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Travis Barker’s drum kits 

Ludwig Rocker kit (early ’90s) 

Travis Barker’s career kicked off in the early ’90s with The Aquabats. At the time, he played a Ludwig Rocker kit, which featured a one-up, one-down configuration. This became a key part of his setup early on. 

What really made this kit stand out were the deep toms. The rack tom, in particular, was unusually deep, likely a design carryover from the ’80s, which gave it a full and resonant tone. For his snare, he used a Pearl Free Floater piccolo, which worked perfectly for the fast-paced punk the band was playing.

OCDP Orange Glitter drum set (1998) 

Back in 1998, when Travis Barker officially joined Blink-182, he showcased an Orange County Drum and Percussion kit in a bright orange glitter finish. It was a compact three-piece setup, with a 12 x 10 rack tom, a 16 x 14 floor tom, and a 22 x 18 kick drum. He used this kit on the band’s first major tour in support of the Dude Ranch album.

It really stood out on stage. It looked great, sounded even better, and was perfect for life on the road. This kit sounded super crisp, thanks to the way the drum heads were tuned. It was built by Orange County drums and percussion, who were one of the early names in custom drum making. They really set the standard for what custom drums could be, and Travis Barker was one of the bigger names in the industry endorsing them. 

If you’re looking for your own custom sound, check out the SJC Drums Pathfinder 3pc Shell Pack. It’s a similar configuration to Barker’s setup, and it’s got an eye-catching wrap finish, which is perfect if you want to stand out. 

OCDP Evel Knievel drum set (2000) 

Barker kicked off the 2000s using what is easily one of his most iconic kits, the “Evel Knievel” setup from Orange County. It had a wild aesthetic and a booming sound to match. You might recognise it from the Loserkids tour, the VMAs, or the Adam’s Song video.

This one had a hanging rack tom, two floor toms, and a seriously deep 22 x 20 kick drum that really thumped. Back in the early 2000s, Barker went through a phase of using all hanging toms, which really changed the look and feel of his kits. The shells were pretty thick, which meant he could tune them nice and tight for a dry and punchy sound.

Around this time, he also started using vented snares, which were designed by Orange County. They had loads of vents cut into maple Keller shells, which helped dial back the ring and crank up the volume. Perfect for getting that tight snare sound he was after. If you’re after a similar snare tone, SJC’s Tour Series 14 x 6.5” Snare Drum is definitely worth looking at. 

Tri-band Glass Glitter kit (2001)  

One of the most memorable kits from the 2000s has to be his Tri-band Glass Glitter setup, which Barker first rolled out in 2001. You honestly couldn’t miss it. Wrapped in red, white, and blue sparkle, it stood out straight away. The setup included a 20 x 20 kick with two custom-cut sound holes, a 12 x 8 rack tom, a 14 x 12 floor tom, and a 16 x 14 floor tom. 

OCDP plaid-wrapped acrylic kit (2002)  

In 2002, Travis Barker used a plaid-wrapped acrylic kit from Orange County for the Hot Disaster tour. The tour was especially memorable thanks to his drum solo, which was inspired by Tommy Lee.

It had a plaid wrap that gave a subtle nod to his personal style and was paired with his usual clean, punchy setup. The layout was fairly compact, but it had loads of visual character and a sound that hit just as hard.

OCDP acrylic green kit (2006)  

After Blink-182’s breakup in 2005, Barker started working with +44, a band formed alongside Blink bandmate Mark Hoppus. While touring with +44, Barker was using an acrylic green kit that is easily recognisable today for its bright finish and deep low ends. It had a 12 x 10 rack tom, a 16 x 14 floor tom, and a massive 24 x 22 kick that you can spot in the When Your Heart Stops Beating video. 

He paired it with an Orange County bell brass snare and a compact 10 x 5 side snare, both fitted with die-cast hoops to give them a bit more bite. Bell brass snares are still a popular choice, especially for those performing heavier genres.

Tama designed their Mastercraft 14 x 6.5″ Cast Bell Brass Snare Drum in the ’80s for drummers looking for an aggressive sound. It’s still a favourite amongst drummers looking for extreme volume.  

Neighbourhoods Black and White Sparkle kit (2011)  

During Blink-182’s Neighbourhoods era, Travis Barker was playing an acrylic black and white sparkle kit. The setup was slightly different to his usual configuration; it included a 22 x 22 kick, a 16 x 14 floor tom, an extremely shallow 12 x 5 rack tom, and a 13 x 6.5 snare. It had extended reso hoops on the kick drum and a chop block attached.  

The finish had a thick chrome and white swirl pattern that gave it loads of stage presence. Barker paired it with an aluminium snare to add some extra brightness and cut, which worked great both live and in the studio.

