"I've been with Yamaha since 1997. So, it goes without saying that i've acquired quite a collection of drums to chose from for various musical situations. As you can see from this picture, i own a set of white beech customs. The sizes that i have for this kit are pretty extensive. it has 24", 22", and 20" bass drums. 18", 16", and 14" floor toms... and everything in between, where the rack toms are concerned. a very versatile kit, in sizes, as well as sound. i also own a set of blue birch custom absolutes, and set of black recording customs that keep sounding better all the the time.

I like alot of the signature series snares that Yamaha makes. Pictured here, is the David Garibaldi. It's funky and tight, but still has good body to it. The Manu Katche' 51/2"X14" is a great sounding drum. it's got a sound similar to the Ludwig Black Beauty. Also, the Paul Leim signature snare is a constant companion on sessions that i've been doing recently. it's sound is comparable to a Tama Bell Brass: a good, solid sounding drum for modern rock - which is weird, because Paul Leim primarily does country sessions, if I'm not mistaken. To round out the snare family, i also own a Yamaha Brass Piccolo, which is nasty, a Yamaha Steel 51/2"X14", which gets alot of use on the tour i'm currently on with Paul Westerberg, and an Elvin Jones signature series drum that's got wood hoops. I tune it low and try to get that "Al Green" snare sound.I 've been with Zildjian since 1989. They're cymbals are the only ones

I 've ever liked. i'm fond of the K series. i tend to use two crashes, a splash, a 20" ride, and a 14" china cymbal. If it's rock, I just use the ride, and two crashes.

I use remo heads. usually coated emperors on the toms, clear
ambassadors on the bottoms, a control sound reverse black dot
ambassador on the snare, and a powerstroke 3 coated head on the batter side of the kick.

And finally, i use Vic Firth drumsticks. the 5A american classic meets all my needs." -Michael