# Brann Dailor vs Gavin Harrison — Drum Kit Comparison

> Side-by-side gear comparison between Brann Dailor (Mastodon) and Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree / King Crimson).

**Category:** Progressive Metal · **URL:** https://metalforge.io/vs/brann-dailor-vs-gavin-harrison

Mastodon's Brann Dailor vs Porcupine Tree's Gavin Harrison. Prog-vs-Prog: Mastodon's jazz-chaos oddity meets Porcupine Tree and King Crimson complexity.

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## Brann Dailor Setup

- **Drums:** Tama Starclassic Performer B/B
- **Cymbals:** Meinl Byzance Series (14" Dark Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" Brilliant Heavy Hammered Crashes, 21" Ghost Ride, 18" Extra Dry China)
- **Snare:** Tama S.L.P. 14x6.5" G-Maple
- **Pedals/Hardware:** Tama Speed Cobra Double Pedal, Tama Iron Cobra Lever Glide Hi-Hat Stand, Tama 1st Chair Ergo-Rider Throne
- **Sticks:** Vater 5B

## Gavin Harrison Setup

- **Drums:** Sonor SQ2 Series
- **Cymbals:** Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Series (14" Hi-Hats, 16" & 18" Crashes, 21" Special Dry Ride, 18" Trash China)
- **Snare:** Sonor Gavin Harrison Signature 12"x5" and 14"x5.25"
- **Pedals/Hardware:** Sonor Perfect Balance Pedal, Sonor 600 Series Hardware
- **Sticks:** Vic Firth Gavin Harrison Signature

## Playing Style

Brann brings jazz-informed, free-flowing chaos to Mastodon's progressive sludge — relentless fills that overflow every bar and melodic tom runs that sing over the riffs. Gavin constructs sophisticated polyrhythmic grooves for Porcupine Tree and King Crimson with restrained precision and masterful ghost note work.

## Technique

Brann treats the entire kit as a melodic instrument, using his snare and toms to carry melody lines through constant motion fills that define Mastodon's sound. Gavin weaves intricate polyrhythmic patterns through odd time signatures with economy and sophistication, prioritizing musical feel over spectacle.

## Key Differences

Brann plays Tama Starclassic Performer B/B with Meinl Byzance cymbals for a warm, musical tone. Gavin uses Sonor SQ2 Series drums with Zildjian K Custom Special Dry cymbals for a dry, controlled sound. Brann's approach is constant motion and melodic chaos; Gavin's is restrained polyrhythmic sophistication.

## Influence & Legacy

Brann helped define progressive sludge metal with Mastodon, influencing a generation to treat drum fills as melodic statements rather than technical transitions. Gavin elevated Porcupine Tree, King Crimson, and The Pineapple Thief — earning multiple Modern Drummer awards and a global reputation as the prog drummer's drummer.

## Verdict

Brann Dailor is jazz chaos personified — his fills are the melody and his kit is a second lead instrument. Gavin Harrison is refined polyrhythmic mastery — subtle, sophisticated, and deeply musical. The contrast between Mastodon's dense oddity and Porcupine Tree's intellectual complexity makes this the ultimate Prog-vs-Prog drumming debate.

## FAQ

**Q: What are the main differences between Brann Dailor's and Gavin Harrison's drum kits?**
A: Brann Dailor plays Tama Starclassic Performer B/B with Meinl Byzance cymbals, while Gavin Harrison uses Sonor SQ2 Series drums with Zildjian K Custom Special Dry cymbals. Brann favors a warm, musical tone for melodic fills; Gavin prefers a dry, controlled sound for polyrhythmic precision.

**Q: What drums does Brann Dailor play vs Gavin Harrison?**
A: Brann Dailor plays Tama Starclassic Performer B/B. Gavin Harrison plays Sonor SQ2 Series in custom finishes.

**Q: Who is the better progressive metal drummer, Brann Dailor or Gavin Harrison?**
A: Both are legends in their own right. Brann Dailor is jazz chaos incarnate in progressive sludge metal; Gavin Harrison is polyrhythmic sophistication personified in progressive rock. See the full analysis at [metalforge.io/vs/brann-dailor-vs-gavin-harrison](https://metalforge.io/vs/brann-dailor-vs-gavin-harrison).

**Q: What cymbals do Brann Dailor and Gavin Harrison use?**
A: Brann Dailor uses Meinl Byzance Series (14" Dark Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" Brilliant Heavy Hammered Crashes, 21" Ghost Ride, 18" Extra Dry China). Gavin Harrison uses Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Series (14" Hi-Hats, 16" & 18" Crashes, 21" Special Dry Ride, 18" Trash China).

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*Full comparison: [metalforge.io/vs/brann-dailor-vs-gavin-harrison](https://metalforge.io/vs/brann-dailor-vs-gavin-harrison)*

*[Brann Dailor drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummer/brann-dailor)*
*[Gavin Harrison drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummer/gavin-harrison)*

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*Last updated: 2026-06-24 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*