The light-up Acrylic kit (2016)  

We’ve got to say, we loved Barker’s kit from 2016. He rolled out a clear acrylic setup with internal lights that gave off this glowing amber vibe on stage. It was pretty different to his usual style and added extra visuals to his live setup. This kit was a one-off, built as a favour by some of the original Orange County crew.

It was a rare return to custom work at a time when Orange County had mostly stepped away from making bespoke drums. The kit had that old school custom feel, but with a fresh twist. And despite all the visual flair, the tone stayed sharp. It followed Barker’s favoured one-up-one-down configuration and still remains a favourite of many Blink fans.  

Candy Cane drum set (approx. 2020)  

In 2019, Travis Barker made the switch from Orange County drums to DW, a natural change considering his long-time love for DW’s hardware. You might recognise the Candy Cane kit from Blink-182’s Edging music video. It featured a red and white swirl wrap over maple shells and was built as part of DW’s Designer Series. 

The setup included a 12 x 9 rack tom, a 16 x 14 floor tom, a 22 x 18 kick, and a 14 x 5.5 black nickel over brass snare. He used this kit a lot during sessions with MGK, Kenny Hoopla, JXDN, and Willow, and it also shows up on parts of Blink’s album, One More Time. Barker eventually decided to auction this kit off in 2024, giving one lucky fan the chance to own a piece of musical history.

Jelly Bean drum kit (2023)  

The final kit on our list is the DW kit Barker used during Blink-182’s Coachella set in 2023. This kit was a custom DW “jelly bean” kit, which was a multicoloured acrylic kit. The tom was amber, the two floor toms were yellow and red, and the bass drum came in blue. Sizes were a 12 x 8 rack tom, a 16 x 14 and 18 x 16 floor, and a 22 x 18 kick. 

He paired it with a 14 x 6.5 DW bell bronze snare, along with a PDP black nickel over steel side snare. Having bright, mismatched finishes has always been a bit of a trademark in his live setups. 

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Cymbals  

Travis Barker has stuck with Zildjian cymbals throughout his career. Early on, he preferred A Customs and Z Customs for their bright, crisp sound, which worked perfectly with the intensity of punk drumming.   

Some of his most recognisable choices include Zildjian 14-inch A New Beat Hi Hats, the Zildjian A Custom 19” Projection Crash Cymbal, the Zildjian A Custom 18” Projection Crash Cymbal, Brilliant Finish, and the 23-inch K Sweet Ride, which are recent favourites of his. 

Outside of cymbals, he also plays Zildjian 5B drumsticks, available in the Travis Barker Artist Series. They’re designed for all those heavy hitters out there. His long-running relationship with Zildjian says a lot about the trust he places in their sound and quality. 

Hardware 

Travis Barker uses DW hardware for all his drum setups, both in the studio and out on tour. He’s been using their hardware back since he was playing Orange County kits, with his go-to choices coming from the DW 5000 and 9000 series, both known for being high-quality gear.

The DW 5000 bass drum pedal is a big part of his setup, giving him the speed and control that match his playing style. For stands, he goes for the 9000 series stands; these feature memory locks to guarantee 100% repeatable, precise height settings every time.

Modifications 

Travis Barker has made plenty of personal tweaks to his drum kits over the years. One of his signature touches is to add Cadillac badges, a nod to his love of cars. He also owned a bright yellow kit, which he later embellished with black stars, for a more personalised look. 

He also expands his setups with extras like cowbells, which were key for songs like Feeling This, and electronic pads, including a Roland TM-6 to trigger 808-style samples, ideal for his hip-hop collaborations. These additions bring a sonic variety. 

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FAQs 

What is Travis Barker’s drum style? 

Travis Barker’s drum style is high-energy and punk-driven, mixing fast, aggressive beats with sharp, intricate fills. He blends rapid punk grooves with hip hop rhythms and a touch of jazz, pushing both intensity and creativity. His dynamic playing is a huge part of what gives Blink-182 their signature sound. 

What size is Travis Barker’s kick drum? 

Travis Barker’s kick drum is typically either 20 x 20 or 22 x 20 inches, depending on the setup. He switches between the two based on what the kit calls for, favouring a deep, punchy sound with short sustain. Both sizes deliver strong low-end projection that suits his high-impact playing style. 

Who is Travis Barker’s favourite drummer? 

Travis Barker frequently cites Buddy Rich as a major influence, admiring him for his technical skill and jazz virtuosity. Barker particularly respects Rich’s control, speed, and creativity, seeing him as a foundational inspiration in his own drumming. 

Final thoughts 

Although Travis Barker’s drum kits have evolved a lot over the years, they all stick to the same core idea: tight, punchy, and built for speed. Each version of his kit has helped to create his iconic playing style and creative approach.