Mount system. While TAMA's innovative noninvasive tom mounting mechanisms wowed drummers all the way back in the '70s, the Star-Mount system takes this idea to a whole new level. By the time you get to Starclassic kits, you'll find shells made of premium maple, birch, and bubinga, all decked out with exquisite finishes and wraps. High-performance hardware such as die-cast zinc hoops, Air Pocket floor tom feet, and TAMA’s unique QUICK-LOCK tom brackets make these the choice of working pros, and it just gets better from there.
While each TAMA drum kit series includes matching snare drums, one standout you'll want to take a closer look at is the S.L.P. line. In early 2012, TAMA released their first Sound Lab Project (or S.L.P.) snare drums. Each model was to feature components, dimensions, and materials to provide a specific characteristic sound.
The idea behind this line was to provide a massive range of models at prices so affordable that drummers could buy whichever snare drums they needed for any style of music. The series launched with all the standard configurations, including maple, brass, steel, and aluminum models, and absolutely exploded from there. Now you'll find over a dozen S.L.P. snare drums at Sweetwater, and they're all fantastic.
It's impossible to talk about TAMA drums without considering their pedals. TAMA's pedal hardware really took off in 1977, when they bought the designs and rights to the bankrupt Camco Drum Company. Camco had been producing what was considered to be the best kick drum pedal on the market, and TAMA quickly picked up the ball. With the success of this original pedal design (still reflected in the Classic Pedal), TAMA launched into the development of a number of new pedals.
Today, they offer more than half a dozen lines of Iron Cobra and Speed Cobra pedals. These pedals offer a number of performance-oriented technologies, including special offset cams, highly adjustable action, and their patented Cobra Coil recoil spring. From their most affordable models to their most advanced dual pedals, every TAMA kick pedal packs amazing bang for the buck.
There's more TAMA gear than we can possibly cover here, from specialty hardware and accessories to elaborate drum kits and collectible snares, and it's all fantastic. Every year, Sweetwater sees a new wave of TAMA drums, with configurations and finishes that inspire even the most seasoned drummers. If you're considering a new set of shells or a stand for your favorite hats, you can't go wrong with TAMA. And when it comes to getting the most for your money, we're happy to stand by this time-tested company and all its products.
