BY BIBI BARU | PHOTOS COURTESY ADAM PARKER
Back in 2014 we featured Adam Parker’s Carter Beauford kit or Carter Beauford drum set. It was a beauty and a tribute to one of the most influential drummers of the past two and a half decades.
Last month Adam mailed us pictures of his latest set. It’s a re-creation of the kit that Carter Beauford played on the Dave Matthews Band’s 2016 tour, which celebrated the group’s 25th anniversary. Adam says it’s taken him 10 years to fully assemble this kit, but his dedication is such that as Henry Luniewski, Carter’s drum tech, changes the kit, Adam changes his to match.
“Usually some minor changes are made every year,” Adam says. “It keeps the kit fresh and there’s always a new voice to experiment with. Henry has been a great help giving me tidbits on what all has changed.
“Carter’s style and approach to the kit has always been a stand-out to me,” Adam continues. “He utilizes the kit in ways I’ve not seen any other drummer do. He has perfect timing, never losing a crazy rhythm, and always bringing the Matthews Band back to the 1. It’s something I strive to learn, but will never fully be able to replicate.”
Carter’s kit is built with tried-and-true Yamaha Recording Customs and an array of Zildjian cymbals. Adam says the toms are so deep and full, it’s like they are pre-EQ’d.
Adam plays his Beauford kit with the Dave Matthews Tribute Band from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the Grey Street Band out of Lafayette, Louisiana. They keep him busy and, he adds, “People are always drawn to the kit, always looking just like Carter’s on the stage.”
He also has his own original band at home in Arkansas, called Crutchfield. The Carter replica kit will be featured on the band’s upcoming second album.
Thanks, Adam.
Adam Parker’s 2016 Carter Beauford Kit
DRUMS Yamaha (except where noted)
- 20” x 17.5″ Bass Drum
- 14” x 6.5” Tama Rosewood Limited Reissue Snare Drum
- 10” x 6” Drumcraft Series 8 Maple Snare Drum
- 8” x 8” Recording Custom Tom
- 10” x 7.5” Recording Custom Tom
- 12” x 8” Recording Custom Tom
- 14” x 12” Recording Custom Tom
- 14” x 14” Stage Custom Floor Tom
- 16 x 14” Recording Custom Floor Tom
CYMBALS Zildjian
- 6″ A Custom splash x3
- 6″ Zil Bel
- 8″ A Flash Splash
- 8″ A Splash
- 8″ K Splash
- 10″ A Custom splash
- 10″ Oriental China Trash
- 14″ A New Beat Hats
- 18″ S Trash Crash
- 18″ K Dark Medium Thin Crash
- 19″ K Dark Thin Crash
- 19″ A Ultra Hammered China
- 20″ A Custom Flat Ride
- 21″ A Ultra Hammered China
- 22″ K Custom Medium Ride
PERCUSSION LP
- Travis Barker cowbell and Jam Block
- Chimes
- Granite block
- Chinese Wedding Bell
HARDWARE
- DW Machined pedals (direct and chain)
- Yamaha Hex Rack and hardware
Check more Carter Beauford articles from our archive here.