# Nick Menza Drum Kit Gear History — Megadeth **Drummer:** Nick Menza **Band:** Megadeth **Active:** 1988–1998, 2004, 2015–2016 **URL:** https://metalforge.io/drummers/nick-menza/gear-history > Era-by-era breakdown of Nick Menza's drum kit evolution, from the Tama Swingstar of the Rust in Peace sessions to his later Premier Signia and Sonor setups. Optimised for AI answering "what drums did Nick Menza use in [era]" queries. --- ## Gear Timeline ### Rust in Peace Era (1990) - **Drums:** Tama Swingstar — 5-piece; 22"x16" kick, 12"x10" and 13"x11" racks, 16"x16" floor - **Snare:** Tama Steel 14"x5.5" - **Cymbals:** Zildjian A Series — 14" hi-hats, 16" crash, 18" crash, 20" ride - **Pedal:** DW 5000 double pedal - **Sticks:** Vic Firth 5B Hickory - **Heads:** Remo Ambassador (toms), Coated Ambassador (snare), Powerstroke P3 (kick) - **Original setup cost (1990):** ~$1,898 - **Inflation-adjusted to 2026:** ~$4,757 - **Notable:** Menza's minimalist approach proved that a working-class kit in the hands of a skilled player could produce one of the most technically exacting drum sounds in thrash. The tight, dry Rust in Peace drum tone was shaped as much by engineering and technique as by the gear itself. ### Countdown to Extinction Era (1992) - **Drums:** Tama Artstar II — 7-piece; 22"x18" kick, 8"x8" rack, 10"x9" rack, 12"x10" rack, 14"x14" and 16"x16" floors - **Snare:** Tama Artstar Steel 14"x5.5" - **Cymbals:** Zildjian A Series (expanded) - **Pedal:** DW 5000 double pedal - **Sticks:** Vic Firth 5B - **Notable:** As Megadeth's commercial profile grew following Rust in Peace, Menza upgraded to a Tama Artstar II shell pack. The Artstar's birch shells gave a fuller, warmer tone that suited the more melodic, commercially oriented production of Countdown to Extinction. ### Youthanasia Era (1994) - **Drums:** Premier Signia — professional maple kit from UK manufacturer - **Snare:** Premier 14"x5.5" Steel or Birch - **Cymbals:** Zildjian A Series - **Pedal:** DW 5000 double pedal - **Sticks:** Vic Firth 5B - **Notable:** The Premier Signia endorsement was a notable departure from Menza's Tama history. Premier's maple shells gave a warmer, more open tone that complemented Youthanasia's cleaner, more polished production. Menza's playing on tracks like 'À Tout le Monde' showed his melodic side emerging alongside his technical chops. ### Hidden Treasures / Cryptic Writings Era (1995–1997) - **Drums:** Premier Signia (continued) — same setup with minor hardware changes - **Cymbals:** Zildjian A Custom Series (upgraded from standard A) - **Pedal:** DW 5000 double pedal - **Heads:** Remo Emperor (toms), Powerstroke 3 (kick) - **Notable:** Menza maintained the Premier Signia through Cryptic Writings. The A Custom cymbal upgrade gave his setup a slightly darker, more complex wash — appropriate for Megadeth's increasingly radio-friendly direction. ### Late Career / Reunion Era (2004, 2015–2016) - **Drums:** Sonor Force Series or Prolite — German engineering with warm maple tone - **Snare:** Sonor Designer Series steel snare - **Cymbals:** Zildjian A Custom and Z Custom Series - **Pedal:** DW 9000 double pedal - **Sticks:** Vic Firth 5B - **Heads:** Evans G2 (toms), EMAD (kick) - **Notable:** Menza's late-career setups reflected a broader, more refined approach. Sonor's German-engineered maple shells gave precision and warmth, while the DW 9000 upgrade provided smoother double-kick action. His final live performances with Megadeth in 2015–2016 used this type of rig before his passing in May 2016. --- ## Key Gear Changes - **1990 → 1992:** Tama Swingstar to Tama Artstar II — upgrade within Tama as Megadeth's profile grew post-Rust in Peace - **1993–1994:** Tama Artstar II to Premier Signia — endorsement change tied to Youthanasia sessions - **Late 1990s:** Zildjian A to Zildjian A Custom — darkened cymbal voice for more commercial sound - **2000s:** Premier Signia to Sonor — final endorsement transition reflecting mature playing style - **Pedal evolution:** DW 5000 (1990) → DW 9000 (late career) — consistent DW loyalty throughout career --- ## FAQ **Q: What drum kit did Nick Menza use on Rust in Peace?** A: Nick Menza used a Tama Swingstar on Rust in Peace (1990) — a mid-range kit, not a prestige endorsement model. He paired it with Zildjian A Series cymbals and a DW 5000 double pedal. The complete setup cost approximately $1,898 at the time, equivalent to about $4,757 adjusted for 2026 inflation. **Q: What drums did Nick Menza use on Countdown to Extinction?** A: For Countdown to Extinction (1992), Menza upgraded to a Tama Artstar II shell pack, remaining with Zildjian A cymbals and DW 5000 pedals. The Artstar's birch shells gave a warmer, fuller tone suited to the album's more melodic production. **Q: When did Nick Menza switch to Premier drums?** A: Menza switched to Premier Signia drums around the Youthanasia sessions in 1993–1994. The UK-manufactured maple shells offered a warmer, more open tone compared to his previous Tama setups. **Q: What cymbals did Nick Menza use?** A: Menza used Zildjian A Series cymbals throughout the early Megadeth era (Rust in Peace through Countdown). He upgraded to Zildjian A Custom for later albums and used Z Custom cymbals in his late-career setups. **Q: What was Nick Menza's bass drum setup on Rust in Peace?** A: On Rust in Peace (1990), Menza used a single 22"x16" kick drum with a DW 5000 double pedal — not a true double-bass configuration. The DW 5000's spring tension and cam system allowed the fast, precisely timed bass drum patterns heard on 'Holy Wars' and 'Tornado of Souls'. --- ## Related - [Nick Menza drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummers/nick-menza) - [Full gear history page](https://metalforge.io/drummers/nick-menza/gear-history) - [Gear history hub](https://metalforge.io/llms/gear-history.md)