---
name: "Lars Ulrich"
band: "Metallica"
page_type: "gear_evolution"
profile_url: "https://metalforge.io/drummers/lars-ulrich"
evolution_url: "https://metalforge.io/drummers/lars-ulrich/evolution"
source: "https://metalforge.io"
last_updated: "2026-06-20"
---

# Lars Ulrich Drum Kit Evolution — Complete Timeline

Lars Ulrich co-founded Metallica with James Hetfield in 1981 and has been playing drums for over 40 years. His gear journey traces the arc of thrash metal itself — from borrowed, beat-up budget kits in Los Angeles clubs to custom Tama Starclassic rigs in stadiums worldwide. This timeline documents every major equipment era, era-by-era.

See also: [Lars Ulrich drummer profile](/llms/drummers/lars-ulrich.md)

---

## Kill 'Em All Era (1981–1984)

**Albums:** Kill 'Em All (1983), Ride the Lightning (1984)
**Tours:** Kill 'Em All for One Tour, Ride the Lightning Tour

Lars began with whatever he could afford. The Camco kit was famously unreliable on the road. He later transitioned to a Tama Swingstar for the early club touring period.

- **Drums:** Camco Drums (later Tama Swingstar) — basic 5-piece: 22" kick, 12"/13"/16" toms
- **Snare:** Camco 14"×5.5" Chrome steel snare
- **Cymbals:** Zildjian A Series — 14" hi-hats, 16"/18" crashes, 20" ride
- **Hardware:** Mixed budget hardware, single bass pedal
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth 5B hickory
- **Heads:** Remo Ambassador (clear on toms, coated on snare)
- **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$2,500

**Key developments:**
- First professional drum kit purchase
- Developed the aggressive thrash style that would define a genre
- Playing speed increased dramatically during this period
- Single bass pedal — double bass came later

> "I wasn't the best drummer, but I had the most passion. The gear didn't matter — the energy did." — *Modern Drummer Interview, 1985*

---

## Master of Puppets Era (1985–1988)

**Albums:** Master of Puppets (1986), ...And Justice for All (1988)
**Tours:** Damage, Inc. Tour; Damaged Justice Tour

Lars secured his first Tama endorsement in 1985. The Tama Artstar II birch shells delivered a punchy, focused tone that became synonymous with the thrash metal sound of the period. Heavier sticks and double-ply heads reflected the move to larger venues.

- **Drums:** Tama Artstar II (birch shells) — 24" kick, 10"/12"/14"/16" toms *(switch from Camco/Swingstar)*
- **Snare:** Tama Artstar II 14"×6.5" (birch shell, die-cast hoops) *(upgrade)*
- **Cymbals:** Zildjian A Custom — 14" New Beat hi-hats, 17"/18"/19" crashes, 22" ride *(upgrade)*
- **Hardware:** Tama Titan heavy-duty stands, Iron Cobra pedals *(switch)*
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth 2B hickory *(upgrade — heavier for larger venues)*
- **Heads:** Remo Emperor double-ply *(upgrade — more durable for aggressive playing)*
- **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$8,000

**Key developments:**
- Tama endorsement begins (1985) — first major gear partnership
- Upgraded to professional-grade hardware for touring
- Double bass pedal becomes a standard part of the rig
- Larger tom sizes for a bigger, more arena-ready sound

> "The Tama kit finally gave me the sound I heard in my head. It was like going from a bicycle to a Ferrari." — *Tama Drums Interview, 1987*

---

## The Black Album Era (1989–1996)

**Albums:** Metallica (The Black Album) (1991), Load (1996)
**Tours:** Wherever We May Roam Tour; Load Tour

Producer Bob Rock pushed Metallica toward a cleaner, more arena-ready sound. The result was a tighter kit configuration and one of the most iconic snare sounds in metal history — the Tama Bell Brass. Lars also launched his first signature product, the Ahead aluminum drumstick.

