In a hurry?  

In a nutshell, here are the key pieces of kit Zac Farro has used and uses currently. 

Zac Farro’s drum sets 

Truth Custom Drums Forest Camo Drum Kit

Gretsch USA Custom, Vintage Champagne Sparkle 

In Paramore’s early days, one of Farro’s go-to choices was a Gretsch USA Custom in Vintage Champagne Sparkle. This stunning five-piece setup featured a 24” bass drum, a 13” rack tom, and two floor toms (16” and 18”). All his toms had die-cast hoops, giving them a bright, punchy attack – perfect for his signature tom-driven fills.

Gretsch kits are renowned for how rich their tones are, with strong mid to high frequencies and a crisp attack courtesy of the bearing edges. Farro’s Champagne Sparkle kit was made from six-ply maple/gum with 30-degree bearing edges.

Whilst Farro’s kits have customised configurations and materials, kits such as the Gretsch Renown Maple  24’’ Shell Pack are similar in finish and features.

Farro preferred to use brass snares as these have dark overtones and a sharp “crack” sound that’s great for heavier genres of music. They’re loud, cut through the mix, and provide a powerful backbeat. To achieve this sound yourself, we recommend the Gretsch USA  14’ x 6.5’’ Hammered Chrome Over Brass Snare Drum.

Gretsch Broadkaster, Pearl Pink

One of Zac Farro’s most eye-catching kits is his Gretsch Broadkaster, which he played on tour in 2018 after After Laughter was released. It had a similar two-tom setup to his previous Gretsch kits but stood out thanks to its bold finish. The pearl coating gave it a bold, bubble-gum pink shade with a subtle shimmer – a striking presence on stage.

Truth Custom, Red Vintage 

Like many drummers, I discovered Zac Farro and Paramore through their Riot! Album.

Towards the end of the Riot! tour, Zac played another custom Truth kit – this time with a striking red satin finish. This kit gave him a bold appearance on stage and was made up of a 24” bass drum, a 13” rack tom, and two-floor toms (16” and 20”). Zac would often use different snares while playing with this kit.

Snares believed to be used while using this kit:

• 14″ x 6.5″ black nickel over brass
• 14″ x 8″ flat black
• 14″ x 8″ orange maple
• 14″ x 7″ solid steel with re-rings

Creative Commons License by Elizabeth Owens

Ludwig Vistalite 

In 2022, Zac Farro confirmed his endorsement with Ludwig, via Instagram, showing off a stunning yellow see-through Ludwig Vistalite. He played this kit at the When We Were Young festival, joining the ranks of legendary drummers like John Bonham, who famously used Vistalite kits.

These acrylic kits, originally designed in the ’70s, were built for drummers who want a bold, punchy sound – and that’s exactly what makes them perfect for Farro’s playing style in Paramore. His yellow Vistalite not only sounded huge but also looked incredible on stage, especially under the lights.

It featured a 22” kick drum, a 13” rack tom, a 16” floor tom, and a matching Vistalite snare, making for a classic yet powerful setup. Since rejoining Paramore, Farro has leaned towards this one-up, one-down tom configuration, keeping things tight and punchy.

At the time, the band had just released This Is Why, a drum-driven album packed with tom fills and crisp snare ad-libs. This kit fits that sound perfectly, bringing a ’70s-inspired vibe that matches Paramore’s current musical direction.

Truth Custom, Turquoise Glass Vintage

The last Truth drum kit on our list is Zac Farro’s Turquoise Glass set. It has a two-tom setup, a vibrant, custom-designed finish, die-cast hoops, and beavertail lugs, contributing to the vintage look and those big, booming tom sounds.

Last on our list is Zac Farro’s Ludwig Classic Maple kit, which he’s been using on his most recent tour. He switched from his yellow Vistalite to this kit because of the red stage lighting – turns out, the pearl white finish looks way better under those lights, giving it an amazing visual effect.

Ludwig Classic Maple Drum Kit, White Marine Pearl 

Drum heads 

Remo Clear Black Dots (Batter) 

Zac Farro is a big fan of Remo drumheads, and his go-to choice for toms is the Remo Clear Blackdots. These heads are known for their strong attack and durability, with a reinforced black centre adding extra strength and helping the heads hold up during intense performances.

Blackdots also play a big role in shaping Zac’s signature sound, especially when it comes to his snare tone. With their punchy, controlled feel, they’re a perfect match for his energetic drumming.

Remo Clear Ambassador (Reso) 

Remo Clear Ambassadors are Farro’s pick for resonant heads, and for good reason. These have a bright, open tone that enhances Paramore’s current pop-inspired sound, adding extra clarity and expression to his playing. They’re especially great for live performances, helping his drums cut through the mix while keeping things dynamic and punchy.

Remo Powersonic Clear 24” Bass Drum Head 

Remo Powersonic heads are well-known for their internal subsonic dampening rings and deep, punchy low end. Farro used one for his bass drum on Paramore’s more recent tour, and that built-in dampening ring was crucial for keeping the sound clean, focused, and powerful.

