"As a drummer myself, I am fully qualified to spot sizes and makes of drums from pictures, I have a very good knowledge of Ludwig drums and products and I have spoken to Don Sleishman himself about Roger's gear... so, here is what I can tell you from my research and observations.

NB: The only area where there is some conjecture is his choices of Cymbals as he used a variety through the ages. Where I have made an educated guess I'll put a * next to it. It's also important to note that during recording sessions, many drummers (including Mr. Taylor), use differing kits and setups to suit a particular song or style. As a result I don't think anyone can be sure of what Roger's setup was unless he let's everyone know album by album...

So... Going back from the present day (2003)...

Roger's current setup has been documented in 'Rhythm' magazine and consists of:"

24" x 20" Sleishman Bass Drum
12" x 11" Ludwig Classic Tom
14" x 13" Ludwig Classic Tom
16" x 16" Ludwig Classic Floor Tom
18" x 16" Ludwig Classic Floor Tom
14" x 6" Ludwig Snare Drum

All drums in Natural Maple Lacquer finish.

His Cymbals are...

15" Avedis Zildjian New Beat Hi Hats
17" Zildjian "K" Dark Crash
20" Zildjian "K" Dark Crash
22" Zildjian "K" Crash Ride
22" Zildjian "K" Ride

Finally he is still using the Ludwig Speedking Bass Drum Pedal, a Ludwig Hi Hat stand and his Cymbal Stands are all Ludwig Modular Series Boom Stands.

The setup he used for Queen's induction to the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame was...

24" x 20" Sleishman Bass Drum
12" x 11" Ludwig Classic Tom
13" x 12" Ludwig Classic Tom
14" x 13" Ludwig Classic Tom
16" x 16" Ludwig Classic Floor Tom
18" x 16" Ludwig Classic Floor Tom
14" x 6" Ludwig Snare Drum

All drums in Natural Maple Lacquer finish.

He used the same cymbals and hardware as above.

Roger's setup used on Made in Heaven and the Elton John performance in Paris leading up to the Hall of Fame gig was made entirely by Sleishman Drums and was only the second make of drums that Roger had used for Live and Recording. It consisted of the following drums...

24" x 20" Sleishman Bass Drum
12" x 12" Sleishman Tom
13" x 13" Sleishman Tom
14" x 14" Sleishman Tom
16" x 16" Sleishman Floor Tom
18" x 18" Sleishman Floor Tom

All drums in Natural Maple Lacquer finish.

He also has a number of snare drums including his faithful Ludwigs, he also has used a DW 14" x 6.5" 'Edge' Snare Drum.

He used the following cymbals*...

15" Avedis Zildjian New Beat Hi Hats
17" Zildjian "K" Dark Crash
20" Zildjian "K" Dark Crash
22" Zildjian "K" Crash Ride
22" Zildjian "K" Ride
20" Zildjian China Trash

* - Educated Guess...

For Innuendo and the Freddie Mercury Tribute concert, Roger had a kit made for him by Ludwig in Natural Maple Lacquer finish and was made up of...

26" x 18" Ludwig Classic Bass Drum
12" x 11" Ludwig Classic Tom
13" x 12" Ludwig Classic Tom
14" x 13" Ludwig Classic Tom
16" x 16" Ludwig Classic Floor Tom
18" x 16" Ludwig Classic Floor Tom
14" x 6" Ludwig Snare Drum

His cymbals were all Zildjian and consisted of*...

15" Avedis Zildjian New Beat Hi Hats
17" Zildjian "K" Dark Crash
20" Zildjian "K" Dark Crash
22" Zildjian "K" Crash Ride
22" Avedis Zildjian Rock Ride
20" Zildjian "K" China
20" Avedis Zildjian China

* - Educated Guess!

All hardware was by Ludwig and was from the Modular Range. Bass Drum pedal was a Ludwig Speedking.

Moving to The Miracle era, from the Videos that were shot for the singles, Roger is using a Ludwig Classic Drum Kit with a Chrome Wrap finish which was made up of...

26" x 16" Ludwig Classic Bass Drum
13" x 12" Ludwig Classic Tom
14" x 13" Ludwig Classic Tom
16" x 16" Ludwig Classic Floor Tom
18" x 16" Ludwig Classic Floor Tom
14" x 8" Ludwig Snare Drum

(A second 26" x 16" Bass drum and additional 10" x 10" and 12" x 11" Ludwig Classic Toms was featured in the I Want It All video)

All Cymbal stands were by Yamaha, Hi Hat stand by Yamaha. The good old Ludwig Speedking Bass Drum Pedal again...

Roger used Paiste Formula 602, Paiste 2002 cymbals and Zildjian Cymbals during this time of which the sizes will have been similar to those mentioned above.

The Magic Tour...

Roger is now using the Yamaha 9000 series drums (Later to become the Recording Custom) and now uses the following in Piano Black Lacquer finish...

