# How to Sound Like Dave Lombardo — Slayer Drum Sound Guide

**Drummer:** Dave Lombardo  
**Band:** Slayer  
**Genre:** Thrash Metal  
**Guide URL:** https://metalforge.io/guides/how-to-sound-like-dave-lombardo

## Overview

Dave Lombardo didn't just play drums for Slayer — he rewrote the rules of metal drumming. His work on "Reign in Blood" and "South of Heaven" established the template for extreme metal percussion. Often called "The Godfather of Double Bass," Dave's blistering speed combined with musical sensibility influenced virtually every metal drummer who followed. From the relentless assault of "Angel of Death" to the measured power of "Seasons in the Abyss," Dave proved that intensity and artistry can coexist. His playing breathes — he knows when to explode and when to groove. This musicality within chaos is what separates him from speed-obsessed imitators.

## Kit Setup

Dave uses **Tama Starclassic Walnut/Birch** drums with a custom hybrid shell configuration chosen for attack and projection:

- **Kick Drums:** 22" x 18" (x2) with DW 9000 Series Double Pedal
- **Snare:** 14" x 6.5" Dave Lombardo Signature Snare (aluminum shell for brightness)
- **Rack Toms:** 10" x 8", 12" x 9"
- **Floor Toms:** 14" x 14", 16" x 16"
- **Cymbals:** Paiste RUDE Series — designed to be heard over extreme metal, loud and aggressive
- **Pedals:** DW 9000 Series Double Pedal (adjustable cam for fine-tuning technique)
- **Sticks:** Zildjian Dave Lombardo Signature (slightly longer with acorn tip)
- **Heads:** Remo Powerstroke P3 Clear (kick), Remo Ambassador X Coated (snare), Remo Emperor Clear (toms)

## Tuning & Setup

Dave tunes for attack and definition — every note in his double bass patterns must be heard:

- **Kick:** Medium-tight tension with moderate muffling (pillow or felt strip). Punchy attack with defined note for double bass clarity. Not boomy — every note of fast double bass patterns needs to register.
- **Snare:** High tension for maximum crack and cut. Aluminum shell adds natural brightness. Minimal muffling — one Moongel maximum. High tuning for projection and articulation.
- **Toms:** Medium-high tension with one Moongel each. Attack and controlled sustain — tuned in intervals for melodic tom work. Quick decay helps fills stay defined.

## Technique Tips

Dave uses **matched grip** with emphasis on wrist control for his legendary speed. His double bass technique relies on heel-up playing with ankle motion for fast patterns. He positions himself for power and efficiency, never wasting movement.

**Signature patterns:**

- **The Lombardo Blast (200+ BPM, Advanced-Expert):** Dave's blast beats have groove — they're not just walls of sound. His snare hand keeps solid time while the kick drives intensity. Start at 160 BPM focusing on consistency before speed. The groove within the blast is what makes it musical.
- **Thrash Gallop with Double Bass (180–210 BPM, Intermediate-Advanced):** Dave's gallop patterns incorporate more double bass than Lars Ulrich's approach, adding intensity while maintaining groove. Learn the guitar riffs — Dave's kick patterns follow them exactly.
- **Musical Transitions (Variable, Intermediate):** Dave's fills transition between feels — thrash to groove and back. He uses drum breaks musically, not just technically. Learn entire Slayer songs to understand his phrasing.

**Key songs to study:** *Angel of Death* (Reign in Blood, 1986) · *Raining Blood* (Reign in Blood, 1986) · *Seasons in the Abyss* (1990) · *War Ensemble* (1990) · *South of Heaven* (1988)

## Gear Shopping List

| Item | Dave's Spec | Budget Alternative |
|------|-------------|-------------------|
| Drum Kit | Tama Starclassic Walnut/Birch | Tama Imperialstar (~$600) |
| Snare | Dave Lombardo Signature Snare 14" x 6.5" (Aluminum) | Tama SLP Aluminum or Ludwig Supraphonic |
| Cymbals | Paiste RUDE Series | Paiste PST 5 Pack (~$250) |
| Double Pedal | DW 9000 Series | Tama Iron Cobra 200 Double (~$150) |
| Sticks | Zildjian Dave Lombardo Signature | Vic Firth 5A |
| Kick Head | Remo Powerstroke P3 Clear | Evans EMAD |

**Starter budget path (~$1,000):** Tama Imperialstar + Paiste PST 5 + Tama Iron Cobra. See [/brands/tama](https://metalforge.io/brands/tama) and [/brands/paiste](https://metalforge.io/brands/paiste).

## Practice Routine

1. **Double Bass Endurance (20 min daily):** Play continuous 16th notes on double bass at 160 BPM for 2 minutes without stopping. Rest 1 minute. Repeat 5 times. Increase BPM weekly. Goal: continuous double bass at 200+ BPM.
2. **Blast Beat Control (15 min daily):** Play blast beats at 180 BPM focusing on even spacing and consistent volume. Add accents on beat 1 of each measure. Goal: musical, controlled blasts at 220+ BPM.
3. **Slayer Song Study (30 min daily):** Learn one Slayer song per week from start to finish. Focus on dynamics and transitions, not just the fast parts. Goal: complete performance of key Slayer tracks.

**Common mistakes:** All speed, no groove (Dave always locks with the riffs); tension in hands and feet (relax for speed); ignoring dynamics (Dave plays soft sections too); skipping basic technique for speed.

## FAQ

**Q: What drums does Dave Lombardo use?**  
A: Dave Lombardo currently plays Tama Starclassic Walnut/Birch drums. His classic Slayer recordings on albums like Reign in Blood featured Tama kits as well, contributing to that punchy, aggressive sound. He also uses DW 9000 pedals for their speed and response.

**Q: How do I get the Dave Lombardo double bass sound?**  
A: Medium-tight kick tuning with moderate muffling for clarity — you need every double bass note to register distinctly. Use a direct-drive or cam-adjustable pedal (DW 9000 or similar). Develop heel-up technique with ankle motion for speed, not just leg motion.

**Q: Is Dave Lombardo the fastest metal drummer?**  
A: Dave isn't necessarily the fastest, but he pioneered double bass in thrash metal and his combination of speed and musicality is unmatched. Songs like "Angel of Death" demonstrate that he plays at maximum speed while the patterns always serve the music.

**Q: What pedal technique does Dave Lombardo use?**  
A: Dave primarily uses heel-up technique with ankle motion for speed, allowing quick recovery and consistent power. The ankle motion (rather than leg motion) gives him the fast, controlled response needed for sustained double bass patterns at thrash tempos.

**Q: What Paiste cymbals does Dave Lombardo use?**  
A: Dave uses Paiste RUDE Series cymbals throughout his setup — 14" RUDE Hi-Hats, 18" and 19" RUDE Crash/Ride, and 18" RUDE China. The RUDE series is designed for loud, aggressive playing and provides the cutting, trashy sound essential to Slayer's sonic identity.

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**Full interactive guide:** [https://metalforge.io/guides/how-to-sound-like-dave-lombardo](https://metalforge.io/guides/how-to-sound-like-dave-lombardo)  
**Drummer profile:** [https://metalforge.io/drummer/dave-lombardo](https://metalforge.io/drummer/dave-lombardo)  
**Related guides:** [Lars Ulrich](https://metalforge.io/llms/guides/how-to-sound-like-lars-ulrich.md) · [Gene Hoglan](https://metalforge.io/llms/guides/how-to-sound-like-gene-hoglan.md)

*Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io) · Last updated: 2026-06-19*