More Roland Rack / Clamp complaints

[Paradiddle]

Sounds like most of us are unhappy with the Roland Racks! My biggest complaint is that the rack bars are round and have a glossy finish, there is no way in hell that you can keep the pads from moving around on you with this design unless you're playing love ballads all night! Especially the hi-hat and snare pad which take the most abuse. Did the fine engineers at Roland not think that these pads were going to be struck over and over again with sticks when they designed this fine rack?
So has anyone found a way to keep the clamps from shifting or do I need to buy a new rack to be able to use my V-Custom without stopping every 5 minutes to re adjust the snare / hi-hat?
Thanx!

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Check out my Drums!

[Lee E. Nelson]

One option to keep the clamps (pads) from moving during your performance would be to drill a small pilot hole and install a small "set screw"...There's always the possibility that over time, the clamp may develop a crack near this hole - but it should work in the 'short-term'.

I've done this with several items that I've attached to smooth pipes over the years.

Good Luck!!!

[fartnokker]

My experience isn't quite like yours -- I have the V-Pro kit for one, which has textured rack pipes. I've broken a couple of the clamps, tho, and that is a bit of a *****. Which brings me to my point...

Have you tried aftermarket clamps? The Gibraltar-style clamps exert a ton of pressure, and seem to work really well.
You might consider knurling the rack pipe or (preferably) the inside of the clamp to get more grip.

Other folks have used self-adhesive non-skid tape, which is kinda like sandpaper, on the rack pipes under the clamps, too.

Hope you find something that works to your liking.

-Danny

[Jackmastersiii]

I just jumped into the V Drum world (so I'm also broke). I'm impressed with the overall HYBRD(acoustic/electric) feel from my session kit. I've thought of an issue (possible complaint) with the rack clamps and the entire V mounting system. First, why no MEMORY LOCKS? Tama Satclassic mounting system has memory locks on their L-rods and the Gilbratar rack clamps have memory brackeks. Both, dramatically decrease the amount of set-up and tweaking time. More importantly, each of them also improve the strengh and stability during moderate to heavy playing. Any alternatives, or do I have to begin thinking about aftermarket hardware? JMIII

[jgerm]

I fought with the stock rack for about 2 years and finally broke down and bought a gibraltar. I don't regret spending a single penny of it. FWIW, I still have a bunch of the old parts free for the asking. If you can figure out a good way to cover postage, I'll ship the whole lot of my spare parts to ya.

[FloridaDrummer]

How about I send you a check.

[Boingo]

where is US-MD?

[Woody]

I believe MD is the abbreviation for Maryland.
East coast, next to Delaware.

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Woody

[Boingo]

Originally posted by Woody:
I believe MD is the abbreviation for Maryland.
East coast, next to Delaware.

Yea, yea, I'm assuming that, but where in Maryland! (my fault, I wasn't specific.)

Boingo, Delaweenian

[jgerm]

Woody is correct. US-MD is Maryland. I'm in Bethesda, just north of DC.

If you are serious about taking the old rack parts off my hands and are willing to pay shipping, drop me a line via email at [email protected] and we'll figure something out.

[Boingo]

Originally posted by jgerm:
Woody is correct. US-MD is Maryland. I'm in Bethesda, just north of DC.

If you are serious about taking the old rack parts off my hands and are willing to pay shipping, drop me a line via email at [email protected] and we'll figure something out.

I sent you an e-mail. I'd like them if Florida Drummer isn't interested.

[parkkeeper]

I use a Gibraltar rack with curved bar which I also use with my accoustic kit. The clamps are held in place with memory locks and are rock solid even when I'm playing hard. Gibraltar racks are cheap (in the UK at least) and most larger music stores have a good assortment of second hand tubes and clamps. I threw away the Roland cymbal and snare holders - far too light and bendy - along with the plastic clamps which slip. The only plastic clamp I kept is the one for the brain.

[Smokey50]

Originally posted by Paradiddle:
Sounds like most of us are unhappy with the Roland Racks! My biggest complaint is that the rack bars are round and have a glossy finish, there is no way in hell that you can keep the pads from moving around on you with this design unless you're playing love ballads all night! Especially the hi-hat and snare pad which take the most abuse. Did the fine engineers at Roland not think that these pads were going to be struck over and over again with sticks when they designed this fine rack?
So has anyone found a way to keep the clamps from shifting or do I need to buy a new rack to be able to use my V-Custom without stopping every 5 minutes to re adjust the snare / hi-hat?
Thanx!

[Woody]

I don't have any problem with the Roland rack and I'm a fairly heavy hitter, playing Vic Firth 5B's.
My rack isn't a glossy finish, though. It's more of a satin finish. More texture to the painted surface.
I guess it must come with years of playing and stick control. If you must, I would crank down a little more on the clamps.
No problem here with the Roland rack system. As a matter of fact, I like the way it folds up to carry off to my pick up truck.
Easy set up and break down.
Did I mention STICK CONTROL!!!

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Woody

[zendrums]

Woody, c'mon! You never broke a clamp or had any difficulty in using this rack? The plastic clamps are very touchy and seem to break if you look at them crosseyed!