Elvin Jones

Per this vintage ad, and many more ads like it, Elvin played and endorsed Gretsch kits from the start of his professional career in the very late 40s up until the 1970s. This ad is unique in that it list the exact specs of Elvin's kit from this late 60s/early 70s timeframe.

A color photo of one of Elvin's "round badge" Gretsch kits can be seen here.

@1:30 the history of this Camco "by Tama" kit is explained. Kit featured in the video is authenticated to have belonged to Elvin Jones. This kit was marketed as the "Elvin Jones Signature Set" in the 1978 Camco Product Catalog

Also, here is a photo of Elvin playing this Camco kit

@5:00 one of Elvin's authenticated Tama Crestar sets is described in detail.

A reverb listing for one of these Elvin-owned Crestar sets describes the configuration as:

Ultra rare TAMA Crestar drums in spectacular gold lacquer finish. 18×14,12×8,13×9,16×16,18×16 wood shells... Used by Elvin on live performances and recordings from the 1987 through the early 1990s. Pictured on the cover of Modern Drummer magazine, May ’92.

@7:50 Elvin's history with Yamaha and the details of one of his Yamaha Maple Custom sets is provided

Per listing on Don's Drum Valult, a 1990's Yamaha kit authenticated as belonging to Elvin featured a 14 x 7 Elvin Jones Signature Snare:

The set includes the complete set of custom cases and a complete set of Elvin’s Yamaha hardware as seen in the photos. The Zildjian cymbal set is not included but available for purchase separately. 18×14″ bass with “Elvin Jones Jazz Machine” logo head, 14×7″ Signature Model snare, Serial # 0045, 12×8″, 13×9″ toms, 16×16″, 18×18″ floor toms.

Per this Reverb listing, Elvin's drum collection included a 20" handmade cymbal by Roberto Spizzichino.

Per the engraving on this Stainless Steel Drum, it was specifically made for Elvin Jones by Keplinger.

The size and other details are chronicled by Donn's Drum Vault who have been entrusted by Elvin's Estate to catalog, authenticate, and sell the mountain of drums Elvin left behind. Per Donn's Reverb writeup:

This drum was custom made specially for Elvin Jones in 1978 by drum maker Gregg Keplinger. This is the first actual production model of the legendary Keplinger steel pipe snare ever made (serial #0001). This is also the first of several snares Keplinger made for Elvin throughout his life.

Designed in collaboration with Jones.

In this ad from the late 90s, Zildjian reveals the depth of Elvin's involvement in the development of the K Constantinople line of cymbals.

This line was meant to capture the darker "old K" sound of hand-shaped cymbals once made in Zildjian's Turkish factory (referred to as the "K. Zildjian" division) during the early/mid 20th century, as opposed to the brighter, more machined "A. Zildjian" cymbals associated with their American factory's output.

Despite holding a Medium 20" in the ad, Elvin's preference for the 20" "Medium Light" version of this cymbal is confirmed here and here

this Reverb entry, is a good example of Elvin's career-long preference for "K" Zildjian (hand-hammered, originally made in Turkey) cymbals.

per this Reverb entry. Elvin used Turkish and Turkish-style hand-hammered cymbals throughout his career. These authenticated examples are highly consistent with those preferences.

Per this Reverb posting, Elvin's gear collection included a 20" Istanbul Sultan Ride

Per this Reverb posting Elvin's collection included a Zildjian 16" K Dark Crash.