Martin Lopez vs Gavin Harrison — Drum Gear Comparison | MetalForge
Side-by-side gear: Martin Lopez (Soen / ex-Opeth) vs Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree / King Crimson). Kits, cymbals, pedals, sticks — compare specs and prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Martin Lopez use?
Martin Lopez uses Noble & Cooley Walnut with Zildjian K Dark Series (14" K Dark Thin Hi-Hats, 18" & 20" K Dark Medium Thin Crashes, 22" K Dark Light Ride, 18" K China). Lopez plays a Noble & Cooley Walnut kit with a Noble & Cooley Solid Shell 14x6" Maple snare, Zildjian K Dark Series cymbals, and an Axis Percussion double pedal. Harrison plays a Sonor SQ2 Series kit with his signature Sonor 12x5" & 14x5.25" snares, Zildjian K Custom Special Dry cymbals, and a Sonor Perfect Balance pedal.
What drum kit does Gavin Harrison use?
Gavin Harrison uses Sonor SQ2 Series with Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Series (14" Hi-Hats, 16" & 18" Crashes, 21" Special Dry Ride, 18" Trash China). Lopez plays a Noble & Cooley Walnut kit with a Noble & Cooley Solid Shell 14x6" Maple snare, Zildjian K Dark Series cymbals, and an Axis Percussion double pedal. Harrison plays a Sonor SQ2 Series kit with his signature Sonor 12x5" & 14x5.25" snares, Zildjian K Custom Special Dry cymbals, and a Sonor Perfect Balance pedal.
Which is better, Martin Lopez or Gavin Harrison?
Martin Lopez and Gavin Harrison approach progressive drumming from opposite directions. Lopez channels jazz feel into crushing death metal, making Opeth's Blackwater Park era feel as musical as it is heavy. Harrison channels obsessive polyrhythmic precision into art-rock, making Porcupine Tree's and King Crimson's complexity sound effortless. One brings improvisational soul to metal; the other brings mathematical elegance to rock. Both proved progressive drumming doesn't require sacrificing musicality for complexity.