Many people have asked me “WHY” I play Yamaha drums. Well, this wasn’t always the case. I had a Yamaha kit in the late 80’s and early 90’s until I had the opportunity to play DW and was swayed. Fast forward 10 years later, I was teaching at the Atlanta Institute of Music. A good friend and amazing drummer Tom Knight (TLC, Monica, Stevie Nicks) had been with Yamaha for years. I was amazed with the tone he was able to get in live settings. He introduced me to Mike Lamb (artist relations) who brought me on board as a regional artist. I was able to experiment with different Yamaha drums and was sold. I have been a Yamaha fan ever since and have not been convinced there is a better kit available… at least not for MY preference for acoustic tone, tuning range, variable applications, recording definition, and overall feel.
THE GEAR
YAMAHA DRUMS
YAMAHA ABSOLUTE MAPLE CUSTOM
- 100% Maple shell
- Absolute-style lug casing: chrome, one-bolt design
- 7-ply 7MM BD and 6-ply 6MM toms
- Aluminum Die Cast hoops on all toms
- Red Pearl Natural Finish
Configuration: (Diameter×Depth)
- 22″ x 16″ Kick
- 10″ x 10″ Rack Tom
- 12″ x 12″ Rack Tom
- 14″ x 14″ Rack Tom
- 16″ x 16″ Rack Tom
YAMAHA BIRCH STAGE CUSTOM
- 100% Birch shell
- 6-ply 6.6 mm all drums
- Triple Flange Hoops with Yamaha Enhanced Sustain System (Y.E.S.S.)
- High Gloss Natural Wood Finish
Configuration: (Diameter×Depth)
- 20″ x 18″ Kick
- 10″ x 08″ Rack Tom
- 12″ x 09″ Rack Tom
- 14″ x 14″ Floor Tom
Snare Drums include (most used):
- 14″ Sonny Emory Maple Snare
- 14″ Birch Natural Snare
- 14″ Orange County Drum & Percussion Maple Snare, Natural Black Burst
All hardware is Yamaha professional touring grade H-880 hardware.
Remo Drum Heads
- Snare: Batter – Coated Ambassador
- Toms Batter:
- Maple Kit: REMO Pin Strip
- Birch Kit: REMO Coated Ambassador
- Toms Resonant:
- Maple Kit: Clear Ambassador
- Birch Kit: Clear Ambassador
- Kick: Powerstroke 3 / Powerstroke Pro
Zildjian Cymbals:
- 13″ A Master Sound Hi-Hats
- 10″ A Splash
- 12″ A Splash
- 16″ A Custom Medium Crash
- 16″ A Custom Thin Crash
- 18″ A Custom Medium Crash
- 18″ A China
- 20″ K Custom Medium Ride
Microphones: AKG
- Kick Drum: AKG D-112
- Toms: AKG C-418
- Snare: AKG C-1000
- Overheads: AKG C-1000
Sticks: Vic Firth
- 5A Woodtip
- 5B Woodtip
- 7A Woodtip