What's Rolf Playing?

We get large amounts of questions regarding what equipment we use for our different album recordings. This is an attempt to list the drum equipment we have used since the Hillsong LIVE 'Blessed' recording in 2002. I pray it will answer some (hopefully all) of your questions. Please bear in mind that the sound produced on these albums are carefully mixed etc by our engineers. Getting this equipment will not automatically make you sound like what you’re hearing on the recordings. A rule of thumb though is (most times) the better YOU can make something sound acoustically, the better it will sound through your sound system, so make sure you stay sharp at tuning and the way you actually play the drums.

There is no universal formula to picking the right equipment as this will always be a situational matter. You will need to consider what your senior pastor, worship pastor, technical director, worship leader etc wants. Your leaders will often have a bigger perspective / “big-picture” on things, and we need to take that into account if we want to be effective servants in the House of God. Although - as a drummer you must use your special knowledge as well, to give advice in order to come up with the best solutions. You need to consider the size of your room and its acoustic characteristics. Find what works best for your church, your music style, budget, etc.

What particular brand of drums or cymbals that’s used for church is in my opinion unimportant, as long as the drummer has a worshipping heart and a commitment to excellence. In my case this means wherever I play, on whatever kit, whatever configuration, I do my best to pull the best sounds from the available equipment. Not all drummers have the budget to purchase state of the art equipment, but everyone can make good and intelligent decisions that will contribute positively to the greater vision of the church. One of my main goals is to build my part of the greater puzzle towards a fantastic church service experience. In a small room I would maybe use thin sticks (7A’s) or sometimes even blasticks / brushes / flixsticks, thin and medium small cymbals if available, to cater towards a balanced overall sound. In big rooms or stadiums, drum and cymbal sizes tend to go bigger. I hope this will help you. Keep up the good work, it is such a privilege to serve His Majesty, to know Him and to be called His friend.


Hillsong UNITED, Encounter Fest 2008

PART > SIZE > BRAND/MAKE > HEADS
SNARE - 14”X5” GRETSCH NEW CLASSIC LIMITED REMO EMPEROR – X ON BATTER
KICK - 22”X18” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM EVANS G1 ON BATTER EVANS G2 ON FRONT
TOM 1 - 12”X8” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO COATED EMPEROR ON TOP CLEAR AMBASSADOR UNDER
TOM 2 - 16”X16” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO COATED EMPEROR ON TOP CLEAR POWERSTROKE 4 UNDER
HIHATS - 14” ZILDJIAN A NEW BEATS BRILLIANT
RIDE - 21” ZILDJIAN A SWEET RIDE TRADITIONAL
CRASH - 18” ZILDJIAN A AVEDIS
CRASH - 19” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CRASH - 20” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
HARDWARE - PEARL



Hillsong LIVE – This Is Our God (2008)

PART > SIZE > BRAND/MAKE > HEADS
SET A
SNARE - 14”X6.5” NOBLE & COOLEY ZILDJIAN ALLOY REMO EMPEROR – X ON BATTER
KICK - 22”X20” GRETSCH USA CUSTOM EVANS EMAD ON BATTER EVANS G2 OR G1 ON FRONT
TOM 1 - 12”X8” GRETSCH USA CUSTOM REMO COATED EMPEROR ON TOP CLEAR AMBASSADOR UNDER
TOM 2 - 16”X16” GRETSCH USA CUSTOM REMO COATED EMPEROR ON TOP CLEAR AMBASSADOR UNDER
HIHATS - 15” ZILDJIAN K-CUSTOM FAST CRASH ON TOP
HIHATS - 15” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM MEDIUM CRASH UNDER
RIDE - 21” ZILDJIAN A SWEET RIDE TRADITIONAL
CRASH - 20” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CRASH - 20” SABIAN HHX EVOLUTION RIDE
SET B
SNARE - 14”X5” GRETSCH USA CUSTOM REMO EMPEROR – X ON BATTER
HIHATS - 14” ZILDJIAN A NEW BEAT
RIDE 21” ZILDJIAN A SWEET RIDE TRADITIONAL
CRASH - 19” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CRASH - 20” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CRASH - 20” SABIAN HHX EVOLUTION RIDE
HARDWARE - DW - DW 9000 SINGLE PEDAL



Hillsong LIVE - Saviour King (2007)

