I started playing drums at the age of 12 and since then my instrumentation preferences have been in constant metamorphosis. I have never considered music as divided into genres or styles, but as it matched with my interests. I have always appreciated anything that affected me on an emotional level, from Classical to Punk…For this reason I have never had "My Set." I choose my instrument from the musical requirements at hand and I take inspiration from that configuration. I find it very stimulating, although I have nothing against set a personalized and consistent set-up. This is only my way of seeing things.
The drums I use are basically the amazing Gretsch Custom Series in Rosewood Lacquer, even though I also play the much less expensive Renown Maple in Cherry Wood very often. The latter are great both in the studio and live. Because I change sounds frequently, I have various measurements "in stock", among which are:

Kick drum 24x14 - 22x16 - 22x18 - 18x14
Toms 8x8 - 10x8 - 10x9 - 12x8 - 12x10 - 13x8 - 14x12
Kettle drums 14x14 - 16x16 - 18x16

Drum making is also one of my passions and when I was younger I made hand made drums under the brand, "DS." I have some kits in birch wood that I use often, among which my UltraAcoustic Set stands out. I made it back in '94 to play in clubs where a big drumkit would not have even gotten in the door. It has a 15x8 kick drum, 10x4 snare drum and 8x8 and 10x8 toms. The legend goes that in that period, while I was sponsored by the historic Sonor, I sent a photo of the set to the then-manager of the endorsers. Well, after two months this manager came to the Fair of Frankfurt and presented the Jungle-Set that we all know as his idea…

 

Anyway, the Drums that I proudly produce are:

Kick Drum 20x17 e 18x18
Toms 8x8 - 10x8 - 10x10 - 12x10 - 13x11 - 15x12
Snare Drum 14x6

Per quello che riguarda i rullanti non ci sono regole, e sono la mia passione assieme ai piatti. The more the better, direbbe qualcuno, e cioè ho collezionato negli anni pezzi molto rari e particolari di tutte le marche e fogge. i più ricorrenti sono un Gretsch Custom 14x5, un Renown Maple 14x5 e un DW in Bronzo sempre 14x5 (ma allora c'è qualcosa che preferisco... la misura 14x5 WOW!!!) anche se in studio mi porto pezzi più particolari come un Sonor Designer 12x5 o un Pearl MLX 12x8. Le misure piccole in studio si comportano molto bene e mi permettono di avere sonorità che con i 14 non sempre sono facili da ottenere.

As far as snare drums go, there are no rules, and they are my passion, along with cymbals. The more the better, some would say, and throughout the years I have collected rare pieces of every brand and model. The most common that I use are Gretsch Custom 14x5, a Renown Maple 14x5 and DW in Bronzo 14x5 (ok there is one thing I am partial to... size 14x5 WOW!!!) even though in the studio I also bring in more unique pieces like the Sonor Designer 12x5 or the Pearl MLX 12x8. Smaller sizes are very manageable in the studio and allow me a sonority that is not always easily attainable with a size 14.

Speaking of cymbals, my choice are the incredible Ufip. From the time that I had the honor to meet Luigi Tronci, these instruments have seen important qualitative growth in every aspect and I find that they are a class above their foreign competitors with respect to the spectrum of sound and dynamics. There are millions of variables as with the snare drum, and with these too I often use "anomalous" sizes and weights in the studio, as these adapt more easily to the sensitivities of the microphones.

The hardware is all Gibraltar and I use both the conventional giraffe stand (and non) as well as the Rack systems of the Power series. The rack is practically the rule on tour as it allows the road crew a speed and precision of assembly that stands cannot provide. I also use Intruder Gibraltar pedals, both single and double. They are extremely solid, besides having a rock-hard sound! I prefer these for all genres that require a certain sonoric impact (like pop, funk or blues), while for more acoustic environments I use the DW 5001AH. I think of the pedals like drumsticks: the Gibraltar are my 5B for the feet like the DW are the 5A.

As far as drumsticks, I have nothing to say but Vic Firth... I have played with the 5As for decades and I use them for everything from Pop to Jazz with no problem. (Mmhh, another constant in my life!!!). For brushes I use Jazz Brushes and I use other implements of various forms such as Rakes, Dreadlocks and the extremely odd, Blades.

Below are photos of the drum kits that I use most frequently. Feel free to write me with any questions.