Van Halen's co-founder, and the man behind the biggest drum sound of the 1980s. Ludwig shells and Paiste cymbals for most of it, with resonators and fibreglass experiments around 1984 that other people copied within months. Also: the "Hot for Teacher" shuffle.
The last Van Halen tour, with David Lee Roth back out front. Same brands, bigger rig, and his own Paiste signature ride now on the kit. This is the kit that later went to auction.
The 2012 kit at a glance. Tap a piece to find it below; sticks, pedals and hardware aren't drawn.
Ludwig double-bass kitcustom finish, oversized toms⤷ who plays this
The commercial peak, and the point at which Alex started chasing volume and sustain with resonators and fibreglass shells. The result is what most people mean when they say "eighties drums", and it turned up on other people's records almost immediately.
The 1984 kit at a glance. Tap a piece to find it below; sticks, pedals and hardware aren't drawn.
Ludwig kit with resonatorsfibreglass shell experiments, twin kicks⤷ who plays this
Ludwig Supraphonic 14"x6.5" snarecustomised aluminium⤷ who plays this
The debut. A Ludwig Pro Beat in silver sparkle, used from around 1970 right through to this record — big shells, high tuning, no muffling, and everything ringing.
The 1978 kit at a glance. Tap a piece to find it below; sticks, pedals and hardware aren't drawn.
Ludwig Pro Beat kitsilver sparkle — 24" kick, 13" rack, 16"/18" floors⤷ who plays this
Ludwig Supraphonic 14"x6.5" snarealuminium, customised⤷ who plays this
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