Gear Breakdown: Chad Smith Plays “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F’Wit”

How the Chili Peppers’ groove master tackled a hip-hop classic

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When Chad Smith gets behind a kit, you expect explosive energy, unapologetic swagger, and pocket so deep it might swallow time itself. In this Drumeo YouTube video, Chad takes on his and Tom Morello’s version of the Wu-Tang Clan’s iconic “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F’Wit,” unleashing pure funk fury over the gritty textures of East Coast hip-hop.

And he didn’t come lightly equipped—banging away on the same beast of a kit, snare and cymbals he used in the viral “Chad Smith Hears Thirty Seconds to Mars” Drumeo YouTube video. Let’s take a look at the gear breakdown of what he used to lay down this cross-genre masterpiece.

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🥁 The Drum Kit

DW Stainless Steel Series
This is a thunderous, punchy, almost industrial-sounding kit—perfect for Chad’s heavy-hitting approach. Stainless steel shells deliver a powerful, focused tone with surprisingly musical overtones.

• 22” x 18” Bass Drum
• 12” x 8” Rack Tom
• 14” x 12” Floor Tom
• 16” x 14” Floor Tom

This setup allows Chad to navigate grooves with both agility and depth, from tight funk rolls to open, bombastic fills. This stainless kit is not currently available at Sweetwater, but we have an alternative for you.

🔁 Alternative 1: DW Collector’s Series Maple Kit

Why it works:

While not stainless, the DW Collector’s Series Maple is DW’s flagship line—offering the same handcrafted build quality, aggressive tone, and presence. Maple shells have a warm, punchy sound with lots of projection, which suits Chad’s style well.

Suggested configuration:

• 22” x 18” Bass Drum
• 10” x 8” Rack Tom
• 12″ x 9″ Rack Tom
• 14″ x 12″ Floor Tom
• 16” x 14” Floor Tom

🛒 DW Collector’s Series 5-piece Shell Pack (Europe)

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🥁 Snare Drum

Yamaha Oak Custom 14” x 7” Snare
This snare is no joke. The oak shell provides a sharp, dry crack with a solid low-end thump—ideal for ghost notes, backbeats, and everything in between. Chad drives this snare like it owes him money.

🔁 Alternative Snare: Yamaha Recording Custom Stainless Steel 14” x 7” Snare Drum

Why it works:

While Chad used a Yamaha Oak Custom snare, which is unavailable on Sweetwater, this stainless steel model from Yamaha’s Recording Custom series is a fitting substitute. Built with input from Steve Gadd, the 1.2mm stainless shell delivers a bright, articulate crack with a deep-bodied resonance—perfect for aggressive backbeats or crisp, funky ghost notes. Its 14×7 size matches the original spec, giving it similar depth and authority.

🛒 Yamaha Recording Custom Stainless Steel Snare (Europe)

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🛎 Cymbals

Paiste 2002 Big Beat Series + Signature Add-ons
Chad’s cymbal selection is as bold and expansive as his playing. He blends vintage character with massive modern tone, favoring large cymbals that shimmer with clarity and cut like a katana.

• 15” 2002 Big Beat Hi-Hats (Europe) – Dark, fat, and responsive
• 2002 Big Beat Crashes – Musical but powerful
  • 19” (Europe)
  • 20” (Europe)
  • 22” (Europe)
• 24” Formula 602 Modern Essentials Ride (22″ Europe) – Defined, washy, and rich in overtones
• 12” Signature Splash (Europe) – Bright and fast
• 38” Symphonic Gong (32″ Europe) – Why? Because Chad Smith, that’s why.

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🧠 Final Thoughts

Chad’s approach to “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F’Wit” is a masterclass in musical adaptability—bringing the rawness of funk rock into hip-hop territory without losing authenticity. His gear, particularly the stainless steel DW shells and oversized Paiste cymbals, gives him the explosive headroom and nuanced control to float between laid-back and aggressive at will.

Feeling inspired to channel some of Chad’s swagger? 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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