Every Single Alex Van Halen Drum Set

[@Petequinn741]

Alex criminally underrated, and has his own sound and style

[@TheSpicerD]

This is the world we love in now. Are you kidding? This kid put this feature together on his own time on a subject that TONS of people will find fascinating. Myself at the top of the list. And Am Samoan needs to take a shot at this kid with how he pronounces 5150? Sheesh. I for one am EXTREMELY grateful for this production. I have loved Van Halen and Al since the early days. I used to work for a cat named Todd Trent who was Alex's Ludwig rep for eons. I got nothing but positive stories on Al and how he treated his crew. With that being said, he really was an incredible drummer and designer. These kits are just incredible. True artistry. So compelling and over the top. Just like VH. Once again a billion props to the cat who is 65 Drums. What a tremendous service you have done by compiling this dazzling and wonderful feature. Thank you, thank you , thank you!!!! Five stars my friend.

[@PNW_Sportbike_Life]

AVH is a criminally underrated drummer; his orchestration, tasty licks and chemistry with Edward was insane!

[@riproar11]

PLEASE! What is it with you "underrated" comment guys? [Que in the Bud commercial ballad music. "Real Men of Genius! Mister Underrated Comment Guy Comment Maker!" "This ode is to you Mister Underrated Comment Guy. A man who lacks self-control and feels the need to make the comment that nobody asked for, but we're getting it anyway! (Singer and backup ladies: "But we're getting it anyway!!) Yes! Even though Alex Van Halen's 'Hot for Teacher' playing is one of the most well-known drum intros in all music, Mister PNW_Sportbike_Life can't hold it together for much longer. Just like those two Doberman dogs in James Bond's 'Moonraker' movie, who had raw sirloin fillets dropped in front of them, while patiently waiting for their master's permission to devour them, Jeffrey can only discipline himself for long enough. (Singer: "Doberman dogs and delicious sirloin meat treats!!") PNW_Sportbike_Life ignores the huge success of Van Halen's worldwide record sales and world tours year after year. Finally! He can't hold it in any longer. (Singer: "Any Longer!!!!!") PNW_Sportbike_Life Stands up, pushes tables away, and hobbles over to his computer desktop keyboard and shouts in All CAPS and without punctuation about Alex Van Halen ,"HE IS SO UNDERRATED!!". And so there you have it folks. PNW_Sportbike_Life joins the secret committee of underrated comment guys and leaves his unasked-for mark on Van Halen's history. Like different brothers from the same mother, PNW_Sportbike_Life puzzles the world once more. (Singer: "Once more! Mister PNW_Sportbike_Life Underrated Comment Guy Maker!)]

[@kholathekid]

I swear Van Halen was an absolute unit back in the 80s. You had a kickass frontman, legendary and vitruoso guitarist, a drummer who fucking slayed all the time. And you had Michael Anthony.

[@ErichWK]

Its wild that Alex was just as imaginative and mad scientist-like with his kits as Eddie was with his guitars.

[@MichaelGittins-k4m]

Sick!

[@lutan1]

Alex is incredibly underrated. He's always been over shadowed by Eddie

[@carlrobinson4924]

Alex has a distinctive sound for sure. You can tell it’s him without hearing anything else with him

[@johnfoskey7855]

Just like his brother..I agree

[@christopherweise438]

Carl Robinson - That's why "Alex Van Halen Snare" is a term that has such meaning. Everybody knows that snare sound. Plus, for me it's the way he likes to "ride" his crashes that sticks out as well.

[@davebasch5995]

Its the rimshot on a rosewood snare that gives him his own sound

[@carlrobinson4924]

@@christopherweise438 I saw somewhere that Alex used electronic drums in the studio from 1984 on so I’m guessing he sampled the rim shot with the rose wood? I’m not sure I’m just trying to learn what I can

[@christopherweise438]

@@carlrobinson4924 - He used acoustic kick drums and an acoustic wood shell snare. The toms were the only things that were Simmons electronic pads. He did the same exact thing with his live set up, but he "hid" the pads inside Ludwig tom shells so visually it looked like acoustic toms and floor toms.

[@jeffreyprather5834]

ONE OF THE GREATEST DRUMMERS EVER , HE IS SO UNDERRATED

[@65Drums]

Yeah he's great! And yet there are still some people are crap talking him in the comment section for some unknown reason.

