Damon Che - Gear

Gear

Over the years, Che has consistently played a black Pearl Export drum kit with a Ludwig Power Piccolo snare and a selection of oversized, inexpensive cymbals, often augmented by Rototoms, an auxiliary snare drum and a cowbell. His main snare is memorable for its distinctive "toonk" sound, reminiscent of Alex Van Halen's snare sound. Che would nail his bass drum and pedals to the stage á la Elvin Jones until 2000, when he began using a custom-made plywood board to hold his drum kit in place during live performances. He is also known to set his snare very low to the ground, possibly to accommodate his long arms.

The setup listed below reflects the equipment Che played on World Class Listening Problem and subsequent American tours. Che appears to rent most of his equipment when touring overseas.

• Pearl Export drums in black wrap:
  • 13x6.5" Ludwig Classic Series Power Piccolo snare in Natural Finish
  • 6" Remo Rototom
  • 8" Remo Rototom
  • 10" Remo Rototom
  • 13x11" rack tom
  • 14x12" rack tom
  • 16x16" floor tom
  • 14x5" "auxiliary" snare (possibly a Slingerland Radio King in Blue Sparkle)
  • 22x16" bass drum

• Cymbals:
  • 14" hihats (Zildjian New Beat OR Sabian AA Regular top / Sabian B8 Pro Rock bottom)
  • 20" or 21" B8 Pro ride (used as crash - often a 20" Light Rock Ride)
  • 20" or 21" B8 Pro ride (used as crash - often a 20" Medium Ride)
  • 20" or 21" B8 Pro ride (usually a 20" Power Rock Ride)

• Hardware:
  • Pearl and Ludwig stands
  • Tama Iron Cobra double bass drum pedal with Rhythm Tech vinyl beaters

• Heads:
  • Remo coated Emperor on snare batter (tuned medium-high to very high)
  • Emperor Snare Side on snare bottom (tuned very high)
  • Coated Emperors on tops of toms (tuned medium low)
  • Clear Ambassadors on bottoms of toms (tuned high)
  • Coated Emperor on bass drum batter (tuned medium low)
  • Evans black on bass drum front (tuned high)
  • Pinstripes on Rototoms

• Sticks:
  • Pro-Mark TXDC10W marching sticks (played with butt ends)