---
name: "Dave Lombardo"
band: "Slayer"
page_type: "gear_evolution"
profile_url: "https://metalforge.io/drummers/dave-lombardo"
evolution_url: "https://metalforge.io/drummers/dave-lombardo/evolution"
source: "https://metalforge.io"
last_updated: "2026-06-20"
---

# Dave Lombardo Drum Kit Evolution — Complete Timeline

Dave Lombardo is widely credited as the "Godfather of Double Bass" — the drummer who established the double bass vocabulary for thrash and extreme metal. His career spans from South Gate garage sessions in 1981 to active touring and recording across multiple legendary bands in the 2020s. This timeline documents every major equipment era across his 40+ year career.

See also: [Dave Lombardo drummer profile](/llms/drummers/dave-lombardo.md)

---

## Show No Mercy Era (1981–1985)

**Albums:** Show No Mercy (1983), Haunting the Chapel (1984), Hell Awaits (1985)
**Tours:** Early club circuit tours

Young Dave Lombardo built the thrash metal drumming vocabulary from scratch with affordable Japanese gear. His DW 5000 pedal became essential for the double bass technique he was pioneering — a setup no one had used quite like this in metal before. Pure technique over gear quality defines this entire period.

- **Drums:** Tama Imperialstar — basic 5-piece: 22" kick, 12"/13"/16" toms
- **Snare:** Tama Steel 14"×5.5" (bright, cutting tone)
- **Cymbals:** Paiste 2002 — 14" hi-hats, 16"/18" crashes, 20" ride
- **Hardware:** Tama hardware with DW 5000 pedal (single initially, then double bass configuration)
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth 5B hickory
- **Heads:** Remo Ambassador (clear on toms)
- **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$2,000

**Key developments:**
- Developed the machine-gun double bass technique that defined extreme metal
- Created the thrash metal drumming vocabulary still used today
- Playing speed was unmatched among metal drummers at the time
- DW 5000 double pedal becomes the essential tool for his style

> "I didn't have expensive gear. I had hunger and speed. That's all you need." — *Metal Hammer Interview, 1985*

---

## Reign in Blood Era (1986–1992)

**Albums:** Reign in Blood (1986), South of Heaven (1988), Seasons in the Abyss (1990)
**Tours:** Reign in Pain Tour; World Sacrifice Tour; Clash of the Titans

The most influential era of Dave Lombardo's career — and arguably the most influential period in thrash metal drumming history. His Pearl endorsement delivered the birch-shell bite needed for Reign in Blood's devastating speed. Paiste RUDE cymbals provided the aggressive cut required for the band's extreme volume levels. "Angel of Death" and "Raining Blood" became the definitive benchmarks of thrash drumming.

- **Drums:** Pearl BLX Series (birch shells) — 24" kick, 10"/12"/14"/16" toms *(switch — Pearl endorsement begins)*
- **Snare:** Pearl Free-Floating Steel 14"×6.5" *(switch — maximum crack and attack)*
- **Cymbals:** Paiste RUDE — 14" hi-hats, 18"/19"/20" crashes, 22" ride, 18" China *(upgrade — cut and volume)*
- **Hardware:** DW 5000 Double Pedal (Turbo drive) *(continued — the pedal that defined thrash bass drum sound)*
- **Sticks:** Pro-Mark 747 oak *(switch — oak for more durability)*
- **Heads:** Remo Emperor double-ply *(upgrade — more durable for aggressive playing)*
- **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$10,000

**Key developments:**
- Pearl endorsement begins — first major drum brand partnership
- DW 5000 double pedal cements its status as the signature thrash pedal
- Reign in Blood (1986) recorded — considered the most influential thrash drum performance ever
- Paiste RUDE series adopted for extreme volume and cutting power

> "Reign in Blood was 29 minutes of pure aggression. Every note had to be perfect." — *Revolver Magazine, 2006*

---

## DW & Return Era (1995–2010)

**Albums:** Christ Illusion (2006), World Painted Blood (2009)
**Tours:** Unholy Alliance Tour

After leaving and returning to Slayer multiple times, Dave secured a DW Collector's Series endorsement — premium maple shells bringing warmth alongside the attack he required. He also launched his first signature drumstick with Vic Firth. Roland kick triggers were added for stadium-level sound consistency. The Christ Illusion album (2006) won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.

- **Drums:** DW Collector's Series (maple shells) — 24" kick, 10"/12"/14"/16" toms *(switch — premium DW sound)*
- **Snare:** DW Edge Snare 14"×6.5" with VLT shell *(switch — warm yet cutting)*
- **Cymbals:** Paiste Signature Series (full Paiste Signature setup, refined sound)
- **Hardware:** DW 9000 Double Pedal *(upgrade — latest DW technology)*
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth Dave Lombardo Signature (hickory, custom specs) *(signature — first signature stick)*
- **Heads:** Evans EMAD on kicks *(upgrade — focused, controlled modern sound)*
- **Electronics:** Roland triggers on kick drums *(new — added for stadium consistency)*
- **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$20,000

**Key developments:**
- DW Collector's Series endorsement (major gear upgrade in warmth and quality)
- Vic Firth Dave Lombardo Signature sticks launched
- Returned to Slayer (2001) after earlier departure
- Christ Illusion (2006) wins Grammy for Best Metal Performance
- Roland kick triggers integrated for live touring at stadium scale

> "DW gave me the warmth I was looking for while keeping the attack. Best of both worlds." — *DW Artist Spotlight, 2007*

---

## Modern Era (2013–Present)

**Albums:** Dead Cross albums; Suicidal Tendencies recordings; Mr. Bungle reunion
**Tours:** Various touring with Dead Cross, Suicidal Tendencies, and others

After leaving Slayer for the final time in 2013, Dave entered the most diverse phase of his career — playing simultaneously with Dead Cross, Suicidal Tendencies, and reuniting with Mr. Bungle. He switched to Trick Drums aluminum shell kits, a radical departure from the birch and maple shells of his previous career. The Trick Pro 1-V Bigfoot direct drive pedal replaced the long-standing DW 9000.