[@Justme77400]

@@65Drums Jealousy is a terrible thing!! I love AVH!!

[@riproar11]

PLEASE! What is it with you "underrated" comment guys? [Que in the Bud commercial ballad music. "Real Men of Genius! Mister Underrated Comment Guy Comment Maker!" "This ode is to you Mister Underrated Comment Guy. A man who lacks self-control and feels the need to make the comment that nobody asked for, but we're getting it anyway! (Singer and backup ladies: "But we're getting it anyway!!) Yes! Even though Alex Van Halen's 'Hot for Teacher' playing is one of the most well-known drum intros in all music, Mister Jeffrey Prather can't hold it together for much longer. Just like those two Doberman dogs in James Bond's 'Moonraker' movie, who had raw sirloin fillets dropped in front of them, while patiently waiting for their master's permission to devour them, Jeffrey can only discipline himself for long enough. (Singer: "Doberman dogs and delicious sirloin meat treats!!") Jeffrey ignores the huge success of Van Halen's worldwide record sales and world tours year after year. Finally! He can't hold it in any longer. (Singer: "Any Longer!!!!!") Jeffrey Stands up, pushes tables away, and hobbles over to his computer desktop keyboard and shouts in All CAPS and without punctuation about Alex Van Halen ,"HE IS SO UNDERRATED!!". And so there you have it folks. Jeffrey Prather joins the secret committee of underrated comment guys and leaves his unasked-for mark on Van Halen's history. Like different brothers from the same mother, Jeffrey puzzles the world once more. (Singer: "Once more! Mister Jeffrey Underrated Comment Guy Maker!)]

[@deathmetalchili6902]

Astoundingly underrated!

[@kevinkimmel44]

Couldn’t agree more! You know it’s him just listening. Very unique style

[@goodchibadchi]

Alex's sound was unmistakable. He and Bonham were my drum gods growing up, and I'm really thankful I discovered them really early in life.

[@romp6969]

Alex Van Halen was a major influence on myself as a drummer during my formative years. I am a professional drummer now and he had a part in that. I know he will likely never see this, but Mr. Alex, you were and are incredible. I cannot thank you enough for the impact you had on me. All the best to you.

[@paultaurone5634]

Ditto. I spent endless hours in my bed room with my headphones and drum kit practicing my VH albums back in the 70's. If ya wanna learn powerhouse drumming, Alex is a great choice.

[@dannyvigil4452]

I think Alex van Halen was not only a good drummer but he was a good inventor in drums

[@philiphaynes8634]

Ñññññmñññññññññmmññmññmñññññññmñññmññññññññññññññññmmññññññmmmmñmññmññññññmñmñmmmññm

[@paultaurone5634]

@@philiphaynes8634 mmmmmmmmmmmmmnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnmnnnnmmmmnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!

[@philiphaynes8634]

Mmñmmmñmmññmññmmmññmñmññmñmmññññññmmñmmñmmmmñmmmmmmmmmmñmññmñmmñññmmmmññmññññmñmmñmmñm

[@josephandrews1174]

One of the most under rated drummers in rock n roll history!

[@youtubeshadowbannedmylasta2629]

underrated? are you joking? no drummer thinks that.

[@65drummer1]

I can appreciate his liking for the Paiste 2002's as I have some in my arsenal. Actually I mix the cymbals in my set with different brands to have color, but I do like the 2002 and have an eye out for the Rev Alex 24 ride, just as soon as I wish to break the bank for 400+.

[@ninathompson1435]

@@youtubeshadowbannedmylasta2629 However, to the Under Possible Educated in Drums 'They' Might Think That of Alex's Drumming ? It Was and Always Has Been One of the Most Unique Sounds Ever Made By a Drummer ! N~

[@ericstearns170]

Underrated...no. Underappreciated...yes.

[@michaelmcnair7624]

Alex is a MONSTER! It use to piss me off as a drummer that he didn't limelight Eddie got as a monster....but we drummers knew. He was not only a banger, he would do amazing shit hidden in the songs! One was what he was playing doing Eddie's solo on "Jump". At the time I was like WTF?! The timing was odd, yet IN time!😳 EVERYONE knew "Hot For Teacher" was unreal! The timing he played on the double bass drums...while doing this amazing pattern on the ride cymbal....just wow.

