Every year, the drumming world looks forward to the new releases from the major manufacturers. Some years are quieter than others; there are times when companies don’t bring us a lot of innovation, and that is okay. But Tama is different. Tama always finds a way to bring something to the table that makes you sit back and say, "All right, this is pretty cool."

In 2026 Tama have absolutely delivered. From the revival of a fan-favorite tonewood to what might be the most practical hardware innovation in two decades, there is a lot to cover. I love doing this—checking out new gear, tearing it apart, and seeing what makes it tick.

We have broken down the highlight reel of Tama’s 2026 release below. Whether you are a collector looking for the next "holy grail" kit or a working drummer tired of hauling heavy hardware bags, you are going to want to read this.

For years, the Starclassic Bubinga was a cornerstone of the Tama lineup. When it went away a few years back, it left a void that many drummers have been clamoring to fill. For 2026, Tama has answered those prayers, but with a catch: this is an extremely limited run.

Made in Japan: The "Star" Treatment

What makes this specific release so special is its origin. These kits are being manufactured in Tama's facility in Nagoya, Japan. This is the same hallowed ground where they build their flagship Star drums, the Signature snare drums, and the Starphonic series.

The Nagoya factory operates with a very small, dedicated group of master craftsmen. Their output is naturally limited because they prioritize perfection over mass production. For Tama to squeeze 45 sets of these Starclassic Bubingas into that tight production schedule is a significant move. There are no options, no add-ons, and no custom sizes. It is a singular, curated vision of what this drum set should be.

The Specs and The "Square" Toms

The shells are 100% Bubinga, featuring an outer veneer of Cherry that is simply stunning. One distinct change for this year involves the sizing of the floor toms.

For quite a while, Tama (and the industry at large) has trended toward shallower floor toms—sizes like 14x12, 14x13, or 16x14. However, for this kit, Tama has returned to traditional "square" sizes:

• 14x14 Floor Tom

• 16x16 Floor Tom

When I asked them why, the answer was simple: the figuring of the Cherry outer veneer was so gorgeous that they wanted more surface area to showcase it. The rest of the configuration includes a 22x16 Bass Drum, 10x8 and 12x9 Rack Toms, and a matching 14x6.5 Snare Drum (which is available separately).

The Sound: "Dark Chocolate"

So, how do they sound? The best way I can describe the sonic character of these drums is dark chocolate.

They have a distinct bite, but the fundamental tone is incredibly dark, rich, and smooth. They do not sound like maple, and they do not sound like birch. If you are looking for a sound that is completely different from the standard ply shells you are accustomed to, this is it.

It is important to note the difference between these and the "Star" Bubinga line. The Star series features thinner plies, reinforcement rings, and rounded edges for maximum resonance. These Starclassic shells feature straight walls and a sharper bearing edge. This gives you a more pronounced attack and a focused punch. They are incredibly easy to tune—going from a low, guttural growl to a high-pitched bebop sing takes almost no effort.

The Star Reserve line represents the pinnacle of Tama’s snare drum craftsmanship, and the new G-Mahogany is a beast that pays homage to the company's history.

The Legacy of the "G" Series

The "G" designation stems from the Gibraltar line of snare drums Tama produced in the 1980s. The hallmark of those drums was a thicker shell construction. This new Star Reserve follows suit with a massive 9-ply, 11mm mahogany shell.

Mahogany is known for its low-end warmth, but when you make a shell this thick, you also get incredible projection and volume. The drum is finished with a Tino outer veneer, which looks classy and understated. Visually, it stands out from other Star Reserve drums due to the use of distinct tube lugs and triple-flanged hoops.

Sonic Versatility

You might expect a thick mahogany drum to only do "low and fat," but I found the tuning range to be shockingly wide.

• Low Tuning: It provides that classic, juicy, dark mahogany thud.

• High Tuning: This is where it surprised me. Even cranked up high, I was still hearing those low frequencies synonymous with mahogany.

It creates a complex sound profile that pleases me to no end—you get the crack of a high-tension head but the body of a deep shell. It speaks to the versatility of the drum; it's not a one-trick pony.

The Mike Portnoy Signature “Dream Monster” snare drum was a limited release—and it didn’t last.

Built with an 8mm, 9-ply Bubinga shell, die-cast hoops, and Tama’s 3-way adjustable strainer, this drum delivered the focus, power, and control you’d expect. The hand-painted finish meant no two drums were alike, and visually it matched Portnoy’s iconic kit perfectly.

And now?

Sold out.

That tells you everything you need to know.

Now for the big reveal. It might seem strange to say that the thing I am most excited about is hardware, but for the working drummer, this is a revolution.

The History of Lightweight Hardware

To understand why the new Spartan Stands are so cool, we have to look back about 20 years.

1. The Double-Braced Era: For a long time, everything was heavy-duty. Double-braced legs were the standard, and our backs suffered for it.

2. The Flat-Base Revival: DW eventually reintroduced flat-base hardware (popular in the 30s-60s). It was light and looked cool, but for heavy hitters like me, it wasn't stable enough. The stands would wobble.

3. The Crosstown Era: Yamaha released the Crosstown aluminum hardware, which was incredibly light. However, they lacked a boom stand option, had a limited footprint spread, and could still "walk" around the stage if you played hard.

Enter the Spartan

Tama dug into their archives to the 1970s "Spartan" line and modernized it to solve all these problems. This is, hands down, the coolest cymbal stand design I have seen for the gigging drummer.

• Weight: The boom stand weighs just 4.4 lbs. The boom arm itself is hollow to shave off ounces where it counts.

• Stability: Unlike flat-base stands, the Spartan features a tripod with a wide leg spread. You can position your cymbals aggressively without fear of the stand tipping.

• The Spring-Loaded Foot: This is the magic. The rubber feet feature a spring-loaded spike mechanism. When you set the stand down, it bites into the floor or rug.

I cannot stress this enough: These stands do not walk. I hit hard, and usually, lightweight stands migrate away from me during a set. The Spartan stands stay planted. Currently, they have released a straight stand and a boom stand. I have a strong feeling we will see a hi-hat and snare stand in the future, but for now, these are instant buys for anyone tired of heavy hardware cases.

To round out 2026 Tama, has refreshed their existing lines with some stunning finishes.

Starclassic Walnut/Birch in Molten Platinum Burst

I saw this finish in person, and it is breathtaking. The Walnut/Birch line is already a favorite here at DCP (our exclusive Lacquered Charcoal Oyster flies off the shelf), but this Molten Platinum Burst is going to give it a run for its money. It has a depth and shimmer that looks incredibly high-end.

Star Series in Charcoal Brown Pariso

There is also a new finish for the flagship Star line: Charcoal Brown Pariso. It is an elegant, sophisticated finish that exudes class — saw it, ordered it immediately.

It is a good year for Tama, and consequently, it is a good year to be a drummer.

The return of the Japanese-made Starclassic Bubinga offers a chance to own a piece of drumming history, while the Spartan hardware solves a practical problem we have all dealt with for decades. Whether you are looking for the "Dark Chocolate" tone of Bubinga, the versatile thump of the G-Mahogany, or just a lighter hardware bag, Tama has something for you.

We want to know what you think. Are you excited about the return of Bubinga? Is the Spartan hardware the solution you've been waiting for?

Everything shown is available while supplies last, and as always, if you want to talk through what makes sense for your setup, that’s what we’re here for.

Trust the experts. We speak Tama.