Is a drum cage out?

[tombo74]

Went to a drumshop yesterday and saw a big two-level used drum cage. Since I have one of my students who is dying to get one (he's into 80s glam rock; I try to open his ears to other styles but...), I inquired about it. The salesmen started laughing out loud:"Man this is so out and corny!". Well, I knew it for that type of big rack. But then I told them that I have two pipes of the Yamaha drum rack system (one in front, one on right side). Again they started laughing:"The Yam rack is so laughable, don't ever go out with it, you'll look like a fool!" Well, I still see some (mostly Pearl), and I think it can be practical when you have more gear. I think drumkits scaled down in the last few years, maybe that explains...

When I gig, 75% of the time I scale down my kit. Put a tom holder in the kick and attach the large rack tom to the ride cymbal stand. But sometimes I take the whole thing out. Am I that OUT??

And btw here's my kit:
http://s19.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1...R09GQAZEXXWZKB

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ February 05, 2005 02:09 PM: Message edited by: Tombo 7/4 ]</font>

[CLWarunki]

Racks went out A LONG LONG TIME AGO.

So did Glam Rock!

BUT... if someone is still into that (The Darkness almost brought it back!) then I guess a rack would infact be IN. lol

Problem is they have to understand that it is an image thing and not practical and would take forever to setup. If I was on a gig with my band and the drummer of the opening act had a two-level rack, I would have a serious talk with him and pick his brain a bit.

A one-sided rack is OK in my opinion, but I only like the curved bar rack from Gibralter. Everything else seems cheap and passe.

I went from using a 3-sided rack to a one and then to NONE! I much prefer some cymbal stands and toms coming off of those or bass drum.

P.S. Nice kit, I like the percussion on the left side... but I don't see a rack! [img]smile.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ February 05, 2005 03:05 PM: Message edited by: CLWarunki ]</font>

[troutbrooke]

Use whatever you're comfortable playing with. Who gives a shit what anyone else thinks? I think a rack can be a good choice for those with many sound sources etc. I never used them, but that's my own personal choice. Don't listen to a salesman in a drum shop. 99% of those guys are complete clowns who will have a nice future selling used cars.

[tombo74]

Yes there's a rack.
Well, actually it's one bar between the front cymbal stands and another one attached between the right stand and china stand. It's no big deal and I don't care really. Just wanted to bring this topic out. Bought the kit in 1992 and it's ok. I used to have even more percs on the bars so it has been kinda practical for a while. I wouldn't use more than this system though. And I agree that those two-stage cages were more flash than anything.

Isn't that Vinnie who has a rack system on his studio kit?

[sashal3]

To say that racks went out a long time ago is absurd. I've been using racks for about 2 years now and while they seem to be like more work,they aren't. I'm using the Gibraltar side racks and I get the same set-up every time. If you are a touring drummer,a lot of tech's appreciate the consistency. Vinnie has a custom made rack that seems to be working well for him and I know that his tech is digging it. It's all a matter of preference.
BTW,Gibraltar introduced a roll-away rack at NAMM. I own one and I've used it for many types of gigs. Very space-friendly and practical. A lot of cats are using them now.

[McKenzie]

A few guy's use racks from time to time, depending on their set-up for a certain gig and what is practical. Virg is another who uses a rack at certain times I believe especially when using the sky tom's. Use what you have to use as long as it work's for you, guys were actually using snare's and kick drums back in the 80's, I do not think they went out of style as far as I know [img]wink.gif[/img] .

Dig

[matricks]

Off tangent here but, dude, Tombo... i am gonna pray for your left hip man. That hi-hat is so far out there that it makes my leg hurt just looking at it [img]eek.gif[/img]

I don't mean to sound like i am telling you what is up with your set up, please don't take it like that. I just know that after i moved my hi-hat closer in, it feels SO MUCH better... ergonomic. I have my double pedal now on the outside of my hi-hat pedal and it feels GREAT.

I just saw a little opening there for your hats... where the blue jam block is, and was thinking... "hey, maybe i should try and save him from hip replacement!".

Hope you don't mind that i chimed in. Nothing but love, man, hehe [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ February 05, 2005 09:29 PM: Message edited by: matricks ]</font>

[drumgod1]

Man, Tombo, that whole kit is dated! Too many toms and cymbals. Less is more, dude! [img]tongue.gif[/img] J/k!!!

I used to use a Pearl 3-sided rack when I played in a country band. I was able to get all of my gear on my drum rug without it carrying over to everyone elses space. Plus, I had memory locks on everything and was able to set my kit up in about 15-20 minutes, with mics!

[Riddim]

Re this:

Went to a drum shop yesterday and saw a big two-level used drum cage. Since I have one of my students who is dying to get one (he's into 80s glam rock; I try to open his ears to other styles but...), I inquired about it. The salesmen started laughing out loud:? Man this is so out and corny!? Well, I knew it for that type of big rack. But then I told them that I have two pipes of the Yamaha drum rack system (one in front, one on right side). Again they started laughing:? The Yam rack is so laughable, don't ever go out with it, you'll look like a fool!" Well, I still see some (mostly Pearl), and I think it can be practical when you have more gear. I think drum kits scaled down in the last few years, maybe that explains...

A few thoughts come to mind:

- The sales people you dealt with are idiots. No one in his right mind belittles a potential customer?s choice. They might suggest alternatives based on the needs of the customers, but to do as these guys did suggest that they have a future selling Amway, or working the night shift at 7-11 ? and there are probably some folks at 7-11 who would resent having to work with folks like them.
- Whether they are ?out? or not is unimportant. The real question is this: do I need these tools to help realize my musical vision? If your student does, then he should buy them. In his case, it doesn?t appear to be about music, but about fashion. Racks, like stick twirling, leather pants, and big hair, don?t record particularly well.
- Racks help in standardizing complex setups. When I go out with a lot of sound sources, I prefer to bring a rack.
- Many of us, especially those who gig a lot and schlep their own gear, appreciate the portability of smaller kits.

[tombo74]

Originally posted by matricks:
Off tangent here but, dude, Tombo... i am gonna pray for your left hip man. That hi-hat is so far out there that it makes my leg hurt just looking at it

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I tried both ways and this one seems more comfortable to me; but not 100%. There's always a compromise to do in this HH vs 2nd kick pedal placement.