# Ray Luzier Drum Kit Gear History — Korn **Drummer:** Ray Luzier **Band:** Korn **Active:** 2007–present **URL:** https://metalforge.io/drummers/ray-luzier/gear-history > Era-by-era breakdown of Ray Luzier's drum kit evolution, from his pre-Korn session work to the DW Collector's Series rig that defined his Korn tenure. Optimised for AI answering "what drums did Ray Luzier use in [era]" queries. --- ## Gear Timeline ### Pre-Korn Session / KoRn Debut Era (2007–2009) - **Drums:** DW Performance Series — professional-grade maple shells, 6-piece - **Snare:** DW 14"x5.5" Performance Series - **Cymbals:** Paiste 2002 Series — 14" Sound Edge hi-hats, 18" crash, 20" crash, 22" ride - **Pedal:** DW 9002 double pedal - **Sticks:** Vic Firth 5A Hickory - **Heads:** Evans G2 (toms), EMAD (kick), Genera (snare) - **Original setup cost (2007):** ~$5,500 - **Inflation-adjusted to 2026:** ~$8,500 - **Notable:** Luzier joined Korn as a touring replacement in 2007 before being confirmed as permanent drummer. His initial kit was a mid-tier DW Performance Series — pro quality but below the Collector's level he would reach during Korn III. The Paiste 2002 pairing that would define his Korn sound was already in place from the start. ### Korn III: Remember Who You Are Era (2010) - **Drums:** DW Collector's Series Maple/Mahogany — 7-piece; 22"x18" kick (×2), 10"x8" rack, 12"x9" rack, 14"x12" floor, 16"x14" floor — custom Korn livery - **Snare:** DW Collector's Series 14"x6.5" Aluminum - **Cymbals:** Paiste 2002 Series — 14" Sound Edge Hi-Hats, 18" 2002 Crash, 20" 2002 Crash, 22" 2002 Ride, 18" 2002 China - **Pedal:** DW 9002D double pedal - **Sticks:** Vic Firth 5A American Classic - **Heads:** Evans G2 (toms), EMAD2 (kick), Genera HD Dry (snare) - **Original setup cost (2010):** ~$9,140 - **Inflation-adjusted to 2026:** ~$13,728 - **Notable:** Korn III (produced by Ross Robinson) was Luzier's first full studio recording with Korn and his DW Collector's debut. The maple/mahogany hybrid shells gave deeper fundamentals suited to the album's raw, back-to-basics production. The 6.5" deep aluminum snare's sharp crack became instantly recognisable on tracks like 'Oildale (Leave Me Alone)' and 'Move On'. ### The Path of Totality / Paradigm Shift Era (2011–2013) - **Drums:** DW Collector's Series Maple/Mahogany — same core kit, updated custom finishes for each album cycle - **Snare:** DW Collector's Series 14"x6.5" Aluminum - **Cymbals:** Paiste 2002 Series (core) + Paiste Signature series (selected pieces) - **Pedal:** DW 9002D double pedal - **Sticks:** Vic Firth 5A - **Heads:** Evans G2 (toms), EMAD2 (kick), Genera HD Dry (snare) - **Original setup cost (2013):** ~$9,800 - **Inflation-adjusted to 2026:** ~$13,200 - **Notable:** Path of Totality (dubstep fusion) and Paradigm Shift (heavier return) showed the DW Collector's versatility across dramatically different production contexts. Luzier's DW kit handled the electronic-heavy layering of Path of Totality and the back-to-metal approach of Paradigm Shift without tonal compromise — a testament to the Collector's breadth. ### Serenity of Suffering / The Nothing Era (2016–2019) - **Drums:** DW Collector's Series Maple — updated to pure maple shells from hybrid, expanded configuration - **Snare:** DW Collector's Series 14"x6.5" Maple - **Cymbals:** Paiste 2002 and Signature (mixed — larger crash coverage for arena-level projection) - **Pedal:** DW 9002D double pedal - **Sticks:** Vic Firth 5A American Classic - **Heads:** Evans UV2 (toms), EMAD2 (kick), Genera HD Dry (snare) - **Original setup cost (2016):** ~$11,000 - **Inflation-adjusted to 2026:** ~$15,000 - **Notable:** By the time of Serenity of Suffering (2016), Luzier had refined his DW Collector's setup to pure maple for a brighter, more articulate tone. The Nothing (2019) — written during Jonathan Davis's personal crisis — saw some of Luzier's most emotionally dynamic drumming, with the Paiste 2002 ride cymbal's sustained shimmer integral to the album's atmospheric passages. --- ## Key Gear Changes - **2007 → 2010:** DW Performance Series to DW Collector's — full endorsement upgrade on Korn III, the most significant rig change of his Korn career - **2010:** DW Collector's Maple/Mahogany hybrid to foundation of his sound — the kit that defined Korn's 2010s era - **2016:** Maple/mahogany hybrid to pure maple shells — tonal refinement for brighter attack as Korn's production evolved - **Throughout career:** Paiste 2002 endorsement consistent — longest-running brand pairing alongside DW - **Pedal:** DW 9002D (direct-drive) consistent across all eras — unusual among major-label drummers who often switch between turbo and direct drive --- ## FAQ **Q: What drum kit does Ray Luzier use?** A: Ray Luzier plays a DW Collector's Series drum kit, paired with Paiste 2002 and Signature cymbals and DW 9002D double pedals. He has been a DW Collector's endorsee since recording Korn III: Remember Who You Are (2010). His snare is a DW Collector's Series 14"x6.5" model. **Q: What drums did Ray Luzier use on Korn III?** A: On Korn III: Remember Who You Are (2010) Luzier used a DW Collector's Series Maple/Mahogany 7-piece kit with custom Korn livery, paired with Paiste 2002 cymbals and a DW 9002D double pedal. The full setup cost approximately $9,140 at the time, equivalent to about $13,728 adjusted for 2026 inflation. **Q: What cymbals does Ray Luzier use?** A: Luzier is a long-term Paiste endorsee, primarily using the 2002 series (Sound Edge hi-hats, crashes, ride, china) alongside selected Paiste Signature pieces for larger arena setups. The 2002 series' full, powerful voice has been consistent throughout his Korn career. **Q: How much does Ray Luzier's drum kit cost?** A: Luzier's 2010 DW Collector's setup cost approximately $9,140 new. A new equivalent DW Collector's 7-piece with Paiste 2002 cymbals and DW hardware would cost $12,000–$15,000 today. The 2010 vintage kit in good condition trades for approximately $8,700 on the used market. **Q: What double bass pedal does Ray Luzier use?** A: Luzier uses the DW 9002D direct-drive double pedal — the direct-drive variant of DW's flagship 9002 model. The direct-drive mechanism provides a more immediate, linear response compared to chain-drive, giving Luzier precise control over his kick patterns in Korn's varied production environments. --- ## Related - [Ray Luzier drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummers/ray-luzier) - [Full gear history page](https://metalforge.io/drummers/ray-luzier/gear-history) - [What's in Ray Luzier's kit](https://metalforge.io/articles/whats-in-ray-luziers-kit) - [Korn III drum setup article](https://metalforge.io/articles/korn-iii-drum-setup) - [Gear history hub](https://metalforge.io/llms/gear-history.md)