Gear
I use Mapex Orion and Saturn drums. To me, their drums have a special attitude that no one else’s does. They make various lines of drums to accommodate every budget. The Orion has plenty of the up-front “POW” that high-end maple is known for: It’s the classic male presence, and it’s a little on the edgy side. The higher-pitched toms have excellent balance, but it really comes into play on the 14-inch size drums and larger. I attribute this to an exceptionally thin shell. The Saturn has the widest tuning range of any drum I ever played. The shells withstand significant head tension, so they easily tune into the bright maple register. What makes the Saturn shell unique is that with less head tension, the walnut interior plies achieve a lower fundamental tone than any other drum available. I also use Mapex Black Panther snares.
Sabian makes cymbals for any musical style. I have been switching between all HHX Evolution, Legacy and Vault. This is subject to change without notice! I am using them for clinics, gigs and teaching. I’m actually using the HHX Legacy Ozone Ride 20”, HHX Legacy Ride 20”, HHX Evolution Splash 7”, HHX Evolution Splash 10”, HHX Evolution Splash 12”, HHX Evolution Hats 14”, HHX Groove Hats 13”, HHX Evolution Crash 16”, HHX Evolution mini Chinese, Mike Portnoy Max Stax 12”, Mike Portnoy Max Stax 8”, HHX Evolution O-Zone Crash 18” and the Rich Garcia Cascara Percussion. For my Jazz kit, I’m using the “Vault 18” Ed Thigpen Signature, 20” Encore Jazz Dejonhette Signature, 16” HHX Manhattan Jazz Crash and the 14” HHX Manhattan Hi-Hats.
Evans Drumheads
Evans Drumheads offer the greatest range of options from any drumhead company today. When faced with the challenge of providing musical tones with unmatched consistency, Evans tom heads work on all fronts. Take the EC2 that I’m using, a double-ply favorite, profile to provide durability, consistency and full, rich tone. Rolls around the toms spread in clean intervals; floor toms groan with presence. For an open, warm, traditional vibe… Whatever you choose, Evans tom heads will satisfy the most discerning ear.
For the Snare, Evans offers an unparalleled range of dedicated snare drum heads. If you can picture a sound or a musical style, they can fix you up with an appropriate head…from the standard single-ply to combinations of internal rings, dry-vents and reinforcement dots. With Evans’s dedicated line of snare heads, you’ll find options that satisfy diverse personal tastes. For the Bass Drum, from the original EQ series with its patented internal rings and dry vents, to the latest EMAD (Externally Mounted Adjustable Damping) they’ve led the way in bass drum sounds.
Right out of the box, Evans bass drum heads will yield the best sound you’ve ever heard from your bass drum! Wide open and cavernous or damped down and funky, you define your sound; they provide a head that will get it. Once you experience Evans bass drum heads, there’s no going back. For me those drumheads are really the future. I’m now using the G1, J1 Etched and Emad.
I play Vic Firth sticks. I like many models. To me, I need many tools for the job I am in. The American Classic® line that I use combines tradition and Vic Firth style. With bold designs for fuller sound, the Classics are turned from select hickory – a dense wood with little flex for a more pronounced sound. Hickory is also capable of withstanding a great deal of shock, making it highly durable. I also like the Signature models. Each Vic Firth Signature Series model was conceived through extensive research with the finest drummers from a variety of musical styles. The designs reflect their musical requirements in terms of balance, feel, sound projection and cymbal color. All colored sticks feature a clear, natural tip. All sticks are hickory unless otherwise noted. If you never tried Vic Firth Sticks before, it’s time for a change! I’m mostly using the SD2 Bolero in Maple.