[@davidpierce9949]

Yes i agree there was an interesting beat in there. In not a drummer so i don't know the lingo but i can detect certain things

[@aae7583]

Light up the Sky - VH2 . Plus, apparently he still practices daily...even after all these years and all of the fame.

[@ramencurry6672]

I agree he’s great but drums are primarily accompaniment instruments in most cases.

[@baax]

I was just takling to friend about how sneakily good he is, odd time, weird beats, great hi hats and always on time, great drummer!

[@fender.munoz7]

Alex got a free ride on Eddie's guitar playing

[@SJR_Media_Group]

Alex Van Halen is legendary... thanks for producing this video about him. Sometimes it takes someone 'outside' to break new ground and start a brand new sound. Both Van Halens are very gifted musicians.

[@jamwayofaiken-augustarockb7643]

As a guitarist I must say that most of this just went right over my head

[@CaboWabotv]

Eddie always gets credit for being a mad scientist experimenting and building guitars. But Alex was just as much a pioneer building those wild drum kits

[@hmgc-slhq137]

Amen!!!!!!

[@memyopinionsche6610]

Alex Van Halen. Definitely on my top 10 list of favorite drummers.

[@19chucki74]

AVH makes music on those drums. Bombastic yet sweet. One of the most underrated drummers of the past half century.

[@generay6807]

I completely agree.

[@rhythmista7707]

Fair warning was the most versatile and best album production wise. The drums have a different sound on every song, each one was unique and suited the song perfectly..It's also my favorite VH album..

[@CP-kb1du]

May 12 1981 VH kicked off the FAIRWARNING Tour in my home town Halifax high school memories ..

[@markr.devereux3385]

Yes good assessment bro❤️

[@robindixondixon1634]

I totally agree. It's my favorite VH album. Best guitar and vocals too.

[@ugaais]

Fair Warning is My favorite then 1 then 2 then WACF 1984 then Diver Down then ADKOT the only Van Haggar songs that are good Summer Nights Poundcake Best of Both Worlds black and Blue…

[@markr.devereux3385]

@@ugaais pretty good assessment I'm with u except 1984 is weak

[@HarryJoiner]

14:40 - I remember seeing this little clip on Entertainment Tonight and being blown away. Great to see it again.

[@Gregor9043]

My favorite rock drummer. Everything he does serves the music. Chops, ferocity, supremely musical. Gets his stuff in without making a drum solo out of everything, but when it's time becomes a freight train.

[@aceedmond8053]

As a young kid and a self taught drummer Alex was a huge inspiration for me ... and still is... great video Justin thank you.

[@danlc95]

The drum sound on For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge is my favorite. I wish I knew how he got those toms and bass drums to sing like that. His ride cymbal on Balance is incredible.

[@commiehunter733]

It's hard to beat Paiste 2oo2 cymbals

[@Justme77400]

I love his fills in Right Now. Explosive!!!

[@CaboWabotv]

Andy Johns gave him that awesome sound

[@khollandtalks]

Kick drum on poundcake is actually a green Gretsch maple drum (see my complete comment above)

[@mattshelly]

tune all the resonant heads much tighter than the batters. he always used bigger drums and not a lot of muffling on the bass drum, maybe some felt strips… similar to bonham. alex got his sound from bonham and changed it just a lil bit. his snare was muffled by duct or gaffer tape and it was tuned the exact same as the rest of the kit. my drums are extremely close in the realm but not exact due to the fact that the sizes are different.

[@C.Brown5150]

Fifty-one-Fifty !!! Come on Bro , let's get it together.... Al is still with us , and we're thankful for that. Along with Mike , Dave and Sammy.. And how could you forget The Wolf Man , WVH... It would be great to see Al back on stage , maybe doing something with WVH .. But I'm sure that being back behind a Kit on stage wouldn't have the same feel ... Because looking at the left side of the stage he wouldn't see his band mate and best friend.. He wouldn't see his Brother.. And with out Ed being present , there will never be another Van Halen ; the band.. R. I. P King Edward 🎸 We miss you.. And to AVH , we miss you as well and wish you all the best.. And always remember that there's a whole new breed of drummer's out here today because of you.. You have been a inspiration to so many of today's greatest drummer's.. Thank You. 🥁✌️

[@bearewokboy9460]

Alex Van Halen is a major influence on my style and play. Thank you Van Halen for the all the years of music. Eddie will be missed.

