A Look at the Gear of Steve Gadd (Part 1) with Paul Wells
In this episode of Drum History, we take an in-depth look at the legendary gear of Steve Gadd, one of the most recorded and influential drummers of all time.
Our returning guest, Paul Wells (Juilliard jazz faculty, Curtis Stigers, Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks), joins host Bart van der Zee for another ultra-detailed “gear episode” exploring the drums that shaped Gadd’s sound across his incredible career. Part 1 covers from Childhood to 1989.
From his early Gretsch and Rogers kits to the iconic Yamaha setup that became synonymous with his style, we trace how each era of his gear evolved — and how innovations like his tom configurations, hi-hat preferences, and snare choices influenced generations of drummers.
Paul also shares insights from his exclusive interview with Steve Gadd, arranged with help from John DeChristopher (Live From My Drum Room), and stories from Artie Smith, Steve’s longtime drum tech.
Links and resources:
📘 Steve Gadd: A Life in Time by Joe Bergamini (Hudson Music)
https://amzn.to/3KvLSP9
🥁 Gaddiments – Steve’s book of modern rudimental exercises
https://amzn.to/4h4rgd2
🎥 Ruben van Roon’s YouTube channel for rare Steve Gadd performances and breakdowns
https://www.youtube.com/@RubenvanRoonDrumChannel
and of course, Live from My Drum Room with John DeChristopher
https://www.youtube.com/@livefrommydrumroom
If you love deep gear history, detailed analysis, and legendary drumming stories, this is one you won’t want to miss.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro & Steve Gadd overview
2:30 – Early Gretsch kits and childhood setup
10:00 – Rogers kits, The Hustle, and the disco era
20:00 – Army years & rare cymbal stories
28:00 – Yamaha era and gear innovations
45:00 – Interview with Steve Gadd preview
55:00 – Books, resources & legacy
🎙️ Hosted by Bart van der Zee
🎵 Guest: Paul Wells
https://www.youtube.com/@paulwells2227
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2:10:41
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2:10:41
Your Mind’s Ear: Dave Elitch on Sound, Gear, and Playing Without Pain
Drummer and educator Dave Elitch (The Mars Volta, Weezer, Miley Cyrus) joins me to break down why so many drummers hit a ceiling—and how to fix it with better mechanics, smarter practice, and choices that actually translate to the kit. We dig into eliminating hidden tension, building sustainable speed and feel, practical tuning and muffling, and Dave’s new course Your Mind’s Ear on dialing in sound and gear (launching September 8, 2025).
Highlights
The #1 mistake: building speed on top of tension—and how to unwind it
Meeting players where they are: playing “more you” without pain
Social media vs. reality: flashy techniques that won’t hold up on a gig
Practical tuning & muffling (heads, dampening, avoiding dead drums)
Small daily habits that prevent injury and compound progress
Find Dave
Website/Courses: www.daveelitch.com
Instagram: @daveelitch
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Subscribe for more deep dives on drumming and music history.
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48:22
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48:22
Vintage Paiste Collector's Guide (Part 2) with Dan Garza
Part 2 covers the cymbal series including the 602's, Giant Beats, 2002, 404, 505, Signature, and many more. We discuss the USA and European distributors of Paiste Cymbals, plus the more affordable lower line cymbals that are still collectible and cymbal care and cleaning.
Dan Garza isa die hard Paiste enthusiast and the moderator of the Paiste section on Cymbal.Wiki. Here are the links provided by Dan for more Paiste information:
Dan's channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV5P6pbrDcLUXs4y3KSK8EA
Paiste Cymbals
https://www.facebook.com/paistecompany
Paiste Cymbals New and Vintage
https://www.facebook.com/groups/185747971524740
Paiste vintage cymbals
https://www.facebook.com/groups/528704867196724
Paiste Wiki Fans of the World
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1625307324174814
Paiste Sound Creation & SC ND & FO 602
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1708983262518911
Paiste 2002
https://www.facebook.com/groups/57292836702/
Paiste Giant Beats, Dixies, 4o4s, Stambuls, Ludwig Standards
https://www.facebook.com/groups/575719383757754
Paiste 505
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1676616175891815/
Paiste 3000 Cymbals and Hihats
https://www.facebook.com/groups/131081820851051
kleinanzeigen Ebay; https://www.kleinanzeigen.de/s-paiste/k0
German Ebay: https://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=paiste&_sacat=0&LH_ItemCondition=4&Marke=Paiste&_dcat=41441&rt=nc&LH_PrefLoc=1
Mercatino musicale: https://www.mercatinomusicale.com/ann/search.asp?kw=paiste&rp=4&ct=&ch=&mc=&gp=2&st=&p1=&p2=&rg=&pv=&vt=&pc=&sg=&pn=&ob=data
tutti.ch: https://www.tutti.ch/de/q/instrumente/Ak6ZwYWlzdGWybXVzaWNhbEluc3RydW1lbnRzlJGSp29yZ2FuaWOldHV0dGnAwMA?sorting=newest&page=1&query=paiste
German shop: https://www.germanshop24.com/non-food/household/cleaning-supplies/mr.-muscle-stainless-steel-cleaner/
Join my YouTube membership channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6-idkIENcqobRy0s9Jc5Yw/join
** CHECK OUT MY GEAR ON SWEETWATER **
https://imp.i114863.net/yRYRGN
** 30 DAY FREE DRUMEO TRIAL **
https://drumeo.pxf.io/c/3607735/1268414/14652
**JOIN PATREON**
https://www.patreon.com/drumhistorypodcast
**I record interviews with Riverside.FM - I highly recommend it. Here is my affiliate link: https://riverside.fm/?via=bart-vanderzee
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2:04:30
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2:04:30
Vintage Paiste Collector's Guide (Part 1) with Dan Garza
This episode is a deep dive into the nuances of collecting Vintage Paiste Cymbals with Dan Garza, a die hard Paiste enthusiast and the moderator of the Paiste section on Cymbal.Wiki. We cover everything from the different alloys that are used in production, the variations in serial numbers, production techniques, and all the cymbal lines up to the 70's (that will continue on in part 2). Dan also talks a lot about what makes Paiste so special and different from the other major cymbal manufacturers and why some lines have become so extremely valuable over the years. Stay tune for Part 2!
