Bill Ward's Drum Setup on Black Sabbath's 'Technical Ecstasy' (1976) | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drums did Bill Ward use on Technical Ecstasy?

Bill Ward recorded *Technical Ecstasy* (1976) on the same Ludwig Standard Maple kit he'd used on *Sabotage* — a 22" bass drum, two rack toms, and a 16" floor tom in natural maple, paired with a Ludwig Supraphonic snare. His Paiste 2002 cymbal setup, including the 18" China introduced on *Sabotage*, also carried over unchanged. For the full arc of Ward's gear through Black Sabbath's catalog, see the [Bill Ward drummer profile](/drummer/bill-ward).

Did Bill Ward sing on a Black Sabbath album?

Yes — Bill Ward sang lead vocals on "It's Alright," a piano-led ballad from *Technical Ecstasy* (1976). It was the first time in his Black Sabbath career that he stepped out from behind the drum kit to take lead vocal duties, and the track features no drum part at all.

What is Dirty Women from?

"Dirty Women" is the closing track on *Technical Ecstasy* (1976), Black Sabbath's seventh studio album. It has become one of the record's most enduring deep cuts, built around an extended arrangement that moves from a patient, tension-building verse into a driving, syncopated climax — a showcase for Bill Ward's dynamic range on the same Ludwig kit and Paiste 2002 cymbals he used across *Sabotage*.

How much did Bill Ward's 1976 drum kit cost?

Bill Ward's Ludwig Standard Maple kit on *Technical Ecstasy* — a 22" bass drum, two rack toms, and a floor tom — would have cost roughly $1,100 to $1,900 new in 1976, with the Paiste 2002 cymbal setup adding another $500 to $850. Comparable vintage Ludwig kits from this era sell for $6,500 to $16,000 today in good original condition. See the [Sabotage drum setup](/articles/sabotage-drum-setup) for the album where this same gear configuration debuted.