[@bgibson72]

Alex was the biggest inspiration in my drumming "career." One of the most underrated drummers in the business, but I think he doesn't mind that. Thank you for this video! I'm now a subscriber and look forward to seeing more content from you. Cheers!

[@kevinbastarache9376]

I am a huge RUSH fan so obviously I love Neil Peart's drumming. But that said I am not one of these rush fans that say Neil is the greatest the greatest and everyone else sucks. Believe me they're out there. What I don't understand is whenever you see the world top drummer surveys Alex Alex is most times not even mentioned. I never understood this because that guy can really play. He's freaking deadly on the drums

[@jameyd4155]

I lucked out and saw Alex’s set at the R&R HOF… walked in & immediately noticed it on the lower level… It resembled something that traveled to the moon! Huge set up with 2 bass drums elongated with a flexible conduit… super impressive! I felt like a kid - amazed to be in the presence of the Master’s machine. 🤘🏻

[@walter6636]

most underrated drummer of all time

[@corndog2835]

no he's not, stupid comment...

[@srpdesigns]

I think for all of us 80s teenagers the footage from the Oakland concert will always be the memories we have in our heads when we think of what VH looked and sounded like There's something about that smoke filled concert footage with very little lighting (compared to today's over the top standards) and the VH logo with the gong half circle on fire under it will always be nostalgic VH !!!

[@laidbacktraveler2580]

Especially if you were there!

[@richfabian6534]

Thanks Alex for your influence, I remember when Hot For Teacher came out and I couldn't wait to talk to my drum director who was setting me up with different drum sets, I was playing with the band out of Easton Pennsylvania and we went down to the playpen South in fort Lauderdale and played there for 2 weeks and I brought the new drum set with me and it was the first time that I played Hot for teacher with the four kick drums because of your influence and doing that song in car nival number 9 from Emerson lake and Palmer I Rocked that joint with a drum solo

[@angusvanhalen2886]

He’s the only drummer I can think of that the second you hear him, you know it’s Van Halen

[@jamessamudio9913]

One of the most underrated drummers and one of the best of all time!

[@diezeldiamond1041]

I love all of Alex Van Halens drum kits. My favorite, is " Fair Warning Tour" 1981, Black and White striped. Also, 2015, kit was killer too!. I met Alex in 1991, really sweet guy.

[@randywillard5890]

Yo little man, I'm just a old white drummer who knows talent when I hear it, and Bruh, you nailed it, through all your complex time signatures , groove changes, and did it all without breaking A sweat!! You are very talented and you will go far, so from a old metal drummer it was a pleasure watching you work!!

[@diannecarpenter7718]

Alex Van Halen, is a great, inspiring, influential, drummer and should be recognized, for one of the best drummers, of all time. 🥁 🎤🎸🎵🎹

[@mr.astrophysics9115]

One of the greatest of all times

[@MagicRoosterBluesBand]

The 2015 drum kit was the most beautiful kit I've ever seen.

[@ididyermom3273]

As a drummer listening to Alex, his parts on 1984 are so well written and played and he had such control it is mind blowing!

[@keiffermcmillan1]

Thanks for showing me the different incarnations of my favourite Drummers kits , so grateful

[@davidcox3076]

The Diver Down drums with the tubing. Looks like a pipe organ with the different height pipes. Incredibly creative!

[@bakstabbath]

The drum sound on 1984 is among my favorite ever. AVH is rather underrated when looking at top lists of the best or most influential drummers.

[@casanovafrankenstein8538]

I think he's one of the best ever, very unique sound

[@DrummerGrrrl]

You know that Ludwig sound! I don't know every Van Halen song but as soon as I hear those drums, I know it's Alex!

[@carlosserrano3985]

The Simmons SDSV still after 40 years the king of analog electronic drums.

[@ModernLove100]

Yeah, 1984 was that new drum sound and live it was just as good: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZKznX6Ke9OLsJY

[@jimlovesgina]

Those lists are made by other drummers. How can you be underrated by others who play the same instrument? If anyone is capable of rating your abilities, it is others who are similar talented.

