When it comes to playing the drums, comfortability is a huge factor. All drum kits come with tom mounts. However, the tom mounting system that your drum kit has may not be the most steady thing out there. This is where drum racks come in. They’re pieces of hardware that allow you to mount toms and cymbals, creating a stable base to play drums from.
Pearl is a drum company that is well-known for its sturdy hardware. The most inexpensive Pearl drum kits still have some high-quality cymbal stands and tom mounts. So, it’s no surprise to know that the Pearl Icon 3-sided drum rack is one of the best drum racks on the market.
This rack has 3 sides, allowing you to set up toms and cymbals all around you. Each side is fairly long, meaning there is plenty of room for a big setup.
The rails are slip-proof lightweight aluminum. They’re fairly lightweight, meaning transporting the rack around is fairly easy. It stays secure on the ground and has non-skid rubber feet that stop it from moving around.
This rack is arguably one of the most popular drum racks on the market. The quality, lightness, and visual quality makes it a great choice for anyone looking for a fantastic drum rack.
The one downside is that it’s quite expensive compared to some other drum rack options.
For more about the Pearl Drum Rack, check out customer reviews.
The DW 9000 Series rack is a heavy-duty product made for some heavy-duty playing. DW is one of the best drum manufacturers out there and this rack is one of their top-of-the-line products.
It has seriously heavy steel tubing and heavy-duty clamps that will lock your drums firmly into place. This rack is very sturdy and the clamps allow a lot of adjustability for your drums.
The rack comes with cymbal arms. Most drum racks don’t include these when you buy them, making the two included cymbal arms a standout feature. They are a bit high, meaning they won’t cater too well to drummers who like to have their seat low.
This rack will work best for someone who wants to use a rack with a drum kit that sits at home or in a studio space. It’s too heavy to constantly move around all the time for gigs.
For more about the DW Drum Rack, check out customer reviews.
PDP is a company run by DW that provides high-quality DW production at an affordable price. This rack has the same build quality as DW’s products but is aimed at a crowd with a lower budget.
It has heavy-duty chrome-plated steel tubing that is tough and makes your drums feel very secure. It has reinforced cramps that allow a lot of adjustability, meaning any setup style will be comfortable.
If you need a high-quality drum rack that is affordable, the PDP Main Rack is a worthy choice.
The only downside is that it can be difficult to find matching clamps to add on later down the road.
For more about the PDP Drum Rack, check out customer reviews.
The Gibraltar GCS-450C has 4 posts that give it a large space to put toms and cymbals on. You won’t find a rack with more than 5 posts, meaning this rack is great for large drum setups.
If you plan on having several toms and cymbals, the Gibraltar GCS-450C is a great option for you. Many metal players use this rack thanks to its ability to easily house two separate bass drums.
The posts aren’t independently adjustable and you have to buy separate parts to allow that adjustability.
This rack comes at a great price point that is affordable for most people. The great thing about Gibraltar is that they make affordable products with high-quality production.
If you are looking for a smaller option check the GCS375R.
For more about the Gibraltar GCS-450C Drum Rack, check out our full review.
The GCS500H rack is a versatile option as it can be used as a front or side rack. So, you can use it to mount rack toms or just cymbals on either side.
It has a 46” crossbar that will allow you to mount pretty much anything you can think of, whether that be toms, cymbals, or percussion instruments.
It includes two cymbal stands, meaning you don’t have to purchase any separate stands if you just want to mount cymbals. It also has a clean finish that will look seriously great on a stage.
If you need a versatile rack that is affordable and offers a lot of adjustability, the Gibraltar GCS500H is the way to go.
For more about the Gibraltar GCS500H Drum Rack, check out customer reviews.
A great drum rack will securely hold all your hardware together. It should be sturdy so that when you play the drums, your toms don’t wobble too much. It should also have memory locks so that when you move your kit around, you’ll be able to set it up in the exact way it was set up beforehand.
A great drum rack should also have high value for money. If it is expensive, it should be well worth the money. You should love the product that you invested in
Drum racks are used to hold all of your hardware and drums together. They create a base that your drum kit is set up from. No drum kits come with a rack, so getting a drum rack is a choice that drummers make to ensure that their drums are more secure when set up.
They can hold drums, cymbals, accessories, and any electronics you might have such as a Roland SPD-SX.
Many touring drummers use drum racks. This is because most drum racks come with memory locks, allowing you to set up your drums the same way every time. When playing gigs constantly, it can get difficult to have the same drum setup every time. A tom might be an inch too far or close. Drum racks massively help with this process.
Drum racks are especially useful for drummers who have huge drum setups. They’ll allow you to mount 5 or 6 toms on them. You’ll find that most metal drummers have drum racks because of this.
Making your own drum rack is a difficult process that most people won’t get right. It will be easier to buy one or buy separate parts of one to put together. You’ll need mounts and clamps. The amount of mounts and clamps depends on how many drums and cymbals you want to mount onto the rack.
When it comes to setting up a drum rack, you should set it up ergonomically. This means that your drum setup should be comfortable, allowing you to reach all the drums and cymbals without stretching or straining.
When you buy a drum rack, the box will generally come with instructions on how to assemble it. If it doesn’t, there are countless YouTube videos that will help.
Drum racks aren’t different for beginners and advanced players like drums and cymbals are. All drum racks do the same job. So, as a beginner, you should look for a rack that is in your budget range. You don’t need to be spending a bunch of money to get a great drum rack. Try to find one that is easy to set up.
There have been plenty of times where drummers have had wobbly toms. This is due to weak tom mounts and insecure build quality. A drum rack will solve the issue and make playing drums a wonderful experience. If you’re wondering whether you actually need a drum rack, you should ask yourself a few questions.
If you have a drum setup at home that never moves, a drum rack will be hugely beneficial as it will add a lot of comfort. If you play gigs frequently in small venues like pubs and restaurants, a drum rack won’t be a good option as it will be heavy to move around. If you’re a touring drummer that plays in big stadiums, a drum rack will be great. If you plan on having a lot of toms and cymbals, you’ll need a drum rack.
So, once you make the decision to get a drum rack, choose on from our list and get playing!
Drum Teacher
Brett Clur has a Drum Performance Diploma from Trinity College London has been playing drums for over 20 years. He is passionate about advanced concepts and uses his years of experience to teach his students about them. While he is a full-time drum teacher, he is also working on growing a YouTube channel where shares his insights. You can see him playing there, or on Instagram where he posts daily videos.
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“9 Powerful Tips To Get Faster On The Drums (And The Mistakes To Avoid!)”