Here are the links provided by Dan for more Paiste information:
Dan's channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV5P6pbrDcLUXs4y3KSK8EA
Paiste Cymbals
https://www.facebook.com/paistecompany
Paiste Cymbals New and Vintage
https://www.facebook.com/groups/185747971524740
Paiste vintage cymbals
https://www.facebook.com/groups/528704867196724
Paiste Wiki Fans of the World
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1625307324174814
Paiste Sound Creation & SC ND & FO 602
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1708983262518911
Paiste 2002
https://www.facebook.com/groups/57292836702/
Paiste Giant Beats, Dixies, 4o4s, Stambuls, Ludwig Standards
https://www.facebook.com/groups/575719383757754
Paiste 505
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1676616175891815/
Paiste 3000 Cymbals and Hihats
https://www.facebook.com/groups/131081820851051
kleinanzeigen Ebay; https://www.kleinanzeigen.de/s-paiste/k0
German Ebay: https://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=paiste&_sacat=0&LH_ItemCondition=4&Marke=Paiste&_dcat=41441&rt=nc&LH_PrefLoc=1
Mercatino musicale: https://www.mercatinomusicale.com/ann/search.asp?kw=paiste&rp=4&ct=&ch=&mc=&gp=2&st=&p1=&p2=&rg=&pv=&vt=&pc=&sg=&pn=&ob=data
tutti.ch: https://www.tutti.ch/de/q/instrumente/Ak6ZwYWlzdGWybXVzaWNhbEluc3RydW1lbnRzlJGSp29yZ2FuaWOldHV0dGnAwMA?sorting=newest&page=1&query=paiste
German shop: https://www.germanshop24.com/non-food/household/cleaning-supplies/mr.-muscle-stainless-steel-cleaner/
Join my YouTube membership channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6-idkIENcqobRy0s9Jc5Yw/join
** CHECK OUT MY GEAR ON SWEETWATER **
https://imp.i114863.net/yRYRGN
** 30 DAY FREE DRUMEO TRIAL **
https://drumeo.pxf.io/c/3607735/1268414/14652
**JOIN PATREON**
https://www.patreon.com/drumhistorypodcast
**I record interviews with Riverside.FM - I highly recommend it. Here is my affiliate link: https://riverside.fm/?via=bart-vanderzee
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1:52:10
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1:52:10
Uncovering the Legendary Sound of Covington Era Rogers Drums with Anthony Amodeo
Anthony has been on a mission to discover as much as he can on the history of the legendary Covington era of Rogers Drums! Anthony and his Rogers friends are using state of the art techniques to test the species of each ply on various shells to determine the make up of the shells, and he is utilizing the research that the generation before him has compiled. This has allowed him to put together a comprehensive look at the Rogers drums that were made in the small town of Covington, Ohio between 1954 and 1968. This small town was producing some of the finest drums in the world at this point and was beloved by some of the greatest players in the world such as Buddy Rich and Louie Bellson!
Here is a link to the episode about the history of Rogers Drums with Po Shy and Jeff Burke : https://youtu.be/93bfAD5w7Vo
Here is Anthonys great Rogers YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@rogersdrumvideos
and The Rogers Facebook Groups -
Rogers Drums USA: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1665871023670039
Covington Drummers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/445087259289998
Rogers Drums - Buy and Sell: https://www.facebook.com/groups/440357052700555
**DRUM HISTORY MERCH**
https://www.teepublic.com/stores/drum-history-podcast?ref_id=26024
** CHECK OUT MY GEAR ON SWEETWATER **
https://imp.i114863.net/yRYRGN
** 30 DAY FREE DRUMEO TRIAL **
https://drumeo.pxf.io/c/3607735/1268414/14652
**JOIN PATREON**
https://www.patreon.com/drumhistorypodcast
A podcast all about the rich history of the drums - and how they became what they are today! Join Bart van der Zee as he speaks with experts about the curious journey of the ever-evolving drum set.
Netherlands