John Bonham

John Bonham was given three Ludwig Green Sparkle drumkits in the spring of 1970. In addition to using this drumkit on stage from 1970 until the end of the 1973 European tour, it was his favorite kit to use in the studio, recording Led Zeppelin III, Houses Of The Holy and Physical Graffiti.

An image of Bonham playing the Ludwig Green Sparkle kit in the background here.

This drumkit was delivered from Ludwig in March 1973 containing various-sized toms plus an additional bass drum. On the three nights that The Song Remains The Same was filmed, the 16" x 20" and 16" x 22" floor toms were rotated in use. Bonham was one of the first to play this new line from Ludwig and was the only amber-tinted kit of the first run.

A shot of Bonham on the Ludwig Amber Vistalite kit.

John Bonham used the Ludwig Stainless Steel drumkit beginning on the 1977 US Tour until Led Zeppelin's last show on July 07, 1980. It was also used in the recording of Led Zeppelin's last studio album In Through The Out Door.

John Bonham received the Ludwig Thermo Gloss Natural Maple drumkit after getting his official endorsement from Ludwig. Carmine Appice, drummer for Vanilla Fudge, personally rang up the Ludwig factory after John Bonham had expressed an interest in getting a drumkit duplicate to what Appice was playing at the beginning of Led Zeppelin's first US Tour in December 1968.

This was the drumkit used to to record Led Zeppelin II and was used until the end of the Spring 1970 US Tour.

As can be seen in the source video of John Bonham's drumkit, the Ludwig Speed King pedal is also a part of Bonhams setup.

John Bonham playing his Ludwig Vistalite Black & White Candy Stripe swirl drum kit used during his time with Led Zeppelin was originally given to music critic Chris Welch by Bonzo himself. It is one of the only kits outside of the Bonham estate.

This page of Bonham's website states that John Bonham used Paiste 2002 Sound Edge Hi-Hats.

John Bonham was also an endorsee for Paiste Cymbals for most of his career. At first he used the 'Giant Beats' range before being replaced with the 2002 series. He also used a couple of cymbals from the lighter 602 range. Above is his Paiste agreement from 1971 as well as the cymbal list from Paiste in the order that he got them:

Bonham used Paiste Giant Beat Hi Hats and other cymbals until 1971. After 1971, he switched to Paiste 2002 cymbals (Paiste 2002 were not made until 1971). This page details the cymbals used recording When The Levee Breaks, and for his drumming around that time.

Bonham used a Paiste Giant Beat Ride and other Giant Beat cymbals until 1971. After 1971, he switched to Paiste 2002 cymbals (Paiste 2002 were not made until 1971). This page details the cymbals used recording When The Levee Breaks, and for his drumming around that time. He also used Giant Beat 16" and 18" Medium crash cymbals.

John Bonham used a variety of drum sticks throughout his drumming career. When roadie Glen Colsen set his gear up early on, he remembers them being very big sticks. "A huge box full of stick was delivered - the thickest I'd ever seen. John would break two or three drumsticks a night, and I'd have to hand him a new stick while standing at the side of the stage." Glen Colson -

In the source YouTube video, the complete Bonham section and the Ludwig LM402 can be seen. Its a chromed aluminium Ludwig supraphonic 14x6.5".

This was an effect used on the alot of cymbals especially in Cashmere

This page discusses how John Bonham's drumheads for recording were always Remo Emperor for batter tom heads and bass drum. This video shows John Bonham's drum technician discussing how felt strips were used on the bass drum to control its sound. Note that when playing live, Bonham used clear drumheads: Coated heads were used only for recording.

This page details how the echoing drum sound on When The Levee Breaks was created with a Benson Echorec, using the audio feed from two microphones placed in a stairwell.