RIMS® Alloy Pro Series Rieviews
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Click here for an open letter from Keith Anderson (Risen Drums), professional custom drum maker, concerning his experience with after-market mounting systems.
"These new Alloy RIMS really even better than the set that came on my Keller DW from the early nineties. It saddens me to see companies tooling and marketing their own style mounts only to suck the tone right out of the shell. Thank you for developing a product that does what it says it does. Even holding the drum by hand doesn't capture the resonance I get from having it supported at 180 degrees on the RIMS. The mounts I replaced were those top and bottom Optimount style. Tone thieves. Chokers of the bottom head, especially on smaller diameter drums. Your product has made my kit exponentially better and I thank you. I hope more drummers can see past the marketing fog being thrust down the throat of non suspecting consumers... major manufacturers with their own "cost effective" designs. Lighter=better. I no longer hear the irritating twang of chrome agitated off of the shell's vibrations. Just sweet, deep tone. I am spreading the word. What made DW and other boutique builders at the time so in demand was their sound. Trending away from that is something I will never subscribe to. Thank Gauger for staying the course."
-Toby Vattilano 2017
"Just wanted to say thank you for making such great products. Can't remember when I purchased my first RIMS® mount but I'm guessing sometime in the late '80's or early '90's. I remember the moment well... I had a Ludwig mounted tom that was so choked it was ridiculous. Installed the RIMS® mount and there was literally more sustain and fundamental resonance than I could handle! (which is a great problem to have). I have used RIMS® mounts on nearly all of my drums since, including a few sets using the FlexFrame™ system when I preferred the mounted tom in a snare stand. More recently, I have been using era appropriate RIMS® mounts with my 1982 Tama Superstars with exceptional results. Recently bought a brand new Ludwig Classic Maple set. The Ludwig Vibraband on the mounted tom seemed to be working fine and I was happy with the resonance, but I knew deep down that to unlock that drum's full potential, I would need to have the greatest of all-time, the one and only original Gauger RIMS® mount on it. Just received my Alloy RIMS® mount a few days ago and installed it on the Ludwig mounted tom. Today was the first time getting to use the tom with the RIMS® mount in a musical situation and I must say that (as usual), your product adds the extra mojo and fuller sound that I and many others have come to expect and depend on. Installation was easy as always, and the platinum finish of the alloy RIMS® mount looks great with the black cortex finish of my Ludwig kit. Thanks for making such great products and helping me achieve the sound I want and need from my drums. Consider me a lifelong customer."
-Ryan Culberson
"I had ordered the R.I.M.S. suspension system to use on a kit that I had put together. This is East Indian Rosewood, 10"x8" , 12"x 8" , 14" x 14" , and a 20" x 18". This is a solid stave shell kit, with high quality hardware. What stands out the most aside from the wood is your RIMS product, I've had multiple compliments for your product for not only the clean look, but the way they bring the true tones out in this wood. The only thing I can say is these drums sound like thunder, and I believe it wouldn't be possible to create that sound without your product." "First, a lot of congrats for your products! Did buy your Rim's Alloy models to retrofit my Ludwigs around 2003 or 2004 and the difference was STUNNING (I was not eager to believe this before..). Thanks very much and best from France." |
"I have fitted the RIMS® to 3 of my 5 yamaha 9000 toms and I couldn't be more happy with the result. The toms now sing like never before. By installing the RIMS® on the 'bottom' of the drums I have maintained maximum resonance with the added advantage that the drums can be positioned as close together as they were before the RIMS® were installed." |
"I just wanted to let you know that I finally got the RIMS® on my Mapex Saturn toms. You were right about the toms opening up and singing. They make it sound like it's a different kit now. I am so pleased with your product and can't thank you enough for all your time and efforts in making this work for me." |
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"I received my RIMS® last week, followed your instructions and installed with no problem. A fellow drummer freind of mine suggested your product. He installed them on his DW kit and raved about them. I installed them on my mapex kit all I can say is wow!!!. I play a number of bands N.Y. NJ. area I will suggest this product to any drummer. Totally pleased with the results. My rack toms sound amazing. Keep up the good work I help spread the good news. |
"I am very pleased with my new RIMS®. They look and sound fantastic. I can't believe how light they are and still feel solid when played. They have outperformed all other systems I have tried. My Luddys never sounded this pure and good before. Just for jollies I tried 4 grommets instead of 3 on the 10" and 12" toms. Just as you stated, it reduced the resonance a small amount. I took the extra ones back off and could not believe the difference. You guys have done your homework and have a superior product. |
"I've been using RIMS on my 12" rack tom for the last few weeks. What a remarkable difference. It's amazing how much more sustain is gained by this newer design. Furthermore, the drum sustains better in the low frequencies, which adapts the kit better to the style of music I'm playing." |
"I have owned these drums since purchasing new in 1986. The toms have never sounded so good." |
"I just wanted to let you know that I have all my RIMS mounts assembled and ready to go. I must say they are by far the classiest-looking drum mounts I've ever seen! I love the way the half-plate works with the DW bracket. Also, the way the matte aluminum finish works with the chrome: SWEET. Anyway, I just wanted to convey my absolute satisfaction in your product." |
"I've been playing for 35 years now, having had a '64 Ludwig kit all these years. Recently I picked up a Yamaha Stage Custom Birch kit in smaller sizes. At the store the drums were stacked rather than set up, and I picked up each of the drums by the rim (unknown to me at the time, your test) and struck them as I suspended them in my hand. I was very pleased with the sound.
