Tama 2026: Mike Portnoy Signature Snare, Black Iron Cobra, and more!
Also included: the new Spartan hardware series!
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We’re slowly getting into this year’s NAMM festivities, and Tama has unveiled a host of new releases, most noticeably a new signature snare drum for Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy. In addition, there is a new Starclassic Bubinga kit, and new finishes for Imperialstar, Starclassic Walnut/Birch, and Star Maple.
Tama 2026: Mike Portnoy Signature Snare
This is one mean-looking snare drum! Tama 2026 brings Mike Portnoy’s new signature snare with a finish closely based on Portnoy’s “Dream Monster” kit. This limited run “Purple Monster” color will be the visual highlight of any kit!
The 14″x5.5″ snare comes with a 9ply Bubinga shell, die-cast hoops, and Tama’s proprietary 3-way tension adjustable strainer which allows you to instantaneously switch between tight, loose, and off settings. Check it out at Thomann*.
Iron Cobra 600 Pedal Dark Shadow Edition
The next visual highlight is this all-black edition of the Iron Cobra 600. While 2024’s colorful birthday edition was a visual stunner, too, this is just more mean-looking. In terms of features, you get everything the 600 series is known for: a dual-glide chainring to switch between round and eccentric chainrings, adjustable beater angle and spring tension, and a base plate.
There are both a single pedal* and a double-pedal* Dark Shadow edition available. Here’s to hoping Tama will offer this color for the HP900 series, too, at some point.
Tama 2026: Starclassic Bubinga Limited Reissue
Speaking of limited editions, Tama 2026 also includes a beautiful Starclassic Bubinga kit. The five-piece kit is manufactured in Japan. Drawing on the construction methods used for the legendary series, the designers have created high-gloss lacquered shells consisting of eight layers of Bubinga and an outer veneer of figured African cherry.
For contrast, the hardware comes in a stunning black nickel finish. A matching 14″ x 6.5″ snare drum is available as an optional extra. The set available at Thomann* consists of a 22″ x 16″ bass drum, 10″ x 8″ and 12″ x 9″ toms, and 14″ x 14″ and 16″ x 16″ floor toms. Classic shell sizes, for all things rock and metal.
New Finishes for Imperialstar, Starclassic Walnut/Birch, and Star Maple
Tama 2026 also includes quite a few new colors for three of Tama’s most popular series. The most beginner-oriented Imperialstar series now includes a 5-piece kit that comes in Sky Blue Mist*. For the upper midrange series Starclassic Walnut/Birch, you get the new finish Molten Platinum Burst in three kit sizes.
And Tama’s flagship line Star Maple gets a whole range of new colors, too! Thomann currently offers drum kits in Ocean Blue Curly Maple*, Charcoal Brown Paraiso*, and Roasted Japanese Chestnut.
Tama 2026: Lightweight Spartan Hardware series
And finally, Tama releases a new, more lightweight hardware series, the Sparta line. These aluminum-made stands seem to take a page from Yamaha’s recent Crosstown series. Thanks to these aluminum tubes, the stands weigh only 1.7 kg (straight version), and 2.0 kg (boom stand).
Meant as an alternative to the mighty Road Pro series, the Spartan models show that a flat base is not required for hardware stands. Another noteworthy feature is the anti-slip feet. A snare stand and a matching hi-hat machine are to follow later.
Even More Tama 2026 Releases
But that is not it! Check out these additional releases from Tama 2026!
More on the new releases from Tama
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