Drum Talk: Rack Systems

If you're using the rack on a kit that you don't gig with or otherwise move- or if you have a fat roadie who sets it up and tears it down after each gig- and if your cymbals are at a level higher than the top of your head when you play, you may enjoy a rack. I used a Gibralter rack several years ago, which I bought for the same reasons you list (saving space), and I was disappointed to find that the footprint of my kit with the rack was almost identical to the footprint of the kit without the rack.

I also began to hate the rack after gigging with it for a few months, for several reasons: (1) I play my cymbals low. Very low, as in below eye-level when I'm sitting behind the kit. The Gibralter rack's tube-stands were too tall and prevented me from adjusting my cymbals to a height that I was comfortable with; (2) The set-up/tear-down time was the same as when using separate stands; and (3) it noticeably increased the overall weight of my hardware case while simultaneously being a pain-in-the-arse to pack.

When my patience with the rack finally ran out and I switched back to individual stands, it was like a breath of fresh air; so much simpler setting up, tearing down, and adjusting everything.

I'm probably going to get one. Found a good deal on Craigslist. $100 for the setup I want with a couple clamps. Worth a shot.