24" x 16" Bass Drum - This may be a 26" x 18" Bass Drum, am trying to contact Yamaha regarding this...
12" x 10" Yamaha 9000 Tom
13" x 11" Yamaha 9000 Tom
14" x 12" Yamaha 9000 Tom
16" x 16" Yamaha 9000 Floor Tom
18" x 16" Yamaha 9000 Floor Tom
14" x 8" Yamaha 9000 Snare Drum

All Hardware is by Yamaha but I reckon the old Ludwig Speedking Bass Drum pedal is in use... (Have Speedking, will travel)

Cymbals are bigger than those listed already and would probably have been...

15" Avedis Zildjian Hi Hats
18" Avedis Zildjian Crash (Probably a Thin or Medium Thin Model)
20" Zildjian "K" Dark Crash
20" Avedis Zildjian Crash (As above)
22" Avedis Zildjian Medium Ride
20" Zildjian "K" China 22" Avedis Zildjian China Boy Hi

For the Wembley dates, the two 20" Crashes were replaced by two 20" Zildjian "Z" Crashes.

Also used on this tour is a Roland Octapad which will have been connected to a Sampler (ie Akai S1000) in order to trigger effects like hand claps for Under Pressure. This is because the Octapad in it's earlier incarnations didn't have onboard sounds.

For the Works Tour, Roger is using a Ludwig Classic series drum kit in the Chrome Wrap finish. The kit follows the same pattern of sizes... BIG!

26" x 14" Ludwig Classic Bass Drum
12" x 11" Ludwig Classic Tom
13" x 12" Ludwig Classic Tom
14" x 13" Ludwig Classic Tom
16" x 16" Ludwig Classic Floor Tom
18" x 16" Ludwig Classic Floor Tom
14" x 8" Ludwig Classic Snare Drum (or equivalent - the blokes loaded with snares)

The hardware for this tour are all made by Ludwig and are from the 'Hercules' series.

Cymbals are all Zildjian (except one) and would have been the same or similar to the Magic tour... I think this is the first tour Roger had an Endorsement with Zildjian as the Gong (being Paiste) gets the elbow. Much to the rejoicement of the Drum Tech...

15" Avedis Zildjian Hi Hats
18" Avedis Zildjian Crash (Probably a Thin or Medium Thin Model)
20" Zildjian "K" Dark Crash
20" Avedis Zildjian Crash (As above)
22" Avedis Zildjian Medium Ride
20" 'Wuhan' China 22" Avedis Zildjian China Boy Hi

Oh don't forget the Speedking pedal!

Roger uses Simmons Electronic drums for this tour (5 pads)

On the Hot Space tour, Roger used smaller sized drums to previous tours.

26" x 14" Ludwig Classic Bass Drum 10" x 9" Ludwig Classic Tom 12" x 11" Ludwig Classic Tom 14" x 13" Ludwig Classic Tom 16" x 16" Ludwig Classic Floor Tom 18" x 16" Ludwig Classic Floor Tom Again Roger will have taken a couple of snares on tour and would have been 14" x 8" or 14" x 6.5" and be Ludwig.

Roger also uses a pair of Remo Rota-Toms 15" and 16" in size.

Hardware is made by Ludwig - Cymbal Stands are from the Hercules range and the Hi Hat Stand is a Rogers. Speedking Bass Drum Pedal.

Cymbals are a mix of Paiste and Zildjian and would been something like this...

15" Avedis Zildjian Hi Hats.
18" Paiste Formula 602 Crash
20" Paiste Formula 602 Crash
20" Paiste Formula 602 Crash
22" Avedis Zildjian Medium Ride
20" Wuhan China
20" Avedis Zildjian China Boy Hi

Did I mention the Speedking... I think I did...

His Choice of electronic drums are Simmons Pads (3 pads) triggering an external sound source (Probably the Simmons brain or summat).

Here is the final part of the Roger's setup. This is going from the beginning up to Hot Space. This section is the hardest to identify as, during the mid 70's to around 1981, Roger had his kits custom made from Ludwig as he liked big, deep drums, and Ludwig weren't in the habit of making drums as deep as he liked them.

Identifying the cymbals is even harder because drum companies weren't in the habit of marking up their cymbals, and even when they started, it was very hard to make out as the stamps were outlines at best...

So, as it began (he he he) ahem sorry...

Queen I & II era...

Drum Kit is a Ludwig Super Classic in Black sizes are:

26" x 14" Bass Drum
13" x 9" Rack Tom
16" x 16" Floor Tom
18" x 16" Floor Tom

14" x 5" Ludwig 400 Snare Drum.

Cymbals will probably been a mixture of Avedis Zildjian and Paiste 602 and the sizes will have been:

15" Avedis Zildjian Hi Hats
18" Paiste 602 Crash
20" Paiste 602 Crash
20" Avedis Zildjian Crash
22" Avedis Zildjian Ride

The cymbal stands I've not yet been able to identify, but he will have used a Ludwig Speedking pedal.

Sheer Heart Attack & Night at the Opera...

Same Ludwig Super Classic in Black...

26" x 14" Bass Drum
13" x 9" Rack Tom
14" x 14" Rack Tom (Converted from a Floor Tom)
16" x 16" Floor Tom
18" x 16" Floor Tom

14" x 6" Ludwig Classic Snare Drum.

