# What's In Gavin Harrison's Prog Metal Arsenal: Complete Gear Breakdown > Discover the exact drums, cymbals, and gear behind Gavin Harrison's polyrhythmic mastery. Complete breakdown of his Sonor SQ2 setup, signature snares, Zildjian K Custom Special Dry cymbals, and the philosophy that made him one of progressive rock's most influential drummers. **Type:** Kit Breakdown **Drummer(s):** [Gavin Harrison](/llms/drummers/gavin-harrison.md) **Band / Album:** Porcupine Tree **Genre:** Progressive Metal ## Overview Gavin Harrison doesn't just play drums. He conducts conversations in polyrhythm, whispers ghost notes that reshape grooves, and navigates odd time signatures like they're the most natural thing in the world. For over two decades, he's been redefining what's possible behind a drum kit while making it look absolutely effortless. Born May 28, 1963, in Harrow, London, Harrison spent his early career as a session drummer before joining Porcupine Tree in 2002 — a move that would change progressive rock drumming forever. His work on albums like "In Absentia," "Deadwing," and especially "Fear of a Blank Planet" set new standards for what drumming could be in heavy, atmospheric music. But Harrison's influence extends far beyond Porcupine Tree. In 2008, he joined King Crimson — one of progressive rock's founding bands — becoming part of their revolutionary three-drummer lineup. He also revitalized The Pineapple Thief and released acclaimed educational material that's become required study for serious drummers worldwide. What makes Gavin Harrison unique isn't speed or power — it's sophistication. His playing combines jazz vocabulary with metal intensity, all wrapped in an almost scientific understanding of rhythm. He can make 7/8 feel like it's grooving harder than 4/4, and he can drop polyrhythmic layers that take repeated listens to fully comprehend. Modern Drummer magazine has recognized him multiple times as the best progressive rock drummer. Drummers from every genre cite him as an influence. And with Porcupine Tree's 2022 reunion and continued work with King Crimson and The Pineapple Thief, he's showing no signs of slowing down. This is the gear that enables his polyrhythmic wizardry. ## Gear Breakdown - **Drums:** Sonor Sonor SQ2 Series (Custom finishes (varies) finish) - **Snare:** Sonor Sonor Gavin Harrison Signature Snares, 12" x 5" (Protean) and 14" x 5.25" (primary) - **Cymbals:** Zildjian — K Custom Special Dry - **Heads:** Remo Ambassador Coated (batter), Remo Ambassador Snare Side (resonant) - **Snare tuning:** Medium to medium-high for sensitivity and projection ### Gavin's Sonor SQ2 Setup Gavin Harrison's Sonor SQ2 drums represent the pinnacle of German engineering applied to his exacting musical requirements. The SQ2 series offers truly custom drums — each kit is built to the artist's specifications, from shell material and thickness to bearing edges and hardware placement. For Harrison, the choice of Sonor makes perfect sense. These drums excel at what he does best: dynamic playing that ranges from the subtlest ghost notes to thunderous accents. The thin maple shells provide exceptional sensitivity and resonance, allowing every nuance of his playing to come through clearly. The 22" bass drum is smaller than what you might expect from a drummer who can play with such intensity. But Harrison doesn't need size for power — his technique generates all the volume he needs. The smaller kick allows for faster, more articulate patterns and sits perfectly in the progressive rock context where clarity is paramount. His tom configuration is standard for jazz-influenced drummers: two rack toms (10" and 12") and two floor toms (14" and 16"). But it's not about the number of drums — it's about how he uses them. Harrison treats his kit melodically, using toms as tuned instruments rather than just accent pieces. The SQ2's mounting system preserves resonance, and Sonor's legendary hardware provides rock-solid stability while allowing precise positioning. Every element of this kit is designed to respond to Harrison's incredibly nuanced touch. ### The Signature Instruments Gavin Harrison's signature snare drums are perhaps his most significant gear contribution to the drumming world. He worked extensively with Sonor to develop snares that match his demanding requirements: sensitivity for ghost notes, projection for accents, and the ability to cut through any mix without being harsh. The primary signature snare is a 14" x 5.25" brass-shell drum that's become a benchmark for progressive rock drummers. The brass shell provides warmth and body that steel lacks, while still offering excellent projection. The .25" extra depth gives it just enough additional body compared to standard 5" snares. But the real innovation is the 12" Protean snare — a smaller drum designed specifically for the tight, articulate sounds Harrison often requires. This drum has become popular among studio drummers who need versatility and intimate sounds that larger snares can't achieve. Both snares feature carefully selected hardware and snare wire configurations that maximize sensitivity. Harrison tunes his snares medium to medium-high, allowing the drums to sing on soft passages while delivering crack on rimshots. The die-cast hoops provide consistent tension and excellent rim click sounds. What's remarkable about these signature drums is how well they translate Harrison's playing philosophy into physical instruments. They reward subtlety and punish sloppiness — exactly what a polyrhythmic master needs. ### The Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Arsenal The Zildjian K Custom Special Dry series was developed in direct collaboration with Gavin Harrison, and these cymbals have become some of the most sought-after in the progressive rock world. They represent a fundamentally different approach to cymbal sound: controlled, dry, and articulate rather than bright and washy. The philosophy behind Special Dry cymbals aligns perfectly with Harrison's playing. When you're layering complex polyrhythms and ghost notes, you need cymbals that get out of the way quickly. Traditional bright cymbals build up wash that obscures detail. Special Dry cymbals provide definition and then decay rapidly, leaving space for the next sound. The 21" Special Dry Ride is the cornerstone of Harrison's sound. It has a clear, defined ping on the bow, a complex but controlled wash, and a cutting bell. You can ride on it at any volume without it building up uncontrollably. This is essential for Harrison's dynamic approach — he can go from whisper-quiet patterns to thunderous accents without the cymbal working against him. The Special Dry Hi-Hats (14") are crisp and articulate, perfect for the intricate hi-hat work that defines progressive drumming. They respond instantly to changes in pressure and stick angle, allowing Harrison to create entire rhythmic conversations with just the hi-hats. His crashes (16" and 18" Special Dry) have fast attack and quick decay — they speak and get out of the way. The 18" Trash China adds controlled chaos when needed. These cymbals have influenced an entire generation of drummers who now seek drier, more controlled sounds for complex music. ## Key Facts - Sonor Drums endorsee with signature snare drums - Zildjian K Custom Special Dry cymbal series - Vic Firth signature drumsticks - Multiple Modern Drummer awards - Revolutionary three-drummer lineup in King Crimson - Author of "Rhythmic Perspectives" and acclaimed educational materials - Thin maple shells for maximum sensitivity - Custom SQ2 specifications for his playing style - Standard 22" kick for articulation over raw power - Jazz-influenced 4-tom configuration - Premium Sonor hardware throughout - Estimated kit value: $6,000-9,000 (custom SQ2 kit) - Estimated snare value: $600-900 (Gavin Harrison Signature Snares) **Source:** https://metalforge.io/articles/whats-in-gavin-harrisons-kit **More LLM resources:** [Site index](/llms.txt) · [Full database](/llms-full.txt) · [Master FAQ](/llms/faq.md) · [Drummer index](/llms/index.md) *Last updated: 2026-06-16 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*