Bill Bruford

"I think I fell into Tama really without thinking about it much in about 1980 when my drum-tech Graham Davies produced some gear at the beginning of the K.C. rehearsals for Discipline. The catalogue was full of unlikely things - boobams (octobans) , Gong toms, brass snare drums, the new boom cymbal stands - all great stuff for King Crimson. Tama has been really great to me, and I've probably helped to sell a reasonable amount of gear for them. They make great drums, but they also are able to produce a kit to my spec in most cities round the world, saving a bundle on shipping costs. As a company they produce consistently high standard products, are loyal to their artists and pick up the phone quickly. What more could you want?

People are always asking me what I think about XYZ drums. The answer is always - 'nothing'. The only downside to endorsing a specific manufacturer is that I don't know anything about other manufacturers' drums because I never play them." - Bill Bruford

Listed here as using a ludwig drum kit in a classic oyster finish from 1969-1971

14 x 5 Ludwig alloy (a.k.a. “Ludalloy”) chrome-plated Supraphonic LM400 snare drum, (Baseball-Bat muffler) 13 x 9 Tom Tom (2) 16 x 16 Floor Toms 22 x 14 Bass Drum

In the 70s, he would often combine Hayman and Ludwig drums, using different brands for different tom sizes. For example his 1972-1973 kit is listed as being a: 12x 8 13 x 9 Hayman Tom Toms 13x 9 Ludwig Tom Tom 16 x 16 Ludwig Floor Tom 22 x 14 Ludwig Bass Drum

Listed here as using a Hayman Drum kit from 1971-1972 in a natural pine or teakwood finish. Sizes are: 13? x 9? (or 12”x 8”) Tom Tom. 14”x 14”; 16? x 16? Floor Toms

In the 80s, Bruford started using Tama drums mixed with many electronic drums. His acoustic tama superstar kit in a light blue finish consisted of a: 14? x 6½” 8056 steel snare drum or 14? x 5½” AW456 birch snare drum. 22? Tama gong drum (with 24” head) 22? x 14? Tama Bass Drum

Often used many of these pads on his tama kits in the 80s and 90s.

Used the low octave octobans on many of his drum kits.

Listed here as using a premier olympic drum kit in a red oyster finish from 1968-1969.

As mentioned on Paiste's official website.

As mentioned on Paiste's official website.

As mentioned on Paiste's official website.

As mentioned on Paiste's official website.

As mentioned on Paiste's official website.

As mentioned on Paiste's official website.

As mentioned on Paiste's official website.

Listed as using these hi hats from 1972-1980.

Listed here as using these hi hats.

What kind of sticks do you use?

"Ah, every drummers favourite question, this. Usually because it can be answered in words of one syllable which aren’t exactly going to encourage response. The answer is Pro-Mark SD4 Bill Bruford model. Please visit the several manufacturer’s websites on the links page if you are equipment minded."

This page on Bill's website says he used Ludwig 5B drumsticks between 1974 and 1980.

Listed here as using this snare drum from 1969-1972.

Listed here as using this snare drum for many years.

"It was a game changer. After Iron Cobra, everyone else had to catch up." - Bill Bruford

This page on Bill's website says he used Ludwig 5A drumsticks between 1971 and 1980.