That’s usually where the compliments for the MDS10 end. The lightweight tubing means the entire structure can be unstable. Actually, heavier components help weigh down the overall structure, so if you’re one of the many people on a TD-10 VSessions kit and find it shakes and rattles, heavier tom pads can help. Of course, that also can mean if everything’s “front-loaded”, the whole structure can tip over with just a nudge.
Then there are the clamps, typically seen as the weakest part of the rack. Even with the lighterweight Roland components made for this rack, the PD series of mesh pads, stories of stripped threads and slipping clamps are legion. Anything heavier, and the clamps either slip or break because they’ve slipped and you’ve tried to overtighten them. Plenty of people, myself included, have substituted more robust clamps to hold heavier equipment; in my case, a Gibraltar clamp to hold a Diamond Drum 12” pad. Lee’s MDS-3C rack is a slightly different story. Designed for a much smaller kit, it’s not easily expandable, although Lee has already done so by installing his own, longer crossbars in the front. All plastic, it’s light and can be folded fairly easily. Its clamps are superior to those on the MDS-10. We mounted my heavy Diamond Drum pad and had no slippage whatsoever. The biggest limitation of the clamps is that you can’t actually remove them from the centre horizontal tubes without taking apart one side of the rack in order to slide them off. That’s a huge drawback.
In terms of stability, it’s fine if you don’t put anything heavy on the wings. We put the DD pad on the left wing with a combination of PD-8 pads and the rack would shake significantly. That’s as much a reflection of the rack not having a third or fourth supporting leg. While it’s possible to purchase a similar rack and cobble together a third or fourth leg, you’re still constrained somewhat by the clamp positioning and having potentially four “T-shaped” legs getting in the way of things. Clearly, if you’re at this point, a new rack is in order! The racks up for review represent three price points in terms of upgrading. We’ll look at the Gibraltar GMPR with the GPR-150 extension, the Gibraltar GCS-400 and the Roland MDS-25. We set up all five racks on a deck and moved equipment to each so that we’d get a side-by-side feel for each. GIBRALTAR GMPR
First Impressions: We began by swapping the main crossbar from the GMPR with the GPR-150 extension kit included for the review. That gave a longer centre section and a side wing that didn’t extend further than the main section. This is a conventional “L” rack with two uprights connected to “feet” on the floor; nothing radical here, but functional designs never go out of style.
Build Quality: Great. All Gibraltar racks and clamps are solid. This is no exception. Versatility: All three racks are versatile in their own way; however, the GMPR is a traditional rack with
The pedal that turns one foot into two. The HYPER-BASS exclusive patented Multi-Triggered Electronic pedal delivers a beat on the down stroke and on the up stroke, creating a double pedal effect in a single, easy-to-adjust unit. Conversion kits are also available for popular pedals, including DW, Tama, Axis, Yamaha, Gibraltar, Ludwig and Pearl.
digitalDRUMMER, JULY 2010
‘talking business’
Engineered in the USA and priced for every player.
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