When I got it home I changed the heads and set up the kit. I was very happy with the sound I was able to get from the snare, the kick, and the floor. The 10” tom was acceptable. The 12”, however, had excessively fast decay and strange overtones that I did not hear in the store.
Frustrated, I thought that a suspension mount might help and tried to order a pair made by Gibraltar for the rack toms. I discovered that Gibraltar has discontinued the mounts for six lug drums in those sizes. A search on line turned up a no-name version and I was about to place an order when I came across your site. Very educational. I had not considered that a no-name brand may fail to function, but I would never have imagined that it may actually damage the drums.
I affixed it to the 12” tom per the instructions, and fine-tuned the flanges until they sat on the lugs with no stresses. The matte platinum finish perfectly complements the bead-blasted portions of the Yamaha hardware.
Simply put, the 12” drum now sounds astonishing. It not only has more sustain, but is deeper and fuller, and the strange overtones are gone. In fact, the 10” tom which had sounded quite open compared to the 12” now sounds choked by comparison to the 12” with the R.I.M.S. mount.
Thanks for an really outstanding product and quick service."
Chip Hammond
"My old Yamaha RC (1983 and counting!) was languishing in cases unused and slightly forgotten. The problem was that compared to my new kit, the toms on the Yamaha just weren't cutting it, sounding rather choked and lifeless; still great drums but I guess a testament to the fact that even on the best kits, hardware manufacture genuinely has come a long way. I decided to do something about it and started asking questions and doing a bit of research regarding retro-fitting suspension mounts to pre-yess Yamaha toms. There were a lot of conflicting opinions; leave them as they are, you'll have to drill, don't drill, etc. However, I decided that if I didn't improve them they were going to stay unloved in their corner possibly not to be played again......I have one thing to say to those prevaricating like me about whether to mount old top-quality drums on RIMS.......JUST GET ON WITH IT! With my new mounts in place every drum sings like never before, my 10" and 12" in particular have opened up to the point that it's hard to suppress a smile when I hit them now. The 14" and 16" hanging toms were always good but now they are immense; deeper, fuller and more focussed. Also, I have had no problems whatsoever with a big 16" tom on a RIMS mount, some drummers seem to be concerned about this, don't be; place the mount and lugs correctly and it's perfectly clear that the weight distribution is very even and not stressing the drum. Of course if you are dealing with a pre-yess Yamaha like me then you do have to get the YESS tom holders in order to push the weight bearing point nice and high up the tom arm without having the arm protrude inside the shell, it's essential and looks far neater anyway. I cannot overstate how much of a difference fitting RIMS has made to these drums, basically my old kit now has a whole new lease of life, I have fallen in love with my Yammies again! I would like a few British companies to take customer service lessons from Gauger; every email (however inane) was answered with patience and thoroughly within a few hours by someone with the surname Gauger, proper customer care."
DYFRIG MORRIS, CARDIFF, UK
"I received your RIMS® and put them on my Yamaha Maple Nouveau Custom Absolute drums and I am a lot happier player now! They definitely make the drums resonate and sound better.
