# What's In Tomas Haake's Polyrhythmic Arsenal: Complete Gear Breakdown > Complete breakdown of Tomas Haake's legendary drum setup. Discover the Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech kit, two single pedal philosophy, Sabian cymbals, and Porter & Davies throne that power Meshuggah's polyrhythmic assault. **Type:** Kit Breakdown **Drummer(s):** [Tomas Haake](/llms/drummers/tomas-haake.md) **Band / Album:** Meshuggah **Genre:** Djent / Progressive Metal ## Overview When Meshuggah's "Bleed" exploded onto the metal scene in 2008, drummers worldwide sat in stunned silence. The relentless 32nd-note kick pattern — six months in the making just to play consistently — announced that Tomas Haake had redefined what was possible behind a drum kit. Born July 13, 1971, in Örebro, Sweden, Tomas Haake joined Meshuggah in 1990 and has spent over three decades crafting the polyrhythmic template that spawned an entire genre: djent. While the term comes from the guitar tone, it's Haake's drumming that provides the mathematical foundation — complex patterns layered over steady 4/4 that create the illusion of multiple time signatures occurring simultaneously. What separates Tomas from other technical drummers is his insistence on groove. Despite the complexity, he maintains that Meshuggah is fundamentally "a groove band." His patterns aren't exercises in showing off — they're designed to make you move, even when your brain can't quite process what's happening. This article breaks down every piece of gear Tomas uses to create that legendary sound. From his Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech shells to his unconventional two-single-pedal setup, we'll explore the equipment behind one of metal's most influential drummers. ## Gear Breakdown - **Drums:** Sonor Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech (Custom Matte Black finish) - **Snare:** Sonor Sonor Tomas Haake Signature Snare, 14" x 6.5" - **Cymbals:** Sabian — Sabian HHX / AAX Series - **Hardware / Pedals:** Tama Speed Cobra Single Pedals (TWO separate pedals); Sonor 600 Series Hi-Hat Stand; Porter & Davies BC2; Wincent Tomas Haake Signature - **Heads:** Remo Emperor Coated (batter), Remo Ambassador Snare Side (resonant) - **Snare tuning:** Medium tension for clarity and consistency ### Tomas's Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech Setup Tomas Haake's Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech kit is the foundation of Meshuggah's devastating sound. The Heavy Beech variant uses thicker beech shells that deliver more attack and volume than standard configurations — essential when you're battling eight-string guitars tuned to F. The single 24" x 18" bass drum is notable because Tomas achieves his legendary double bass speed with TWO SEPARATE SINGLE PEDALS rather than a traditional double pedal. This allows each foot to operate completely independently — crucial for the polyrhythmic patterns where his feet might play different subdivisions than a standard double-bass figure. The tom configuration spans from 10" to 18", giving Tomas options for his precisely orchestrated fills. Unlike thrash drummers who blast through fills, Tomas's tom work is often as mathematically deliberate as his kick patterns, contributing to Meshuggah's overall rhythmic architecture. The SQ2 system allows for extensive customization, and Tomas has refined his configuration over decades. The result is a kit that projects power without sacrificing the clarity needed for complex patterns to translate. ### The Signature Sound The Tomas Haake Signature snare from Sonor delivers the focused, cutting sound that pierces through Meshuggah's dense wall of downtuned guitars. The maple shell provides warmth and body while the specific bearing edge design gives the attack and projection needed for metal. At 14" x 6.5", the snare offers a balanced response — enough depth for body, but not so deep that it loses articulation at high speeds. Tomas tunes it in the medium range, prioritizing clarity and consistency over extreme tension. In addition to his signature model, Tomas also uses the Sonor Artist Series Bronze snare for different tones. The bronze shell provides a dryer, more controlled sound that works well in certain contexts. What makes Tomas's snare work distinctive is how it interacts with his overall approach. His snare patterns often follow unconventional subdivisions while his feet maintain the pulse — the snare sound needs to cut through with precision regardless of where it lands in the rhythmic grid. ### Sabian Precision Tomas's cymbal setup blends Sabian's HHX and AAX lines for a combination of dark complexity (HHX) and bright projection (AAX). This dual approach lets him match different cymbal voices to different musical contexts within Meshuggah's arrangements. The 14" HHX Compression Hi-Hats are a Tomas Haake signature design. The unique profile provides quick, tight articulation essential for his rapid-fire hi-hat patterns. Traditional hi-hats would be too slow and washy for the precision his playing demands. The crash selection spans from 18" to 20", mixing Evolution (darker, more complex) and X-Plosion (brighter, faster) models. This variety gives Tomas options for different dynamics without overwhelming the mix. The 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride is crucial — the dry response prevents wash buildup during sustained riding, keeping the rhythmic pattern clear. The raw bell provides a cutting accent when needed. Unlike many metal drummers who favor exclusively aggressive cymbals, Tomas's selection is surprisingly musical and controlled. The cymbals serve the music rather than overpowering it. ## Key Facts - Sonor Drums endorsee for over two decades - Uses two SINGLE bass drum pedals — NOT a double pedal - Signature snare and Wincent sticks available - Porter & Davies BC2 throne for tactile bass drum monitoring - "Bleed" took 6 months of daily practice to play consistently live - Grammy-nominated with Meshuggah's "Immutable" (2023) - Single 24" bass drum — uses two separate single pedals - Heavy Beech variant for increased attack and projection - Configuration refined over 20+ years with Sonor - Kit designed to project through downtuned 8-string guitars - Consistent setup for studio and live performance - Estimated kit value: $8,000-15,000 (SQ2 Heavy Beech custom configuration) - Estimated snare value: $500-700 (signature model) **Source:** https://metalforge.io/articles/whats-in-tomas-haakes-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)*