[@jubankta1627]

RIP EDDIE,YOU WERE THE VERY BEST!!

[@scottfast03]

Love this!!! Van Halen is one of my favorite bands of all time. Alex was my idol growing up trying to play like him. Awesome video.

[@AdvancedLiving]

As a teen I was lucky enough to see pretty much every tour from Women & Children First onward. Nice job summarizing all those kits as it was one of those variables that went from tour to tour. In Philly on the Monsters of Rock (OU812) he started playing part of that monster configuration that wasn’t going through the PA at the time and he just gave a goofy look to his off stage tech and switched back to one that was audible. The VH3 tour was really cool as they pulled out songs they didn’t play in a while. Mike sang Somebody Get Me A Doctor and they took turns singing Why Can’t This Be Love. Yup, I’ve seen my share of shows. I even lived in Mill Valley where Sammy lives plus San Rafael where his rehearsal studio is. I’ve met Sam many times and he was cool as hell every meeting. Thanks for this video! It made me feel like a teen again.

[@sirkayda7205]

Awesome. The VHIII era is actually my favorite.

[@DonaldGerbino]

Alex is a monster drummer ,just listen to his isolated drum track on mean street

[@pierrejunius]

@DonaldGerbino Absolutely! The ride pattern during the guitar solo is unreal. Alex was a groove monster.

[@drummerboy2521]

Great documentary of the evolution of Alex's drum sets plus band life. Enjoyed, Thanks!

[@tsdrum2016]

One of the best snare drum sounds ever!

[@novembaer69]

That`s right, I love this "POFF" too! One stroke and you know who`s playing.

[@robertnobody]

If you notice, most of Alex's early Van Halen kits were very similar to Bill Ward's kits he used in Black Sabbath. Check out Bill Ward's drums between 1974-1979 and you can see where Alex got some of his kit ideas from.

[@deaterk]

Rob - Absolutely! Too similar to not have been an influence!

[@jfo3000]

Didn't know that, thanks!

[@tanneryordan]

his club days kits were really close to carmine appice who was a huge influence on him. ward was definitely an influence but carmine inspired alex’s double bass drum shuffle

[@khollandtalks]

Yes! They toured together so no doubt he got a lot of ideas.

[@michaelehlert9]

Great Job! Loved following Alex's drumming and drumsets through the years. Also, FWIW, Fair Warning was a game-changer for me...the best VH album of them all.

[@Bernie0481USMC]

1985 I got a Ludwig Classic, Pearl White with black bass rims. I added a second bass and floor Tom. 7 piece with 4 crash, 1 ride. I added black electrical tape to the shells to mimic Alex's kit. I wanted Paiste 2002s so bad!

[@keviningles5580]

Alex Van Halen is my absolute favorite Drummer. When I close my eyes and listen to drums hes the sound I want to hear

[@michaeljoyner2934]

Alex and Eddie are the soundtrack of my youth. Love all versions of =VH=. 🤘🏻

[@jeffkaluga997]

One of my favorite drummers ,one of my Top 5..I helped his tech set up his drums on the Montrose Journey Tour,in the late 70s.I had no idea who he was then..He had 4 bass drums connected..I later met him at his Hidden Hills Ranch.I worked 4 the people who invented Rockstar at that time..He was cool ,he gave me $5..

[@drvijil]

Fair Warning is pretty much my favorite VH album and saw them on that tour, and they were fantastic. I always got a kick out of seeing those crazy looking, outrageous drum kits. Alex was a great drummer and perhaps a bit underrated. VH was an amazing group and were a key part of good memories from the late 70s & 80s.

[@bergerdrum]

Loved this video! A couple of points regarding Paiste: The narration talks about Alex starting to use Paiste 2002 AND Sound Edge hi-hats, which makes them seem like separate lines. However, Sound Edge hi-hats were not a line by themselves, they were a type of hi-hat available in all of their pro series (2002, Formula 602, and Sound Creation), as well as the semi-pro 505. And the RUDE series was first released in 1981. Zildjian had dabbled in a single unlathed cymbal (the Earth Ride), but RUDE was the first complete series of unlathed cymbals. Nice work on this video - I really enjoyed it.

[@JamesOKeefe-US]

Awesome video Justin as always!! Great retrospective!

