I am a total gearhound—always have been. I was fascinated from a very early age by the guitars, amps, basses, drums, keyboards that musicians used on various recordings and why. I’ve owned some pretty cool top-of-the-line and vintage stuff over the years but what I really love is finding “sleeper” gear: instruments that are under-the-radar, less-expensive, but still sound great. Here are some of the tools I use:

 

Drum Sets

 

My ‘50s WFL Ludwig kit will always be my flagship, “pride n’ joy” set: 22” bass, 16” floor, 12” tom, and matching 5 1/2” x 14”  Buddy Rich model snare drum in White Marine Pearl.

 

‘00s Ludwig Accent CS “Zep Set” in Silver Sparkle: Booming 26” x 16” bass drum, 18” and 16” floor toms, and 13” tom tom. I also have a matching 12” tom tom I purchased a la carte that I actually prefer over the 13”. I find the big jump in tonality between the 12” and the 16” pleasing, and I feel like the 12” has a little better tuning range. It also tucks in easier with that huge bass drum.

 

‘00s Ludwig Element SE Downbeat Citrus Mod reissue: 20” bass drum, 14” floor tom, 12” tom tom, and matching 5” x 14” snare.

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'90s Premier XPK 20” bass drum 10" & 12" toms,  14" floor tom

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Snare Drums

 

I have several vintage and classic snares—here are a few of my favorites:

 

‘00s Ludwig LM402 6 1/2” x 14” Supraphonic “Ludalloy” 

’90s Ludwig LM302 6 1/2” x 14” “Rocker” Brass

’64 Ludwig LM404 5” x 14” Acrolite Aluminum

'00s Ludwig Rocker 3" x 13" Piccolo Maple

’80s Gretsch 4160 5 1/2” x 14” Chrome-Over-Brass

’50 Sherwood 6 1/2” x 14” Maple/Poplar/Maple in White Marine Pearl

’55-57 Slingerland 5 1/2” x 14” Mahogany in Blue/Sliver Duco

 

Cymbals

 

Oh boy…I am a cymba-holic. 

 

Mostly Paiste, but I don’t discriminate.  I will run down most of my faves at some point, but there are just too many to name! I will say the Paiste Traditionals 22” Med. Light Ride is in the “irreplaceable” category, though. 

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Mics/Recording

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I can record 8 live tracks with my array of microphones, Scarlett 18i20 Interface/Preamp, using the Logic X DAW. Contact me and we can talk about what sounds you want to achieve for your song or album!