What is the primary purpose of the Gibraltar Floor Tom Cocktail Conversion Kit?

The primary purpose is to convert a standard floor tom into a vertical bass drum for a cocktail-style setup. This helps drummers save space in small venues by eliminating the need for a traditional horizontal bass drum.

How does the pedal attach to the drum?

The kit includes two swivelling grabber arms. These arms clamp and lock onto the existing legs of the floor tom, providing a secure mount for the pedal underneath the drum.

What kind of pedal is included in the package?

The package includes a single chain cocktail pedal. It features an inverted design, meaning the beater strikes upward to hit the bottom of the drum.

Can the position of the pedal be adjusted?

Yes, the kit is designed to be easily adjustable. The swivelling arms allow the drummer to position the pedal in a way that best suits their playing style and ergonomic needs.

Is this kit suitable for large touring setups?

While it can be used in any setup, it is specifically optimized for compact, portable, and small-venue gigging where space is limited. It is ideal for 'cocktail' style kits.

Do I need to buy special drum legs for this kit?

No, the grabber arms are designed to connect to standard floor tom legs. It uses your existing drum hardware to create the conversion.

Does the pedal offer good stability?

Yes, the kit is engineered to offer stability and grip. By clamping directly to the floor tom legs, it ensures the pedal stays secure and does not move during play.

What drive system does the pedal use?

The included cocktail pedal uses a single chain drive system. This provides a traditional feel and reliable response for most drumming styles.

Can I use this kit with any brand of floor tom?

Generally, yes, as long as the floor tom has standard legs that the grabber arms can clamp onto. It is a universal hardware solution from Gibraltar.

What is the typical price for this conversion kit?

The typical price for this Gibraltar conversion kit is approximately £174. This includes the mounting hardware and the specialized inverted pedal.

Does this kit allow for standing play?

Yes, by converting a floor tom into a vertical bass drum, it facilitates a cocktail setup which is often played while standing or sitting on a high stool.

Is the installation process permanent?

No, the installation is not permanent. The grabber arms clamp on and off, allowing you to switch your floor tom back to a traditional setup whenever required.

Gear article

Gibraltar Floor Tom Cocktail Conversion Kit

The Gibraltar Floor Tom Cocktail Conversion Kit is a hardware solution designed to transform a standard floor tom into a vertical bass drum. It features a specialised inverted kick pedal and mounting arms that facilitate compact, 'cocktail-style' drum configurations suitable for small venues and portable setups.

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Overview

The Gibraltar Floor Tom Cocktail Conversion Kit is a specialized hardware package developed to address the needs of drummers working in confined spaces. By utilizing two swivelling grabber arms, the kit allows a drummer to repurpose their existing floor tom as a kick drum. This conversion is a hallmark of the 'cocktail' kit style, where the percussion setup is vertically oriented to reduce its footprint on stage. The kit includes an inverted pedal specifically designed to strike the bottom head of the drum from below.

Design and Mechanics

The core of the system relies on two grabber arms that connect and lock directly to the existing legs of a floor tom. This provides a stable anchor for the kick pedal, ensuring it remains fixed under the drum during performance. The included pedal features a single chain drive and an inverted beater mechanism. This design allows the pedal to sit flush underneath the drum, striking upwards against the resonance head (or the batter head if the drum is flipped). The swivelling nature of the arms makes the unit highly adjustable, allowing drummers to position the pedal according to their specific ergonomic requirements.

Performance and Character

Using this conversion kit changes the sonic character of a standard floor tom, providing a deep, resonant bass tone that mimics a small-diameter kick drum. Because the pedal uses a single chain drive, the action is typically responsive and lightweight. The stability provided by the leg clamps prevents the 'pedal creep' often associated with makeshift cocktail setups, offering a consistent feel throughout a performance. It is particularly effective for acoustic sessions or jazz contexts where a full-sized bass drum might be overpowering.

Target Audience

This hardware kit is primarily aimed at gigging drummers who frequent small venues, cafes, or street performance settings where floor space is at a premium. It also suits percussionists who prefer a standing playing position, as the converted floor tom can be set at various heights using its standard legs. It serves as a cost-effective alternative to purchasing a dedicated, standalone cocktail drum kit.

Market Context

While Gibraltar is best known for robust hardware, this conversion kit occupies a niche alongside specialized percussion tools. In the broader landscape of music gear, it shares space with other performance-enhancing utilities. While electronic tools like the Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor or the Digitech Whammy Ricochet focus on signal manipulation for guitarists, the Gibraltar Conversion Kit focuses on mechanical efficiency and space management for the rhythm section.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary purpose of the Gibraltar Floor Tom Cocktail Conversion Kit?: The primary purpose is to convert a standard floor tom into a vertical bass drum for a cocktail-style setup. This helps drummers save space in small venues by eliminating the need for a traditional horizontal bass drum.
How does the pedal attach to the drum?: The kit includes two swivelling grabber arms. These arms clamp and lock onto the existing legs of the floor tom, providing a secure mount for the pedal underneath the drum.
What kind of pedal is included in the package?: The package includes a single chain cocktail pedal. It features an inverted design, meaning the beater strikes upward to hit the bottom of the drum.
Can the position of the pedal be adjusted?: Yes, the kit is designed to be easily adjustable. The swivelling arms allow the drummer to position the pedal in a way that best suits their playing style and ergonomic needs.
Is this kit suitable for large touring setups?: While it can be used in any setup, it is specifically optimized for compact, portable, and small-venue gigging where space is limited. It is ideal for 'cocktail' style kits.
Do I need to buy special drum legs for this kit?: No, the grabber arms are designed to connect to standard floor tom legs. It uses your existing drum hardware to create the conversion.
Does the pedal offer good stability?: Yes, the kit is engineered to offer stability and grip. By clamping directly to the floor tom legs, it ensures the pedal stays secure and does not move during play.
What drive system does the pedal use?: The included cocktail pedal uses a single chain drive system. This provides a traditional feel and reliable response for most drumming styles.
Can I use this kit with any brand of floor tom?: Generally, yes, as long as the floor tom has standard legs that the grabber arms can clamp onto. It is a universal hardware solution from Gibraltar.
What is the typical price for this conversion kit?: The typical price for this Gibraltar conversion kit is approximately £174. This includes the mounting hardware and the specialized inverted pedal.
Does this kit allow for standing play?: Yes, by converting a floor tom into a vertical bass drum, it facilitates a cocktail setup which is often played while standing or sitting on a high stool.
Is the installation process permanent?: No, the installation is not permanent. The grabber arms clamp on and off, allowing you to switch your floor tom back to a traditional setup whenever required.