[@gardenstatepost]

Wow dude. Amazing edits. Please make more like this. Incredible work

[@bctwitty]

I am hoping (if not downright expecting) to see and hear a very special music collaboration of Alex and Wolfgang VH playing together sooner vs later. Hunch has it (for me, anyway...) Alex will play on one or two tracks of the next Mammoth album. Word! Bring it, VH - the world needs to see and hear it. Eddie will be listening and watching from VH spiritual side of family love. Please share the love with your fans. We'll love you even more for it. God Bless the VH family forever.

[@dannybam1]

This is amazing coverage on AVH Great job 👍

[@zsu23.45]

L' un de mes batteurs préférés . Extraordinaire Mr Alex Van Halen

[@DesignRhythm]

Great work - I had no idea he was that into the electronics on his kit. I'd say his sound on Hot for Teacher is definitely one of GOATs of drum sounds.

[@eldiablo3794]

Yea, check out his drum solo from their 1986 live without a net concert. They got some awesome close up shots of him and his kit during his solo and you can see his drum set is practically an electronic simmons drum set hidden behind octobons and the only acoustic part of his set are his bass drums. When he does his trademark fast drum roll, its always done on an electronic drum pad. During the live without a net solo, the camera man puts the camera right on Alex during that part and you can see him doing it on his electronic drum pad. Imo Alex, Neil Peart, and Frank Beard from ZZ Top were some of the top drummers to popularize electronic drums.

[@BadRonald1]

Couldn't yo notice the way the drums sound ? Totally electronic sound

[@DesignRhythm]

@@eldiablo3794 very interesting, I will check it out. Don't sleep on Danny Carey, he has a whole arsenal of Mandalas & Wave drums that he uses for all kinds of sounds/ triggers.

[@ModernLove100]

@@DesignRhythm Danny Carey had to incorporate electronic drum sounds while playing with King Crimson because of Bill Burford who used electronic drums on their early 80's recordings.

[@eldiablo3794]

@@DesignRhythm def not sleepin on Danny. I am a fan of how he plays drums on songs with the snare turned off. Hes another one who utilizes electronic drums and triggering and one of my favorite drummers! With all the advancements in electronic drums, like you said he still uses his old synesthesia mandala from the 90s lol.

[@doknox]

Drumming in a neck brace...nothing could stop this guy!

[@ChuckSchillingDrums]

Great video! I actually took those photos of inside the kicks of the white kit, as well as a bunch of other pictures of features of that kit. I snapped as much as I could before security yelled at me for getting too close lol.

[@ljnlaw]

Great video brought back tons of memories of the VH shows I have seen over the years

[@MikeSmith-pz5vl]

Thank you for this video. I absolutely love Alex.

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

This video is great Justin! Everything you put out is top notch

[@65Drums]

Thank you so much! It means a lot coming from an expert like yourself :)

[@jdsharp4033]

I was fortunate enough to see VH 8 times in St.Louis and one year AVH drum set had drums on the outside and all 4 members jumped up on the riser and played at the same time, didn’t see that set here.

[@demonicsweaters]

Absolutely amazing video Justin. AVH is one of my favorite drummers of all time! Great job, loved every minute of it!

[@65Drums]

Thanks for the video suggestion!

[@khollandtalks]

A couple of little extra tidbits: Al used a few other kits not covered here. VH went out in 93 on tour (not supporting any album...they had already done the 'Carnal Knowledge' tour) and he used a maple double bass kit with 22 inch kick drums (!) as you can see on the link below (at the end of this). Also (not that many people know this) ... I got to see their rehearsal room briefly in Burbank preparing for their 'Balance' tour...AND...to my shock and horror...Alex had a double bass Drum Workshop kit set up! He was toying with doing something with them but it never happened...and that was the end of that. Finally, he obtained a green Gretsch double bass kit (from Guitar Center in Hollywood) that part of 'Carnal' was recorded with. I know at least 'Poundcake' was recorded with at least the green Gretsch kick drum. This knowledge comes having an old connection with the band. Huge fan of AVH and very underrated player. Link to '93 tour: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4qocqiXbbGSbM0

[@65Drums]

Awesome! thanks for the extra info

[@dougstanley7662]

That green Gretch kit is on display at the Hardrock Cafe in Pigeon forge Tennessee .I have some pics of them, but I don't think I can put them on here.

