Master of Puppets Drum Setup: Lars Ulrich's Gear Breakdown | MetalForge
Lars Ulrich recorded Master of Puppets (1986) on a Tama Artstar II kit with a Tama steel-shell snare snare.
Discover the exact drum kit, cymbals, and gear Lars Ulrich used to record Metallica's legendary Master of Puppets album. Complete setup breakdown with photos...
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit did Lars Ulrich use on Master of Puppets?
Lars Ulrich recorded Master of Puppets in 1986 using the same Tama Artstar II drum kit with birch shells that he'd adopted for Ride the Lightning two years earlier. The configuration included a 22x16 inch bass drum, 12x8 and 13x9 inch rack toms, and a 16x16 inch floor tom. His snare was a Tama steel-shell snare at 14x6.5 inches, part of the same Tama setup he'd switched to from Camco in 1984, and it contributed heavily to the punchy, cutting snare tone heard throughout the album.
What cymbals did Lars Ulrich use on Master of Puppets?
Lars Ulrich used Zildjian A Series cymbals on Master of Puppets. His setup included Zildjian A 14 inch New Beat Hi-Hats, a 16 inch Medium Thin Crash, an 18 inch Medium Crash, a 20 inch Medium Ride, and an 18 inch China Boy. The Zildjian A Series delivered the bright, cutting tones that defined the thrash metal sound of the mid-1980s and remains one of the most iconic cymbal setups in metal history.
How much does Lars Ulrich's Master of Puppets kit cost?
When Lars Ulrich recorded Master of Puppets in 1986, the Tama Artstar II kit would have cost approximately $1,500 to $2,000 new. Today, original vintage Artstar II kits from that era are collectible and typically fetch between $2,500 and $5,000 depending on condition. The matching Tama steel-shell snare adds another $600 to $800 for a vintage example. It is a historically significant setup that remains achievable to replicate today.