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"All I can say is "WOW!!!!". These new RIMS opened up my Bearing Edge drums so much that I couldn't believe it at first. They do exactly what they are intended to do---make great drums sound awesome. I can't say enough about Gary Gauger and his new RIMS® mounts---They speak enough for themselves!!!!!! "I recently played a show and using a custom maple bop kit. My 7x12 tom had no mount, so I placed it on an extra snare stand. The drum was tuned perfectly as I held it by the rim and struck the head. After placing it on the snare stand.........something drastically changed with the sound. The drum was sounding choked. There was barely any resonance coming from the drum. I would remove the drum from the stand and hold it by the rim again. As I struck the drum again, I soon realized I needed some type of tom mount to solve this choking problem. After careful research, I kept coming back to Gauger Percussion Rims as my first choice. Everything on the website made total sense. I ordered a Gauger Rim for my 12" tom. The installation went smoothly and I couldn't wait to tune the drum and strike it. I mounted the drum with the Gauger Rim on a stand. Now get ready for Gauger's Best Kept Secret . . . When I struck the drum. I couldn't believe my ears. The drum actually had more resonance then when I held it by the rim and struck it. How could this be? It is simple. Gary Gauger has obviously spent countless hours perfecting this product. Thanks Gary for designing the best rim mount system out there. Lightweight, looks great, sounds amazing!" |
"I own a Ludwig Maple Classic drum set that is 20-25 years old. The tom mounts were connected to the drum shells when I bought them and they wouldn't sustain nor could I tune them properly. I bought RIMS back then and I could tune the drums and they would sustain. I was extremely happy. I recently bought the Ludwig Atlas Tom mounts and gave them a try. When installed, the drums sustained like they did with the RIMS; however, I couldn't tune the drums. I took off the atlas mounts and re-installed the RIMS. I had each drum tuned within two minutes each. I still believe that your RIMS mounts are the most innovate product for drums in the past three decades!" "I have to say that the 12" Gretsch mounted tom never sounded better. It was the traditional Gretsch sound, but bigger and fuller. The RIMS mount also got rid of the vibrating shake that the drum had with the "cheap" Gretsch copy of your old mount. "I just wanted to let you know how happy I am with your RIMS™ on my Mapex toms. The drums just opened right up. Of course, this was a foregone conclusion, I've been using your product since 1979. Rogers, Gretsch and now |
Flex Frame™ Reviews
"I purchased a FlexFrame™ for my 13" tom last week, and got to take it for a spin last night. It is a marvelous design, and does not choke my drum at all! I had purchased some Little Booty Shakers, which are foam wedges that attached to the arms on the stand basket, and those made a difference. However, when I installed the FlexFrame™, it opened it up completely. Additionally, there was no longer a soft or spongy feeling of the drum sinking into the foam pieces or bouncing around on a suspension mount." "Hey kind folks at Gauger!! Just wanted to say I've been using the Flex Frame™ on my Ludwig Superclassic 13" tom in the studio and it's AMAZING. Engineers and producers going nuts over the sound. Plus so easy to use and tune the drum while the clips are still installed. The hype is real, thx for making such a great product for maximum tone!!" "For a long time I have preferred using a snare stand to hold my rack tom. Over the years I've attempted to fight the loss of resonance due to the rim/stand contact with various homemade fixes including attaching foam to the arms of the stand. FinallyGauger's Flex Frame has solved this dilemma. Nothing has worked as well to let the drums "speak". Completely love it!!" "I LOVE the FlexFrame™. My tom SINGS!" "I just received and set up the Flex-frame for my 12" Mapex Obsidian tom OMG! "I just received my Flex Frame for my snare stand mounted 12 x 8 tom and what an amazing piece of equipment it is! Nice full resonance from the drum." |
"I have always sought out equipment that will enhance and support my drums and cymbals... I don't enjoy having to fight with my gear to achieve the sounds I want! Using a snare stand to hold my rack tom has always sucked the life out of my toms. The Gauger FlexFrame system has not only made my rack toms SING, but it has made tuning simpler and easier. FlexFrames enable me to use a rack tom in a snare basket without choking the life out of it and swallowing up the resonance of the shell. It is truly a remarkable invention that I've been honored to use for years out on the road." "I received my 12" Flex Frame a couple of weeks ago. What an amazing piece of hardware. My MAPEX Meridian maple drum sounds like a million dollars! Now though, you have forced me (ow, quit twisting my arm!) to purchase a DynaMount system for my 14" floor tom so it can compete sonically with my 12" tom mounted on the Flex Frame. An additional benefit; I can use whatever snare stand I want instead of buying some high tech (and expensive) model that has improved resonance features that can't compete with the Flex Frame anyway. Buying your product actually saved me $. "I bought a Flex Frame system for my 13" rack tom a little over a week ago and it sounds absolutely wonderful. It was very simple to install and has ended a much-too-long period of frustration with my tom tones. |