[@khollandtalks]

@@dougstanley7662 If memory serves, I think Alex actually cut a hole in the shell of the kick drum...trying to get sounds in the studio. Alex was determined to get a bigger drum sound on that record (with Andy Johns)...I think he was a bit tired of the 'same' drum sound Donn Landee was getting him.

[@TheMichaelJadeDrumChannel]

He was also a HUGE fan of Ghost pedals in the early years, right up to 5150, I believe.

[@Tom-ee3gs]

Excellent Video, great memories, Alex always my no 1 Drummer

[@JeffTalleyandBeyond]

5 1 5 0... Come on man. Sammy only yelled out "Fifty One Fifty" at least ten times every show they did on that tour...

[@sirkayda7205]

VH3 is my favorite Van Halen album and the only one where I don't skip any songs.

[@robertkees6048]

I saw them on their first tour with Sammy in like 86, F'n LOUD MAN! What? Alex did a long drum solo. But I was never a huge fan of the Sammy era, so I finally got to see them with Dave in 2012, great show, but a much much shorter drum solo, but still just as impressive. Perception vs Reality: In 2012 I was on the floor but way off, the pics I took on my phone make it look like I had great seats, but that's the jumbo screen behind the band, the actual band in the shots are those little dots that can be seen at very the bottom.

[@reubenk7331]

Videos like this are really cool, and I am sure it took a looong time to put together. Thanks Justin!

[@cwilliamsdrums]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but the Octobans on the 2004 kit were 8" diameter tubes and feature Dauz electronic pads according to his long time tech/builder/customizer, John Douglas. They were eventually wrapped in translucent blue film, which was mostly torn away at some point (leaving bits behind) and used on the 2007 reunion kit

[@BigEBigs]

Nice job! Btw it's pronounced 'fifty one fifty' not 'five one five oh'

[@sweetwilliam5150]

Yeah that's a pretty iconic number to mess up. But he did a great video so we just razz him a little.

[@badtripmoses]

Alex VanHalen was & is one of my biggest influences of all time!!

[@joes0406]

He was kind of like Bonham in his big drums/big sound...maybe Cozy Powell as well.

[@longroadproductions9242]

Thats cool that EVH's kid Wolfgang took Van Halens previous name "mammoth" for his own band

[@JoeNocella]

Great video! Some of Alex's setups were definitely over the top - mostly for show.

[@davidpierce9949]

Yes. We watched the video.

[@OnBendedKneeMusic]

Honestly, i know at least 5 drummers in my local LA area who would smoke him. Great showman, so so drummer. He hit the lottery being Eddie's brother!

[@65Drums]

You can say that about most famous musicians. Music stores are full of people that can shred on guitar, or do amazing drum fills. But they usually aren't the ones that become the most famous. I think at the end of the day, the song is more important than anything. Van Halen was created at just the right time in music history, and they hit a formula that was just what Rock needed at the time.

[@barrymanilowswardrobe80sba51]

Alex VanHalen and Rick Allen are the reasons I wanted a Simmons SDS9 Kit in the 80s. They proved you could play live in a rock band with eDrums and still be cool.

[@ramm8196]

I couldn't agree with you more! These 2 guys did it for me as well!

[@crazybutcool5150]

Not the same feeling man. That's why Alex went back to wood. True original. Not that 80's electric B's. Might as well go play in some gay 80's retro band.

[@evankeal]

@@crazybutcool5150 Those e drum sounds Alex used were 50,000 times more powerful than any acoustic tom or kick sound. I do get amusement from the naive trying to talk about things they think they know about because they bought a couple of music CDs once, but they dont. Your theory that Alex turned gay for a few decades is rediculous.

[@joes0406]

Rick Allen is the main one who I saw playing the Paiste Rude cymbals...

[@johndef5075]

When I saw Rick in 2018 he was using Yamaha silicone pads as part of his set-up.

[@steveec9704]

No stick twirls No flashy rollercoaster drums The drummer playing for the best guitar player ever Just solid hard hitting drum play He is a Legend

[@mattdelany6799]

Best snare drum sound ever.

[@aligueri3563]

I was searching about Alex Van Halen drum kits and then 65 drums post a vídeo about Alex Van Halen drum set, what a perfect timing!

