Musical gear (Stewart Copeland)

This article is a chronological list of Stewart Copeland’s equipment over the years for all of his works.

1975 – 1976/7

Curved Air Studio

This section needs more information.

Curved Air Live

double Ludwig Clear Blue Perspex drum kit

• imported from Manny's music store in New York, NY, USA

Drums:

• 2x 24" bass drum
• 16" Perspex shell snare drum
• 16" chrome shelled snare drum
• 13" x 9" hanging tom-tom
• 14" x 10" hanging tom-tom
• 16" x 16" floor standing tom-tom
• 18" x 20" floor tom-tom

Hardware:

• Rogers Swiv-O-Matic bass drum pedals
• Ludwig stands

Cymbals:

• Avedis Zildjian 24" ride
• Paiste 2002 16" crash
• Paiste 2002 18" crash
• Paiste 15" hi-hat cymbals (pair)

Sticks:

• Premier "L"

1977 – 1984

The Police Studio

Outlandos d’Amour: ?- 01-1978 - ?-03-1978

Drums: This section needs more information.

Hardware: This section needs more information.

Cymbals: This section needs more information.

Heads: This section needs more information.

Sticks: This section needs more information.

Regatta De Blanc: ?-02-1979 - ?-08-1980

Drums: This section needs more information.

Hardware: This section needs more information.

Cymbals: This section needs more information.

Heads: This section needs more information.

Sticks: This section needs more information.

Zenyatta Mondatta: ?-05-1980 - ?-06-1980

Tama Superstar Super Mahogany

Drums: This section needs more information.

Hardware: This section needs more information.

Cymbals:

• Zildjians. (Hollow logo A's) 16" and 18" (thin and medium)

Heads: This section needs more information.

Sticks: This section needs more information.

Ghost In The Machine: ?-05-1981 - ?-07-1981

Tama Imperialstar Mahogany (9-Ply) Jet Black

Drums:

• 14"x22" Bass Drum
• 5"x14" Snare
• 8"x10" Tom
• 8"x12" Tom
• 9"x13" Tom
• 16” x 16” Floor Tom

Additional Drums:

• Tama Octobans (Royalstar lugs 1970’s model)
• Tama 14”x22” Gong Bass Drum

Hardware: Tama

Cymbals:

• Ictus 75 UFIP Ice Bell
• Paiste 13” 602 Medium Hi-Hats
• Paiste 16” 2002 Medium Crash
• (Paiste 2002?) Splash
• Paiste 11” 2002 Splash
• Paiste 24” RUDE Ride/Crash
• Paiste 18” RUDE Crash/Ride
• Paiste 16” RUDE Crash/Ride
• Paiste Crash

Heads:

• Bass Drum Batter: Remo CS Black Dot
• Bass Drum Resonant: N/A
• Snare Drum Batter: Remo Ambassador Coated
• Snare Drum Resonant: Remo Ambassador
• Tom Batter: Remo CS Black Dot
• Tom Resonant: Remo CS Black Dot
• Floor Tom Batter: Remo CS Black Dot
• Floor Tom Resonant: Remo Ambassador

Sticks:

• Calato Regal Tip 'Rock' model sticks (wood tip)

Tama Imperialstar (9-Ply) Midnight Blue (in upstairs rehearsal room, living room used as this in the Air Montserrat studios which it was recorded in)

Drums:

• 8"x10" Tom
• 8"x12" Tom
• 9"x13" Tom
• 14"x22" Bass Drum
• 5"x14" Snare
• 16” x 16” Floor Tom

Hardware: This section needs more information.

Cymbals:

• Paiste 13” Hi-Hats
• Paiste 602 Crash
• Bell
• (Paiste?) Splash
• (Paiste?) Splash
• Paiste RUDE Crash
• Paiste 602 Crash
• Paiste Crash
• Paiste Ride

Heads: This section needs more information.

Sticks: This section needs more information.

Synchronicity:

Drums: This section needs more information.

Hardware: This section needs more information.

Cymbals: This section needs more information.

Heads: This section needs more information.

Sticks: This section needs more information.

The Police Live

Outlandos d’Amour:

This section needs more information.

Regatta De Blanc:

This section needs more information.

Zenyatta Mondatta: 26-07-1980 - 26-02-1981

This section needs more information.

Ghost In The Machine: 29-07-1981 - 06-09-1982

This section needs more information.

Synchronicity: 23-07-1983 - 04-03-1984

This section needs more information.

