Tomas Haake vs Mike Portnoy — Drum Gear Comparison | MetalForge
Side-by-side gear: Tomas Haake (Meshuggah) vs Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater / Liquid Tension Experiment / The Winery Dogs). Kits, cymbals, pedals, sticks — compare specs and prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Tomas Haake use?
Tomas Haake uses Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech (24"x18" Bass, 10"x8", 12"x9", 13"x10", 16"x14", 18"x16" Toms) with Sabian HHX & AAX Series (14" HHX Compression Hi-Hats, 15" Artisan Hi-Hats, 19" & 20" & 21" HHX Stage Crashes, 22" Legacy Ride, 19" AAXtreme China). Haake plays a Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech kit with a Sonor Tomas Haake Signature 14x6.5" snare and Sabian HHX & AAX Series cymbals, driven by dual Tama Speed Cobra single pedals. Portnoy plays a Tama Starclassic Maple/Birch kit with a Tama Mike Portnoy Signature Melody Master 14x5.5" snare and Sabian HHX Series cymbals, powered by a Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide double pedal.
What drum kit does Mike Portnoy use?
Mike Portnoy uses Tama Starclassic Maple + Starclassic Bubinga ("Dream Monster" dual kit) with Sabian HHX MAX / AAX MAXX Series (22" HHX MAX Ride, 18" AAX X-Plosion Crash, 19" HHX X-Plosion Crash, 18" AAX O-Zone Crash, 18" HHX Chinese, 19" Paragon Chinese, 7"/9"/11" AAX MAXX Splashes, 6"/6.5"/7" AA MAX Chimes). Haake plays a Sonor SQ2 Heavy Beech kit with a Sonor Tomas Haake Signature 14x6.5" snare and Sabian HHX & AAX Series cymbals, driven by dual Tama Speed Cobra single pedals. Portnoy plays a Tama Starclassic Maple/Birch kit with a Tama Mike Portnoy Signature Melody Master 14x5.5" snare and Sabian HHX Series cymbals, powered by a Tama Iron Cobra Power Glide double pedal.
Which is better, Tomas Haake or Mike Portnoy?
Tomas Haake and Mike Portnoy represent two generations and philosophies of progressive metal drumming. Haake's polymetric, groove-driven precision with Meshuggah built the rhythmic foundation of djent, prioritizing hypnotic repetition and mathematical subdivision over overt technical display. Portnoy's virtuosic, theatrical technique with Dream Theater defined an earlier era of progressive metal built on compositional complexity and instrumental showmanship. Both are foundational figures whose influence shaped how "progressive" is defined in modern metal drumming.