- **Drums:** Tama Granstar Custom (maple/basswood shells) — 22" kick, 10"/12"/14"/16" toms *(upgrade)*
- **Snare:** Tama Bell Brass 14"×6.5" (seamless bell brass shell) *(switch — the Black Album snare)*
- **Cymbals:** Zildjian Z Custom — 14" Z Dyno Beat hi-hats, 18"/19" Z Customs, 22" ride *(switch — brighter for arenas)*
- **Hardware:** Tama Iron Cobra HP900 Power Glide double pedal *(upgrade)*
- **Sticks:** Ahead Lars Ulrich Signature (aluminum alloy with replaceable tips) *(signature — first signature product)*
- **Heads:** Remo Pinstripe (controlled, punchy, less ring) *(switch — tighter drum sound)*
- **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$15,000

**Key developments:**
- Bell Brass snare delivers the iconic Black Album crack
- Ahead aluminum stick endorsement begins (1991) — first signature product
- Smaller, more focused kit configuration for cleaner studio sound
- Setup designed for arena and stadium touring at scale

> "The Black Album changed everything. We had to step up the production, and the drums had to be perfect." — *Classic Albums Documentary, 1991*

---

## St. Anger / Death Magnetic Era (2001–2008)

**Albums:** St. Anger (2003), Death Magnetic (2008)
**Tours:** Madly in Anger with the World Tour; World Magnetic Tour

The most controversial era of Lars's career. The St. Anger snare — a steel drum with the snare wires detuned and loosened — became one of the most debated production choices in metal history. Death Magnetic (2008) marked a return to the punchy traditional sound, with Emperor heads replacing the Pinstripe.

- **Drums:** Tama Starclassic Maple — 22" kick, 10"/12"/14"/16" toms *(upgrade — premium maple shells)*
- **Snare:** Tama Steel 14"×5.5" with snare wires detuned/off *(switch — the infamous "trash can" sound)*
- **Cymbals:** Zildjian A Custom — 14" A Custom hi-hats, various crashes, 22" ride *(switch back to A Custom)*
- **Hardware:** Tama Iron Cobra HP900 (continued)
- **Sticks:** Ahead Lars Ulrich Signature (aluminum alloy, continued)
- **Heads:** Remo Emperor *(switch back — Death Magnetic restored the punch)*
- **Estimated kit cost (original):** ~$18,000

**Key developments:**
- Starclassic Maple becomes the primary touring kit
- St. Anger snare remains one of metal's most polarizing production decisions
- Death Magnetic (2008) returns to the classic aggressive drum sound
- Continued Iron Cobra loyalty throughout both albums

> "People either love or hate the St. Anger snare. I don't care — it was the sound we wanted at that moment." — *Rolling Stone Interview, 2003*

---

## Modern Era (2016–Present)

**Albums:** Hardwired...to Self-Destruct (2016), 72 Seasons (2023)
**Tours:** WorldWired Tour; M72 World Tour

After more than four decades behind the kit, Lars's current setup is the most refined of his career. The LU1465 signature snare, developed with Tama, has become his definitive drum sound. An electronic Roland SPD-SX sampling pad was added for consistent live triggering.

- **Drums:** Tama Starclassic Maple (custom black finish) — 22"×18" kick, 10"×8", 12"×9", 16"×14" toms
- **Snare:** Tama LU1465 Lars Ulrich Signature (14"×6.5" steel, die-cast hoops) *(signature)*
- **Cymbals:** Zildjian A Custom Series — 14" Dyno Beat hi-hats, 17"/18"/19" crashes, 22" ride
- **Hardware:** Tama Iron Cobra 900 Power Glide double pedal with Speed Cobra beaters
- **Sticks:** Ahead Lars Ulrich Signature (aluminum alloy with polyurethane covers, 30+ year partnership)
- **Heads:** Remo Emperor on toms, Ambassador on snare
- **Electronics:** Roland SPD-SX Sampling Pad *(new — for samples and click track)*
- **Estimated kit cost:** ~$25,000

