# What's In Mikkey Dee's Motörhead/Scorpions Arsenal: 23 Years Behind Rock's Loudest Band

> Explore Mikkey Dee's legendary drum setup — from 23 years powering Motörhead with Lemmy to his current role with Scorpions. Complete gear breakdown of the Swedish powerhouse's Yamaha kit, Zildjian cymbals, and signature techniques.

**Type:** Kit Breakdown
**Drummer(s):** [Mikkey Dee](/llms/drummers/mikkey-dee.md)
**Band / Album:** Scorpions / Motörhead
**Genre:** Hard Rock / Heavy Metal / Speed Metal

## Overview

Mikkey Dee didn't just keep time for Motörhead — he was the relentless engine that powered rock's loudest, most uncompromising band for 23 years. From 1992 until Lemmy Kilmister's death in December 2015, Dee's thunderous drumming drove some of the most visceral rock recordings ever made.

Born Micael Kiriakos Delaoglou on October 31, 1963, in Gothenburg, Sweden (to a Greek immigrant father and Swedish mother), Mikkey came to Motörhead with serious credentials. His work with King Diamond on classics like "Abigail" (1987) showcased technical precision rare in extreme metal. But it was Lemmy who recognized what Mikkey could bring to Motörhead's raw, unfiltered sound.

"Mikkey can do anything," Lemmy once said. "He's the best drummer I ever played with." Coming from a man who'd worked with Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor, that's the ultimate endorsement. Mikkey's combination of jazz-trained precision and pure rock power was exactly what Motörhead needed.

The partnership produced twelve studio albums and countless tours. Mikkey brought new energy to classic tracks like "Ace of Spades" while driving new material with relentless intensity. His drum solos became legendary — explosive displays of power and technique that left audiences stunned.

After Lemmy's passing, Mikkey joined Scorpions in 2016, replacing James Kottak. At 62, he's still touring the world with one of rock's biggest bands, proving that the fire never dies. His drumming on "Rock Believer" (2022) showed he's lost nothing — still one of rock's most powerful players.

This article breaks down the gear that's powered decades of thunderous rock drumming.

## Gear Breakdown

- **Drums:** Yamaha Yamaha Recording Custom / Oak Custom (Custom finishes (often black or natural) finish)
- **Snare:** Yamaha Yamaha Recording Custom Aluminum / Brass, 14" x 6.5"
- **Cymbals:** Zildjian — Zildjian A Custom / K Custom
- **Hardware / Pedals:** Yamaha FP9 / Flying Dragon; Yamaha HS1200; Roc-N-Soc Nitro; Vic Firth 2B or Custom
- **Heads:** Remo Ambassador Coated / Emperor X
- **Snare tuning:** Medium-high for maximum crack and cut

### Yamaha Power: The Foundation of Thunder

Mikkey Dee's Yamaha drums are built for one purpose: delivering crushing power night after night on world tours. His choice of Yamaha reflects his priorities — durability, consistency, and massive low-end punch.

**The Bass Drum Philosophy:**
Unlike many modern metal drummers who favor double bass drum setups with smaller kicks, Mikkey uses a single 24" bass drum. This massive drum delivers the chest-thumping low end that defined Motörhead's live sound. Even when using a double pedal, Mikkey often preferred one large kick to two smaller ones — the resonance and power are simply different.

**Recording Custom vs Oak Custom:**
The Yamaha Recording Custom series (birch shells) has been Mikkey's primary choice for studio work, prized for its focused attack and clear tone. For live work and particularly punishing tours, he's also used the Oak Custom series, which offers even more volume and durability. Oak's density makes it virtually indestructible — essential for Mikkey's aggressive playing style.

**The Motörhead Setup:**
With Motörhead, Mikkey typically used a five-piece configuration: 24" kick, 10"/12"/13" rack toms, and dual floor toms (16" and 18"). This setup provided the tonal range to deliver both delicate passages (yes, Motörhead had them) and the devastating power the band was known for.

**The Scorpions Configuration:**
With Scorpions, Mikkey has adapted his setup slightly for the band's more melodic rock approach, but the foundation remains: massive bass drum, multiple toms for dynamic fills, and floor toms that shake venues. The Scorpions' arena rock requires projection, and Yamaha delivers.

