Dirk Verbeuren vs Paul Bostaph — Drum Gear Comparison | MetalForge
Side-by-side gear: Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth) vs Paul Bostaph (Slayer). Kits, cymbals, pedals, sticks — compare specs and prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Dirk Verbeuren use?
Dirk Verbeuren uses Tama Starclassic Walnut/Birch with Meinl Byzance Brilliant & Classics Custom Dark Series (14" Byzance Brilliant Hi-Hat, 18"-21" Classics Custom Dark Crashes, 22" Byzance Brilliant Ride, 18" Byzance Brilliant China). Dirk Verbeuren plays Tama Starclassic Walnut/Birch drums with a Tama S.L.P. Big Black Steel 14"×6.5" snare, Meinl Byzance Brilliant & Classics Custom Dark cymbals (14" Byzance Brilliant Hi-Hats, 18"/19"/20"/21" Classics Custom Dark Crashes, 22" Byzance Brilliant Ride, 18" Byzance Brilliant China), Tama Speed Cobra 910 double pedal, and Promark Shira Kashi Oak 5B sticks. Paul Bostaph played a Pearl Masters Maple Complete (MCX) kit with a Pearl Masters Steel 14"×6.5" snare, Sabian AAX Series cymbals (14" Stage Hi-Hats, 17" & 19" X-Plosion Crashes, 21" Stage Ride, 18" AAXtreme China), a Pearl Eliminator double pedal, and Vater Power 5B sticks on Repentless (2015) and Slayer's Final World Tour.
What drum kit does Paul Bostaph use?
Paul Bostaph uses Pearl Masters Maple Complete (MCX) with Sabian AAX Series (14" AAX Stage Hi-Hats, 17" & 19" AAX X-Plosion Crashes, 21" AAX Stage Ride, 18" AAXtreme China). Dirk Verbeuren plays Tama Starclassic Walnut/Birch drums with a Tama S.L.P. Big Black Steel 14"×6.5" snare, Meinl Byzance Brilliant & Classics Custom Dark cymbals (14" Byzance Brilliant Hi-Hats, 18"/19"/20"/21" Classics Custom Dark Crashes, 22" Byzance Brilliant Ride, 18" Byzance Brilliant China), Tama Speed Cobra 910 double pedal, and Promark Shira Kashi Oak 5B sticks. Paul Bostaph played a Pearl Masters Maple Complete (MCX) kit with a Pearl Masters Steel 14"×6.5" snare, Sabian AAX Series cymbals (14" Stage Hi-Hats, 17" & 19" X-Plosion Crashes, 21" Stage Ride, 18" AAXtreme China), a Pearl Eliminator double pedal, and Vater Power 5B sticks on Repentless (2015) and Slayer's Final World Tour.
Which is better, Dirk Verbeuren or Paul Bostaph?
Dirk Verbeuren and Paul Bostaph are united by a shared challenge: stepping into drum chairs vacated by founding members of two of thrash metal's most important bands. Verbeuren brought melodic death metal precision to Megadeth's touring lineup after Chris Adler's "Dystopia" studio session, proving his versatility across genres before recording his own studio debut with the band. Bostaph carried Slayer through two separate eras and its entire farewell cycle, honoring Dave Lombardo's template while adding his own metronomic stamp. Both answer the same recurring question fans ask about thrash metal's biggest bands: who is the drummer now?