On the Road with NDV: Drums, Cymbals & Sticks . . . Oh My! A Mr. Big Drum Rig Tour

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Sweetwater’s Nick D’Virgilio was recently tapped by none other than the legendary Paul Gilbert to join Mr. Big on The Big Finish Tour, lending his percussive panache to the band as, on its first leg, it ignited stages throughout Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. After getting up close and personal with the rest of the band’s rigs, the camera now points to NDV, giving you a detailed rundown of his drums, cymbals, and more, showing you what it takes to light up the stage with Mr. Big night after night. Check it out!  
Want more videos from NDV’s time on the road with Mr. Big? Check out his rig tours with Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan, and front-of-house engineer Nishi 👉 • On the Road with NDV: ...
After you watch, check out Sweetwater.com today for all your music instrument and pro audio needs! 👉 sweetwater.sjv...
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#Sweetwater #NDV #MrBig #TheBigFinishTour #DW #Sabian #RigTour

[@sweetwater]

Want to see Nick D’Virgilio’s rig in action? Catch him with Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan, and Eric Martin on Mr. Big’s The Big Finish Tour, where they’ll perform Lean into It in its entirety! Find out more here 👉 www.mrbigsite.com/

[@DanielWürtz-y4t]

Imagine Paul Gilbert doing your rig rundown 😂😂😂

[@stevenfederico2594]

Nick is the man Deserves more praise. Incredible drummer not enough recognition.

[@daltonidaho]

Nick is such a kind, down to earth guy. It's nice to see his successes.

[@silentskystudios]

I got to meet Nick one year at Morsefest (my family was staying at the same hotel as Nick and the Sweetwater crew that accompanied him), and he was just as nice and down-to-earth in person as what he seems in the videos. Just a real class act. And what a phenomenal drumming talent. I absolutely love that he's landed the gig with Mr. Big, which happens to be one of my favorite bands!

[@JDWindtPlaysGuitar]

This is a great angle for an interview: One seasoned pleayer asking the other great questions about life as a drummer in a world-touring band, with a perfect combination of ingenuity and well thought out questions.

[@MikeLumer]

Both these guys are complete legends. I wish more gig rundowns were like this. Paul asked all the good questions!

[@adammercysystem6450]

These guys seem lovely. Paul just exudes lovely friendly nerdiness hahaha! In the nicest way possible

[@alessandrorossini8704]

Who isn't glad that Nick had this gig? He's an awesome drummer and a very nice, down to earth guy, I think that Paul and the other Bigs just made the right choice. Rock on, Nick! 👍🏼👍🏼💪🏼💪🏼

[@jables3377]

Definitely a perfect choice!

[@NikkLiberos]

So we are doing Nick's rig with no other than PAUL GILBERT!!! Chills throughout. Loved the chemistry between you guys.

[@markkeneson6806]

Congratulations on your signature sticks, Mr. D'Virgilio.

[@xeverettx2564]

Paul Gilbert is the coolest dude ever!!! He’s so humble, talented, funny, great suburban dad vibe going on too!!

[@mikeskenne]

I love Nick! All the experience and knowledge with youthful excitement. Such a great teacher and player.

[@Trav86]

Two of my absolute favorite musicians ever. I could listen to these guys talk all day.

[@srwaite7]

Nick is not only a great drummer and singer but a great guy. Always a pleasure, NDV! 👌🏼😎

[@TinnyHidge]

Those were great questions! That's the kind of shizzle you want to hear being asked. Nice one Paul! 👍 Also Nick seems like a good dude!🤘🙂🤘

[@joshuajuaire8757]

One of my favorites is the China cymbal with rivets

[@MauricioMagaldi]

Jose Baraquio is a freaking drum tech legend! I had the distinct pleasure of sharing a tour with him while working with MP in Brazil back in 2019 and could witness how a real pro works like. Truly an honor.

[@diegosolana374]

Paul just did the best rig rundown interview ever. Great questions both for beginners and pros.

[@intradibles]

Drummer here! Nick and Mr. Big, thank you for coming to Manila to play. Backlining is pretty much common in the Philippines since most Filipino drummers can't bring their own drums on tour with them. But since playing music is only a hobby for me I would want to carry my kit around to my friends or relatives' events. I love DW Drums and hardware, they're my dream brand! 🥁🥁🥁

[@Assimilator702]

Paul is a great interviewer! I loved the detail oriented questions.

[@johannjohann6523]

Two great guys in rock and music.

[@willymccabe6602]

A guitar player just did the best interview of a drummer I've ever heard. 😂 What a great video!!!!

[@LWDrumz]

That's great Nick!! I was always a fan of Mr. Big and it's great that you are playing with them now!!

[@brunooliveira6975]

Had a chance to see Eric Martin alone in Brazil and have to say that NDV is right about the consistency. It felt perfect! With all the limitations and, a very small venue, a band he probably never played with before, the guy gave a show for the ages. Even my wife, who didn't know any Mr. Big was thrilled by how good he was.

