Jon Dette Drum Kit & Gear Setup — Slayer & Testament Touring Drummer | MetalForge
Jon Dette Drum Kit, Gear & Setup
Complete biography of Jon Dette, touring drummer for Slayer, Testament, and Anthrax. Thrash metal's go-to fill-in drummer.
Quick Facts: Jon Dette
| Band | Slayer |
|---|---|
| All bands | Slayer, Testament, Anthrax |
| Genre | Thrash Metal |
| Country | USA |
| Primary brand | Ludwig |
| Drum kit | Ludwig Classic Maple |
| Snare | 14x6.5" Metal or Maple Snare |
| Sticks | Promark / Vater 5B |
Jon Dette Biography
Jon Dette (born August 25, 1967, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American drummer known for his work as a touring and session drummer with several major thrash metal bands, most notably Slayer and Testament.
Dette served as Slayer's touring drummer during 1996-1997, filling in when Paul Bostaph was temporarily unavailable. He later became Testament's touring drummer across two stints (1997-1999, 2001-2012), a tenure captured on the live album Live at the Fillmore. His versatility and professionalism have earned him respect throughout the metal community.
Career Highlights
- 1996: Joined Slayer as touring drummer, filling in for Paul Bostaph
- 1997: Left Slayer when Bostaph returned; joined Testament
- 1999: Touring drummer for Testament's "The Gathering" era (studio album recorded by Dave Lombardo)
- 2008: Testament's touring drummer during "The Formation of Damnation" era (studio album recorded by Paul Bostaph)
- 2010: Filled in for Charlie Benante on Anthrax tour dates
- 2012: Testament's touring drummer during "Dark Roots of Earth" era (studio album recorded by Gene Hoglan)
Style & Influences
Jon Dette's drumming style is characterized by technical precision, adaptability, and the ability to faithfully replicate complex drum parts from multiple bands.
Key Influences:
- Dave Lombardo (Slayer): Thrash metal foundation
- Gene Hoglan (Death): Technical proficiency
- Paul Bostaph: Precision and consistency
Signature Techniques:
- Rapid adaptation to different band's playing styles
- Powerful, consistent double bass playing
- Professional approach to maintaining original song integrity
Gear Highlights
Jon Dette has used various drum setups throughout his career, adapting to each band's requirements.
Typical Setup:
- Drums: Ludwig Classic Maple (Slayer era, twin 22" bass drums)
- Snare: 14"x6.5" metal or maple snares
- Cymbals: Sabian or Zildjian
- Hardware: DW 9000 or Tama Iron Cobra double pedal
- Sticks: Promark or Vater 5B
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Jon Dette use?
Jon Dette's Slayer-era drum kit was a Ludwig Classic Maple shell pack — a gear choice that set him apart from every other Slayer drummer, since Dave Lombardo played Tama and Paul Bostaph moved through DW and other setups. It centered on twin 22" Ludwig Classic Maple bass drums to execute the sustained double-kick patterns Slayer's catalog demands.
What drum set does Jon Dette use?
Jon Dette's drum set pairs his Ludwig Classic Maple shells with a 14"x6.5" metal or maple snare tuned medium-bright, driven by a DW 9000 or Tama Iron Cobra double pedal, carried across his tenures with Slayer and Testament.
What cymbals does Jon Dette play?
Jon Dette plays Sabian AAX and Zildjian A Series cymbals: 14" Hi-Hats, 16" and 18" Crashes, a 20" Ride, and an 18" China for the aggressive punctuation Slayer's most intense passages require.
What snare does Jon Dette use?
Jon Dette's snare is a 14"x6.5" metal or maple model tuned medium-bright for the cut and authority thrash metal's dense guitar mix requires.
What sticks does Jon Dette use?
Jon Dette uses Promark or Vater 5B drumsticks, a heavier model favored for authority and durability.
What bass drum pedal does Jon Dette use?
Jon Dette drives his sustained double-kick work with a DW 9000 or Tama Iron Cobra double pedal.
What drumheads does Jon Dette use?
Jon Dette uses Remo Powerstroke 3 heads on his kick, Emperor Coated on his toms, and Coated Ambassador on his snare.
What band is Jon Dette in?
Jon Dette was Slayer's touring drummer in 1996-1997, then Testament's touring drummer across two stints (1997-1999, 2001-2012), a run captured on the live album Live at the Fillmore (2005). Testament's studio albums released during those years — The Gathering (1999), The Formation of Damnation (2008), and Dark Roots of Earth (2012) — were recorded by Dave Lombardo, Paul Bostaph, and Gene Hoglan respectively. He also filled in for Charlie Benante on a 2010 Anthrax tour.
How did Jon Dette join Slayer?
Jon Dette joined Slayer in 1996 as touring drummer, filling in when Paul Bostaph was temporarily unavailable, and left in 1997 when Bostaph returned to the band. He went on to become a longer-term member of Testament.