Half a century - that's just a word, but in that short and long period of time, there have been many stories of drums and people.
Here we trace the turbulent history of TAMA, along with the various famous instruments that have colored the company's history.
1994-2003 The Pursuit of Progress
The Starclassic revolutionized drum sounds with its overwhelming shell sound, and the thunderous roar it caused around the world when it was first announced was a testament to the quality of TAMA's drums. However, even now, 30 years after Starclassic's debut, TAMA drums are still used and valued by top artists around the world, and the long-lasting popularity of this product, both in name and reality, makes it an extremely rare series in the long history of TAMA drums.
Another important topic is the Iron Cobra, which underwent a full model change in 1998. The Iron Cobra was so impressive, with its machine-like precision and wide variety of adjustable functions, that it completely redefined the framework of conventional drum pedals. The effects of the Iron Cobra have been far reaching, with many drum pedals today drawing influence from this iconic design.
TAMA is also developing new product categories, such as the Signature Palette snare drum, TAMA's first artist model, and the 1st Chair Drum Throne System. At the same time, the brand began to focus on product design, with the Star-Cast Mounting System and the second-generation Iron Cobra at the forefront of a shift from linear to streamlined product designs.
PRODUCTS
In this decade, TAMA's innovation continued, marking the beginning of the iconic Starclassic series, the second-generation Iron Cobra, and Signature Palette snare drum models. As technology grew rapidly, priority shifted towards advancement and modernization. Not only for functionality, but in "pursuit of a better sound" to reach the true essence of the instrument. Durability was no longer the sole purpose, for now the world demanded meticulous craftsmanship and enhanced performance.
Unlike Starclassic, which was released in the same year, this series was geared more towards heavy music. The biggest difference from the previous Artstar model was the addition of die-cast hoops on the toms and floor toms, giving them a stronger attack and a more robust sound.
The Artstar ES series, with its name derived from Esprit, meaning essence in French, offered Artstar Custom concepts at a very competitive price.This series featured the Accu-Tune Bass Drum Hoop made of reinforced plastic, which became highly regarded for its strength and resistance to cracking, as well as its flexibility and ease of tuning.
Thirty years after its release, this series is still highly acclaimed by artists around the world. Based on the concept of maximizing the shell's natural tone, every element, from the shell mold to the lugs and hoops, was newly designed and manufactured. The shell thickness is a remarkable 9-ply/5mm (7mm for bass drums) while maintaining the toughness of TAMA's original shell. The addition of die-cast hoops and the introduction of the Star-Cast Mounting System for rack toms paved the way for the future of suspension mounting, creating an unprecedented sound that influenced the entire drum industry around the world. In the years that followed, many other brands would follow suit.
As expressed with the catchphrase "Back to the Basics," the Starclassic series is the result of returning to the basics of drum making – simply, drums that just sound great. At the time of its release, three models were available: Starclassic Maple, Starclassic Birch, and an affordable Starclassic Performer. The Starclassic Performer specifications would improve as time went on and as a result, the Starclassic Birch model was discontinued in 1997.
Released with affordability in mind, the Starclassic Performer series featured core Starclassic specs like the Star-Cast Mounting System and die-cast hoops, and was fitted with Accu-Tune bass drum hoops and a Philippine mahogany shell.
As the series became more popular, the shell was changed to all Birch and the bass drum hoops were upgraded to standard wood hoops. Later, Starclassic Performer was updated to a Bubinga/Birch hybrid shell & was extremely popular amongst professional & recreational drummers.
Later, in 2019, the Starclassic Walnut/Birch was released as the successor to Starclassic Performer B/B, but as its specifications closely matched almost those of the Starclassic Maple, the Performer name was dropped. It wouldn’t be until 2021 when the Performer name was returned with another hybrid shell in the Starclassic Performer Maple/Birch.
A metronome designed specifically for drummers, the Rhythm Watch stripped away all unnecessary functions and pursued the ease of use that drummers demanded. The frequently used tempo adjustment employs a dial system that facilitates both drastic and fine adjustments, and the large Start/Stop button is placed in an easy-to-press position to ensure ease of use so that it can be used during short periods between songs without mishandling.
Another feature greatly enhancing convenience was the pioneering function that enabled the user to program tempo and beat, a feature that is now commonplace. This product is perfectly suited for drummers as a metronome due to its carefully selected clicking sound quality and volume, ensuring easy audibility during practice sessions.
Following its release, the metronome underwent upgrades to the newer RW105 and RW200 models. Despite the prevalence of modern metronome apps, the simple design and easy operation of this metronome continue to attract many drummers, even today.
With its outstanding design and functionality, this model created a new standard for drum thrones in the drum market. Until then, most drum throne models focused only on stability with little regard for comfort or its effect on performance. The 1st Chair, however, pursued a comfortable seat and also created a completely new way of thinking about drum thrones through a new approach called the Drum Throne System, which combines differently shaped seats and base sections.