[@the_farpost]

I had the black and white striped / Fair Warning kit at Guitar Center and used to set it up, move it for events, etc. the snare drum head covered in gaff tape inside and out. a beast. I really wanted to get the "Lips" US Festival kit but was not up for grabs at the time.

[@citytonightproductions]

Al always has a defined sound of his own for sure. I find in his recordings that the hi-hat and cymbals a mixed higher in volume more so than Most drummers

[@andrewbintang4591]

alex van halen is a criminally underrated drummer, just listen to the isolated drum tracks of songs like 'i'm the one' or 'mean street' for some of the most tasteful drumming ever recorded.

[@andrewbintang4591]

mean street kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZiYYnp3adaKarM

[@andrewbintang4591]

i'm the one kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqCqZoanl92NjdU

[@williamrice1955]

Alex never played anything that wasn't needed for the song. Every note meant something.

[@andrewbintang4591]

@@williamrice1955 exactly! plus he was really versatile, van halen without his creative drumming wouldn't have been half as interesting. alex was a driving force with his beats and breaks. the way he played on the van halen track girl gone bad for instance is so creative and original. especially that part @2:37 which is really clever. absolutely incredible for 1984 and still holds up perfectly in 2021. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJStcmVji9Znrrs

[@dwaynecarroll6098]

Seriously underrated drummer and seems like a great guy too!

[@amoore-zd9zv]

Alex and Eddie Van Halen were my inspirations to just give up trying to be a musician.

[@kevinbraud8570]

Alex one of the best...gonna miss him.

[@luvmedrums4057]

If he had played with anyone else,he would have gotten more recognition.Hes an Icon.A absolute beast behind the kit&as with all great drummers,he has his indentity &sound.As soon as you here him play,you know it's AVH.When your brother is a guitar god,you have to take a bit of a back seat.So underrated & underappreciated.I have a brother, I couldn't imagine how heart broken he is

[@jpow73]

I’ve always wondered if 2 out of my 3 favorite rock drummers growing up, Neil Peart and Alex Van Halen, ever met and/or if there is any recording of what they thought of each other’s playing. I already know what Steve Smith and Neil thought of each other (“master class”..Neil on Steve).

[@bigal1863]

I give a nod the the drum tech, Mr. John Douglas, he deserves some credit too IMO. You see him at 19:32.

[@zaz4667]

All of the VH concerts were AWESOME live! There was nothing like it!

[@dedexyz8475]

This was fascinating!

[@willymccabe6602]

Aren't a lot of drummers out there who have their own signature snare sound, but AVH is one of them. You know it's him within the first bar. And I personally always loved his cymbal sound. Fat, warm and very present without stepping on the overall mix. Great vid!!!

[@brianallen8091]

Exactly! I’m in the minority that actually like th3 sound he got from the Simmons. Fat! Totally compatible with the AVH sound, IMO

[@normcummins2719]

That's cool. Ian 'Molly' Meldrum did the first and last interview with Van Halen in this video. The blokes a legend in the land Down Under.

[@MykeLewisMusic]

This was really, really well done! I've been trying to find info about Alex's old setups, and here you go and provide everything in one vid! Thanks! 🤘

[@frankmccollum1443]

We love Al.!! He's hilarious. Van Halen forever!!!

[@deaterk]

Some of our narrator’s comments are a little off & don’t make a lot of sense, from the perspective of a seasoned (mature) drummer who has both witnessed firsthand the many drum sets of AVH (in real time) and been a working drummer for nearly as many years…. I had to pause and comment when he called the hi hat placement ’odd’ in reference to an overhead pic of Al’s set. When in truth, fact, reality, Al was employing a very standard and common clamp that attaches the hi-hat stand to the left kick drum to place it in a more natural playing position!✌🏼🇺🇸👍🏼 Cheers! VH Rocks!

[@amsamoan7989]

Fifty-One-Fifty. NOT 'Five-One-Five-Zero'.

[@haywoodjablowme699]

I'm surprised he didn't say five thousand one hundred fifty

[@stringbender11672]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ModernLove100]

😂😂😂😂

[@MiddleMalcolm]

"Five One Five Oh"... Eeek! Tell me you aren't really a Van Halen fan without telling me. 😏

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

😳🤣🤣🤣😶