To be honest they are the exact same snare with one difference. One has eight lugs, the other has ten. Shell wise they are the same. The early Swingstars used the same solid steel shell as the Royalstar & Imperialstar snares. Much as the wood shells were identical to that of the Imperialstars ( same Luan with Zola coating ) I have a Red badge Swingstar and love it as much as my King Beat & Mastercraft Imperialstars. And being eight lugs it's a little less weight ( trust me these suckers are heavy - both Imps are roughly 16lbs )

Swingstar was the lowest line of Tama drums followed by Imperialstar and then royalstar I believe.

The royalstar snare May gave had a parallel type strainer finding parts for the originals can be pricey so most people opt to change it out.

I can't really help you on a price. But I know $100 is too much for a swingstar snare.

I've had Both, as long as there's no Parallel strainer, there the same snare

Basicly...

However I just sold a 80s SwingStar (red) badge for $60CAN.

That's the going rate ...& it's a perfect snare for open mics / not to worry about damage & thief...(there very heavy) not worth shipping.!

Kelly/Ontario.

Thanks to all for advice and info on these snare drums.. Unfortunately, the Royalstar is a no go, as the shop will not separate the kit and snare.. I offered $50 for that drum.

The other is still for sale with Tama snare stand for $100 Cdn. I will offer $60 just for the snare and $80 with the stand.. Thanks RIMS for the "round off" in price.. It's a woman who is selling the equipment for an estate sale, so i'm thinking she doesn't know the value of any of the drums and may be relying on friends who actually do know..

Anyway, we'll see..

While Swingstars were the lowest line there is often much confusion. When they were first released they were not as low end as they are today. Imperialstars up until '76/'77 were the highest line of Tama drums until the Superstar series came out. So they were still higher end until the mid '80s when the Artstars,Granstars,etc came onto the scene. What is often forgotten is Tama had three distinct snare strainers for Superstar / Imperialstar snares. One was the King Beat, the Mastercraft and then the Powerline. The Powerline was more basic with a standard butt and one of two throw offs. One was more basic, one was the same as on the Mastercraft. That typically depends on the year made though. Either way - Swingstar,Royalstar,Imperialstar it's the same heavy shell. The Imperialstars had ten lugs and die cast hoops. The royalstars had ten and standard hoops. The Swingstars had eight and standard hoops. Same shell, slightly different hardware. Great snare regardless of the badge name.

Would also like to note that the first line of " Tama " drums was the Swingstar line.

Thanks for all the info ARCHxANGEL..

So do you think that a good condition Swingstar with snare stand for $100 Cdn, is a good deal ?

I guess i can always re-coop by selling off the snare stand for $30-$40, and that will be $60-$70 for the actual snare..

What do you think ?

That'd be about $75 here, so I think it's worth it. I have two Imperialstar snares and a Swingstar Red Badge. I use the Swingstar more these days honestly. Little lighter with eight lugs, has pretty much the same sound ( it's a 5.5 while my Imp's are 6.5 ) It's a great snare. And with the stand included I think it's def a good deal.

Already sold.. She promised the snare to me and allegedly sold it to someone else for her asking price..Ad is still up, but i'm assuming it's for the rest of the percussion items.

Oh well.. Violin