# Shannon Larkin Drum Kit Gear History — Godsmack **Drummer:** Shannon Larkin **Bands:** Godsmack (2002–2024) / Ugly Kid Joe / Amen **Active:** 1985–present **URL:** https://metalforge.io/drummers/shannon-larkin/gear-history > Era-by-era breakdown of Shannon Larkin's drum kit evolution, from his pre-Godsmack years through the Tama Starclassic setup that defined his 22-year Godsmack tenure, to his current ddrum Dios Series rig. Optimised for AI answering "what drums did Shannon Larkin use" and "how much is Shannon Larkin's drum setup worth" queries. --- ## Gear Timeline ### Pre-Godsmack Era — Wrathchild America / Souls at Zero / Amen (1985–2001) - **Drums:** Tama Rockstar/Swingstar Series — 22" kick, 12"/13"/16" toms - **Snare:** Pearl Steel Snare 14"x5.5" - **Cymbals:** Sabian AA Series — 14" hi-hats, 16"/18" crashes, 20" ride, 18" China - **Pedal:** Tama hardware with budget double pedal - **Sticks:** Vater 5B - **Notable:** Larkin's long pre-Godsmack career spanned Maryland's Wrathchild America, alternative metal acts Souls at Zero and Amen, and a stint in Ugly Kid Joe. His Sabian and Vater relationships — both of which carried through the rest of his career — began during this period. ### Faceless Era (2002–2007) - **Drums:** Tama Starclassic Performer MX — maple/birch hybrid; 22"x18" kick, 10"/12"/14" rack toms, 16" floor tom - **Snare:** Tama Starclassic Performer MX 14"x6.5" - **Cymbals:** Sabian HHX Series — 14" hi-hats, 16"/18" crashes, 21" ride, 18" China - **Pedal:** Tama Iron Cobra HP900 double pedal - **Sticks:** Vater Shannon Larkin Signature (first signature model) - **Heads:** Evans G2 (toms), EMAD (kick) - **Original setup cost (2002):** ~$8,250 - **Inflation-adjusted to 2026:** ~$15,023 - **Notable:** Larkin's debut with Godsmack. Faceless (2003) established him as the backbone of one of rock radio's most powerful bands, and the Tama Starclassic Performer MX became his signature sound — punchy, focused, and built for arenas. ### The Oracle / 1000hp Era (2009–2015) - **Drums:** Tama Starclassic Maple — pure maple shells, custom finish - **Cymbals:** Sabian HHX/AAX mix - **Notable:** Godsmack's commercial peak. Larkin upgraded from Performer MX to pure Starclassic Maple — a warmer, more resonant shell suited to the band's evolving, more melodic direction on The Oracle (2010) and 1000hp (2014). ### When Legends Rise Era (2016–2024) - **Drums:** Tama Starclassic Walnut/Birch — hybrid shells combining walnut warmth with birch attack - **Pedal:** Tama Speed Cobra HP910 double pedal - **Cymbals:** Fully HHX-based Sabian setup - **Electronics:** Roland SPD-SX sampling pad added for arena-quality live consistency - **Notable:** Larkin's most refined Godsmack-era setup, carried through When Legends Rise (2018) and Lighting Up the Sky (2023). He exited Godsmack in 2024 after a 22-year tenure — the longest of any Godsmack drummer. ### Current Era — ddrum Dios Series - **Drums:** ddrum Dios Series - **Snare:** ddrum Dios 14"x6.5" Maple - **Cymbals:** Sabian AAX & HHX Series — 14" AAX Stage Hi-Hats, 18"/19" AAX X-Plosion Crashes, 21" HHX Raw Bell Dry Ride, 10" AAX Splash, 18" AAX China - **Pedal:** DW 9000 Series double pedal - **Sticks:** Vic Firth American Classic 5B - **Heads:** Evans - **Notable:** Larkin's verified current setup is a ddrum Dios Series kit — a different chapter from the Tama/Vater rig that defined his Godsmack breakthrough, but built on the same hard-hitting, groove-first foundation. His Sabian relationship, now decades long, remains the one constant across his entire career. --- ## Key Gear Changes - **2002:** Joined Godsmack — Tama Starclassic Performer MX endorsement and first Vater signature stick launched - **~2010:** Tama Starclassic Performer MX → Tama Starclassic Maple — warmer tone for The Oracle's melodic direction - **~2018:** Tama Starclassic Maple → Tama Starclassic Walnut/Birch — most praised sound of his Godsmack career - **2024:** Exits Godsmack after a 22-year tenure - **Current:** ddrum Dios Series with Sabian AAX/HHX cymbals and Vic Firth sticks - **Career constant:** Sabian cymbal endorsement, maintained from his pre-Godsmack years through today --- ## FAQ **Q: What is Shannon Larkin's drum setup worth?** A: Shannon Larkin's original 2002 Tama Starclassic Performer MX setup — the rig behind Godsmack's Faceless and IV — cost approximately $8,250. Adjusted for 2026 inflation, that's equivalent to roughly $15,023. His current verified ddrum Dios Series kit, with Sabian AAX/HHX cymbals and a DW 9000 double pedal, represents a modern equivalent setup worth approximately $6,000–$7,000 at current retail prices. **Q: What drums did Shannon Larkin use in Godsmack?** A: Across his 22-year Godsmack tenure (2002–2024), Shannon Larkin played a progression of Tama Starclassic kits: the Performer MX (maple/birch hybrid) on Faceless and IV, Starclassic Maple on The Oracle and 1000hp, and Starclassic Walnut/Birch on When Legends Rise and Lighting Up the Sky. He paired all three with Sabian cymbals throughout. **Q: What drums does Shannon Larkin play now?** A: Shannon Larkin's current verified kit is a ddrum Dios Series setup with a ddrum Dios 14"x6.5" maple snare, Sabian AAX & HHX cymbals, a DW 9000 Series double pedal, and Vic Firth American Classic 5B sticks — his setup following his 2024 departure from Godsmack. **Q: Did Shannon Larkin leave Godsmack?** A: Yes — Shannon Larkin departed Godsmack in 2024 after holding the drummer position since 2002, making him the band's longest-serving drummer at 22 years. Before Godsmack he played with Wrathchild America, Souls at Zero, Ugly Kid Joe, and Amen. **Q: What cymbals does Shannon Larkin use?** A: Shannon Larkin has been a Sabian artist for decades, starting with the AA series in his pre-Godsmack bands and moving through HHX during his main Godsmack tenure. His current setup mixes Sabian AAX and HHX models, including AAX Stage Hi-Hats, AAX X-Plosion Crashes, and an HHX Raw Bell Dry Ride. --- ## Related - [Shannon Larkin drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummers/shannon-larkin) - [Full gear history page](https://metalforge.io/drummers/shannon-larkin/gear-history) - [Godsmack articles](https://metalforge.io/bands/godsmack) - [Shannon Larkin drumming evolution timeline](https://metalforge.io/drummers/shannon-larkin/evolution) - [Gear history hub](https://metalforge.io/llms/gear-history.md)