Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist (opens in new tab)
  • Guitar Techniques (opens in new tab)
  • Total Guitar (opens in new tab)
  • Bass Player (opens in new tab)
More
  • Lennon on Eleanor Rigby
  • Jimmy Page demos classic Led Zep gear
  • Classic rock riffs for beginners
  • Omnichord @ 70
  • SampleRadar: 163 tape loops samples

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. Home
  2. News

Neil Peart Time Machine kit tour

By Chris Barnes
published 19 January 2011

Close look at the Rush man's steampunk inspired DW/Sabian set-up

  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Technology rules!
Neil's sound is ably assisted by a couple of TD-20 modules
(Image credit: Chris Barnes)

Technology rules!

When approaching the DW stand at NAMM 2011 we were blown away by this kit. The exact kit Neil Peart will be using on Rush's forthcoming Time Machine tour. The kit is replete with tour finish shells and cymbals and cool steampunk hardware. We couldn't resist taking a few snaps, and here they all are...

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
Going the whole hog
Neil Peart doesn't do things by halves
(Image credit: Chris Barnes)

Going the whole hog

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
The finish
Here's that finish up close
(Image credit: Chris Barnes)

The finish

The finish is inspired by the artwork from the band's latest tour, called Time Machine.

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
Hardware
Even the hardware gets the steampunk treatment
(Image credit: Chris Barnes)

Hardware

Gauges and mysterious contraptions cover the kit and really catch the eye.

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
Anyone know what this is?
Answers on a postcard...
(Image credit: Chris Barnes)

Anyone know what this is?

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
Unique pies
Sabian produced special cymbals just for Neil

Unique pies

Neil and the artisans at Sabian went back and forth to produce these unique cymbals. We reckon they look amazing and sit perfectly with the kit. You can read the full story of their genesis at the Sabian website.

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
Yet more of this massive kit...
(Image credit: Chris Barnes)

Yet more of this massive kit...

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
And more...
(Image credit: Chris Barnes)

And more...

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
Here's your chance...
to own a slice of Neil Peart gear history
(Image credit: Chris Barnes)

Here's your chance...

This is the Neil Peart Evolution snare collection. The red velvet-lined display case comes with four of Neil's favourite touring snares. Each set comes with an official plaque signed by Neil and DW drum designed John Good. Best start saving now...

Page 9 of 9
Page 9 of 9
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Chris Barnes
Chris Barnes
Social Links Navigation

I'm MusicRadar's eCommerce Editor. It's my job to manage the buyer's guides on MusicRadar and help musicians find the right gear and the best prices. I'm a guitarist and a drummer and I've worked in the music gear industry for 18 years, including 7 years as Editor of the UK's best-selling drum magazine Rhythm, and 5 years as a freelance writer working with many of the world's biggest musical instrument brands including the likes of Roland, Boss, MusicRadar and Natal.

More about drums
Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr in 1965

Was Paul McCartney the "best drummer in The Beatles"?* Listen to the fab 4 tracks he played on, and the isolated drum parts, and decide for yourself

Gear expo 23 hub logo

Gear Expo 2023 is coming - tune in on 28 April

Latest
Catalinbread STS-8 Flanger/Reverb

Catalinbread launches the STS-88, “a love letter to the flanger” that can cloak its modulated swoosh in huge dreamy reverb

See more latest ►
Most Popular
Spectrasonics’ Keyscape 1.5 includes a Double Felt Grand piano, and existing users get this “#1 most requested sound” for free

By Ben Rogerson30 March 2023

Best hardware vocal compressors 2023: analogue studio hardware to suit all budgets and styles

By Simon Truss30 March 2023

Gear Expo 2023 is coming - tune in on 28 April

By Gear Expo 202130 March 2023

Hear the oldest guitar effects pedal demo ever from 1962

By Rob Laing30 March 2023

A drummer has recorded 75 new versions of the Amen break for you to use in your music

By Ben Rogerson30 March 2023

DW announces Alex Gonzalez ICON snare drum

By Stuart Williams29 March 2023

Take a deep dive into drum recording at Foo Fighters’ Studio 606 courtesy of Lauten Audio's in-depth video

By Stuart Williams29 March 2023

GEWA's new G3 Club 5 SE electronic drum set features five-inch-deep shells, and a Black Sparkle wrap finish

By Stuart Williams29 March 2023

Waves Audio reverses its decision to adopt subscription-only model: "We are genuinely sorry for the distress it has caused"

By Matt Mullen29 March 2023

Waves Audio customers are in uproar at company's new subscription-only model: "What a disgusting way to treat your existing users"

By Matt Mullen29 March 2023

Walrus Audio confirms Fundamental pedal series… and they've got sliders

By Rob Laing29 March 2023

  1. Paul McCartney and John Lennon in 1966
    1
    John Lennon on completing Eleanor Rigby's lyrics for Paul McCartney: "It's his first verse, and the rest of the verses are basically mine"
  2. 2
    The DrumSynth from the MPC Standalone is now available as a plugin for your DAW
  3. 3
    Waves Audio reverses its decision to adopt subscription-only model: "We are genuinely sorry for the distress it has caused"
  4. 4
    Take a deep dive into drum recording at Foo Fighters’ Studio 606 courtesy of Lauten Audio's in-depth video
  5. 5
    How to use the '3 reverb approach' to nail reverb in almost any mixing scenario
  1. clark and thom yorke
    1
    Thom Yorke on his 'executive producer' role for Clark's new album Sus Dog: "I ended up being a kind of backseat driver"
  2. 2
    Take a deep dive into drum recording at Foo Fighters’ Studio 606 courtesy of Lauten Audio's in-depth video
  3. 3
    How to use the '3 reverb approach' to nail reverb in almost any mixing scenario
  4. 4
    An audio engineer shows you "how the pros mix vocals" and get that ‘glued-in’ sound
  5. 5
    Suzuki is marking its 70th anniversary by releasing a new version of the Omnichord

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab).

  • About Us (opens in new tab)
  • Contact Future's experts (opens in new tab)
  • Terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
  • Privacy policy (opens in new tab)
  • Cookies policy (opens in new tab)
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers (opens in new tab)

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.