V-Drums kit for lefties

Author: Roland UK Features Team

As in the acoustic drum world, it’s easy for left-handed players to feel that they’re forever made to adapt to playing on a kit set up for right-handed players. We show you how to setup a V-Drums kit for lefties.

Wich V-Drums kit is right for you?

If you’re a left-handed player, it’s important that you can set up your kit, whether it’s acoustic or electronic, for your comfort and playing style. It’s certainly possible with every single Roland V-Drums kit to adapt the drum stand or rack for left-handed playing. Here’s how to setup a V-Drums kit for lefties:

Here’s How You Set Up a V-Drums Kit for Lefties…

MDS-4V (TD-11 kits and previous TD-4 kits)

The MDS-4V is perhaps one of the easiest V-Drums stands to set-up for left-handed playing

• Step 1: Remove the cables from each of the pads and cymbals initially, and unsecure the wiring harness from the stand. You will plug the jacks back in and re-secure the harness with the supplied clips and Velcro tapes after step 5, once the module has been moved
• Step 2: Move the pad clamp and hi-hat mount, located on the left-hand side of the rack over the right-hand curved pipe. You will need to undo the pipe clamps at the end of left, and right pipes using a drum key, to slip the pad mount off and on. Also move the FD-8 foot controller to the left-hand side of the kit
• Step 3: Switch the crash and ride cymbals on the cymbal arms, so that the ride is on the left and the crash is now on the right
• Step 4: Move the snare pipe and pipe clamp from the inner left leg, to the inner right leg. To do this, loosen the clamp and slip off the rubber feet at the bottom of each leg, replacing after use
• Step 5: Switch the module from the left hand side to the right hand side pipe and the tom 3 pad from right to left. Do this by loosening the pad clamp that holds the module and tom pad 3 (floor tom) and switch them over

MDS-9V (TD-15 kits and previous TD-9 kits)

The MDS-9V stand, although bigger than the MDS-4V and looking slightly different, actually transforms to a left-handed stand in exactly the same way as the MDS-4V, as described above.

MDS-25 (TD-30KV and previous TD-20KX)

The MDS-25 is perhaps the easiest to setup and doesn’t require much effort or time. The internal cabling only runs through 2 of the 3 sections of tubing on the MDS-25, and although these 2 sections are connected by the internal cabling, they are both easily “flipped” or reversed in order to be clamped to the appropriate legs in a left-player orientation and, so the cable ends (exiting from the tube sections) are positioned correctly for connection to the pads, cymbals, and module.

V-Drums Kit for Lefties MDS-25

V-Drums Kit for Lefties TD-20SX

MDS-20BK (TD-20S-BK and TD-20S-WT kit)  

Like the MDS-25, the wiring harness is also built into the MDS-20BK rack. However, the left conversion method for the MDS-20BK requires a few more steps. Simply follow the steps below and you’ll switch the MDS-20Bk rack from right to left in no time:

Start with the stand unfolded as shown.

• Step 1: Loosen the hand knob on the T-fitting that holds the right side horizontal tube.
• Step 2: Swing the right tube and vertical post out and around to the back and tighten the knob.

MDS-20BK-Reverse-Step-1-2

• Step 3: Use a drum key to loosen lug bolts 1 and 2 on both T-fittings holding the right tube.
• Step 4: Rotate the right horizontal tube outward approximately 1/3 of the way around until the vertical posts are parallel. Tighten the lug bolts.

MDS-20BK-Reverse-Step-3-4

• Step 5: Use a drum key to remove the T-fitting on the outside left vertical post (under the module mount).
• Step 6: Loosen the hand knob on the T-fitting on the front left vertical post that holds the left horizontal tube.
• Step 7: DO NOT SWING THE TUBE OUTWARD! To prevent cable damage, swing the tube in and through the front horizontal tubes.

MDS-20BK-Reverse-Step-5-7

• Step 8: Loosen lug bolts 1 and 2 on the T-Fitting on the front left vertical.
• Step 9: Rotate the tube outward 1/3 of the way around.
• Step 10: Attach the T-fitting to the vertical post and the horizontal tube. Carefully position the cables in the T-fitting (as shown). Also, make sure the T-Fitting is angled up (the numbers near the holes will be upside down).

MDS-20BK-Reverse-Step-9-10

MDS-20BK-Reverse-Step-10-close-up

• Step 11: Loosen lug bolts 1 & 2
• Step 12: Rotate tubes
• Step 13: Reinsert the tubes and tighten the lug bolts.
• Step 14: Attach pad mounts, pads, and module. Have fun!

MDS-20BK-Reverse-Step-11-14

Related links and articles:

• V-Drums Friend Jam Improves Your Drumming
• TD-4KP V-Drums Portable Wins MIPA Award
• V-Drums World Championship 2 Finals