Same hardware as before and the Ludwig Speedking Pedal.

Again, the cymbals are a mix of Paiste 602 and Avedis Zildjian.

15" Avedis Zildjian Hi Hats
18" Paiste 602 Crash
18" Avedis Zildjian Crash
18" Avedis Zildjian Crash
20" Avedis Zildjian Ride
15" Avedis Zildjian Hi Hat Cymbal (used as Crash)
22" Avedis Zildjian Ride (used as Crash)

A Day at the Races, Hyde Park, Earls Court, etc, etc...

Roger's first big kit and probably first proper dealings with Ludwig. We now
have concert toms in the setup (single headed drums) and deeper toms and bigger sizes.

Ludwig Classic in Black.

26" x 18" Bass Drum
8" x 6" Concert Tom* 10" x 7" Concert Tom*
12" x 8" Concert Tom*
* - These Concert Toms are mounted on a tom stand between the hi hat stand and the first Rack Tom.
15" x 13" Rack Tom
16" x 14" Rack Tom
18" x 16" Floor Tom
20" x 17" Floor Tom
13" x 9" Concert Tom*
14" x 12" Rack Tom*
15" x 13" Rack Tom*
* - These drums are mounted on a couple of Tom Stands and are mounted just above and behind the Floor Toms.

14" x 6" Ludwig Snare Drum.

Cymbals will have been something along the lines of...

15" Avedis Zildjian Hi Hats
8" Paiste 2002 Bell
18" Paiste 602 Crash
18" Avedis Zildjian Crash
18" Avedis Zildjian Crash
20" Avedis Zildjian Ride
20" Paiste 2002 China
22" Avedis Zildjian Ride (used as crash)

Hardware is made by Ludwig with the exception of the Hi Hat stand and all the mounting hardware for the Toms which is made by Rogers. The cymbal stands are the first of the Ludwig Hercules series boom stands.

News of the World up to Jazz.

Very similar setup to the one used before - Ludwig Classic in Black. All Concert Toms have gone with the exception of one and the toms over the floor toms have been changed for a a set of Timbales (as used on "Get Down Make Love").

26" x 18" Bass Drum
14" x 10" Concert Tom - Mounted on seperate Tom Stand
15" x 14" Rack Tom
16" x 15" Rack Tom
18" x 16" Floor Tom
20" x 17" Floor Tom
14" x 6" Ludwig Classic Snare Drum
14" & 15" Ludwig Timbales - on a seperate stand over the Floor Toms.

First introduction of electronic drums in the form of the Linn Drum synthesiser and 3 pads...

Cymbals as before...

15" Avedis Zildjian Hi Hats
8" Paiste 2002 Bell
18" Paiste 602 Crash
18" Avedis Zildjian Crash
18" Avedis Zildjian Crash
20" Avedis Zildjian Ride
20" Paiste 2002 China
22" Avedis Zildjian Ride (used as crash)

Hardware again made by Ludwig except for the Hi Hat Stand and Tom Mounting hardware which is again Rogers.

Jazz, Crazy Tour & up to the Game...

Same drum kit as before except for the timbales have now been replaced with the Remo Roto Toms which give a very similar effect.

26" x 18" Bass Drum
14" x 10" Concert Tom - Mounted on seperate Tom Stand
15" x 14" Rack Tom
16" x 15" Rack Tom
18" x 16" Floor Tom
20" x 17" Floor Tom
14" x 6" Ludwig Classic Snare Drum
15" & 16" Remo Roto Toms - on a seperate stand over the Floor Toms.

Linn Drum synthesiser and 3 drum pads.

Cymbals are now...

15" Paiste 602 Hi Hats
8" Paiste 2002 Bell
18" Paiste 602 Crash
20" Paiste 602 Crash
20" Paiste 602 Crash
22" Avedis Zildjian Ride
20" Wuhan China
20" Avedis Zildjian China

All cymbal stands are Ludwig Hercules Boom stands. Hi Hat Stand and Tom Mounting hardware is Rogers.

The Game up to Hot Space...

Brand new kit time!!! Ludwig Classic in Silver Sparkle!!!

26" x 18" Bass Drum
14" x 10" Concert Tom - Mounted on seperate Tom Stand
15" x 15" Rack Tom
16" x 16" Rack Tom
18" x 16" Floor Tom
20" x 17" Floor Tom
14" x 6" Ludwig Classic Snare Drum
15" & 16" Remo Roto Toms - on a seperate stand over the Floor Toms.

Linn Drum synthesiser and 3 drum pads.

Cymbals are...

15" Paiste 602 Hi Hats
8" Paiste 2002 Bell
18" Paiste 602 Crash
20" Paiste 602 Crash
20" Paiste 602 Crash
22" Avedis Zildjian Ride
20" Wuhan China
20" Avedis Zildjian China

Cymbal stands are still Hercules Boom stands and the Hi Hat Stand is made by Rogers. The Tom Mounting hardware is now Ludwig.

That's as much as I know, or can figure out from researching what Ludwig did, and didn't make etc. I hope it's been informative.