1986

The Police: Conspiracy Of Hope Tour: 11-06-1986 - 15-06-1986

Drums: This section needs more information.

Hardware: This section needs more information.

Cymbals:

• Paiste Colorsound
• PAISTE 2002 CHINA 18-20”?

Heads: This section needs more information.

Sticks: This section needs more information.

1988 – 1991

Schematic of Stewart Copeland's kit from 1988-07/08 Drums & Drumming magazine.

Schematic of Stewart Copeland's kit from 1989-11 Rhythm magazine.

List of Stewart Copeland's equipment from 1989-11 Rhythm magazine.

Animal Logic Studio

Drums: This section needs more information.

Hardware: This section needs more information.

Cymbals: This section needs more information.

Heads: This section needs more information.

Sticks: This section needs more information.

Animal Logic Live

Tama Granstar 1 Jet Black? Gun metallic grey?

Drums:

• Bass Drum
• Snare
• Tom
• Tom
• Tom
• Floor Tom

Drums:

• Tama Octobans (x2)

Hardware:

• Tama

Cymbals:

• Paiste Bell/Splash? Size?
• Paiste (Model?) 13” Hi-Hats
• Paiste 3000 Crash (Size?)
• Paiste (2002? Size?) Splash
• Paiste (2002? Size?) Splash
• Paiste (Model? Size?) Crash
• Paiste (Model? Size?) Crash
• Paiste (Model? Size?) Crash
• Paiste Rude Crash (Size?)
• Paiste 22”/24” RUDE Ride/Crash
• Paiste 22” ColorSound 5 Ride (Green)
• Paiste China

Heads: This section needs more information.

Sticks: This section needs more information.

Tama Granstar Heather Metallic

Drums: This section needs more information.

Hardware: This section needs more information.

Cymbals: This section needs more information.

Heads: This section needs more information.

Sticks: This section needs more information.

1997

Tama Artstar II (Finish?)

Drums:

• 18 x 22 Bass Drum
• 5 x 14” Snare Drum
• 8 x 10 Tom
• 8 x 12 Tom
• 9 x 13 Tom
• 16 x 16 Floor Tom
• Octobans

Hardware: This section needs more information.

Cymbals: This section needs more information.

Heads: This section needs more information.

Sticks: This section needs more information.

2001

Schematic of Stewart Copeland's kit in 2001.

Oysterhead Studio

Tama Starclassic Maple Honey Gold

Drums:

• 8 x 12 Tom
• 5 x 14 Snare Drum (Stewart Copeland Signature Snare)
• 8 x 10 Tom
• 9 x 13 Tom
• 16 x 16 Floor Tom
• 18 x 16 Floor Tom
• 18 x 22 Bass Drum

• Octobans
• Tabla
• Gong Drum

Hardware:

• Tama Road Pro
• Tama HH905 Iron Cobra Hi-Hat Stand
• Tama HP900PTW Double Bass Drum Pedal (medium spring tension) (felt beaters)

Cymbals:

• Paiste 8” 2002 Bell
• Paiste 13” Heavy Signature Hi-Hats
• Paiste 16” Signature Full Crash
• Paiste 8” Signature Splash
• Paiste 10” Signature Splash
• Paiste 10” Signature Splash
• Paiste 22” Signature Dry Heavy Ride
• Paiste 16” Signature Fast Crash
• Paiste 18” Light Flat Ride
• Paiste 18” Signature Fast Crash

Heads:

• Bass Drum Batter: Remo PowerStroke 3
• Bass Drum Resonant: Remo Ambassador Ebony
• Snare Drum Batter: Remo Ambassador Coated
• Snare Drum Resonant: Remo Ambassador
• Tom Batter: Remo Ambassador Coated
• Tom Resonant: Remo Ambassador Coated
• Floor Tom Batter: Remo Ambassador Coated
• Floor Tom Resonant: Remo Ambassador Coated

Sticks:

• Vater Stewart Copeland Standard Model

Microphones:

• Shure

Electronics:

• Boomerang Sampler

Oysterhead Live

Tama Starclassic Maple Metallic Green Sparkle

Drums: This section needs more information.

Hardware: This section needs more information.

Cymbals: This section needs more information.

Heads: This section needs more information.

Sticks: This section needs more information.

2001 – 2002

Orchestralli Live

Tama Starclassic Maple (Dark cherry fade royal walnut?)

Drums: This section needs more information.

Hardware: This section needs more information.

