I've Been Racked

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Probably the worst photos I have presented but anyway a few shots of my new rack. My little corner was just too small for all of the racks legs. Enjoy.

[bojangleman]

wow. that looks good. cleans it up soo much! i love racks alot..haha

Alex

[millerdakiller]

I don't use enough drums or cymbals to justify getting a rack, but for those of you who do need one its a great investment, and i'd imagine it makes setting up and breaking down a lot easier.

[maddrummr]

Nice rack man, nice rack.
: )

[Deathmetalconga]

I'm not a big fan of racks but that does look very good I must admit.

[Steady Freddy]

Looks great. Cleans it up nicely. Is that a Pearl Icon rack?

[Bob Smith]

what brand rack is that it looks like a pearl icon rack

[fourstringdrums]

I'm sorry but I don't care for how that looks. But I don't usually like racks anyway. Just something about one big metal bar going in front of the drum just ruins the look for me.

[bojangleman]

you just like a lot of little bars runnin up and down dont'cha :p...haha...some ppl like'em, some dont...all about personal preference anyway...

I'm sorry but I don't care for how that looks. But I don't usually like racks anyway. Just something about one big metal bar going in front of the drum just ruins the look for me.


Alex

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Pearl Icon 501 straight front rack.

Edit: I took the name plate off to adjust the clamps. Its back on now.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Rob, I guess if I had one tom and two cymbals I wouldn't bother either. But with what I have, they are now adjusted right where I want them, compact and as I said not so may tripod legs aiming in all directions. Thanks to all for your comments.

[littledenny]

Looks alot like mine, but mine's reversed lefty style. Guess I'll have to get a current pix, and post it.

How's it going, old guy?

[GRUNTERSDAD]

This old guy is doing OK thanks.

[Deathmetalconga]

Rob, I guess if I had one tom and two cymbals I wouldn't bother either. But with what I have, they are now adjusted right where I want them, compact and as I said not so may tripod legs aiming in all directions. Thanks to all for your comments.

I have four toms and five cymbals on two stands. On one of my stands, I use the boom as you might use a rack, clamping two other cymbals to it. I would only consider a rack if I could do away with all stands completely - that means a legless hihat, all cymbals, the floor tom and even the snare. I'm kind of all or nothing like that.

I've seen a couple of four-pieces with racks and that does look silly, though. And I think it's dumb to have a forest of stands around the set, masking the drums.

How does this compare with weight, setup and volume?

[GRUNTERSDAD]

As one who doesn't gig, the set up time etc, I couldn't comment on other than to say that it took me about an hour to set up all of my drums, after taking the rack out of the box, and assembling it. You commented on my set before when I had the toms suspended from the cymbal stands, and I liked that set up as well, but as I stated my room is small and all of the feet from the stands were in the way. The only stand I have up now is one behind my floor tom with my wood blocks(plastic) and my homemade chimes. I haven't noticed any change in the sound. The toms however do not dance around like they did on the cymbal stands. I used the top of the stands and the boom arms on the rack so only the bottom of the stands will have to be stored. The rack as shipped, according to UPS was 21 pounds, so the weight is minimal.

[gmrakich]

such a classic, nice, clean set up. LOVE IT !!!

[T.Underhill]

I employ racks in some of my setups and love my Icon rack but for those who doesn't think it looks good...maybe a black rack bar? To me the silver really stands out with the red and black, maybe a bit too much. But nonetheless a great set of drums!!!!

[sticksnstonesrus]

It's looks great. I like the Icon rack. Just was a little much for my wallet...

Definitely enjoy the smaller footprint myself....even if it is only a few inches on every side...less foot-tangling to deal with.

As a gigging drummer, I still find it better than stands. The only true drawback is that the more you break it down to transport, the more it becomes like individual stands again. I liked having a hard road case that could hold all the stands when they were folded up, but at the same time, I hated it. My rack comes apart in three sections (left, center, and right) which I have no trouble moving around with my truck. Very convienient for me, but might not be for others.

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_450w0ZKg/32692.jpg

[GRUNTERSDAD]

From what I shopped, your PDP rack cost almost twice as much as my rack, so I'm not sure what you paid.

