Charlie Watts

In this british pathe movie from 1964, Charlie Watts can be seen playing a Ludwig oyster pearl downbeat drum kit.

I use a ’57 round badge natural maple wood Gretsch with The Stones. And with this and most of my jazz things I use a 1960 round badge, black, small kit. The Tony Williams, I call it. It’s the one Tony used. It was like his signature drum kit when he was with Miles. And that’s why I play it, because of him, really.

And in Europe when I play I use a 1940 Radio King set with a big 24" bass drum, and huge tom toms.

I have the same hi-hat and ride cymbal with both, and I have a special cymbal, a Zildjian [Mel Lewis] Swish Knocker, and a thin crash that Zildjian gave me. My ride is an 18? UFiP flat ride, and I’ve never found one as good as it.

Listed on Watts' Zildjian artist page.

Listed on Watts' Zildjian artist page.

Listed on Watts' Zildjian artist page.

Listed on Watts' Zildjian artist page.

Listed on Watts' Zildjian artist page.

Listed on Watts' Zildjian artist page.

This page shows a photo of Charlie Watts playing live with a Remo Controlled Sound drumhead on his tom.