- **Drums:** Trick Drums Custom (aluminum shells) — 22" kick, 10"/12"/14"/16" toms *(switch — metal shells for unique cutting sound)*
- **Snare:** Trick Drums Aluminum Snare 14"×6.5" *(switch — bright, cutting aluminum tone)*
- **Cymbals:** Paiste RUDE/Masters mix (continued Paiste loyalty throughout entire career)
- **Hardware:** Trick Pro 1-V Bigfoot direct drive double pedal *(switch — Trick pedals for maximum speed)*
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth Dave Lombardo Signature (refined over the years, continued)
- **Heads:** Evans UV1 on toms, EMAD on kicks *(upgrade — latest Evans technology)*
- **Estimated kit cost:** ~$25,000

**Key developments:**
- Left Slayer for the final time (2013)
- Trick Drums endorsement — aluminum shells represent a major tonal shift from previous career
- Trick Pro 1-V Bigfoot direct drive pedal replaces DW 9000
- Active simultaneously with Dead Cross, Suicidal Tendencies, and Mr. Bungle reunion (2020)
- Still performing and recording actively as of 2026

> "I'm playing better now than I ever have. Age brings wisdom, not weakness." — *Metal Injection Interview, 2022*

---

## Career Cost Overview

| Era | Years | Kit Cost (Original) | Inflation-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Show No Mercy Era | 1981–1985 | $2,000 | ~$6,000 |
| Reign in Blood Era | 1986–1992 | $10,000 | ~$26,000 |
| DW & Return Era | 1995–2010 | $20,000 | ~$30,000 |
| Modern Era | 2013–present | $25,000 | ~$25,000 |

---

## Gear Brand Partnerships Timeline

- **Tama Imperialstar** — 1981–1985 (budget/early career)
- **Pearl BLX / Free-Floating** — 1986–early 1990s (Reign in Blood era endorsement)
- **DW Collector's Series** — 1995–2013 (premium maple era)
- **Trick Drums Custom** — 2013–present (aluminum shell era)
- **Paiste** — throughout entire career (2002 → RUDE → Signature → RUDE/Masters mix)
- **DW 5000/9000** — 1981–2013 (pedal partnership)
- **Trick Pro 1-V Bigfoot** — 2013–present (current pedal)
- **Vic Firth Signature** — 1995–present (30+ year signature partnership)

---

## FAQ

**Q: What drum kit did Dave Lombardo use on Reign in Blood?**
A: Dave recorded Reign in Blood (1986) with a Pearl BLX Series kit featuring birch shells — 24" kick drum with 10", 12", 14", and 16" toms. The snare was a Pearl Free-Floating Steel 14"×6.5", giving maximum crack and attack. Cymbals were Paiste RUDE series, and he used the DW 5000 Turbo double pedal.

**Q: What drum kit did Dave Lombardo use on Show No Mercy?**
A: For Show No Mercy (1983) and Slayer's earliest recordings, Dave played a Tama Imperialstar — an affordable Japanese beginner kit with a 22" kick and 12", 13", 16" toms — with Paiste 2002 cymbals. The DW 5000 pedal was his essential tool for the double bass technique he was developing.

**Q: Why is Dave Lombardo called the Godfather of Double Bass?**
A: Lombardo pioneered the use of double bass drumming at extreme thrash metal speeds beginning in 1981. His work on Show No Mercy (1983) and especially Reign in Blood (1986) established the machine-gun double bass patterns that became the template for all subsequent extreme metal drumming. His 1986 performance on "Angel of Death" and "Raining Blood" is widely cited as the definitive thrash drum recording.

**Q: What pedal does Dave Lombardo use?**
A: From the early 1980s through 2013, Dave used DW pedals — starting with the DW 5000 (which defined the thrash metal bass drum sound) and later upgrading to the DW 9000. Since 2013, he has played the Trick Pro 1-V Bigfoot direct drive double pedal.

**Q: What cymbals has Dave Lombardo used throughout his career?**
A: Lombardo has been loyal to Paiste for his entire career. He began with Paiste 2002 during the Show No Mercy era (1981–1985), switched to Paiste RUDE for the Reign in Blood era (1986–1992) for added cut and aggression, upgraded to the Paiste Signature series during the DW era (1995–2010), and currently uses a mix of Paiste RUDE and Masters series.

**Q: When did Dave Lombardo join and leave Slayer?**
A: Dave Lombardo was a founding member of Slayer (1981). He left the band in 1986 (returning in 1987 for South of Heaven), departed again in 1992, returned in 2001, and left for the final time in 2013. His tenures covered the band's most influential recordings including Reign in Blood, South of Heaven, Seasons in the Abyss, Christ Illusion, and World Painted Blood.

**Q: What bands does Dave Lombardo currently play with?**
A: As of 2026, Dave Lombardo is active with multiple projects. He has been a member of Dead Cross (with Mike Patton), has played with Suicidal Tendencies, and participated in the Mr. Bungle reunion in 2020. He is one of the most active senior figures in extreme metal.

---

## Related Pages

- [Dave Lombardo Drummer Profile](/llms/drummers/dave-lombardo.md)
- [Slayer Band Profile](/llms/bands.md)
- [Paiste Cymbals Brand Guide](/llms/brands/paiste.md)
- [Metal Drumming Facts & Stats](/llms/facts.md)