The FlexFrame™ is a must for anyone mounting their rack tom on a snare stand. The difference as far as sustain blew me away ! Thank you guys for coming up with such a brilliant solution. "I have been hoping for something like this and am so thrilled that you have finally solved this problem. It truly figures - it makes sense that the guy who invented RIMS mounts would come up with this. I'm sure it is great because I know you are great!" "The device was easy to install and works great. Simple, effective and reasonably priced...what more could I ask for...makes one think, "I wish I'd of thought of this." The flex frame is light weight, almost unnoticeable and provides a clean look. My tom, with mounted flex frame fit into my standard 12 x 8 SKB case without any issues. My bass drum is virgin and I really like the flex-ability of being able to position my small tom on a snare stand and not have it affect the bass drums position or sound. Your FlexFrame™ solved my issues with sustain, visual appearance and weight. I'm thankful for it and will enthusiastically recommend it." "I recently ordered and received a FlexFrame™ for a 14" snare drum. I love what the FlexFrame™ adds to the depth of my wood snare (the recordings are amazing). My 1969 Ludwig 9x13 appears to be mahogany/maple or poplar with Duco blue with silver stripe painted finish. Sounds tremendous with the Flex Frame™ system installed. Sustain is clearly 3-seconds. Bravo! |
Dynamount™ Floor Tom System Reviews
"I just received your DynaMount floor tom system, and must say that the results were very impressive. "A quick note to thank you for the superior product and service. The Dynamount™ system arrived and I installed it without difficulty. The ultra-high quality of the materials and workmanship is a refreshing change from the ubiquitous run-of-the-mill imported stuff. Please keep your insistence upon producing American-made quality percussion accessories. All the best." |
"I did get the Dynamount together for my 13x16, and good lord what an amazing tone. I've used your mounts since the 80's, but never on floor toms. What knocked me out was how DEEP of a pitch the tom could sustain. Unreal! This product far exceeds what I had expected. The big surprise was the side-by-side comparison between my Pearl Optimount 12" rack, and the Dynamount floor. The rack tom sounds like a Pringles can...no, a duct taped Pringles can. Additionally, while mixing our upcoming live c.d., the engineer just couldn't get signal out of my Gretsch floor tom, but the RIMS mounted rack was huge. So within a week's time, your products have duked it out with rival systems on two of my drum kits. I had always assumed that the Optimount system was just as good. Too bad it took me so long to see the light." "Just a quick note to let you know that I just finished mounting my new 14", 16" and 18" RIMS Dynamounts (that arrived this morning after very swift shipping) to some Sonor Designer "rack" toms that have only ever hung from a stand before today. They now sit on the floor with DWbrackets and legs (no drilling necessary!), and without even going to any special effort to fine tune the heads, these drums sound and feel better than ever - I've not heard such fullness of tonal projection emanate from them before this - and I'm even using old heads! |
"I've now purchased a DynaMount for my 15"x13" Yamaha MCA Nouveau rack tom (I was tired of having a mounting stand!). I must say (being a true believer in the philosophy of the RIMS) that your system has given my tom "sound so that the jeans are blowing in the wind". Yamaha do indeed make fantastic drums, but their mounting (YESS) doesn't work. I think it's sad that I have to buy a suspension system elsewhere to get the most out of their drums. Maybe Yamaha should try your "test", and tune a tom off of the mount, and then put it back on "blurhh". Well, I just wanted to let you know of a satisfied customer from Denmark. |
"I never heard my 16" floor tom sound better, and the 14" sounds huge. |
"Thanks very much for sending the 18? floor tom DynaMount- its absolutely brilliant ! and I?m getting to know how to fine tune the mounting system...my floor tom now sounds really good!! Thanks again and if you ever need an endorser I?ll be the first volunteer........." |
FlexTips™ Floor Tom Leg Isolators Reviews
