Drums (Ludwig):
Toms and Basses:
Classic Maple (circa 1998; 9-ply 100% Maple shells)
8×8; 8×10; 9×12; 11×14; 14×16 toms; (2) 16×22 bass drums
Main Snare:
7×13 Black Magic Brass snare with die-cast hoops and the Rhythm Tech Active Snare System
or
7×13 ddrum Dominion AMX Maple/Ash snare with die-cast hoops and the Rhythm Tech Active Snare System
Auxiliary Snare:
6×10 Accent snare with die-cast top hoop and Ludwig Stock Snares
Heads (Aquarian):
Toms: top – clear Super-2; bottom – Classic clear
Bass: batter – clear Superkick II; front – white Resonator with small hole
Main snare: top – texture coated Studio X; bottom – classic snare side
Auxiliary snare: top – Classic Clear with Power Dot; bottom – classic snare side
Cymbals (Stagg):
(left – to – right)
14” DH China
13” DH Exo Medium Thin Crash
8” Furia Splash
17” DH Exo Medium Thin Crash
13” DH Fat Hats
6” SH Medium Splash
8” DH Medium Splash / 8” DH China (stacked)
9” DH Medium Splash
6” Black Metal Light Bell
16” DH Exo Medium Thin Crash
21” DH Exo Extra Dry Ride
10” Black Metal Rock Hi-Hats (closed)
22” Classic Flat Ride
10” DH Medium Splash / 10” DH China (stacked; mounted on top of Flat Ride)
19” DH China
19” Classic Medium Thin Crash
15” Furia Rock Crash
Sticks (Vater):
West Side sticks; Splashstick; Bamboo Splashstick; Wood Handle Whip; Monster Wood; Polyflex Brush; Wood Handle Brush; Classical General Timpani Mallets; Classical Legato Timpani Mallets; Wooden Bass Drum Beaters
On Vater sticks:
I’ve been using Vater sticks for nearly my entire playing career. Since 2005 I have had the honor of being a Vater Artist. Vater makes a wide variety of sticks, suitable for any style and any situation, and I recommend them to all of my students. Simply put, I find Vater sticks to be the most consistent, highest quality sticks available.
On Ludwig drums:
I grew up playing Ludwig drums, and I just love them. My drum corps used Ludwig drums, and the first drum set I bought myself was a Ludwig Rocker kit in 1988. I have played other brands of drums, but I’ve always returned to Ludwig drums.
On Stagg cymbals:
I’ve been a self-described cymbalholic for years now. I’ve played cymbals from many, many brands. I’ve had cymbals that I have loved, but in the summer of 2010 I discovered Stagg cymbals (see my review here and here, as well as several videos on my YouTube channel here). Stagg cymbals are hand made in China, combining centuries of cymbal-making experience with Turkish-style cymbals design. The result is cymbals with sounds that are at once familiar and exotic. I have been using Stagg cymbals with every style of music that I play, and they haven’t failed to impress. I could, and have, played any cymbals I want, and I choose to play Stagg.
On Aquarian heads:
I simply find Aquarian heads to be the highest quality, most consistent heads available. I love the tone that I get from the Superkick II bass drum heads, and the Texture Coated Studio-X heads, with their built-in floating muffling ring provide the perfect amount of overtone control for snares without choking the drum. Also, the texture coating is extremely durable.