**Shell Selection:**
Mikkey prefers thicker shells for maximum volume and projection. His drums are built to cut through walls of Marshall amplifiers — a necessity when playing next to Lemmy's legendary stage volume or Scorpions' wall-of-sound production.

### The Crack That Cuts Through Chaos

Mikkey Dee's snare drum sound is unmistakable — a crisp, powerful crack that cuts through even the loudest stage mix. His preference for deep metal-shell snares delivers the attack and projection needed to compete with Motörhead's legendary volume.

**The Metal Shell Choice:**
While many rock drummers favor wood snares for warmth, Mikkey gravitates toward metal shells — aluminum and brass being his primary choices. Metal shells offer brightness, cutting power, and sensitivity that work perfectly for his style. The 6.5" depth provides body without sacrificing the crack.

**Yamaha Recording Custom Aluminum:**
This snare has been Mikkey's go-to for years. The seamless aluminum shell produces a bright, articulate sound with excellent sensitivity for ghost notes while delivering devastating rimshots. The Recording Custom hardware is robust enough for his aggressive playing.

**Brass for Maximum Cut:**
For situations requiring even more cut, Mikkey has used brass snares. Brass delivers more overtones and sustain than aluminum, projecting across large venues without becoming harsh.

**Tuning Philosophy:**
Mikkey tunes his snare on the higher side of medium — tight enough for a clear crack on every stroke but not so high that it loses body. This tuning survives aggressive playing while maintaining musicality. With Lemmy's bass often occupying the low-mid frequencies, Mikkey's snare needed to live in its own sonic space.

**The Motörhead Challenge:**
Playing snare drums next to Lemmy's bass rig was a unique challenge. The stage volume was legendary — often described as a physical assault. Mikkey's snare setup was specifically designed to cut through this sonic mayhem, and it succeeded night after night.

### Zildjian Power

Mikkey Dee's Zildjian cymbal setup is built for one thing: cutting through the loudest rock bands in history. His selection emphasizes projection, durability, and the ability to be heard over walls of amplifiers.

**The 15" Hi-Hat Choice:**
While most drummers use 14" hi-hats, Mikkey prefers 15" New Beats. The extra inch provides more body and volume — essential when playing next to Lemmy's bass stack. The heavier bottom cymbal keeps the hi-hats stable during aggressive playing while the top cymbal provides articulation.

**A Custom Series:**
Zildjian's A Custom line is Mikkey's primary choice. These cymbals offer brightness and projection with enough musicality for melodic passages. The series was designed for rock and metal applications — perfect for Motörhead's raw power and Scorpions' arena rock.

**Multiple Crash Sizes:**
Mikkey uses various crash sizes (18", 19", 20") for dynamic range. Smaller crashes for quick accents, larger crashes for dramatic moments and song endings. This variety gives him options without overwhelming the mix with constant huge crashes.

**The 22" Ride:**
A large ride cymbal provides a clear bell and enough body for crash-riding — essential for rock drumming. Mikkey uses the bell extensively for accents, a technique that became part of Motörhead's signature sound.

**Durability:**
Playing at Motörhead volumes meant destroying cymbals faster than most drummers. Mikkey's choices reflect this — he needs cymbals that can survive aggressive playing night after night. Zildjian's professional series has the durability required.

## Key Facts

- Motörhead's longest-serving drummer: 23 years (1992-2015)
- Replaced the legendary Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor
- Grammy winner: Best Metal Performance 2004 (Whiplash)
- Recorded 12 studio albums with Motörhead
- Joined Scorpions in 2016 — still touring at 62
- Previous work with King Diamond showcased technical range
- 24" bass drum delivers chest-thumping power
- Birch Recording Custom for studio work
- Oak Custom for maximum durability on tour
- Thicker shells for projection through loud stage volumes
- Single kick philosophy despite occasional double pedal use
- Estimated kit value: $4,000-7,000 (professional Yamaha kits)
- Estimated snare value: $500-800 (professional metal snares)

**Source:** https://metalforge.io/articles/whats-in-mikkey-dees-kit

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*Last updated: 2026-06-16 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*