Cymbals: This section needs more information.

• Paiste prototypes?

Heads: This section needs more information.

Sticks: This section needs more information.

2003 – 2004

La Notte Della Taranta Studio

Drums: This section needs more information.

Hardware: This section needs more information.

Cymbals: This section needs more information.

Heads: This section needs more information.

Sticks: This section needs more information.

La Notte Della Taranta Live

Tama Starclassic Maple (Blue Coral Reef?) (Cherry Maple?) (Two different coloured kits were used, same sizes)

Drums:

• 10x13 Tom
• 5x14 Stewart Copeland Signature Snare
• 9x10 Tom
• 10x12 Tom
• 16x16 Floor Tom
• 16x18 Floor Tom
• 18x22 Bass Drum

Hardware: This section needs more information.

Cymbals:

• Paiste Signature Bell 8”
• Paiste Signature Dark Crisp Hi-Hat 13”
• Paiste Signature Fast Crash
• Paiste Signature Splash 8”
• Paiste Signature Splash 10”
• Paiste Signature Splash 12”
• Paiste Signature Full Crash 18”
• Paiste Signature Dry Heavy Ride 21”
• Paiste Signature Fast Crash 18”
• Paiste Signature Light Flat Ride 18”
• Paiste Signature Full Crash 16”

Heads:

• Remo Emperor clear on top and Remo Ambassador clear on bottom of all Toms, except for Remo Ambassador coated on top and Remo Ambassador clear on bottom of Snare and Remo PowerStroke 4 on Bass drum.

Sticks:

• Vater Stewart Copeland Standard Model

2006

Schematic of Stewart Copeland's kit from the August 2006 issue of Modern Drummer.

Oysterhead Live (Bonaro Festival)

Tama Starclassic Maple Green Sparkle w/ chrome hardware colour

Drums:

• 18"x22" Bass Drum (SMB2218)
• 5"x14" Stewart Copeland Signature Snare Drum (SC145)
• 8"x10" Tom (SMT1008)
• 10"x12" Tom (SMT1210)
• 9"x13" Tom (SMT1309)
• 15"x16" Floor Tom (SMF1615)
• 16"x16" Floor Tom (SMF1616)
• Octobans Low-Pitch Set (7850N4L)

Hardware:

• Iron Cobra Power Glide Twin Pedal (HP900PTW) 
• Iron Cobra Lever Glide Hi-Hat Stand (HH905) 
• 1st Chair Ergo-Rider Drum Throne (HT730 w/backrest) 

Cymbals:

• Paiste Colorsound 5 Green Ride 22”
• Paiste 8” Signature Light Flat Ride
• Paiste 8” Signature Splash
• Paiste 10” Signature Splash
• Paiste 10” Signature Splash
• Paiste 8” 2002 Bell (Custom)
• Paiste 13” Signature Heavy Hi-Hats
• Paiste 18” Signature Fast Crash
• Paiste 16” Signature Full Crash
• Paiste 16” Signature Fast Crash
• Paiste 18” Signature Full Crash

Heads: This section needs more information.

Sticks:

• Vater Stewart Copeland Standard Model

NOTE: Although Tama has listed this set-up, Stewart Copeland does not always use the green sparkle Octobans live and the 9”x13” Tom is positioned to the left of his hi-hats. Thus the 8”x10” and 10”x12” Toms are positioned above the Bass drum.

2007

Drums: This section needs more information.

Hardware: This section needs more information.

Cymbals: This section needs more information.

Paiste Set-Up Listing

• 13" Signature Dark Crisp Hi-Hat
• 8" Signature Bell
• 8" New Signature Dark Energy Splash Mark I
• 19" New Signature Dark Energy Crash Mark I
• 10" New Signature Dark Energy Splash Mark I
• 9" Traditionals Thin Splash
• 16" New Signature Dark Energy Crash Mark I
• 21" Signature Dry Heavy Ride
• 17" New Signature Dark Energy Crash Mark I
• 18" Traditionals Light Flat Ride

Heads: This section needs more information.

Sticks: This section needs more information.

The Police Live

NOTE: The kit's sizes are exactly the same except the kit used for; the Grammy’s, tour announcement, tour rehearsals (Steerpike). Colour is Tama’s standard blue sparkle colour, where as the tour kit is a darker blue sparkle making it a custom colour made for Stewart. Officially listed by Tama as ‘Police Blue Sparkle’.

