Racks and fittings

[Model76]

As I am in the process of getting a new e-drum kit, and I am aiming for a rack mounted setup, I have of course been looking at different options for both pipes and clamps.

I want to be able to take the kit with me, so light, sturdy, as well as good looks are what I am looking for in a rack. I also want round 38mm pipes, so I don't end up tying myself to a specific brand. Big fan of open standards. :)
Oh, and curved pipes! They look good and seem more ergonomic.

Unfortunately, local dealers don't seem to have a lot on display these days, so all I have been able to fondle have been a Gibraltar clamp, which was very impressive - sturdy and nice to look at.
I have also been looking at Dixon on the internet, and they have very cheap curved aluminum racks, but are they any good? How do they compare to Gibraltar?

Are there any other brands I should be looking at? I am located in Europe, so they would have to be available here..

Thank you in advance!

[Axe_Grinder]

The clamps are the big thing. Chrome can chip but it isn't a safety issue. I've had the cheap metal clamps blow apart on about three occasions. (Once was probably my fault, over tightening) My daughter ended up taking an 18" crash in the face. The next day I ordered all Gibralter replacements. I haven't had a problem since.

You may wish to look at the Yamaha racks, could be had cheap on ebay and are suppose to be sturdy as hell. I will say my Gibralter Rack is HEAVY as hell. Not sure exactly. But probably about 200lbs. Not exactly portable.

Just food for thought

[Model76]

My daughter ended up taking an 18" crash in the face.OUCH! Hope she was OK!

I have been looking for used Yamaha, as you suggested, but here in Denmark they don't come up for sale very often. I did find a used Gibraltar that I might bid on, though. I suppose I could exchange the pipes for curved aluminum ones, if I could get a good price..

Anyway, I would really like the pipes to be of the round 1.5" type, so that leaves out Yamaha curved ones, I guess.

[WildWes]

OUCH! Hope she was OK!

I have been looking for used Yamaha, as you suggested, but here in Denmark they don't come up for sale very often. I did find a used Gibraltar that I might bid on, though. I suppose I could exchange the pipes for curved aluminum ones, if I could get a good price..

Anyway, I would really like the pipes to be of the round 1.5" type, so that leaves out Yamaha curved ones, I guess.

Model76,

The aluminum Yamaha tubes (curved or striaght) are 1.5" too. You can upgrade to metal Gibraltar, Dixon or DW/PDP clamps, but they are a little hard on the softer/lighter Yamaha aluminum tubes. That's why Yamaha uses composite/plastic clamps. Like Axe, I too use Gibraltar tubes and metals clamps, but I'm not moving my kit around for gigs/practice. WW

After awhile, you'll probably collect all kinds of tubes/clamps - hahahaha
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r85/WildWes_2007/tubes640.jpg

Here's three examples of clamps - Yamaha/PDP/Gibraltar
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r85/WildWes_2007/brackets640.jpg

[Model76]

Haha - I suppose you are right! Nice collection you got there, all quality stuff

[sam(otacon28)]

Model76,

The aluminum Yamaha tubes (curved or striaght) are 1.5" too. You can upgrade to metal Gibraltar, Dixon or DW/PDP clamps, but they are a little hard on the softer/lighter Yamaha aluminum tubes. That's why Yamaha uses composite/plastic clamps. Like Axe, I too use Gibraltar tubes and metals clamps, but I'm not moving my kit around for gigs/practice. WW





" Wes "

What kind of comparison would you give those PDP clamps to the Gibraltar ones ? I've been thinking about grabbing a few for my set-up being that they have the ratchet feature on them . I've seen the PDP racks set up at G.C. a few times when I was there but never really checked the clamps out much .


sam(otacon28)

[WildWes]

Sam,

I really like the PDP clamps as their stainless, heavy and hinged. Most of my clamps have been replaced with PDP, however I don't really care for the ratcheted type as shown in my photo (I have two I don't use - hahaha). I still use some Gibraltar clamps, but for looks I prefer the PDP fixed version. WW

[sam(otacon28)]

Sam,

I really like the PDP clamps as their stainless, heavy and hinged. Most of my clamps have been replaced with PDP, however I don't really care for the ratcheted type as shown in my photo (I have two I don't use - hahaha). I still use some Gibraltar clamps, but for looks I prefer the PDP fixed version. WW


Thanks for the heads up on them man I may end up checking out those fixed clamps ( when GAS strikes again ) haha . I recently picked up some Black powdercoated rack arm mounts on ebay and switched out some mounting arms with them . I mounted my Hart Hammers on a few of them . I never used these particular Gibraltar ratchet mounting arms before but I must say they are a great piece of hardware for certain rack applications .The one end of them is basically the same size as what is on a standard Gibraltar rack clamp so they can be used for mounting cymbal booms , L rods, etc. as well . As a bonus they match my Black ddrum rack system too :D


http://i.ebayimg.com/13/!BNU)93!!mk~$(KGrHgoH-EUEjlLlu)UgBJpD,0NM3!~~_1.JPG


sam(otacon28)

[Model76]

Okey del dokey, so I got the used Gibraltar rack:
http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt44/Model76/Gibrack.jpg
There is one more pipe for it, with more clamps, which are still in the trunk of the car, and 3 cymbal booms.
Sorry about the bass drum and cymbal, but space is a fast dwindling resource in my music room.. :)

Everything is Gibraltar, except for a few on the memory locks, and the booms.

I got the whole deal for the equivalent of 317 $US and 30 cents.

Now all I need are some curved aluminum pipes, but that can wait a bit I suppose, as the rack isn't as heavy as I'd feared.

Thanks to everyone for helping out!