Directions for Setting Up a Tama Imperialstar Snare Drum

Most players prefer to have the snare tilted slightly toward them and at hip height.

Setting up your Tama Imperialstar snare drum correctly ensures you will get the best sound and most comfortable position you can. Tama’s Imperialstar drum kit is an entry-level kit with a nickel-plated snare drum. Setting up snare drums requires connecting and tightening the snare wires and mounting the drum on the stand. The snare wires control the rattle sound characteristic of a snare drum and correct mounting ensures that the drum can be played comfortably.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Find the snare wires supplied with your drum kit. Look for a strip of thin, loosely coiled wires held together by two metallic end-pieces. This is attached to the bottom skin of the snare so that it rattles against them when the drum is struck.

2. Locate the “snare beds” on the bottom side of the snare drum. Look for two metallic constructions on opposite sides of the drum. One of these has a lever attachment connected to it. Put the metallic ends of the snare wires through the small slots in both of the snare beds. The one with the lever is referred to as the “throw-off” and the other side is called the “butt-end.”

3. Tighten the screws in both of the snare beds to keep the snare wires in place. Look at the drum skin from the outside to see the small screws beside each snare wire slot. Tighten these screws on both sides to keep the snare wires taut. Pull the throw-off lever toward the bottom skin to take the snare wires away from the skin and turn the snare into an ordinary drum. Put the lever back in place to get the snare effect back.

4. Attach both ends of the snare stand together. One end has “L” shaped holders and the other has rubber feet. Push the rod attached to the “L” shaped holders inside the rod attached to the rubber feet. Tighten the small key at the connection point to fasten the rods firmly.

5. Open up the feet of the snare drum stand and pull them out to form a stable tripod. Open out the “L” shaped holders at the top so that they are wide enough to grip the snare. Loosen these connections by loosening the screw beside them. Place the snare drum into the “L” shaped holders so the snare wires are on the bottom and the throw-off lever is pointing to you. Adjust the holders so that they grip the drum and tighten the screw beside their pivot-point. Tighten the screw for the feet.

6. Sit down in front of your snare. Loosen the key in the middle of the stand and adjust the height so the drum is in line with your waist. Tighten the key to secure the drum in position. Loosen the L-shape holders’ screw slightly and tilt the drum toward you. This can be done by gently applying downward pressure on the edge of the drum. Tighten the screw to finish the setup.

References

• Play Record: Drum Kit Setup Tutorial
• YouTube: Snare Drum Assembly
• Music Radar; Tama Imperialstar Rock Kit; October 2007
• Renaissance Music: Drum Kit Setup and Tuning (Page 6)