# Dave Lombardo vs Nicko McBrain — Drum Kit Comparison > Side-by-side gear comparison between Dave Lombardo (Slayer) and Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden). **Category:** Thrash Metal · **URL:** https://metalforge.io/vs/dave-lombardo-vs-nicko-mcbrain Slayer's Dave Lombardo vs Iron Maiden's Nicko McBrain. Double bass thrash pioneering compared to classic NWOBHM galloping groove. Gear, technique, and legacy compared. --- ## Dave Lombardo Setup - **Drums:** Tama Starclassic Maple - **Cymbals:** Paiste RUDE & 2002 Series (15" Sound Edge Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" Crashes, 22" Reign Power Ride, 18" China) - **Snare:** Tama S.L.P. 14x6.5" G-Maple - **Pedals/Hardware:** Tama Iron Cobra 900 Double Pedal, Tama 1st Chair Throne - **Sticks:** Promark Dave Lombardo Signature 2Bx ## Nicko McBrain Setup - **Drums:** Sonor SQ2 Series - **Cymbals:** Paiste 2002 & Signature Series (14" Sound Edge Hi-Hats, 16" & 18" Power Crashes, 22" Power Ride, 20" China) - **Snare:** Sonor Nicko McBrain Signature 14x6.5" - **Pedals/Hardware:** Sonor 600 Series Hardware, Single Bass Drum Pedal - **Sticks:** Vic Firth Nicko McBrain Signature ## Playing Style Dave Lombardo, born in Cuba in 1965, became Slayer's original drummer and pioneered the double bass drumming style that defined thrash metal, with his work on "Reign in Blood" (1986) considered one of the most groundbreaking metal drum performances ever recorded. Nicko McBrain has been Iron Maiden's drummer since 1982, defining the band's galloping NWOBHM sound across "Piece of Mind" (1983), "Powerslave" (1984), and "Somewhere in Time" (1986) with a distinctive combination of speed, precision, and musicality. ## Technique Lombardo revolutionized thrash drumming with relentless, high-speed double bass patterns and surgical timing, a technique that directly influenced the emergence of death metal. McBrain is known for intricate hi-hat work and a powerful single bass drum technique — notably refusing to use a double bass pedal and instead achieving remarkable speed and complexity with a single pedal. ## Key Differences Lombardo plays a Tama Starclassic Maple kit with a Tama S.L.P. 14x6.5" G-Maple snare and Paiste RUDE & 2002 Series cymbals, driven by a Tama Iron Cobra 900 double pedal. McBrain plays a Sonor SQ2 Series kit with a Sonor Nicko McBrain Signature 14x6.5" snare and Paiste 2002 & Signature Series cymbals, powered by a single bass drum pedal on Sonor 600 Series hardware. Lombardo revolutionized thrash drumming with relentless, high-speed double bass patterns and surgical timing, a technique that directly influenced the emergence of death metal. McBrain is known for intricate hi-hat work and a powerful single bass drum technique — notably refusing to use a double bass pedal and instead achieving remarkable speed and complexity with a single pedal. ## Influence & Legacy Lombardo defined the Slayer sound that shaped virtually all of extreme metal drumming that followed, and has also played with Fantomas, Suicidal Tendencies, and Dead Cross. McBrain has anchored Iron Maiden's rhythm section for over four decades, shaping British heavy metal drumming and remaining one of the genre's most instantly recognizable stylists. ## Verdict Dave Lombardo and Nicko McBrain represent two foundational eras and philosophies of metal drumming. Lombardo pioneered the double bass speed and aggression that gave rise to thrash and death metal, redefining what a metal drummer's feet could do. McBrain proved that a single pedal, galloping hi-hat work, and rock-solid musicality could anchor one of metal's most enduring and technically demanding catalogs. Both are godfather figures whose influence spans generations of drummers across very different corners of heavy metal. ## FAQ **Q: What are the main differences between Dave Lombardo's and Nicko McBrain's drum kits?** A: Dave Lombardo plays Tama Starclassic Maple with Paiste cymbals, while Nicko McBrain uses Sonor SQ2 Series with Paiste cymbals. Lombardo plays a Tama Starclassic Maple kit with a Tama S.L.P. 14x6.5" G-Maple snare and Paiste RUDE & 2002 Series cymbals, driven by a Tama Iron Cobra 900 double pedal. McBrain plays a Sonor SQ2 Series kit with a Sonor Nicko McBrain Signature 14x6.5" snare and Paiste 2002 & Signature Series cymbals, powered by a single bass drum pedal on Sonor 600 Series hardware. **Q: What drums does Dave Lombardo play vs Nicko McBrain?** A: Dave Lombardo plays Tama Starclassic Maple. Nicko McBrain plays Sonor SQ2 Series. **Q: Who is the better thrash metal drummer, Dave Lombardo or Nicko McBrain?** A: Both are legends in their own right. Dave Lombardo and Nicko McBrain represent two foundational eras and philosophies of metal drumming. See the full analysis at [metalforge.io/vs/dave-lombardo-vs-nicko-mcbrain](https://metalforge.io/vs/dave-lombardo-vs-nicko-mcbrain). **Q: What cymbals do Dave Lombardo and Nicko McBrain use?** A: Dave Lombardo uses Paiste RUDE & 2002 Series (15" Sound Edge Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" Crashes, 22" Reign Power Ride, 18" China). Nicko McBrain uses Paiste 2002 & Signature Series (14" Sound Edge Hi-Hats, 16" & 18" Power Crashes, 22" Power Ride, 20" China). --- *Full comparison: [metalforge.io/vs/dave-lombardo-vs-nicko-mcbrain](https://metalforge.io/vs/dave-lombardo-vs-nicko-mcbrain)* *[Dave Lombardo drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummer/dave-lombardo)* *[Nicko McBrain drummer profile](https://metalforge.io/drummer/nicko-mcbrain)* --- *Last updated: 2026-07-07 · Source: [MetalForge.io](https://metalforge.io)*