PART > SIZE > BRAND/MAKE > HEADS
SNARE - 14”X8” LUDWIG REMO CS BATTER
KICK - 22”X18” DW COLLECTOR’S SERIES EVANS G1 ON BATTER EVANS G2 ON FRONT
TOM 1 - 12”X8” DW COLLECTOR’S SERIES REMO CLEAR EMPEROR ON TOP
TOM 2 - 16”X14” DW COLLECTOR’S SERIES REMO CLEAR EMPEROR ON TOP
SET A
HIHATS - 16” ZILDJIAN K-CUSTOM DARK CRASH ON TOP
HIHATS - 16” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM CRASH UNDER
RIDE - 21” ZILDJIAN A SWEET RIDE TRADITIONAL
CRASH - 19” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CRASH - 20” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
SET B
HIHATS - 14” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
RIDE - 21” ZILDJIAN A SWEET RIDE BRILLIANT
CRASH - 18” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CRASH - 19” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CRASH-  19” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CRASH - 20” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
HARDWARE - DW - DW 5002 DOUBLE PEDAL

Hillsong UNITED - All Of The Above (2007)

PART > SIZE > BRAND/MAKE > HEADS
SNARE - 14”X5” OLD LUDWIG STEEL SNARE AND VARIOUS OTHERS
KICK - 20”X14” OLD LUDWIG UNKNOWN – REMO
TOM 1 - 12”X8” OLD GRETSCH USA CUSTOM REMO COATED AMBASSADOR (PROBABLY)
TOM 2 - 16”X14” OLD LUDWIG REMO COATED AMBASSADOR (PROBABLY)
HIHATS - 15” PAISTE 502 SERIES
HIHATS - 16” ZILDJIAN K-CUSTOM DARK CRASH ON TOP
HIHATS - 16” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM CRASH UNDER
RIDE - 20” ZILDJIAN K-CUSTOM DARK RIDE
RIDE/CRASH  20” ZILDJIAN K-CONSTANTINOPLE (MAKE UNKNOWN)
CRASH 19” ZILDJIAN A
CRASH 19” ZILDJIAN Z-CUSTOM TRASH RIDE AND VARIOUS OTHER CYMBALS
HARDWARE - VARIOUS

Hillsong LIVE - Mighty To Save (2006)

PART > SIZE > BRAND/MAKE > HEADS
SNARE 1 - 14”X5” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO CS BATTER
SNARE 2 - 14”X5” DW COLLECTOR’S SERIES REMO CS BATTER
SNARE 3 - 12”X7” BRADY REMO CS BATTER
SNARE 4 - 14”X6.5” PEARL DENNIS CHAMBERS SIGNATURE SNARE REMO CS BATTER
KICK - 22”X16” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM EVANS G1 ON BATTER EVANS G2 ON FRONT
TOM 1 - 10”X8” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO CLEAR EMPEROR ON TOP
TOM 2 - 12”X8” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO CLEAR EMPEROR ON TOP
TOM 3 - 14”X14” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO CLEAR EMPEROR ON TOP
TOM 4 - 16”X16” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO CLEAR EMPEROR ON TOP
HIHATS - 14” ZILDJIAN K-CUSTOM DARK HATS
RIDE - 21” ZILDJIAN A SWEET RIDE TRADITIONAL
SPLASH - 8” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CRASH - 18” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CRASH - 19” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CRASH - 20” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CHINA - 19” K-CUSTOM DARK CHINA
HARDWARE - PEARL

Hillsong LIVE - God He Reigns (2005)

PART > SIZE > BRAND/MAKE > HEADS
SNARE 1 - 14”X6.5” PEARL DENNIS CHAMBERS SIGNATURE SNARE REMO CS BATTER
SNARE 2 - 12”X7” BRADY REMO CS BATTER
KICK - 22”X16” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM EVANS G1 ON BATTER
EVANS G2 ON FRONT
TOM 1 - 10”X8” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO CLEAR EMPEROR ON TOP
TOM 2 - 12”X8” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO CLEAR EMPEROR ON TOP
TOM 3 - 14”X14” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO CLEAR EMPEROR ON TOP
TOM 4 - 16”X16” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO CLEAR EMPEROR ON TOP
HIHATS - 14” ZILDJIAN K-CUSTOM DARK HATS
RIDE - 20” ZILDJIAN K-CUSTOM
SPLASH  - 8” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CRASH - 19” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CRASH - 20” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CHINA - 19” K-CUSTOM DARK CHINA
HARDWARE - PEARL

Hillsong UNITED - United We Stand (2005)

