Hello Sluggers, I hope you are well. Today, a short article written on the blog, to explain in broad terms what I did to completely create my rack with a relatively "reasonable" budget (knowing what XXL racks from major brands cost), in order to bring to my Drum-tec PRO3 drums, hardware worthy of its careful aesthetics and its extraordinary performances. By talking about a "reasonable" budget, I admit that everything is relative, because it wasn't done for a few dozen euros either, but the final result, which you will discover at the end of the article, corresponds to + /- 450 euros in total, including the basic rack that I already had; the tubes, clamps, poles and other accessories that were necessary for me to ensure this transformation. In price comparison, the same thing (it doesn't exist) at Gibraltar, (or worse in terms of prices) at Pearl, or DW, would certainly cost more than 1000 euros...see more... GO GO! I’LL EXPLAIN THE PROJECT TO YOU. So here is the rack that I had previously and which was a rough assembly of several racks, part of which (black tubes) came from an MPS 850 that I had bought when I took over the drums, assembled with a Dixon rack (chrome tubes) which is a first price at 110 euros.
It wasn't all bad, there were some good ideas, which I kept and improved. Like for example the double poles, or even my small extensions to carry the 2 modules and the PC... but in the end it was just something made from odds and ends with what I had on hand. So I dismantled everything... to start from scratch, because I wanted something more homogeneous, in entirely chrome tubes and by racking my brain a little, to improve ergonomics, while expanding my playing area and so much what to do, adding a touch of originality and design. So, to start from scratch, I only kept this small, ultra-basic rack from Dixon, which for the price, supplied with 4 clamps, was quite a good deal. Our partner Drum-tec also offers the equivalent of this model and even for 20 euros cheaper. https://www.drum-tec.fr/rack-de-batterie-drum-tec-basic
To this base, which I dismantled to use the elements differently, I therefore added elements allowing me to create my new rack. In particular a few curved tubes, because I wanted to be able to integrate my entire set up in a semi-circle shape, in order to obtain more surface area for my placements, because my double floor tom configuration is more imposing, 60 cm bases that I could cut, to make 2 large stable bases around my bass drum and 2 cut at 30 cm to save space on the ground, while maintaining good stability, as well as some specific clamps.
These addons mainly come from Drum-tec, but also from non-partner sites of Kraken Addiction, so I will not transmit commercial links for all these parts. If these references interest you, "google is your friend" and as I am kind, I will tell you the names of certain references, to help you in your research. Among other things, I found some good ideas with this type of product. - Gibraltar SC-RMAA Rack Bracket: allows you to transform a rack tube into a cymbal stand: €25. - Swivel cymbal arm: allows you to transform a cymbal boom into a double boom: less than €10 - Neoprene cable sheath with Velcro fastening: Very cool for cable management: +/- €13 for 2 M
This last ref, (neoprene sheath) was very useful for me to pass my cables from one rack to another, since my new structure, is in reality, made in 2 racks in 1/4 circles, arranged around of the bass drum and without front crossbar. This type of sheath allows easy access to the various cables, without having to dismantle and rearrange everything behind. This sheath is also very discreet and also allows the cables to be brought out in the right places, without having to cut or drill.
After thinking about the overall structure, my tube cuts, etc., I reused the 2 vertical tubes from the Dixon rack, approximately 1 meter long, to use as "main pillars" or "stands". principals", (call it what you will). I transformed them into "double" boom stands, using Gibraltar clamps and swivel cymbal arms, and also into stands for my 2 front toms. In this way, my transverse curved facade bar no longer had any reason to exist. Mission accomplished for this part of the project. (CHECK) At this stage of the project, the 2 small tubes initially used as inclined "legs" on the original Dixon rack, now serve as lower vertical tubes (60cm), on the back of the rack and these 4 main legs of the 2 racks now rest on bases made of tubes with T-clamps. Stability is therefore perfect.
My curved front tube was also cut in 2, in order to create tubes/poles, also with the famous Gibraltar SC-RMAA Rack Bracket clamps. No waste, we recycle everything and what's more, it saves me from having to buy additional tubes, while allowing me to exploit my idea of a rack with a "spider rack" look but... not too "exuberant". At this stage, on the left rack, I made some provisional work, with a lamda clamp to hang a double pole. You will see later, on the final project, that I also (again) used a Gibraltar SC-RMAA Rack Bracket and only put one cymbal in it. The splash was finally placed on the left "pillar/stand" for better placement of the cymbal and therefore optimized playing ergonomics (well yes...style isn't everything).
I also doubled my horizontal curved tubes on these racks for 2 reasons. The first being that it allows me to play with the placements, on two levels instead of just one, it is much more practical and comfortable, because, on one side I have 2 modules to stack + an onboard mixer place, as well as an attachment for my bipod hi-hat, a cowbell and a boom cymbal. That's a lot of people for a single 90 cm long tube. On 2, I could almost put twice as much, so visually it's more "airy" "pure" in addition to allowing me much more comfortable and precise placement possibilities. On the other side, I have several cymbals perched on 38mm tubes, an auxiliary hi-hat, as well as an onboard PC, which is installed on an extension. There’s also a lot of people to place. The second reason is that this doubled structure provides even more stability to all of these 2 racks, even when banging like a savage, nothing moves, so it's perfect. So here are the 2 racks assembled with all my little transformations and various tips. LEFT PART
RIGHT PART
At this stage of the project, I installed my last clamps and made my cable management, using a roll of scrach and my famous neoprene sheath, which allows me to pass my cables from one rack to another. the other, discreetly behind the toms. (CHECK)
The cables remain partially visible on the inside of the rack for the moment (as long as the drums are not installed). You will see in the next photo that I managed to fit my playing area into a double semi-circle rack and that I therefore created an ideal shape to place everything on a 2m x 1m30 mat without feeling at home. 'narrow. (CHECK) Which for a set up of this size is almost an achievement when there is no sacrifice to be made in terms of ergonomics.
OVERVIEW
Once the barrels are placed, here is the result, which I personally find quite successful. It's relatively clean considering the number of elements present in this set. I think I also managed to make a rather stylish hardware rack, without going for something exuberant or sacrificing ergonomics. My budget goal was also met. (FINAL CHECK)
BEFORE AFTER
I hope this article has been useful to you and who knows... you may have inspired some good ideas. Do not hesitate if you have any questions or comments to make. I will be happy to answer you. SEE YOU SOON THE HITTERS....CIAO.
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