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If you play drums, you need to have a good table to store your instruments and accessories on. Good percussion tables offer a sturdy platform for all types of drumming extras including laptops.
Whether you’re sitting at a drum kit or standing at a dedicated percussion rig, keeping your bits and pieces on a stand will prevent you from needing to bend down to pick things up from the floor.
Percussion tables also make excellent laptop holders. It’s very common for drummers to have laptops resting next to them, and nothing works better than a well-cushioned percussion table.
Out of all the hardware companies, Gibraltar tends to have the most affordable stands. They’re also very reliable.
In this guide, we’re going to look at five of the best percussion stands that Gibraltar has to offer. I’ve compared them according to build quality, portability, durability, and value.
In a Rush’ Round-Up
| Image | Recommended ProductsProduct | Features | Price |
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Best Percussion Table
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Best Affordable Pick
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Best Add-On Tabletop
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Best Small Add-On Table
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Best Large Table
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Percussion Tables, Mounts & Stand Reviews
Gibraltar G-PSES Pro Sidekick Essentials Station
Gibraltar G-PSES Pro Sidekick Essentials Station Review
The Gibraltar G-PSES Pro Sidekick Essentials Station is one of the best percussion tables for drummers. It has a maximum height of 22.5”, which is quite low, but that height is perfect for setting the stand up next to a drum set.
It’s a comfortable height for your arms to reach for any of the instruments while sitting at a drum throne.
The table part of the stand is 16” by 10”. The length is long enough to fit a wide variety of percussion instruments on, and the width is broad enough for you to fit things like small mixers on as well.
The lightweight nature of this stand is its best feature, as it makes it very easy to transport. If you’re a gigging drummer who needs something reliable and stable to put things on, you’ll love this table. If you have a large percussion rig, you may need something taller.
Pros
- Large lip to keep any items from falling
- Lightweight
- Ideal for drummers
Cons
- The maximum height is quite short
Gibraltar G-SES Sidekick Essentials Station
Gibraltar G-SES Sidekick Essentials Station Review
The Gibraltar G-SES Sidekick Essentials Station is another fantastic percussion table for drummers. This is the most affordable option that Gibraltar offers that comes with a tabletop and stand.
It’s fairly similar to the G-PSES. However, the big difference is that the tabletop on this one doesn’t have a lip that is as tall. There’s a slight lip that matches the height of the felt surface, but it’s not high enough to prevent percussion instruments from slipping off the edge.
So, this table isn’t as protective as the G-PSES, but it still has excellent quality in every other area. It has a lightweight tripod base that makes it a dream to carry around, yet it feels sturdy once it’s set up.
I suggest getting this stand if you have percussion instruments that don’t roll around. It’s a more affordable alternative. It’s also perfect for placing laptops and mixers next to your drum set.
Pros
- Excellent stand option for drummers
- Great for laptops and mixers
- Cheaper alternative to the Gibraltar G-PSES
Cons
- Low maximum height
- Short side lip
Gibraltar SC-MAT Medium Accessory Table
Gibraltar SC-MAT Medium Accessory Table Review
The Gibraltar SC-MAT Medium Accessory Table is an excellent option if you’re looking for something easy to add to your rig.
It has a clamp attachment system that allows you to mount it to any hardware arm that is standing upright. This means that you can attach it to a hi-hat stand, cymbal stand, or any upright part of a drum rack.
The tabletop is moderately sized at 12” x 18”, allowing you to place a good number of percussion instruments on it.
Like all the Gibraltar tabletops, it has a black felt surface that blends seamlessly into any setup. The felt layering protects all the gear that you place on top of it.
The great thing about this table is that it doesn’t add to the footprint of your setup. So, it’s fantastic for use in tight spaces.
Pros
- Can fit in any drum or percussion setup very easily
- More portable than a complete percussion table
- Great build quality
Cons
- Doesn’t offer as much space or stability as a standalone percussion stand and table
Gibraltar Small Percussion Table
Gibraltar Small Percussion Table Review
The Gibraltar GEMAT is a good table to consider if you only need something very small. It has a surface area of 12” x 12”, meaning you can’t place more than one or two things.
However, it’s a fantastic option for drummers who simply need to place things like a tambourine or shakers. It could even make a fantastic platform to place a bottle, wallet, and keys.
It has the same attachment mechanism as the SC-MAT, but it’s a bit smaller and allows you to clamp it onto thinner rods. So, you can even attach this table to a microphone stand.
It’s the most limited table on this whole list, but it’s the most affordable option to get if you’re happy with its size.
Pros
- Excellent for small drum setups
- Easy to position anywhere around a drum or percussion rig
- Very portable and has a small footprint
Cons
- Too small to accommodate larger percussion instruments and accessories
Gibraltar 7615 Large Percussion Table
Gibraltar 7615 Large Percussion Table Review
The Gibraltar 7615 Large Percussion Table stands out due to its big square surface. The tabletop is 24” x 24”, making this one of the largest percussion tables on the market with a tripod base.
