Been using DW flat stands exclusively for the last couple of years. No babying, tossed into the bag. No problems, been stable, no slipping etc. I've heard similar about the Gibralter's and Ludwigs. Just got a deal on a couple of DW's...

Yes, and I like the new Ludwig flat-based stands the best.

From what I've seen, the Ludwig are the most expensive of the 3 - what sets them apart from the others?

Oh geez...there's a "new" new one available now. I don't mean the Atlas stands. Never tried those. I was referring to the ones that are now, apparently, discontinued. They were about $10 cheaper than what you could find the DW and Gibraltar ones for, and collapsed more compactly. Sorry for the confusion...

+1 on the dw, been using them for a few years now and no problems, and I was playing three nights a week. Memory locks a huge plus!

I have enough real vintage cymbal and hihat stands from the 50's and 60's to outfit at least three large drum sets with four cymbals on each drum set. That hardware is all from either Slingerland, Rogers, Camco, or Walberg & Auge. The latter two were sold under various brand names in the 50's. I gigged them mercilessly from the time they were new. When a screw or clamp would strip out, a new screw or clamp would replace the ruined one. If a riser tube would have a screw receiver strip out, or a screw break off in it, that tube would be swapped out with a tube from another stand. Sometimes, the broken screw could be backed out to salvage the riser tube. My own bulk and girth and the greater bulk and girth of a roadie never ruined a base of one of these stands. They were usually carelessly tossed in to an old Samsonite hard shelled suitcase used as a trap case. I have acquired several more vintage stands at bargain prices from "junk" bins at music stores or online for very little money for these old relics. For the hell of it, I bought two of the Gibralter vintage throwback stands when they were offered as a "stupid deal" online. They are as good as the 50 and 60 year old stands that I have.

I have several of the discontinued Ludwig LT 126 CS cymbal stands as well as a

couple of the Gibraltar flat based stands.

I prefer the Ludwigs for their light weight but the Gibraltar stands are a

more sturdy, have a slightly bigger foot print but weigh a little more.

Either of these will do a good job for you; however, the Ludwigs are getting

hard to come by.

It's my understanding that the DWs and the new Ludwig Atlas stands

are considerably heavier, if that matters to you.

Hope this helps.

MW

I have a complete set of the DW 6000's and they work great! As mentioned above...the memory locks make setup a breeze. The new Ludwig Atlas Classics came out a year after I bought my hardware, but I probably would have picked those up if I had the choice when I purchased my DW's...mostly because I play Ludwigs.

I have 2 of the Gibralter stands. They are light weight but can take whatever slamming or crashing you want to give them without tipping. Easy to fit in close spaces. The feet are raised up a little so you can fit them in around cords and cable that have been already run around the drum set. I'm very satisfied with them.