A Look at the Gear of Steve Gadd (Part 1) with Paul Wells
About this episode
This episode explores the legendary gear of drummer Steve Gadd, featuring insights from guest Paul Wells.
In this episode of Drum History, we take an in-depth look at the legendary gear of Steve Gadd, one of the most recorded and influential drummers of all time. Our returning guest, Paul Wells (Juilliard jazz faculty, Curtis Stigers, Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks), joins host Bart van der Zee for another ultra-detailed “gear episode” exploring the drums that shaped Gadd’s sound across his incredible career. Part 1 covers from Childhood to 1989. From his early Gretsch and Rogers kits to the iconic Yamaha setup that became synonymous with his style, we trace how each era of his gear evolved — and how innovations like his tom configurations, hi-hat preferences, and snare choices influenced generations of drummers. Paul also shares insights from his exclusive interview with Steve Gadd, arranged with help from John DeChristopher (Live From My Drum Room), and stories from Artie Smith, Steve’s longtime drum tech. Links and resources: 📘 Steve Gadd: A Life in Time by Joe Bergamini (Hudson Music) https://amzn.to/3KvLSP9 🥁 Gaddiments – Steve’s book of modern rudimental exercises https://amzn.to/4h4rgd2 🎥 Ruben van Roon’s YouTube channel for rare Steve Gadd performances and breakdowns…
More episodes of Drum History
- The Gear of Steve Gadd (Part 2) with Paul Wells
- New Show! The Fully Vented Podcast: The Story of Orange County Drum & Percussion
- How Drum Sample Packs Are Created with Shawn Fields and Darrell Thorp
- Your Mind’s Ear: Dave Elitch on Sound, Gear, and Playing Without Pain
- How To Pronounce the Tough Drum Brand Names with Eric Leiderman
- Drumming Insights: A look at "Drummers on Drumming" with Ben Hilzinger
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Drum History podcast page.