Alex’s next kit was used primarily on the second tour (‘World Vacation’ Tour) in support of the second album, ‘Van Halen II’ in 1979. This Ludwig kit’s shells are all stainless steel in a similar configuration and sizes to the silver sparkle kit from the previous tour cycle. It’s possible that the toms from this kit were used for the recording of the second album, but there is no concrete evidence of that. 

The bass drums are two pairs joined together with the left one smaller in diameter (26″ right foot, 24″ left foot). Toms are 12″x8″, 13″x9″”, 14″x10″ with 16″x16″ and 18″x16″ floor toms. The snare was a 6.5″ x14″ Super-Sensitive again. Alex also added Tama 8″ clear acrylic shelled Octobans in various lengths around the kit, as well as a few 6″ Octobans in the front. All clear Black Dot heads. An LP cowbell is mounted off a stand next to the hi-hat. For visuals, he added red shock absorbers mounted off the bass drums on one side, and marine exhaust headers on the outsides. All cymbals were Paiste 2002: 15″ Sound-Edge hi-hats, 22″ Ride, 18″ and 20″ Crashes, 20″ China. Alex was loyal to the Ludwig Ghost pedals in this era.

All toms and kicks were mic’d from the inside, a trend that Alex would follow for multiple years after this. He stated that it was better for isolation and lack of bleed.