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"I have always enjoyed using all of the products that were developed by Gauger Percussion. Recently, I tried the new Flex Tips™. They really made the floor tom a lot more resonant. My drum kit was set up in the theatre. After receiving the Flex Tips™, I put them on the floor tom legs and could hear a big difference. The situation worked well for me because I got a good comparison both with and without the new tips. Everything stayed the same except for the added Flex Tips™. A great idea that really works! Thank you very much." |
"I received the 4-pack of FlexTips™ today, and they are great. Thank you very much. The reason I wanted to try them is because I was using suspension rubber tips on the 4 legs of my main cocktail drum but the weight of everything hanging on the cocktail drum was causing them to squish all the way down which looked bad (and eliminated the "suspension" function). However, the springs in your tips work better because they are sturdier." |
"I ‘ve attached a couple of pics of my new C&C kit with the flex frame on the 12” & the flex tips on the 16”. They sound awesome with your stuff on it. These last few weeks I’ve had multiple drummers & engineers ask how I’m getting my sound, I keep telling them about your stuff, so keep up the great work guys." |
"Recently I got a set of your flex tips, and I have to say they are fantastic! The resonance is 100% better. Just wanted you to know, these REALLY make a big difference and I will let any drummers I know about them."
-Larry
Lockerz™ Tension Rod Lock Reviews
"One of the most consistent issues I deal with on the road (and also the most common complaint I hear from other drummers) is when tension rods slip or loosen and can't sustain the wear and tear of an entire show. Nothing is more frustrating than having them slip out in the middle of a song and not being able to retune or replace them until the show is done. Many companies have some kind of washers that are supposed to limit that issue, but I've never found anything that is remotely close to the strength and ingenuity of Gauger's Lockerz™. I use them on every snare I own, and I tell EVERY single drummer I meet to order them. They don't detract from the tone of your shell nor do they limit resonance at all, they simply LOCK your tuning in the exact place you want it, until you change it. Your heads will break down way before your tension rods will slip!" "I absolutely love them. I had issues with some floor toms really going out of tune (I am heavy handed and a low tuned 16" floor drops real quick). I was in the habit of tuning every 2 songs - and now it is basic spot checking at the end of a gig. These things rock!" "Thanks so much. I love them!" |
"I'm a pro drummer and author, your lockerz are the best, I tune my snare after every song or two, the lug where my left hand hits and the lug where my right hits, last week I did 7 hours of playing with out tuning, great great product." I just received 24 Lockerz and put them on the batter tension rods of my 5x14 Ludwig Black Beauty. love your product. Where were you when I was playing five nights a week? I used to drive my bandmates crazy by retuning between songs. The Black Beauty seems to be holding its tuning and sounding much tighter. Guys...hands down the best lug locking product on the market! I'm amazed at the concept and functionality! Really locks in there, doesn't budge, is not in the way, and its the only product out there I've seen where you can still tune it, while having an actual "stopper" quality against the rim. I absolutely love this product! I have been through FIVE other different lug locking products, and "Lockerz" puts them all to shame. I can't imagine going back to anything else. |
"As a hard hitter I am continually tuning drums back up between songs due to lug screws backing out from vibration. Gauger's Lockerz™ have solved this issue for me. Even the lugs right where I hit rimshots all night hold tight through the whole show. VERY IMPRESSIVE!" "I gig 2-3 nights a week with a couple of loud rock bands (ie. Lots or heavy rim shots on my Ludwig 400!!) and I have not had loosen tension rods problems on my snare drum since I started using them. I have used iT Tension Tuners and LugLucks for years. So far I like your product better. Regards!" "This product has to be the best ever for the drumming world. I have your Lockerz on my 67 superphonic and love them." "I've used another brands lug locks for several years and your design is far superior and actually "hold". I'm a heavy rimshot guy and I was constantly having to retune my snare during a show, even with the other lug locks. I switched to Lockerz after seeing them in a Modern Drummer magazine and they are Awesome! I'm currently using these on all my drums." "I didn't have to tune my snare drum once for a nearly 40 minute set. Gauger Percussion Inc. Lockers™ allowed me to just play, without worrying about whether or not my snare was floppy. I hit hard, and that's what these are made for." |