After the release of the 1st Chair, many other brands tried to develop a variety of drum throne systems, and players now have many options to choose from. The 1st Chair Drum Throne System was the product that changed the way the entire drum industry viewed and approached this product category.
Incorporating the Star-Cast Mounting System, originally developed for Starclassic tom-toms, the Air Ride Snare Mounting System elevated snare drum performance. By suspending the snare drum, vibrations and resonance are amplified, producing a rich, distinct tone that has garnered widespread acclaim among artists.
Furthermore, it was the first model to introduce angle adjustment via an Omni-ball, and its quick and versatile setup further enhanced its popularity. However, its floating design yielded a unique response when struck, leading to divided opinions among players regarding playability.
The second generation Iron Cobra is an indispensable and important part of the history of TAMA drum pedals. The exquisite movement, precise control, and overwhelmingly fast response set it apart from other drum pedals of the time.
The significance of the pedal's existence was monumental in terms of its performance and of the new value it added to the product category by reducing the stress of footwork and providing a more comfortable playing environment for drummers. Since then, TAMA has evolved in response to the needs of the times, and even today the Iron Cobra remains one of TAMA's most popular models and is highly acclaimed by artists around the world.
Like its counterpart, the Iron Cobra Drum Pedal, this hi-hat stand is equipped with every conceivable adjustment function. At the time, a growing number of drummers were transitioning from the double bass drum setup that was prevalent to twin pedals, but adjusting the left foot pedal and hi-hat configuration posed a challenge for many drummers. The dual-leg hi-hat stand emerged as a groundbreaking solution to this issue. The new stand incorporated a lever glide mechanism, already highly regarded at the time, and by revamping the hinge structure of the footboard, it achieved a smoothness that surpassed all other stands.
Furthermore, the Iron Cobra Hi-Hat Stand featured an intuitive and aesthetically pleasing tension adjustment function, as well as a mechanism that prevented the tension rod from loosening during performance. The Iron Cobra Hi-Hat Stand effectively addressed all the difficulties that drummers faced with hi-hat stands.
The TAMA Signature Palette series emerged from requests from several renowned drummers seeking specific elements in their snare drums to enhance their creative expression.
The objective of this series was, and remains, to provide consumers with the enjoyment of experiencing the same tonal and sonic qualities as the acclaimed drummers whose names grace these instruments. Each snare is meticulously crafted to achieve a unique musical character that truly excels in both recording and live performances.
The inaugural lineup featured models for drummers Kenny Aronoff, Bill Bruford, and Simon Phillips. In 2001, models for drummers Stewart Copeland, Mike Portnoy, and Lars Ulrich were added. Since then, the series has expanded to include models for other great drummers who endorse TAMA's drums.
Breaking away from the conventional round and bike style seats, this innovative drum throne introduced a novel design aimed at minimizing physical strain during extended drumming sessions. A distinguishing feature of this model is the incorporation of two indentations that accommodate the sciatic bones, greatly enhancing comfort. Unlike other models where the sponge and PVC cover are fused together, this unique design maintains their separation, contributing to the exceptional softness and comfort that has garnered a loyal following among drummers.
Drawing inspiration from the Starclassic Maple series, this limited edition kit showcased a Chestnut outer ply. The exquisite wood grain and captivating paint job combined to create a vibrant aesthetic that immediately resonated with drummers. Commencing with this model, TAMA released a new version featuring different woods each year, culminating around 2006. Due to the limited availability of the selected woods, only a finite number of each model was produced, rendering these drums exceedingly rare and highly sought-after collectibles.
This series presented an opportunity to explore diverse wood options, which in turn catalyzed significant advancements in TAMA's production technology. This newfound expertise empowered the company to incorporate a broader spectrum of materials into its drum offerings.
Derived from the phrase "Road Proven Quality," this hardware series embodies features that cater to the demands of professional settings. The base section employs a robust 28.6 mm diameter pipe for exceptional stability, while the middle pipe utilizes a thinner 22.2 mm diameter pipe to optimize portability and reduce weight. Additionally, the rounded T-bolts and T-nuts minimize hand strain during adjustments.
Furthermore, the simplified die-cast joints facilitate seamless replacement in case of part failure, reinforcing this product's exceptional functionality and user-friendliness.
Stagestar was TAMA's first small-diameter kit based on portability. It paved the way for the current Club-JAM Kit. Although small-diameter kits existed in the drum market before then, most of them were toy-like drums made for children.
The Stagestar was a rare compact kit that was small and well designed. It featured an 18" bass drum equipped with a lifter and newly developed drum pedals for small-diameter drums. The small size and low volume made it popular as a children's or practice kit.