**Key developments:**
- LU1465 signature snare becomes the definitive Lars Ulrich sound
- Roland SPD-SX added for consistent live performance
- Setup optimized for global stadium tours
- Most sonically refined configuration of his entire career

> "After 40 years, I finally have the exact setup I want. It took a long time, but every piece is exactly right." — *Modern Drummer Interview, 2023*

---

## Career Cost Overview

| Era | Years | Kit Cost (Original) | Inflation-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kill 'Em All Era | 1981–1984 | $2,500 | ~$7,500 |
| Master of Puppets Era | 1985–1988 | $8,000 | ~$22,000 |
| Black Album Era | 1989–1996 | $15,000 | ~$35,000 |
| St. Anger Era | 2001–2008 | $18,000 | ~$30,000 |
| Modern Era | 2016–present | $25,000 | ~$25,000 |

---

## Gear Brand Partnerships Timeline

- **Camco / Tama Swingstar** — 1981–1984 (budget era)
- **Tama Artstar II** — 1985–1988 (first major endorsement)
- **Tama Granstar Custom / Ahead Sticks** — 1989–2000 (Black Album era)
- **Tama Starclassic Maple** — 2001–present (continuing)
- **Tama LU1465 Signature Snare** — 2016–present
- **Zildjian** — throughout career (A Series → A Custom → Z Custom → A Custom)
- **Ahead Drumsticks** — 1991–present (30+ year signature partnership)

---

## FAQ

**Q: When did Lars Ulrich get his first Tama endorsement?**
A: Lars's first major Tama endorsement began in 1985 when he switched to the Tama Artstar II birch shell kit for the Master of Puppets era. Before that, he played Camco drums and then a Tama Swingstar during the Kill 'Em All period (1981–1984).

**Q: What drum kit did Lars Ulrich use on Master of Puppets?**
A: Lars used a Tama Artstar II with birch shells — 24" kick drum with 10", 12", 14", and 16" toms — paired with Zildjian A Custom cymbals and Tama Titan hardware. This was his first professional Tama endorsement.

**Q: What is the St. Anger snare sound and why does it sound different?**
A: For St. Anger (2003), Lars used a Tama steel snare with the snare wires deliberately detuned and loosened, creating the distinctive metallic "trash can" ringing tone. This was a deliberate production choice made with producer Bob Rock. On Death Magnetic (2008) Lars returned to a conventional snare sound with Remo Emperor heads.

**Q: What snare drum does Lars Ulrich currently play?**
A: Lars currently plays the Tama LU1465 Lars Ulrich Signature snare — a 14"×6.5" steel-shell drum with die-cast hoops, introduced in the Modern Era (2016–present).

**Q: When did Lars Ulrich get his signature drumstick deal with Ahead?**
A: Lars's Ahead aluminum signature drumstick was introduced around 1991 during the Black Album era. The partnership has continued for over 30 years; the current model features an aluminum alloy shaft with polyurethane covers.

**Q: What cymbals does Lars Ulrich use?**
A: Lars has used Zildjian throughout his career. His current setup is Zildjian A Custom Series: 14" Dyno Beat hi-hats, 17", 18", and 19" A Custom crashes, and a 22" ride. During the Black Album era (1989–1996) he used the Zildjian Z Custom series for extra volume in arenas.

**Q: Did Lars Ulrich ever switch away from Tama?**
A: Lars has been with Tama for the majority of his professional career. He has not had a major endorsement with Pearl or another drum brand. During the Load era (1996), some reports mention Pearl, but his documented kits throughout the 1990s and 2000s remain Tama models.

---

## Related Pages

- [Lars Ulrich Drummer Profile](/llms/drummers/lars-ulrich.md)
- [Kill 'Em All Album Article](/llms/articles/kill-em-all.md)
- [Master of Puppets Album Article](/llms/articles/master-of-puppets.md)
- [Metallica Band Profile](/llms/bands.md)
- [Tama Drums Brand Guide](/llms/brands/tama.md)
- [Zildjian Cymbals Brand Guide](/llms/brands/zildjian.md)