Nicko McBrain
drummer
Nicko McBrain's Gear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0kVSTV2Y6w
"Well Hello There Boys and Girls Nicko Mcbrain here for Part 2. This is my brand new 22 inch bell ride Powerslave Cymbal. Made for me by the wonderful company Paiste. Yes Yes you might say You get Taken Care of Dont you well yes i do its a beautiful sounding cymbal as you will here in a minute."
Its a Nicko Mcbrain Signature Paiste Reflected cymbal!!!
Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain recently announced that he and Sonor have parted ways for sure and that he will continue with British Drum Co. The collaboration between McBrain and British Drum Co. was announced with a video on the company’s social media accounts.
Nicko McBrain’s Drum One Retail Manager Pesky stated about the collaboration: “Honoured to be at the official launch of Nicko McBrain joining British Drum Co. as their new artist and international ambassador! Great to see so many friends and familiar faces Big things are happening for this awesome drum company from my hometown.”
This is the signature stick of NIcko. Nicko designed this stick in collaboration with Vic Firth. Vic Firth states that it is "A 5B shaft with a beefed up neck and tip. A medium sized stick that produces a big sound."
This is the drumkit that Nicko used for The book of souls world tour. Its a Sonor SQ2 with custom Eddie beachwood shells and golden Hardware. He explains what it is @ 0:40
In the YouTube video by ConstableDownsprout, Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden is shown using Paiste 14" Signature Reflector Heavy Full Hi-Hats as part of his cymbal setup.
Nicko McBrain uses the Paiste 20" Signature Reflector Heavy Full Crash, as noted on AHEAD Drumsticks' website in an article featuring artist Steve West.
He uses the Emperor X on the snare drum because he is a very hard hitter, Nicko also uses Coated Ambassadors on his toms and a Fiberskyn 3 on the bass drum.
Nicko uses a 5000 series pedal and hi-hat stand.
In early 2020, Nicko McBrain introduced the British Drum Co. Icarus 14x6.5 snare drum, as shown in a user-uploaded photo.
Nicko has used this pedal since the book of souls tour.
In a YouTube video by ConstableDownsprout titled "Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain - Paiste Cymbals Setup," Nicko McBrain is shown using a Paiste 18" Rude Crash/Ride. However, he prefers the 17" version for its extra bite and power.
This page shows that Nicko McBrain uses Remo Ambassador X coated drumheads for his 2018 Iron Maiden tour drum kit. Specifically, Nicko uses these drumheads on all of his toms as batter drumheads.
Nicko McBrain used the Ludwig Speed King Bass Drum Pedal L203 on early Iron Maiden albums, including Piece of Mind. According to Modern Drummer Magazine, he later switched to a DW 5000 pedal around the time of No Prayer For The Dying. McBrain's gear details, including this pedal, were often listed in album credits. Additionally, he frequently played a '74-'75 Ludwig snare drum, visible in the "Aces High" video and likely used in studio recordings.
He uses 15", 16", 18", 19", 20" and a 22".
Nicko uses the 20 fast medium in between his 17” rude crash/ride and 22” signature heavy reflector.
Nicko McBrain has incorporated the Paiste 13-inch Formula 602 Heavy Bell into his drum kit since the World Slavery Tour. Although he paused its use between 1993 and 2001, it was reintroduced during the Give Me Ed Tour. This information is detailed in the "Nicko McBrain Rig Rundown" video by Slagwerkkrant on YouTube.
A size C Foote's drumstick was one of four of McBrain's drumsticks that were auctioned via Bonham's on June 25, 2014.
Iron Maiden: An autographed drumskin, and four drumsticks, comprising: a Sonor 13 inch skin signed and inscribed by Buce Dickinson and Nicko McBrain; four drumsticks, three stamped Nicko (Boomer) McBrain Model Shawstix and one stamped Foote's C, with a letter of provenance stating these were obtained when the band were recording for the TV show, 'The Paradise Club', at CTS Recording Studios, Wembley (5)
This is a community-built gear list for Nicko McBrain.
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