PART > SIZE > BRAND/MAKE > HEADS
SNARE 1 - 14”X6.5” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO CS BATTER
SNARE 2 - 12”X7” BRADY REMO CS BATTER
KICK - 22”X18” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM EVANS G1 ON BATTER EVANS G2 ON FRONT
TOM 1 - 12”X8” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO COATED EMPEROR ON TOP CLEAR AMBASSADOR UNDER
TOM 2 - 16”X16” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO COATED EMPEROR ON TOP CLEAR AMBASSADOR UNDER
HIHATS - 14” ZILDJIAN K-CUSTOM DARK HATS
RIDE - 20” ZILDJIAN A PING RIDE
SPLASH - 8” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CRASH - 18” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CRASH - 20” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CRASH - 18” ZILDJIAN Z-CUSTOM
HARDWARE - PEARL

Hillsong LIVE - For All You’ve Done (2004)

PART > SIZE > BRAND/MAKE > HEADS
SNARE 1 - 14”X5” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO CS BATTER
SNARE 2 - 12”X7” BRADY REMO CS BATTER
KICK - 22”X18” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM EVANS G1 ON BATTER EVANS G2 ON FRONT
TOM 1 - 10”X10” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO
TOM 2 - 12”X10” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO
TOM 3 - 16”X16” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO
HIHATS - 14” ZILDJIAN NEW BEATS
RIDE - 20” ZILDJIAN A MEDIUM RIDE
SPLASH - 8” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CRASH - 17” ZILDJIAN A MEDIUM BRILLIANT
CRASH - 18” ZILDJIAN A MEDIUM BRILLIANT
HARDWARE - PEARL

Hillsong UNITED - Look To You (2004)

PART > SIZE > BRAND/MAKE > HEADS
SNARE 1 - 14”X5” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO CS BATTER
SNARE 2 - 12”X7” BRADY REMO CS BATTER
KICK - 22”X18” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM EVANS G1 ON BATTER EVANS G2 ON FRONT
TOM 1 - 12”X8” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO COATED EMPEROR ON TOP CLEAR AMBASSADOR UNDER
TOM 2 - 16”X16” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO COATED EMPEROR ON TOP CLEAR AMBASSADOR UNDER
HIHATS - 14” ZILDJIAN K-CUSTOM DARK HATS
RIDE - 20” ZILDJIAN K-CUSTOM DARK RIDE
CRASH - 18” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CRASH - 20” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
HARDWARE - PEARL

Hillsong LIVE - Hope (2003)

PART > SIZE > BRAND/MAKE > HEADS
SNARE 1 - 14”X5” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO CS BATTER
SNARE 2 - 13”X5” DW COLLECTOR’S SERIES REMO CS BATTER
KICK - 22”X18” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM EVANS G1 ON BATTER EVANS G2 ON FRONT
TOM 1 - 12”X8” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO COATED EMPEROR ON TOP CLEAR AMBASSADOR UNDER
TOM 2 - 16”X16” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO COATED EMPEROR ON TOP CLEAR AMBASSADOR UNDER
HIHATS - 14” ZILDJIAN A NEW BEATS BRILLIANT
RIDE - 20” ZILDJIAN K-CUSTOM DARK RIDE
RIDE - 20” ZILDJIAN K-CUSTOM RIDE
SPLASH - 8” ZILDJIAN A-CUSTOM
CRASH - 17” ZILDJIAN K-CUSTOM DARK
CRASH - 18” ZILDJIAN K-CUSTOM DARK
HARDWARE - PEARL

Hillsong LIVE - Blessed (2002)

PART > SIZE > BRAND/MAKE > HEADS
SNARE - 14”X6.5” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM REMO CS BATTER
KICK - 22”X18” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM EVANS G1 ON BATTER
TOM 1 - 10”X10” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM EVANS G2 COATED ON TOP EVANS G1 RESONANT UNDER
TOM 2 - 12”X12” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM EVANS G2 COATED ON TOP EVANS G1 RESONANT UNDER
TOM 3 - 16”X16” PEARL MASTERS CUSTOM EVANS G2 COATED ON TOP EVANS G1 RESONANT UNDER
SET A
HIHATS - 14” ZILDJIAN A NEW BEATS BRILLIANT
RIDE - 21” SABIAN AA ROCK RIDE
CRASH - 16” ZILDJIAN A MEDIUM
CRASH - 18” ZILDJIAN A MEDIUM
CRASH - 16” OR 17” ZILDJIAN K-CUSTOM DARK
SET B
HIHATS - 14” ZILDJIAN A NEW BEATS BRILLIANT
RIDE - 20” K-CUSTOM
CRASH - 16” ZILDJIAN A MEDIUM
CRASH - 17” ZILDJIAN K-CUSTOM DARK
CRASH - 16” OR 17” ZILDJIAN K-CUSTOM DARK
CRASH - 18” ZILDJIAN K-CUSTOM DARK
HARDWARE - PEARL

// Rolf

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