Gibraltar GSVMS-KIT Vertical Mounting

I bought this Stealth vertical mount (together with the Stealth side mount) to replace a snare stand and cymbal stand and bass drum mounted tom mount. The side stand replaced two other stands. I wanted a simpler, lighter system that is easier to set up and take down for gigs.

The Stealth system came well packaged with all necessary parts to accommodate different tube sizes. It was fairly easy to assemble (although the snare basket took a while to fathom out how to open it)

It did take some time to understand the inter-relationship between the different bolts and spacing between floor clamps and memory locks so as to achieve proper verticals and horizontals with the upright posts and cross piece tube. I suggest you take some time here to understand this and the Stealth system becomes quick and easy to assemble (although I'd recommend that after you have found the ideal for your drum set-up, you find a way to mark the position of the clamps, posts and cross tubes to enable a speedy set up next time).

The same applies to the Steal side mount system for which I also bought a separate clamp for the cross tube to enable me to mount an auxiliary fixed hi-hat. Mark the positions or you'll spend time fiddling around, which didn't happen so much with the traditional tripod mounts for cymbal stands.

The stealth system is very stable when properly set up although I find the Gibraltar tom mount's clamping system for a cymbal boom satisfactory but lacking a solid base to mount the tube onto. The clamp grips but does not support. I have swapped mine for a Sonor combined tom / cymbal mount which is much more sturdy and easier to use.

It's a bit early to know for certain whether the change to the Stealth system is superior to my previous stands. I know the footprint is certainly much less and it does feel sturdy but I still have the same number of clamps and auxiliary tubes / booms; only they are now all mounted on the rack system instead of tripods. My hardware bag still feels very heavy so I doubt that I have saved much weight.

Overall, early days yet; it looks good and seems effective with my reservations as noted above. I'll know for sure after a few months more rehearsing and gigging.