I know Tama had a Taiwan (ROC) operation but can not find any history of a South Korean operation.ģ) Tama Japan switched to a 'White Badge' (no T) in the late 1980s between 87 and 88. Some of the Korea/Taiwan kits were sold in the USA bearing a white stick on label with the words 'Thunder Drums' and a kong tag stating 'made in Korea'. These off-shore kits continue through the 90s and into the 2000s. Tama obviously made these changes so the off-shore drums could not be claimed as being Japan made product. The hardware and shell construction however are the same, with the exception of the lugs (which are like Astro lugs) and the position of the floor tom leg clamp (positioned about mid shell), and of course no Tama badge.

The early made in Japan Swingstars can be identified fairly well using the following methodġ) the earliest kits (after the elimination of the Star drums name) were oval badge (oval black badge with gold writing), early 70sĢ) In the mid 70s the 'T' badge started to be used (around the Joint purchase of Camco by DW and Tama) on all the Japanese made kits., There are some Korean/Taiwan kits manufactured during this time, but they are easy to spot because the vent holes are located in a different position. Their identity has always been a question mark because some of the drums were made in Japan and later Japan and Taiwan (ROC). These drums (swing star) show up in Tama brochures all the way back into the 1970s, through the 80s and 90s and later I have seen many questions on various websites related to the identification of Tama Swingstar drums.

Vintage tama snare drum