My friends were a great source of finding new music, and one day back in the early 90's I was told about Red Hot Chili Peppers. Their new album was out — Blood Sugar Sex Magik, and upon listening; I was blown away.
1989 was the year I started playing drums. I was 'belting out' on a cheap drum set at my friends garage in the Sydney suburb of Dee Why. I was soon evicted from that garage for being too noisy; but I soon located another practice space and got some lessons. I was completely addicted to the funky style the Chilli Peppers had recorded, and the album got a severe work out on my cassette Sony Walkman. Local alternative-youth radio station Triple J, were giving it some airtime and not long after that, Sydney mainstream radio started to belt out "Give It Away", with much talk about Anthony Kiedis vocal style.
Chad Smith's infectious Funk-Rock grooves were very inspiring to an young teenager. Trying to nail down the slight swing, funky beats, and ghost notes on the snare drum were all welcome challengers.
Blood Sugar Sex Magik is still my favourite Chili Peppers album to date. Chad Smith's drum gear used on the recordings have always interested me, so in this post; I uncover what he used on these recordings. He certainly wasn't using Sabian Cymbals, Pearl Drums, or DW Drums, back in May-June 1991. So what was he using?
The band's behind-the-scenes video, FUNKY MONKS, give us some hints and clues as to what Chad was using on this recording. In addition, Ross Garfield, aka, "The Drum Doctor", along with the Musician's Hall of Fame Museum also share valuable insights.
So, what drums and cymbals did Chad Smith use on Blood Sugar Sex Magik?
Cymbals — Paiste Signature & K Zildjian
Very evident on the BSSM recording are Paiste Cymbals. The Paiste Sound Alloy (Signature/Sound Formula) was introduced by Paiste 2 years earlier in 1989.
Left to Right:
- 1 x splash (unknown)
- 1 x 14" K Zildjian Hi-Hats
- 1 x 16" Paiste Signature Full Crash
- 1 x splash (unknown)
- 1 x 18" Paiste Signature Full Crash
- 1 x splash (unknown)
- 1 x 20" K Zildjian Crash
- 1 x Paiste Signature 22" Dry Heavy Ride
- 1 x 20" Paiste Signature Heavy China
Paiste Signature logo can be (barely) seen in the following capture of a 18" Signature Full Crash. (smaller crash on Chad's far left: Paiste Signature 16" Full Crash)
To Chad's Left; Paiste Signature 18" Crash — 20" K Zildjian on the right.
20" K Zildjian Crash
14" K Zildjian Hi-Hats
Drums — Gretsch
The whole drum set (toms in particular) have that very distinct Gretsch sound which is a Ross Garfield, aka, "The Drum Doctor" hired kit.
The badges on the shells that I have captured indicate the 'new square badge' of Gretsch Drums.
Snare — Tama, Ludwig, Brady
Several different snare drums were used in the recordings. One of them is a 3½" x 14" TAMA Bell-Brass Piccolo Snare Drum (PM423) with Bell Brass Hoops.
Another Snare drum used according to Ross Garfield, is a 1970's, 14" x 5" Ludwig (Engraved) Black Beauty. "Chad Smith used this on most of those tracks and tuned it really high, ringy, and wide open."
Another possible snare drum used on Blood Sugar Sex Magik according to the Musician's Hall of Fame Museum, was a Brady snare drum. Musician's Hall of Fame Museum say Chad donated this drum to them, claiming Chad told a story of this snare drum being used on the recording of Give It Away.
3½" x 14" TAMA Bell-Brass Piccolo Snare Drum (PM423)
Bass drum pedal — DW 5000 Series
Heads / skins — Remo
What do you think? Leave a comment.
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