[@Dlanddrum]

This was so cool. Thanks Paul and Nick!

[@frankspikes7858]

Both of these guys are cool. I really enjoy hearing, and watching them play.

[@justinreynolds3935]

Paul is awesome man. Why he got so far in life. He's just a down to earth no ego dude. Nick is the same. Ever since he joined the SW crew it really opened up doors for him. He's been around for a long time. I remeber he was one of the reasons I got a mapex saturn kit. He was an early mapex endorser. Kinda sad he's using DW now but I get it. They are very very available. Pearl too. I personally think Yamaha is the number one backline kit. Stage custom and the recording custom. Used those kits soo many times as backline.

[@micahnewby3482]

Great content as usual, great conversation. Great Job Nick for landing this gig. So Awesome!!

[@IononesRoomfulofDrumsStudio]

❤ Love this! Nick with Paul Gilbert wow🤩

[@julianandreaswiggins5756]

That’s a gorgeous Dw setup!! I love Dw Drums💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘

[@mikew8622]

Nick's sticks are great! Got a couple pairs and feel good all around.

[@mightydook]

Nick rules!

[@mikevanderhule]

That was great! Great job Nick! Love what you're doing. Good interviewing Paul, great questions. Nick, don't forget, Yamaha has drums EVERYWHERE! I've always have Yamaha drums to play no matter how remote the country. And they always sound great, no matter what model.

[@gatherstudio5219]

You both Rock!

[@vandavis000]

I love nick and i love paul gilbert and billy sheehan and eric martin. I guess i love all mr big. Rip patt torpey.

[@alexhiltondrums]

New Mr. Big Concert DVD please! Nick is a monster drummer!

[@ToddGoldsmith-x1o]

Really always appreciate all the great drumming gear information from Nick on the Sweetwater channel and his playing! Especially on the new DWe drums. A Mr. BIG Congrats on holding the drum chair down for another really great drummer and super nice guy, Mr. Pat Torpey who is greatly missed by all. Lucky enough to see Mr. BIG open for Rush on the Presto Tour.......both bands were great......and I got quite the drumming lesson from Mr. Torpey and Mr. Peart.

[@nickpruett8022]

Very cool, excellent drummer for that gig. He seems like an all around genuine dude too. Hard to come behind Pat Torpey, Mr. Virgilio does it right.

[@robgracia509]

humble guys love this

[@ThomasMetal75]

Being in a band with Paul Gilbert seems like some serious fun!

[@VirtualLiveShow]

Excellent interview, much respect!

[@evankeal]

Nice vocal mic and stand/support design!

[@Arbigale]

Pat T (🕊️) would be proud🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

I was excited to see a kit video, and then you get the added bonus of Paul Gilbert asking questions 😄

[@PabloJ1968]

Happy Birthday sir!

[@FrederickIngraham-yq4sz]

Nick for president

[@justinreynolds3935]

When I used backline the Yamaha recording and stage custom and dw kits were 99% of the stuff you got Pearl not so much but I did endorse Pearl for 2 years. All solid stuff man.

[@kmiloxix]

Really cool video, thanks 👍🏼 ... Looking forward to Mr Big touring in South America ✈️🎉🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@leeasbury7273]

Nick! Mr. BIG! Awesome I'm a guitarist first and drummer 2nd too, Paul.

[@roloduarte3100]

Great interview.

[@eliseohersan7390]

Nick D'virgilio es de mis bateristas favoritos, me encanta su manera de tocar la bateria, tambien la emocion y potencia que utiliza al momento de tocar, saludos desde México 🥁🇲🇽

[@isaacsitiakalaabwenje]

😆😆😆Wow, You deserve the Praise Nick wonderful Backline.

[@jonn443]

I still use my Pearl Eliminator double pedal. Still the best pedal they released.

[@philgaudion5452]

so good! Great interview!!

[@alfiend331]

I've been a Paul Gilbert fan for ages (especially dig his solo stuff where he sings). And now, thanks to this final tour, I'm a Nick D'Virgilio fan, too. Gotta do some research and find out more about his previous work. I've certainly seen a ton of Sweetwater videos he's in.

[@calzaondrums]

Imagine being so good at drums you become MR. BIG's new drummer

[@mjulio71]

No mention of Yamaha drums?! With every single backline company, first two drum brands in their list are always DW and Yamaha. I'm a Tama user now and honestly, it's ALWAYS harder to find exact choices and options than with those other two. Excellent, real life video from Nick as always.

[@TwoandaHater]

NVD is awesome and Paul is cool!

[@kyrsid]

huge shoes to fill in. well done. 🙂

[@alexalja]

I was thinking about upgrade my eliminators pedal but Nick D’Virgilio, a great professional drummer who works at Sweetwater, still uses it. My wife wants to save this money but you guys know that snare and will agree with me. Cheers Nick!

