Video summary
John Bonham is famously associated with the Ludwig 2002 cymbals, yet this iconic status often obscures the reality of his actual gear choices throughout his career. While he certainly played these cymbals from around 1973 onward, his early years and even periods after that were dominated by the use of Giant Beat ride cymbals for most of 1973 and 1975. The video suggests that many people assume he used the 2002s exclusively because of a single super iconic photograph, which has led to a misconception that he played them all the time, ignoring the variety of equipment he utilized before and during those specific eras.
The discussion highlights how Bonham was not rigid in his setup but rather mixed and matched different cymbals depending on the context and availability. Specifically regarding hi-hats, he began using 14-inch and 15-inch models from the 602 series before transitioning to Sound Edge 602s later on. The transcript notes a lack of clear photographic evidence showing him playing Giant Beat hats, which contrasts with the strong association fans have with them. This mix-and-match approach was typical for drummers of that era, where gear choices could shift based on studio requirements or live performance needs without necessarily changing the core sound they were known for.
A significant portion of the conversation revolves around a specific debate regarding which hi-hats sounded more authentic to Bonham's style when playing the intro to "Rock and Roll." The speaker questions whether the 15-inch 602s or the Giant Beat hats produced a sound that was more true to his live performances, noting that while he used Sound Edge 602s live at certain times, his personal preference leaned toward the Giant Beats. This back-and-forth illustrates how difficult it is to pin down an exact configuration for such a legendary drummer, as his setup evolved and varied between studio sessions, live tours, and different recording projects.
Ultimately, the video concludes that while the 2002 cymbals remain a defining part of Bonham's legacy, they were not the sole instrument he used throughout his entire career. The narrative emphasizes that his gear history is more complex than the single image often cited by fans, involving a transition from Giant Beats to Sound Edge models and various sizes of hi-hats. By examining these details, listeners gain a clearer understanding of how Bonham's sound was constructed through experimentation and adaptation rather than reliance on a single piece of equipment, challenging the simplified view that he only ever played one specific set of cymbals.
Read the full video transcript
So, you know, Bonham is iconically
associated with 2002's.
He really didn't play 2002's for that
I mean, he he played them, of course,
from about '73 onward. But, those early
days, you know, before they were made,
and even after, he was using a Giant
Beat ride for pretty much all of '73 and
'75.
>> Mhm.
I feel like he gets he gets like things
that become iconic for him are because
of like one super iconic photo. And then
that's what he people think he played
all the time. Yeah.
>> He would mix and match, I'm sure. Like,
you know, the high hats that he was
using early on, I think, were 602's,
14's, and then 15's.
And then he started using the Sound Edge
602's.
Um I haven't seen any photos of him
clearly playing Giant Beat hats,
honestly.
>> Yeah, yeah.
>> done like a pretty thorough
um investigation.
>> No, I just There was another See,
whenever I hear you talk about this, I
always think of other conversations
we've had. Did we ever, you know,
George, when you farted around here with
the 602 15-in hi-hats, or your 15-in
Giant Beat hats, and you play the intro
to Rock and Roll, which sounds more dead
on to you?
>> To me, the Giant Beats
>> do.
>> Yeah, to me the Giant Beats do, too,
which is funny because at that time live
he was using Sound Edge 602 hats.
>> 602's.