JOJO MAYER BASIC KIT

DRUMS (Sonor "Designer", Birch Lite or "Lite" or "Hilite"):

  • 1- 20" by 16" Bass drum
  • 2- 14" by 4" Snare drum (either Sonor Light with a birch shell, or Sonor
    HD-400 steel shell). Always with flanged hoops. "Die-cast hoops don't work for me !"
  • 3- 10" by 9" tom tom
  • 4- 12" by 10" tom tom
  • 5- 14" by 12" tom tom

6 - 12" by 4" snare drum (Designer Series Birch Light, prototype), sometimes
a 10" by 5" (Designer Series Maple Light).
Occasionally, Jojo uses an additional 16" by 14' tom tom (next to his 14" tom), and sometimes an extra 8" by 8" tom tom (next to his 10").Also, sometimes Jojo has been using a 14" by 8" Hilite snare drum or a 14" by 5 1/2" with a steel shell.
Out of the various lines of drums that Sonor produces, Jojo mostly uses "Sonor Hilite" (maple shells) in the U.S., and "Sonor Lite" (skandinavian birch shells) in Europe. "The Sonor Lite is the best-sounding kit I've ever played on! That bass drum is unbelievable!"

CYMBALS (Sabian):

  • A- 13" AAX hi-hats, or 14" AA regular hats
  • B- 12" AAX splash
  • C- 17" AAX stage crash
  • D- 8" AAX splash
  • E- 21" Jojo Mayer signature "fierce ride" or 20"HH raw dry ride
  • F- 15" AAX studio crash
  • G- 18" AAX china

The above, more or less, describes Jojo's basic cymbal set-up. Sometimes he would substitute one or the other cymbal for a one of a bigger or a smaller size, or he'll use a different series. For instance, for a more jazz type of situation, he might use a 20" HH Manhattan or Vintage ride and use HH crashes. Jojo often augments his set up with some additional hi-hats, splashes etc (check the "jungle set-up" for examples).  
He also uses various other effects with cymbals, such as taping a 6" splash or 8" rocktagon cymbal on the snare drum etc. In general, he often changes his set-up, always looking for new sounds and combinations.

HARDWARE :

  • 6 Sonor Protec aluminum-alloy cymbal-stands with boom-arms (short, no counter weights!)
  • 1 Sonor Protec aluminum-alloy cymbal-holder (suspended from double tom holder on bass drum)
  • 2 Sonor Protec aluminum-alloy snare-drum stands
  • 1 Sonor Protec aluminum-alloy hi-hat-stand, sometimes a 5000 Designer series hi-hat stand or a Tama lever- glide hi-hat. All operate with minimal spring-tension.
  • 1 Sonor Protec aluminum-alloy double tom tom-holder (on bass drum)
    Usually, Jojo uses a Multiclamp with a tom-arm to suspend the 14" tom tom from a cymbal-stand. Sometimes, when using an additional 16" tom tom, he`ll take a 1 Sonor Protec aluminum-alloy double tom tom-stand.
  • 1 drum-seat (very important!). Any brand would do as long as it is sturdy, and it's height adjustable.

Often, Jojo uses a variety of (Protec or other) Cymbal-stackers, Multiclamps- and holders to augment his set-up with additional instruments like a X-Hat, a LP-Cyclops Tambourine, a LP Mambo-bell, additional cymbals or toms etc, etc.
The Sonor Lites are equipped with the R.I.M.S. system.
Unfortunately, especially for those who have to schlep their drums them self, Sonor discontinued the Protec aluminum-alloy hardware a while ago (Too bad!). If not available, Jojo would use any of the other hardware-lines. At times, (especially for bigger set-ups on tours) he's been using a rack-system combined of Sonor and Gibraltar components, which cuts down on set-up time, space consumption and weigth.

BASS-DRUM PEDAL:

1Sonor phonic Z53 70 (discontinued) with a nylon strap (low spring-tension).
Note: Jojo is currently developing and designing a prototype pedal by himself to specifically accommodate his way of playing.

DRUMSTICKS (Vic Firth):

Vic Firth "Jojo Mayer international series signature model". Vic Firth now produces Jojo's signature model

The concept behind Jojo's design is to create a stick with the weight of a 5A but the "beefy" feel and balance of a 5B. The relatively short lenght of the stick shifts the fulcurum and balance point further back on the stick, hence providing a solid feel with fast action and excellent rebound all at the same time.

BRUSHES:

"I like the retractable Regal-tip wire brushes with the black rubber handle. The ones Premier makes (Philly Joe Jones Model?) are good too. I rarely use plastic or nylon brushes, they sound wimpy on cymbals."

DRUMHEADS (Remo):

Bass drum: coated or clear ambassador with a Kevlar patch in the center (batter) and ebony ambassador with 6" hole (front).
Snare drums: coated ambassador or renaissance (batter), ambassador or diplomat snare heads (bottom)
Tom toms: coated ambassador or renaissance (batter), and clear ambassadors (bottom)

NOTE: The above is an approximation of my everchanging set up. The kits vary in size and shape based on changing requirements and My quest for new sounds and ideas.

For more equipment infos go to NERVE KIT,  SPECS TALK or check the INTERVIEWS

 

JOJO MAYER BASIC KIT