Creative Commons License by Raph_PH

Zac Farro’s cymbals  

Meinl Cymbals 

Zac Farro started using Meinl cymbals during Paramore’s early days, and they’ve been a big part of his sound ever since. Known for their dark, complex tones, Meinl cymbals are a favourite among drummers with expressive playing styles. Back when Paramore’s sound was loud and aggressive, these cymbals provided the powerful projection he needed while also looking great on stage.

His setup typically included a Meinl Traditional Heavy Ride 22″, a Meinl Byzance Traditional Medium Ride 21″, and Meinl Byzance Traditional Heavy Hi-Hats.

Zildjian Cymbals 

When I think of Zac Farro, his tight and sharp hi-hat sounds come to mind. To achieve this tone, Farro has relied on Zildjian cymbals a few times during his career, specifically, the K Series hi-hats and ride cymbals, which have a fantastically explosive sound – perfect for heavier genres.

Istanbul 16″ Trad Hi Hats 

Currently, Zac Farro uses Istanbul cymbals. While on tour with Paramore, he used 16” traditional hats, which are unique in that they’re large in size and extremely crisp in sound. Agop cymbals have a dark tone that is perfect for heavier genres, and they’re crisp, which works perfectly for songs such as “Rose Coloured Boy,” where a sharp hi-hat sound is needed.

Istanbul Agop 22″ Xist Crash 

Another one of Farro’s favourites is the Istanbul Agop 22” Xist crash. This cymbal focuses on the higher frequencies and projects these brilliantly thanks to the cymbal’s large size.

Istanbul Agop 20” Traditional Dark Ride 

The Istanbul Agop 20” Traditional Dark Ride Cymbal is a Farro favourite for its low and moody tone. With its focus on lower frequencies, great dynamic range, and dark sound, it complements heavier genres. And thanks to its speedy response, it complements Farro’s playing style perfectly.

The lathed top and bottom add to the tonal quality and help to create that well-loved Istanbul sound.

Creative Commons License by hiimniko

Hardware and accessories 

DW 9000 Kick  

When it comes to hardware, Zac Farro sticks with DW. During his most recent tour with Paramore, he used a DW 9000 single-kick drum pedal.

It boasts an adjustable cam that lets you tweak the beater acceleration for a more customised playing experience. This is super handy for Farro, especially on the faster-tempo songs in the set. It’s an extremely durable pedal and can even be converted from a chain drive to a nylon one. It is easy to see why so many artists, including Farro, rely on it.

DW 9000 Hardware 

For his cymbal stands, Farro uses the DW 9000 series again. These stands come with memory lock tube joints, which are a lifesaver for touring drummers. Being able to set up your stands at the correct height every time keeps things quick and efficient. It’s a must while on tour.

The DW 9000 Series Cymbal Boom Stand, in particular, has a unique toothless tilter design. This provides unrestricted cymbal positions and infinite adjustments.

Promark Sticks 

Farro has stuck with Promark 5B sticks from day one. He uses the Promark Classic Forward 5B Hickory Drumsticks Wood Tip, which is made from the most popular drumstick material: Hickory, known for being durable and lightweight. These sticks are great for punk or rock drummers.

Porter & Davies Throne 

Zac Farro has recently added Porter and Davies thrones to his touring setup. These thrones are designed specifically for live performances, giving drummers tactile feedback that can often be lost on a quiet stage when the whole band is using in-ear monitors (IEMs), and there are no side fills. They let you feel every beat, which makes a huge difference when playing live.

They work using a monitoring system with bone conduction transmission technology – this means the low-frequency sounds picked up by a mic are sent directly through the drum throne, so the drummer can physically feel the kick drum.

This technology has quickly become a must-have for arena drummers, and Farro has spoken highly of how much it’s improved his playing experience.

Creative Commons License by Ralph PH

FAQs 

How old was Zac Farro when he joined Paramore? 

Zac Farro was 12 years old when he joined Paramore. As one of the founding members, he became the band’s drummer in 2004 alongside his brother Josh Farro and frontwoman Hayley Williams. He played a key role in shaping Paramore’s early sound. 

When did Zac Farro rejoin Paramore? 

Zac Farro re-joined Paramore in 2017. After leaving the band in 2010, he reunited with Hayley Williams and Taylor York during the recording of After Laughter and officially returned as the band’s drummer. His comeback brought a refreshed dynamic to the group’s evolving musical style. 

Is Zac Farro a good drummer? 

Zac Farro is one of the most skilled and versatile drummers in modern music. Known for his energetic, expressive, and groove-heavy playing, he has been a driving force behind Paramore’s sound. His ability to blend punk, rock, and funk elements sets him apart from others in the alternative rock scene. 

Final thoughts  

Zac Farro’s setup choices have been a huge part of shaping his iconic sound over the years. His powerful, dynamic playing style and super fun grooves have helped define Paramore’s energetic pop-punk sound, which is still loved today.

While his gear has changed over time, it’s always evolved alongside Paramore’s music – and his own personal style. If you’re looking to capture a similar sound to Paramore’s drummer, try experimenting with different drum sizes, drumheads, and cymbal combinations to find what works best for your playing style. After all, great drumming is all about making the kit your own.

Want to learn more? Check out our other drum guides:   

A Comprehensive Guide to John Bonham’s Drum Sets 

A Guide to Lars Ulrich’s Drum Sets 

A Guide to Danny Carey’s Drum Kit and Gear