Shannon Larkin vs Dirk Verbeuren — Drum Gear Comparison | MetalForge
Side-by-side gear: Shannon Larkin (Godsmack / Ugly Kid Joe / Amen) vs Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth). Kits, cymbals, pedals, sticks — compare specs and prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Shannon Larkin use?
Shannon Larkin uses ddrum Dios Series with Sabian AAX & HHX Series (14" AAX Stage Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" AAX X-Plosion Crashes, 21" HHX Raw Bell Dry Ride, 10" AAX Splash, 18" AAX Chinese). Shannon Larkin plays a ddrum Dios Series kit with a ddrum Dios 14x6.5" Maple snare and Sabian AAX Series cymbals (14" AAX Stage Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" AAX X-Plosion Crashes, 21" AAX Raw Bell Dry Ride, 10" AAX Splash, 18" AAX Chinese), driven by a DW 9000 Series double pedal and Vic Firth American Classic 5B sticks. Dirk Verbeuren plays a Tama Starclassic Maple kit with a Tama S.L.P. Dynamic Bronze 14x5.5" snare and 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), powered by a Tama Speed Cobra 910 double pedal and his own Tama O-DVM2 signature sticks.
What drum kit does Dirk Verbeuren use?
Dirk Verbeuren uses Tama Starclassic Maple 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). Shannon Larkin plays a ddrum Dios Series kit with a ddrum Dios 14x6.5" Maple snare and Sabian AAX Series cymbals (14" AAX Stage Hi-Hats, 18" & 19" AAX X-Plosion Crashes, 21" AAX Raw Bell Dry Ride, 10" AAX Splash, 18" AAX Chinese), driven by a DW 9000 Series double pedal and Vic Firth American Classic 5B sticks. Dirk Verbeuren plays a Tama Starclassic Maple kit with a Tama S.L.P. Dynamic Bronze 14x5.5" snare and 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), powered by a Tama Speed Cobra 910 double pedal and his own Tama O-DVM2 signature sticks.
Which is better, Shannon Larkin or Dirk Verbeuren?
Shannon Larkin and Dirk Verbeuren built their reputations on opposite ends of heavy metal's technical spectrum. Larkin spent more than two decades giving Godsmack's hard rock a dependable, groove-first foundation, prioritizing feel over complexity across six multi-platinum albums. Verbeuren imported nearly two decades of Soilwork's melodic death metal precision and session versatility into Megadeth's classic thrash framework, eventually earning his own Grammy-nominated studio credit. Larkin is hard rock's steady groove engine; Verbeuren is technical metal's versatile import — both prove commercial and technical drumming can each anchor a legendary band.