Icon 503C Mod/Customization

[LDdrummer]

So since my plan for a new thread for my Masters Premium is not working out due to getting good pics....I decided to start with the hardware

I have the Pearl 503C rack....I love this thing....except the horizontal bars are too long. It was ok with a huge kit, but now this has made its way to the kids export kit...and is, well to be blunt, too big. So after a lot of thought and the trial and error of making a stealth rack out of my old Gibraltar rack, I can make a stealth rack for my Masters and a smaller rack for the exports.

So I plan to cover both here in one thread

[LDdrummer]

Step One: Cut a horizontal bar into 2 18" "wings", like the ones Guitar Center has sold:

[LDdrummer]

I found some plastic end caps on eBay that worked out very nice:

[LDdrummer]

Side view of caps:



*Sorry for the multiple posts but I am using the app right now, and can't upload more than one pic at a time.

[G The Drummer]

Great idea LD! Can't wait to see pics of the finished rack!

[LDdrummer]

Thanks! Next plan is to shorten one of the two remaining horizontal bars to fit closer to both sides of the kick, then add the wings to that rack for the exports. Then I will make a stealth rack for the Masters kit, but the specs and design of that are still up in the air!

[G The Drummer]

Thanks! Next plan is to shorten one of the two remaining horizontal bars to fit closer to both sides of the kick, then add the wings to that rack for the exports. Then I will make a stealth rack for the Masters kit, but the specs and design of that are still up in the air!

Nice!

[Master88]

I did the same thing, ( cut a 36" curved bar) to 18" each when I extended my kit to a double bass kit. I haven't found any rubber end pieces yet but it really helped and gave me just enough rack on each end to mount my remaining cymbals without having too much unused rack. Can't really see it in the pics but there's a homemade cut 18" rack wing on each side of kit.

[LDdrummer]

I did the same thing, ( cut a 36" curved bar) to 18" each when I extended my kit to a double bass kit. I haven't found any rubber end pieces yet but it really helped and gave me just enough rack on each end to mount my remaining cymbals without having too much unused rack. Can't really see it in the pics but there's a homemade cut 18" rack wing on each side of kit.

Looks nice! I love the rack like this....I am very pleased with how the first step turned out.

Here's the link to where I got my end caps:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-1-1-2-Squa...4AAOSwsB9V-eFZ

For 5.99 plus free shipping, it is more than worth it!

[Master88]

Lddrummer thanks for the link. That's exactly what I've been looking for!.. Will certainly give it a professional and complete look after my amatuer cuts were made. I did lightly grind off any burs but the caps will sure help thanks.

[LDdrummer]

I cut mine with a portable band saw, and even with some filing they still were not quite even. The caps hide that fact and make them a little safer too!

[Eliminator]

How much weigh can one of those "wings" handle?

[Master88]

Eliminator, I'm not sure of how much weight but I now have a 14 & 18 china mounted on one of my wings and it does fine. Once you lock it down with the memory lock underneath, it can hold whatever you need ( cymbal wise) it's really sturdy, even without a leg on the end.

[LDdrummer]

How much weigh can one of those "wings" handle?

Not sure, but they are much more sturdy than you would think. I only plan a ride on one, not sure about the other one. I have seen Pearl and Gibraltar setups like this each carry a tom and at least one cymbal with no issues.

[Master88]

Yeah, not sure I'd mount a gong drum or something quite that heavy on one but they are pretty sturdy.