Gear Breakdown – Building Matt Cameron’s Pearl Jam Drum Kit (feat. THE “Black Hole Sun” Snare)

Ever wondered what it’s like behind the kit of one of grunge and alt-rock’s most legendary drummers?

Matt Cameron’s been the rhythmic force behind both Pearl Jam and Soundgarden — and in this exclusive build with his longtime tech, Neil Hundt, the Drumeo team reconstructs the exact touring setup Cameron uses on the road with Pearl Jam.

And yes — this includes the actual snare used on Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun.”

Want to re-create Matt’s kit? We will take you through the Kit, Snares, Cymbals and Heads to mimic his iconic sound in this gear breakdown.

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🥁 Drums: Yamaha Maple Hybrid (Custom Flat Black)

Matt Cameron’s road kit is a custom Yamaha Maple Hybrid in a flat black finish. With its phenolic-reinforced maple shells and sleek, understated vibe, it delivers the warmth and punch needed to handle Pearl Jam’s explosive live sets while looking razor-sharp under stage lights.

While this exact setup isn’t something you can order off the shelf, a solid alternative is the Yamaha Live Custom Hybrid Oak — another professional-grade kit that shares many of the same characteristics: powerful projection, hybrid shell tech, and rock-solid roadworthiness.

If you’re chasing that Cameron-style tone with some extra low-end bite and live-friendly presence, this one gets you most of the way there. Differences in Matt’s sizes are in brackets.

• 22” x 18” Bass Drum (22″ x 14″)
• 16” x 15” Floor Tom
• 14” x 13” Floor Tom
• 12” x 8” Rack Tom
• 10” x 7” Rack Tom

🛒 Yamaha Live Custom Hybrid Oak 5-Piece Shell Pack (4-Piece Europe)

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🥁 Snares: From Studio Legend to Stage Workhorse

Matt’s snare arsenal is legendary. Here’s a look at what went into this build:

Yamaha Recording Custom Aluminum Snare – 14×8”
A deep, dry, and controlled snare with serious crack. Perfect for the big rock sound Pearl Jam fans expect. Check out this alternative Yamaha Recording Custom Stainless Steel Snare – 14×7″
🛒 Yamaha Recording Custom Stainless Snare (Europe)

⚫️ Gregg Keplinger Custom Cast Steel Snare – 14×7”
This is the Soundgarden snare. Keplinger’s raw, thunderous cast steel shell defined the tone of “Black Hole Sun” — and its legend lives on in Cameron’s touring rig.

✨ Gregg Keplinger Polished Stainless Steel Snare – 14×5”
A brighter, faster alternative to the 14×7” — with all the same explosive personality. Great for tuning up and cutting through the mix.

🛒 Both of the Keplinger snares are Custom-made for Matt. Although these are unavailable through Sweetwater or Thomann, you can learn more at Keplinger Drums and explore all they offer.

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🛎️ Cymbals: Zildjian K Sweet & Paper Thin Magic

Matt Cameron’s cymbal choices are all about dynamic expression. He leans heavily into Zildjian’s K Sweet and Paper Thin series to give him the tonal flexibility needed for everything from delicate textures to full-on rock fury.

• 23” K Sweet Ride
  🛒 Zildjian K Sweet Ride – 23″ (Europe)
• 19” K Paper Thin Crash
  🛒 Zildjian K Paper Thin Crash – 19″ (Europe)
• 20” K Sweet Crash
  🛒 Zildjian K Sweet Crash – 20″ (Europe)
• 14” K Sweet Hi-Hats
  🛒 Zildjian K Sweet Hi-Hats – 14″ (Europe)

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👑 Heads: Remo Emperor

Cameron trusts Remo Emperor heads across the kit for that controlled yet full-bodied tone.

🛒 Remo Emperor Drumheads (Europe)

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Want More?

Don’t miss the full build video on the Drumeo YouTube Channel with Neil Hundt, who’s been Cameron’s right-hand tech for years. The behind-the-scenes stories, attention to detail, and legacy gear moments — especially the Black Hole Sun snare — are worth every second.

If you want to recreate Matt’s sound from this Gear Breakdown, you can find this gear at Sweetwater or Thomann if you are overseas. If this video lit a spark to start drumming (or sharpen your chops), take the next step and try Drumeo, free for 7 Days.

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