I'm a Ludwig freak and have played them off and on for 25 years.

When I first started playing I had a little Gigster kit and various bits and pieces of old British drums like John Grey and Ajax, I think my first real kit would be a Beverley which I  set up like Don Brewer (Grand Funk Railroad) and John Bonham , one rack tom and two floor toms, this has been the core of every set-up I  play. 

When I was playing with Raven I wanted a bigger sound so I acquired a TAMA double bass kit , I was never really happy with sound so I took the plunge and got my first Ludwig, this was a clear Vistalite kit 2 x22, 8,10,12,13 and 2 x 16 floor toms with a Ludwig 400 snare. I mainly used Zildjian cymbals and Evans heads. I also got my first Premier 252 pedals which I still use today, I have not found any more reliable pedals than these.( I have broken every other pedal I have used). After leaving Renegade I found the double bass kit too large for the band I joined (Sleeper) and used a 59 Ludwig or a Sonor Smoke Acrylic kit. I stopped playing when my eldest was born and all my drums were sold except for the 252 pedals.

I started playing again 2 years later (with Bill) and bought a vintage Pearl Maple kit. I still have this kit and use it when I play with the other band (Dog Town) or do sessions. This kit comprises of a 22 x 16 bass drum 10,12,13,and 14 concert toms and a 16 x 16 floor tom. I use a Pearl 'Steve Ferrone signature model' 14 x 6.5 as the main snare and a light weight cymbal set. The kit gives a bright toppy sound but still packs a good punch.

With Straight Shooter I wanted to get back to the big thunderous sound like John Bonham, Ian Paice, Simon Kirke and Jerry Shirley (Humble Pie), so there was only one route - back to Ludwig. I spent 18 months gradually importing the drums I wanted from the States. I wanted early 70's maple shell drums but big sizes. I eventually ended up with enough drums to be able to choose any set up I want. 

When rehearsing or playing smaller venues I go for a single 26" x 16" bass drum (my first one belonged to Jeff Berlin of the Boston Electric Orchestra-Thanks Jeff. ) with a double bass pedal,  13" x 12" and 14" x 13" power toms and two 16" x 16" floor toms.

For larger venues I go to two 26 x 16" bass drums or a 26" and a 24 x 14" depending if I want a completely different bass drums sounds. I then will use wide range of toms I can choose from the list 

10 x 8, 10 x 10 , 12 x 8 , 12 x 11 , 13 x 9, 13 x 12, 14 x 10, 14 x 13, 15 x 12 , 15 x 14 rack toms

14 x 14 , 16 x 16 x 2 , 18 x 16 floor toms.

I tune the drums down for a heavy warm sound with lots of punch. I use Remo pinstripes on the top tom heads and ebony ludwig rockers on the bottom ( the same weight as ambassadors) On the bass drums I used Evans EQ2 clears and Ludwig Rockers Logo'd front head I don't have holes in the front heads. On snare drum I use Evans G1 or Remo Ambassors. I have used Shaw 2BN sticks for the last 20 odd years and have never found better.

For snare drums I either use a 14 x 6.5 Black Beauty or 14 x 6.5 402 Ludwig snare drums.

My cymbals are chosen to suite the kit I use either a 22" Sabian AAX metal ride or a 20" UFIP ping ride.

My hi hats are either 14" A Zildjian Custom Projectors or 14" UFIP Flat Hats with drilled bottoms.

I have 2 chinas a Wuhan 22" and a UFIP 18"

Crashes are 16" Paiste Rude ,  20" Paiste 2002, A Zildjian 18" thin, A Zildjian 18" Medium and a A Zildjian 20" crash ride.

I also have a 68 Ludwig red sparkle 22, 13 and 16 with a 400 snare.

Mikes I use are probably standard - I use Shure beta 54's on bass drums, and sm57's on the rest with Shure condensers for over heads. I use compression on the bass drums and a slight reverb on the snare.

If you want any more info e-mail thunderbox@msn.com.

I also play bass sometimes and have a '72 Fender Jazz Bass, a Thunderbird MKIV, an Ibanez SR885 and a Ned Callan Jigsaw Bass a la John Entwistle.

Maybe it's daft but there are a few people who have helped me who I would like to Thank:- Des Mulvaney (originally from Rock City in Newcastle), Ronnie Pearson from Last Exit and Ronnie's drum shop (now defunct), Willie at Sunderland Music, Drum Central in Edinburgh and Brian Martin, Ian Ballantyne, Vaughan and Neil of the Music Gallery and PFL Berwick Upon Tweed.