Kit of the Month
Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.
AJ’s Swampy Outlaw Kit
The most recent Kit of the Month comes to Modern Drummer from AJ Newton, who is the drummer for Nautical Rock Band Rusty Shipp based out of Nashville, TN. Michael explains, “Back in 2019 Michael Outlaw of Outlaw Drums built…
Ludwig Classic Maple, classic indeed!
Every Modern Drummer Kit of the Month doesn’t have to be a huge monster kit. Sometimes there’s nothing cooler than a classic four-piece kit. This month’s Kit of the Month comes to us from Jim Chronopoulos of Whitby Ontario, Canada.…
Eric Carr inspires Kyle Schneider and “Fred.”
This month’s Kit of the Month comes to us from Kyle Schneider. The story that accompanies this kit is inspirational, educational, and touching. We’ll let Kyle tell the rest… “In 1985, I watched KISS: Animalize Live and I became completely…
Mapex MyDenity is no Gimikk
This month Modern Drummer’s Kit of the Month comes to us from Josh Tilton. It is a Mapex MyDenity series kit. He uses it for his band Gimikk which plays music from 70’s classic rock to modern pop. In speaking…
Corey’s Kit
This month’s Kit of the Month comes from Canada’s Corey Chernesky. His impressive Tama SuperStar Birch Kit features a 7×8 Rack Tom, 8×10 Rack Tom, 9×12 Rack Tom, 12×14 Floor Tom, 14×16 Floor Tom, and 18×22 Kick Drums. His backbeats…
1997 Satin Emerald Green DW Kit
Mick McDermott plays classic country as well as classic rock, Western swing, and some Les Paul and Mary Ford for good measure on his 1997 DW kit refinished in satin emerald green by Spinelli Drums in St. Petersburg, FL. The…
Michael “Squeak” Melusky, DW Collector’s Series Maple/Mahogany
The kit utilizes a Gibraltar rack system designed to be stealth and easy to pack up. Thankfully, it goes into two road cases with minimal tear down. The bass drums have custom matching bass drum hoops with inlay, and also…
Frankenstein Amber Vistalite kit
When Ted “Tazz” Price of Greenville, South Carolina describes his kit, we can all harken back to our younger years of mixing several smaller kits to create one big kit. He explains, “Originally, I was playing a Vistalite John Bonham…
Ghost Rack
This month’s Modern Drummer Kit of the Month comes from Steve Barone of Erie, PA. I’ve always liked using a drum rack, but over the years I’ve tried to find ways to reduce mass and shave weight from my hardware…
Carter Beauford Replica Kit
April’s Kit of the Month comes to us from Hampton, Arkansas. It is Adam Parker’s Carter Beauford replica kit. Adam explains, “I have followed Carter’s kit every year since I was 14. Eventually I started replicating it because I loved…
Yamaha Hipgig – a 20+ year update
This Yamaha Rick Marotta Signature Hipgig drum kit made in 2000 has been updated by John Cutbill, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. “I wanted the opportunity to consider other equipment and configuration options while still retaining the intended design concept…
Daniel Gollin’s Hodgepodge with History
Daniel Gollin has played in a lot of bands—Halfway to Gone, A Thousand Knives of Fire, 40 Pound Hound, and many more—and his kit salutes its owner’s musical mishmash by being comprised of bits and pieces. Some of those pieces…
David Lloyd Johnson Celebrates Frank Lloyd Wright
The backstory of David Lloyd Johnson’s one-of-a-kind Frank Lloyd Wright kit was initiated by three of his idols. After diving into drumming at 14 years old, Johnson became entranced by the playing of Idol #1—Ginger Baker—and he eventually acquired a…
Bubinga Bonanza!
It took nearly two years of research, more than a couple of strategy and design meetings, and gear from four very different companies—including some rare Dragon Drums—but Ed Coughenour finally built his dream kit. There was also some hand wringing…