Tama Starclassic Maple Police/Blue Sparkle w/ chrome hardware colour

Drums:

• 18"x22" Bass Drum (SMB2218)
• 5"x14" Stewart Copeland Signature Snare Drum (SC145)
• 8"x10" Tom (SMT1008)
• 9"x13" Tom (SMT1309)
• 16"x16" Floor Tom (SMF1616)
• 16"x18" Floor Tom (SMF1816)
• 9"x12" Tom (SMT1209)
• OCT443N
• OCT472N
• OCT536N
• OCT600N

Hardware:

• Roadpro series hardware
• Iron Cobra Power Glide Twin Pedal (HP900PTW)
• Iron Cobra Lever Glide Hi-Hat Stand (HH905)

Cymbals:

Percussion riser (left side of 60” Symphonic Gong)

1–13 in setup diagram (picture #5)

1. 2 pc. Suspended finger cymbal
2. 15” pc. Finger cymbal
3. Rotosound # 2
4. Sound Disks (suspended)
5. Accent Cymbals #2, #4, #6 (suspended)
6. 13” Accent Gong
7. 5 pc. Cup China set
8. 8” Prototype Splash
9. 10” 2002 Splash
10. 11” 2002 Splash
11. 12” 2002 Splash
12. Sound Plate #2
13. 2 Octave Crotale C6-C8
14. 60” Symphonic Gong

Percussion riser (right side of 60” Symphonic Gong)

15-27 in setup diagram (Picture #3)

15. Sound Disk #2

16. Sound Disk #1

17. 15 pc. Finger Cymbal (suspended)

18. Sound Disk #4

19. E-6 Crotale (suspended)

20. Rotosound #3

21. Sound Disk #5

22. 6” Signature Splash

23. 8” Signature Splash

24. 10” Alpha Metal Splash

25. 8” 2002 Splash

26. 10” Rude Splash

27. 10” 2002 Wild Splash

Right corner: Far right on percussion riser

#28-29 in setup diagram (Picture #4)

28. 12” Signature Flanger Bell

29. 18” Twenty Crash

Paiste Cymbal Set up: Far right on percussion riser

#30-40 in setup diagram (Picture #1)

30. 14” 2002 Flanger Splash

31. 12” Prototype Hats

32. 8” Signature Bell

33. 18” Signature Fast Crash

34. 8” Signature Prototype Splash

35. 10” Signature Splash

36. 16” Signature Full Crash

37. 17” Signature Fast Crash

38. 22” Signature Blue Bell Ride

39. 18” 2002 Flat Ride (prototype)

40. 18” Signature Full Crash

Heads:

• HeadFirst custom “THE POLICE” bass drum head
• Remo heads

Sticks:

• Vater Stewart Copeland Standard Model

Microphones

Vocals

• Sennheiser 865

Drum kit:

• Kick: Shure Beta 52, SM91
• Snare: SM57 (top), Neumann KM184 (Bottom)
• Toms: Beyer Opus 87s, 88s
• Overheads: Audio-Technica 4050s
• Splash Cymbals: Neumann KM184

Percussion:

• Neumann KM184s (overheads, Bells), Beyer Opus 87s (toms), Beta 52 (Bass drum)

Timpani:

• Sennheiser 421

Gloves:

• Nike golf tech extreme

The Police Studio

Drums: This section needs more information.

Hardware:

• Roadpro series hardware
• Iron Cobra Power Glide Twin Pedal (HP900PTW)
• Iron Cobra Lever Glide Hi-Hat Stand (HH905)

Cymbals:

Same cymbal set-up except:

• 18” Traditionals Light Flat Ride (Replaces: 18” 2002 Flat Ride prototype)
• Paiste Colorsound 5 Green Ride 22” (Used for Vancouver rehearsals, Grammy’s, Tour announcement + features in recent magazine articles such as DRUM! And Rhythm and TAMA advert)
• 22” Signature Dark Metal Ride (Used for Tuscany Steerpike recording studio) (Replaces: 22” Signature Blue Bell Ride)

Heads: This section needs more information.

Sticks:

• Vater Stewart Copeland Standard Model

Microphones: This section needs more information.

References

• List compiled by Amanda (a.mudford@btinternet.com).
• Rhythm magazine, Volume 2, Number 7, November 1989.
• Modern Drummer magazine, Volume 25, Number 11, November 2001.
• Modern Drummer magazine, Volume 30, Number 8, August 2006.
• Curved Air information from SOUNDS - November 22, 1975