John Bonham

Documented by Chris @ Drum Faster

Led Zeppelin's once-in-history drummer. The heaviest right hand and fastest right foot rock ever had, on a kit tuned wide open in big rooms — fifty years later, every drum sound chases When the Levee Breaks.

1977 — Stainless steel kit

The final years: a stainless steel Ludwig monster for the '77 US tour through Knebworth '79 — louder than the PA, allegedly.

The 1977 kit at a glance. Tap a piece to find it below; sticks, pedals and hardware aren't drawn.

Ludwig Stainless Steel kit 26"/15"/16"/18" ⤷ who plays this

Ludwig 14"x6.5" Supraphonic LM402 ⤷ who plays this

Paiste 2002 15" Sound Edge Hi-hats ⤷ who plays this

Paiste 2002 16" and 18" Crashes ⤷ who plays this

Paiste 2002 24" Ride ⤷ who plays this

Ludwig Speed King pedal ⤷ who plays this

Remo Coated Emperor ⤷ who plays this

1973 — Amber Vistalite — The Song Remains the Same

The see-through amber acrylic kit from the Madison Square Garden film — probably the most famous single drum kit in rock. Paiste 2002s now in full effect.

The 1973 kit at a glance. Tap a piece to find it below; sticks, pedals and hardware aren't drawn.

Ludwig Vistalite kit in amber 26"/14"/16"/18" — reissued by Ludwig today ⤷ who plays this

Ludwig 14"x6.5" Supraphonic LM402 ⤷ who plays this

Paiste 2002 15" Sound Edge Hi-hats ⤷ who plays this

Paiste 2002 18" Medium Crash ⤷ who plays this

Paiste 2002 24" Ride ⤷ who plays this

Paiste 2002 20" China stage right ⤷ who plays this

Ludwig Speed King pedal ⤷ who plays this

Remo Coated Emperor ⤷ who plays this

Paiste 38" symphonic gong the backdrop ⤷ who plays this

1969 — Led Zeppelin I & II

The early Zeppelin rig: natural maple Ludwig, 26" kick with both heads on, the Supraphonic cracked like a rifle, and Paiste Giant Beats before the 2002s existed.

The 1969 kit at a glance. Tap a piece to find it below; sticks, pedals and hardware aren't drawn.

Ludwig Super Classic maple kit 26"/13"/16"/18", wide-open tuning ⤷ who plays this

Ludwig 14"x6.5" Supraphonic LM402 the snare — still in production, still the answer ⤷ who plays this

Paiste Giant Beat 15" Hi-hats reissued today ⤷ who plays this

Paiste Giant Beat 18" crash ⤷ who plays this

Paiste Giant Beat 24" ride ⤷ who plays this

Ludwig Speed King pedal the triplet machine ⤷ who plays this

Remo Coated Emperor batters; Ambassadors underneath ⤷ who plays this

Ludwig timpani and gong Moby Dick artillery ⤷ who plays this

1977 — Stainless steel kit

1973 — Amber Vistalite — The Song Remains the Same

1969 — Led Zeppelin I & II

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