Chris Frantz

"Then I was in Japan and the Tama people offered me an endorsement deal. I was never really big on endorsements and neither was my manager, but I was kind of flattered that they offered. I told them they’d have to use just my name. They could say 'Chris Frantz Plays Tama,' but they couldn’t say 'Chris Frantz From Talking Heads.' I didn’t want Talking Heads to be identified with Tama drums. If they broke apart one night while I was playing them, Talking Heads would be identified with a lousy product. As it happened they worked out great and I’m very happy with them. I’m especially happy with the hardware, which, to me, is outstanding. My deal with them has expired, but I went out and bought another Tama kit anyway. I have an all-black kit. I took the hardware off and had it anodized black, so it has this sort of Darth Vader look to it. It has a snare, two rack toms and a 22? bass drum."

Chris Frantz uses the MMP Master Series drum kit, according to the Pearl website.

Chris Frantz has a pair of B1000 Boom Stands, according to the Pearl website.

"The only things that are shiny on the kit are the cymbals. I couldn’t anodize them because that would have changed the sound. They’re Zildjian cymbals."

Chris Frantz uses a 14x6.5 steel Sensitone snare, according to the Pearl website.

"Well, I’ve used Linn, I’ve used Roland, and my favorite at the moment is the Oberheim DMX. I don’t know why. I wouldn’t really recommend it over anything else to anyone. It’s just my preference at the moment. It’s easier for me to use than a Linn is. It is also less expensive, I believe."

Chris Frantz has a C1000 straight stand, according to the Pearl website.