[bojangleman]

he got a full rack though..not just the front bar. and the PDP and Gibraltar racks comes with clamps and 2 boom arms...for around $300.

From what I shopped, your PDP rack cost almost twice as much as my rack, so I'm not sure what you paid.

Alex

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Both of these racks as pictured are from Musicians Friend for 339.00.

I would rather have the three sides, boom arms aren't that expensive.
My rack came with two clamps, plus two clamps for the top of the vertical posts, and I ordered three more clamps for the front bar and with shipping was just over 200.00, not from Musicians friend however.

[sticksnstonesrus]

I got your pic above (curved horizontal arm) plus the straight side arm (right side), booms, tom clamps, locks, and a couple extra cymbal clamps for $350 at my local GC. The V-rack extension I added a couple months later for right around $100...shipping put it a little over.

The comperable Icon rack at the GC was substantially above that, which is why I used the term exspensive. But also must agree that we have different requirements.

Either way...it looks great on your kit! I hope you enjoy it. I love the flexibility of having a rack.

Correction***Your kit looks great on it***

[jazz-drummer-tim]

but on a whole are you satisfied with your rack?, looks awsome to me!

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I got your pic above (curved horizontal arm) plus the straight side arm (right side), booms, tom clamps, locks, and a couple extra cymbal clamps for $350 at my local GC. The V-rack extension I added a couple months later for right around $100...shipping put it a little over.

The comperable Icon rack at the GC was substantially above that, which is why I used the term exspensive. But also must agree that we have different requirements.

Either way...it looks great on your kit! I hope you enjoy it. I love the flexibility of having a rack.

Correction***Your kit looks great on it***

Thanks for your comments. I will say I was able to save floor space, and everything with a little tweaking is right where I want it. I'm a pretty static drummer so I need things to be in reach, and it is.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

but on a whole are you satisfied with your rack?, looks awsome to me!

Definitely happy without a doubt. Thanks.

[Mendozart]

GD, that's looking really nice. I play the same 3-up, 1-down(sometimes 3-up, 2-down) and I found the benefit of the rack was getting those 3-up just right. With the virgin kick it makes it tough with stands, especially with a 24" bass drum. Everything looks nice and comfy.

[punkdrummer1]

rack looks great man! really clean's it up and makes it look nice! Great job!

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Another point to be made in my case is although I was able to mount the three toms on my three cymbal stands, I had to take care as to have the three legs turned in such a way that the drum plus the boom arm were stable and yet not hitting the bass drum. This required quite a juggling act at times and was still not completely happy with shaking toms while I was playing. My aim is bad enough at times. The rack solved all of those problems.

[drumr0]

I employ racks in some of my setups and love my Icon rack but for those who doesn't think it looks good...maybe a black rack bar? To me the silver really stands out with the red and black, maybe a bit too much. But nonetheless a great set of drums!!!!

With the ICON rack, the square tube is anodized aluminum (clear) is the official name of the finish color. If you could find a local aluminum anodizer, it would be no problem to strip it and re anodize it black if you wanted too. I wouldn't think it would cost too much to do that either. I could get it done for free at my work. Pearl should offer some more color options. I would think their supplier could do more than velo (clear) and probably has a 2-step tank that would do champagne, bronzes and black.

I love the rack and always use one. A lot of the time I like to fly 3 rack toms like GD and Mendozart.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Mendo thanks. I figure my drums are red, the cymbals are bronze, the stands are chromed, the heads are white, the throne is black, whats a little clear aluminum among friends?

[Mystic]

hmm can the Icon work with a double bass drum set up? Like would they both fit?

[Mr. DrummerMan]

cool i love rack kits very nice.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

hmm can the Icon work with a double bass drum set up? Like would they both fit?

DR501E - DR500E Extensions can be added to racks for double bass and custom set-ups.

[drummerstix_au]

Hey Grunter,

Nice Rack!!! :P

I have been using racks since the early 90s. Started with a Gibraltar, which I still use on my practice kit, front and 2 sides... and I use a Pearl 503c curved rack with 2 side extensions on my live kit.

I find because of my disability, and having a few cymbals and drums to setup, a rack is so much easier. No stands to trip over.

Have fun!!