[@danoneill130]

Pearl Eliminator pedals are 100% it! I had a couple DW 5000 pedals from the early 2000’s til 2016. Got the Pearl Redline Belt version….never looking back. Silent, smooth, way durable, and quick.

[@jonashellborg8320]

So nice to see Nicks rock setup for Mr Big, and nice of Paul to interview Nick! I loved that question of bass frequencies affecting drums, you indeed don’t know if your drums sound right until the whole band is playing. :-) Very curious about your sticks, Nick!

[@ealingschoolofdrums3692]

At last ! A useful KZbin video, from a Top pro. Thanks for the insight :)

[@felixweber6593]

So cool... Nick being interviewed by Mr Paul Gilbert himself, nice moment of complicity between two fantastic musicians... Are you coming to Europe ?

[@brentharmonmusicproduction]

This went up on Nick's Birthday.

[@ErikShen2907]

R.I.P. MAESTRO PAT TORPEY!!!

[@TheCOZ]

Thanks everyone for doing this. NDV, Paul, Jose, Sweetwater you all rock! Coulda done without the BGM though.

[@SydneyDrums]

Yamaha & Ludwig also have a lot of backline across the world 👍🏼

[@anugroho3110]

Paul Gilbert is an excellent interviewer

[@immersiveaudionft2203]

The throne is a great part of the set also. Porter & Davies rock.

[@JCordoba1001]

The eliminator is the goat 🐐!

[@dapdrums]

Mr. Big Big Big Train!

[@shreyasiyengar8408]

Pearl Masters in pretty much every city in India. Yamaha in the rest of Asia. They sound great and come with smaller diameter kicks drums. I always ask for a 20 inch. Got a 10 city tour in the US coming up in a couple of months. Interested to see what kind of backline I'll get. Also cymbals over kick pedal, but that's cause no backline cymbals will come close to my specific sound. And I only play one kick pedal. I'm sure it's a lot more important when you're playing double bass like Nick does.

[@Ben-Jamminalot]

SnareWeight are the Greatest Ever! That's it ,& that's all.🥁

[@myobmyob2215]

Nick are there cocktail/ street / bop / travel ekits yet? Thanks youre the man

[@nathanielpersohn600]

NDV is my spirit "Animal" (SEE MUPPETS) for the drums...PG is the best for Git fiddles....

[@Beerbatter1962]

I don't remember Nick playing offset rack toms normally. Now, every single drum kit they showed, he had the kits setup as offset toms. Did Nick decide this was a better configuration at some point?

[@craigswensen434]

Paul asks good questions.

[@shbmlai]

Hi from Malaysia, and this video was taken from Malaysia last October.

[@joshuajuaire8757]

Awsome

[@samdaud]

This video record at my country? Malaysia? wow!!!

[@yaronbinyamini241]

Happy Birthday Master Drummer NDV! Very special day, for us too as my daughter is celebrating 8 today. I wonder, do you carry the bass reso head with you too or just stickers to put on any head provided?

[@natanaelguadalupeaviles1550]

I love SABIAN brand. Its so dificult to have them shiped to PR.

[@pdacayan]

Hi Nick, what bearings did you put on your old eliminators, I have the same and was thinking of replacing them with skateboard bearings

[@smjohnst]

The legendary Jose Baraquio as the drum tech?!

[@tiubster]

You had your prototype when playing in Kuala Lumpur??!!! 🎉🎉🎉 pwweett😊

[@rosshembling2953]

Great playing Nick 🥁👍

[@thomascooley4388]

Wondering why you prefer the snare weight dampeners over o-rings...

[@tomkelsey2303]

Thought Nick was a Mapex and Meinl guy. 😮

[@chadcarrdrums]

How cool of Paul to do your rig rundown!

[@DavidLewis-i6h]

Williamson Road

[@aaronaustin7760]

Is that the same Jose that Mike Portnoy uses for Nick's drum tech?

[@beatmasterbossy]

Nick D'Virgilio, surrounded by an invisible storm, talks about his rig with Sweetwater...

[@andyham6094]

All that talking about the drums without one single sound demo of one single piece on that kit

[@kenminerva]

Paul Gilbert could put down his guitar, doing something else and still be great at it..and inspiring too..❤❤

[@jables3377]

Doesn't Jose tech for Mike Portnoy as well?

[@gauravdubey3071]

Mr Big, Big Big Train… what’s next, big band music?

[@ngunnawalmick7029]

Nick's a good drummer but.... he's also a good salesman. Better go get me some sticks.

[@einarabelc5]

Apparently Paul didn't research Nick's background or I don't know anything.

[@einarabelc5]

The original drummer Pat was close with Paul. Imagine this then.

[@DrDr-pg5br]

Why does Nick always look like he just ate a handful of almonds when he is being interviewed?

[@RU-HDD-4-HVN]

That was a random comment..... but strangely I liked it?