It’s an ideal table for percussionists who have dozens of bits and pieces that they need to place somewhere within their setup.
Since it’s so big, it’s also a good option for percussionists with a standing rig. The maximum height of 39.5”further caters to that purpose.
The legs at the bottom of the stand are double braced. They’re incredibly sturdy, and they add heavily to the heavy-duty feel of this table.
The tabletop is made from fiberglass, but it’s covered with a soft cloth to keep any of your percussion gear from getting scratched.
This table is also great for placing a large multi-channel mixer in a temporary recording setup.
Pros
- Very large table
- High maximum height
- Rugged base
Cons
- May be too big for some people
Things to Consider When Buying a Percussion Table
Consider what percussion you use
The types of percussion instruments and accessories you use will determine what kind of table you need. Lighter percussion instruments will work with a small and lightweight stand, while heavier ones need something more rugged.
Look for different options
Weigh up all your percussion table options and choose which one you think will suit your needs the best. Gibraltar has several percussion tables available, so do your research on all of them.
Think where you’ll use it
The type of setup you have will affect what kind of percussion table you need. If you’re using one at a drum kit, it can be short and light. If you’re using one in a large percussion rig, it needs to be tall and heavy.
Consider your budget
Percussion tables cost in the range of $50 to $300. The high-priced ones are more durable, and they have better material quality.
Features to Look for in a Percussion Table
Complete Tables vs Mountable Tables
When looking to buy a percussion table, your two options are to buy a complete table or a mountable one. Complete tables come with a tripod stand as a base, and the bottom of the tabletop mounts around the top rod of the base.
Mountable tables have a mounting clamp that lets you attach them to any vertical hardware stand. These tables then free float wherever you attached them to.
The benefit of complete tables is that they’re very sturdy. You can trust them more when loading things onto the tabletop. The downside is that they’re heavier to carry around.
The benefit of mountable tables is that they don’t take up any more space on the ground, so they’re good to use on small stages where extra hardware legs won’t fit. They’re also more affordable than complete stands. The downside is that they can’t take the high load that complete tables can.
Single vs Double-Braced Legs
If you choose to get a complete percussion table, you’ll need to decide whether to get one with single or double-braced legs.
Tables with single-braced legs are a lot lighter, but they’re not as sturdy as tables with double-braced legs.
If you have a table with single-braced legs, you can open them as wide as possible to add stability, but that will lower the max height.
Tables with double-braced legs are heavier, making them harder to transport, but they’re more ideal if you want the sturdiest table possible. Keep in mind that most double-braced percussion tables are more expensivethan single-braced ones as well.
If you get a percussion table that clamps onto an existing stand, make sure that you clamp it onto one that is sturdy and has double-braced legs. If you clamp it onto a stand that isn’t sturdy, it will topple over when you place too much weight on the table.
Table Size
Make sure to check the dimensions of the tabletop when buying a percussion table. The size of the tabletop will determine how many things you can place on it.
If you have many percussion instruments that you use, you’ll need a large table. If you only have a few, a small table will be a cheaper option.
I’d suggest getting a large table if you have a percussion rig. It’s better to have more space so that you can use it when needed.
If you’re getting a table to add to your drum kit setup, a smaller size may be more beneficial as it will be easier to fit next to you.
Surface Material
Different brands offer varying surface materials for their percussion tables. All of Gibraltar’s tabletops have felt-lined surfaces. Other brands have wool, plush, or padded surfaces.
Whatever percussion table you choose to get, make sure that it has some sort of protective material on the surface. That’s what will save your percussion instruments and accessories from getting scratched and damaged.
The surface material should also stop all your gear from slipping.
While all surface materials should be protective, you may like how one feels compared to another. So, choose a tabletop that has a material that you think you’d enjoy.
Height Adjustment
The final thing that you should check with a percussion table stand before buying it is how high it can be raised.
Some percussion tables are very short, only being able to be raised to a max height of 22”. These particular tables are intended to be used within drum kit setups.
Other tables can be raised up to 45”. These are the tables you should get if you have a percussion setup where you’re standing.
Also, check to see what the minimum height is, as some percussion tables are too tall for drum kit setups, even at their lowest height setting.
Percussion Table FAQs
Why are Percussion Tables Also Called Trap Tables?
In the days of silent movies, percussionists would create sounds using different percussion instruments during the movie. They kept all their gear on things called trap tables, and the name has stuck ever since then.
Which Brand Makes the Best Percussion Tables?
Gibraltar makes amazing percussion tables. You can always trust the quality of their hardware, as it’s long-lasting and always feels premium.
Other brands that make excellent percussion tables are Pearl, Meinl Percussion, Tama, and Latin Percussion.
Can You Make Your Own Percussion Table?
Yes. You can buy a tripod stand to use as a base and then create a tabletop to mount on top of it. You’d need to design it so that it can clamp onto the stand securely.
If you’re not a big DIY person, it will be easier to buy a percussion table from a trusted brand like Gibraltar.
