Tama Imperial Star 6-Piece Review: Double Braced, Sizes Unstated

Who Should Buy It

Key Specifications

Overview

The Tama Imperial Star 6-Piece is a complete drum set built around 8mm, 6-ply, 100 percent poplar shells, bundled here with double braced hardware, a drum throne and a Meinl HCS cymbal pack. The listing leans heavily on hardware and shell construction detail rather than cosmetic description, which gives this review plenty to work with on the build side even though finish color is left blank.

As a six piece configuration, this kit likely includes an extra rack tom beyond the standard five piece layout, following the same general pattern Tama uses across its Imperial Star and Imperialstar naming. The listing data does not specify exactly how that extra piece is sized. What stands out most in the feature bullets is the level of named hardware detail: precision bearing edges, an Omnisphere tom holder, Accu-Tune bass drum hoops and double braced stands are all specific, confirmable components rather than generic marketing language.

Shells, Sizes and Sound

The shells are specified as 8mm thick, 6-ply, and 100 percent poplar, with Tama's own precision bearing edges named directly. That level of shell construction detail, including both ply count and shell thickness, is more than many competing complete kits publish at a similar price point. Poplar as a shell material generally produces a warm, balanced tone, and the precision bearing edge detail suggests attention to how the head seats against the shell, which can meaningfully affect sustain and overtone control regardless of the wood species used.

Individual drum sizes for the bass drum, toms, floor tom and snare are not broken out in the listing, which is the clearest gap here. Buyers wanting exact dimensions before ordering should check Tama's own published specification sheet for this specific model separately from this listing's feature bullets.

Hardware and Build

Hardware is described as double braced throughout, which generally means sturdier, less wobbly stands than the single leg tripod designs found on cheaper entry kits. Bass drum spurs with height calibration are also named, a detail that helps keep the bass drum from creeping during aggressive playing.

The Omnisphere tom holder and Accu-Tune bass drum hoops are both specific, named hardware components rather than generic descriptions. Accu-Tune hoops in particular are typically designed to make tensioning and tuning more consistent across the drumhead's full circumference.

Original small lugs and glue adhered wraps are also mentioned, pointing to a more traditional construction approach rather than a more modern die cast lug design. The listing frames this as a deliberate build choice rather than a shortcut, though no further detail is given on durability expectations.

What Is in the Box

Based on the published feature bullets, the box includes the six piece poplar shell set, double braced hardware with the named components above, a Meinl HCS cymbal pack with 14 inch hi hats, a 16 inch crash and a 20 inch ride, and a drum throne. Drumheads, drumsticks and a bass drum pedal are not specifically itemized in the listing despite the phrase hardware and throne being included, so buyers should confirm directly with the seller whether a pedal is part of the bundle before assuming it is.

That ambiguity around a pedal is worth flagging clearly, since a complete kit missing a pedal is effectively not playable for the bass drum until one is sourced separately. It is the single most important item to verify before this purchase is finalized, well ahead of any cosmetic question about finish.

• 6-piece, 8mm, 100 percent poplar shell kit
• Double braced hardware with Omnisphere tom holder
• Accu-Tune bass drum hoops
• Meinl HCS cymbal pack: 14 inch hi hats, 16 inch crash, 20 inch ride
• Drum throne

Playability and Setup

Double braced hardware should make initial setup feel sturdier underfoot than single braced stands, particularly for a player still developing a consistent playing technique who may inadvertently knock a stand during a session. Bass drum spurs with height calibration also help keep the kit anchored in place once positioned.

The Omnisphere tom holder is designed to simplify tom angle adjustment, which should make dialing in a comfortable playing position faster than with a more basic mounting bracket. Because individual sizes are not published, a buyer cannot fully plan reach and stick technique in advance the way they could with a fully specified kit. A drum throne is included, though its comfort level is not specifically described the way some competing listings describe theirs, so a buyer particularly sensitive to seating comfort may want to budget for an eventual throne upgrade regardless.

Finish and Looks

Finish and color are not named anywhere in the listing's feature bullets, which is an unusual gap compared with most competing kits that at least mention a wrap color or finish style. Buyers should confirm the specific finish directly with the seller before ordering if color is an important factor in the decision.

Despite the missing color information, the mention of glue adhered wraps suggests a traditional wrap style finish is used rather than a lacquer coat, which is a small but useful hint about the general look and feel of the shells even without a named color. Buyers who care deeply about matching a specific stage or studio aesthetic should treat the missing color field as a reason to message the seller directly rather than guessing from product photos alone, since listing photos can sometimes represent only one of several available finish options.

Upgrades and Daily Use

The Meinl HCS cymbal pack is a likely early upgrade target, since HCS is an entry tier line within Meinl's broader catalog. Many players use it as a starting point before moving to a higher tier crash and ride once their playing and listening skills develop further.

Head brand and type are not specified, so that is the next consumable a buyer will need to research, particularly once the stock heads begin to show wear from regular practice. The named bearing edges should help any replacement head seat consistently once that time comes. For daily use, the double braced hardware and Accu-Tune hoops should hold up well to regular transport and setup cycles, reducing the chance of hardware related maintenance issues compared with lighter, single braced stands.

Who Should Buy It

This kit suits a first time buyer who prioritizes hardware durability and shell construction detail, and who is comfortable confirming finish color separately before ordering. The combination of double braced stands and named bearing edges gives more confidence in build quality than many competing listings at this tier.

It is a weaker fit for a buyer who wants a specific finish color confirmed in the listing itself, or who needs individual drum sizes published before committing to a purchase. It can also work well for a gigging player who prioritizes dependable hardware over cosmetic specifics, since double braced stands and named bearing edges matter more on the road than an exact wrap color, provided the pedal question above is resolved before purchase.

Alternatives Worth Considering

Buyers who want finish color and individual sizing confirmed up front should compare this against the Tama Imperialstar IE series or the Pearl Export line, both of which tend to publish color options and exact dimensions directly in their own listings. Players who want a stronger stock cymbal pack from the outset should look at kits bundling a higher tier Sabian or Zildjian entry pack instead of Meinl HCS, accepting a likely price increase for cymbals less likely to need an early swap.

Buyers specifically weighing hardware durability above all else should also compare against other double braced complete kits in the same general price bracket, since that build quality detail is the strongest selling point in this particular listing's feature bullets. Weighing that hardware strength against the missing color and sizing information is ultimately a personal call for each buyer.

Verdict

The Tama Imperial Star 6-Piece leads with genuinely detailed hardware and shell specification: named bearing edges, double braced stands, an Omnisphere tom holder and Accu-Tune hoops all point to a thoughtfully built complete kit. That build detail is a real strength relative to vaguer competing listings.

Finish color and individual drum sizing are the two clear gaps, both left unstated in the data. Buyers comfortable confirming those details separately, and prioritizing hardware quality, should find this a solid complete kit; buyers needing those specifics published up front should look elsewhere. The single biggest open question before ordering is whether a bass drum pedal is actually included, since that detail is missing from an otherwise hardware heavy feature list, and resolving it directly with the seller should be the first step for anyone seriously considering this kit.

Strengths and Limitations

Alternatives to Consider

Gretsch RENOWN 4-PIECE SHELL PACK

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Read the Gretsch RENOWN 4-PIECE SHELL PACK review →

Gretsch Drums Renown 5

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Read the Gretsch Drums Renown 5 review →

Gretsch Drums Renown RN2-J483 3-piece

A jazz, acoustic or small-venue drummer who wants a professional compact shell pack and already owns a snare, hardware and cymbals.

Read the Gretsch Drums Renown RN2-J483 3-piece review →

Questions Buyers Ask